Start of the year I disposed of my Mercedes E500 4matic 2005 model which had a persistent transmission issue and bought myself a Highlander with the whole works 4wd. I am so happy with it. Service bills are like 230 for an oil change at dealer. With my wife we have jointly owned 10 German cars. I will never go near one again. I bought my wife a similar model Toyota diff color. She is happy too. Why did I not switch to Toyota a long time ago? The whole status symbol with German cars is BS - its more like paying service guys. ( I am not for an EV not for a while.
Glad to hear it.
There’s an old saying, something along the lines of the fastest way to go through a large bank account balance is to buy a European sports car. Sounds like you can relate. 
I heard it as follows:
Q: How can I become a millionaire?
A: Start with two million, then buy a used Mercedes, and within a few years, you will be left with one million.
$230 for an oil change? My shop does full synthetic oil and filter for $76, and it’s not an inexpensive shop. What else does your Toyota dealer do for $230?
Do you plan on driving this Toyota for 20 years? Of course, late model vehicles are easier to maintain than old cars.
Just for fun, buy a 2005 Lexus LS430 (with air suspension).
I believe I have repeatedly mentioned that over the years on this very website
I’m glad that at least one person got the message
I might add that Benz and BMW . . . just to name 2 European luxury brands . . . have EXTREMELY high depreciation, compared to Acura and Lexus
For that price they should do more than just oil and filter. You might be out of warranty and if you are an independent shop will be cheaper.
.dealer about 25mifri. Us has an oil change coupon starting at $90 fir up to to 4qts. Our indy charges $90 plus tax fir the 2010 Prius and we’ve never had to question their work. 33yrs and only had time f I back once first b a day parts and one time time cirrect a rookie mistake (wrapped a cut plug wire in tape, misfire discovered on the drive after they closed, new plug wires on the house).
I had the price wrong. I paid 440 for 4 service calls that include oil change, filter change, fluid replacements and tire rotation and inspection checks. So it averages to 110 plus tax so say its 130. I wrote 230 by accident.
You are right. I was wrong with the price. It was 110 plus taxes say 130. Not 230. I paid 440 for 4 service calls that include oil change, filter change, fluid replacements and tire rotation and inspection checks.
I havent but I will. I have a friend who swears only by Lexus.
Pre-paid maintenance usually goes by the maintenance guide, it doesn’t include excessive maintenance people often indulge in.
4 maintenance visits include;
2 Oil and filter changes
4 tire rotations
Air filters during 30k, 60k, or 90 k services only.
The only “fluid change” is coolant @ 100,000 miles.
and what does that have to do with your Toyota Highlander . . . ?
It sounds like Toyota has been a much better fit for you. The lower running and service costs can definitely make a difference over time. Sometimes reliability and practicality are worth more than the status that comes with a badge.
And if you want luxury, you could get a Lexus
You get the bells and whistles AND the Toyota reliability and resale value
When you are in the car and looking out window I bet most cars feel similar. If you drove a merc s500 and then got into a Toyo suv it might seem a little different. Do you want a suv? Or a sedan?
That is a huge NO for the majority of people.
People’s sensitivity to such things is linearly variable from completely oblivious to you can tell when you drive over a quarter. It is not a bell curve but linear.
A Lexus feels better than a Toyota because they install more expensive components in the Lexus. A Bentley feels better than a Honda, a Range Rover better than a Tahoe and an Escalade feels better than a Suburban.
If you can’t feel the difference go for cheaper product but don’t disparage those that chose a more expensive vehicle.
Or if you CAN feel the difference, but it’s not that important for you, then it’s fine to go for the cheaper product, imo
OP sounded like he was coming at it from quality/repair issue view. Not so much driving feel. I have had 10 Mercedes? Uh, I think it goes that I like Mercedes? Time for Toyota.
A $50,000 SUV should feel/drive better than a 22-year-old Mercedes.