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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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I hope you can join us in next week's MB Tuesdays chat!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
This car has every gadget known to man, and I want the last 2. Any suggestions. Regards, Greg
M
I strongly suggest that you get a '94 as those final model year cars had the better designed, integrated bumpers, giant headlights and more menacing spoiler (to the benefit of the all-important DRG, as all you aspiring automotive designers know), and bigger disc brakes, I believe.
Mine was Black Pearl with a grey interior and I still have the service records and vin number, so I can definitely "protect" you down the road.
But who knows; maybe the subsequent owner ironed out my teething problems.
ggenge,
I'd be ticked, too. But more about the Nav disk than the phone. The phone is ludicrously expensive and from what I've read on this very forum is not seamless in its voice activation. I was going to order one, too, but changed my mine when I read some posts here, and spent the money on the more worthwhile ABC suspension set up.
In my personal opinion, a much more tricked out phone set up would be to get one of the new Motorola V series phones, and one of the car kits specifically for that phone which will give you a hands-free speaker and re-charging. I saw one in a quarter of a million dollar (US!) Aston Martin the other day, and it looked absolutely perfect in its cradle next to the center console.
It's a great phone (I just got one and like it much better than my digital StarTAC), and it's less than half the size of the bulky M-Benz Motorola OEM phones. The M-Benz Motorla also sits inside the center arm rest which is most inconvenient for access, in my opinion. Oh, and you'll save yourself 3/4 of the cost which you'd never in a million years recoup at resale time. Not to mention that with the pace of change of these phones, there will be something else new and highly desirable in a year or two. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be able to treat myself to the latest greatest cell toy rather than being locked into the M-Benz phone which is going to seem awfully dated by then.
Bell Canada also offers a very neat, tiny, voice activated portable phone by Samsung, if I'm not mistaken. That's the ultimate phone, right now, in terms of convenience. You can voice dial numbers with this phone not just in the car, but anywhere. Here in the U.S., that phone is only available with Sprint service plans as far as I know, so it's not practical for me because Sprint service coverage is not as good as my current carrier.
Good luck.
Yes, the voice recognition system has a lot to be desired. However, I still would recommend purchasing the phone/CD changer option. For most part, the system works pretty well after some playing and practicing. I also believe the future software update by MB will greatly improve the system performance.
For a car costing more than $80k, I think the option is a worthwhile and desirable.
So now my only concern is that BLANK SCREEN on my NAV system that I shelled out $20K more than E320 to get. Gadget guy needs GPS now!! Who makes those CD's for Canada. I'm sure it's not mercedes??
Looks like I'll be waiting some more. I hear it works great. Siiiigggh...!!!
Regards, Greg
M
Thanks
Does anyone else do this?
However, I must confess I'm very happy with it, when a call comes in, the phone will automatically mute the stereo showing the incoming caller's name and number both on the stereo's dash as well as the main dash below the speedometer. All I need to do is to press the answer or not-answer key on the steering wheel.
I no longer need to panic as a call comes in when I drive, fish out the phone from my pocket, check who's calling, find the earplug and stick it to my ear, mute the radio and then press the key to answer the call.. and oh, better find and plug in the power cord if the phone is low on battery.. And no more power cord or earplug cord messing with my seat belts!
The MB phone is really not bad, live for the moment and enjoy the convenience now!
Just curious because one would think that the cost of maintaining a Mercedes (especially if you average 30K per year) is pretty high.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I am seriously considering the S55 but don't want to give up the quietness of the S500. Thanks for your info.
I have no driving experience with it yet but that's the theory, its benefit should go beyond hilly terrains.
ABC is a semiactive suspension that is supposed to give you the ride of a limo and the handling of a sportscar, or somewhere near both. Your dealer should have probably said twisty instead hilly.
I was quite suprised reading at the most recent article about the S600 in Car and Driver.
With 5.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, the 600 is not that slow off the line, especially if we keep in mind that the same magazine tested the E55 in about 5.5 a few months ago
Also, what they said about the fuel economy of the new V12, really changed my mind about the S600 with regards to the other models. After all, it should not be that much more expensive to maintain as the S500 (virually the same fuel economy as the less swift V8)
What about that ride harshness over the potholes? Can that be attributed to ABC? Or to the lager tires? as far as I know the ABC is the same in all models and should not be stiffer in the S600
Would the 600 be more worrysome in regards to daily driving reliability than the S500? anybody that already has enough experience is welcomed to feedback on this.
thank you very much
ABC is the same on all models regardless of the engine (or at least the that's what the dealer said). The ride quality is basically the same, the noise would be the main change between the standard S500 tires and S600, S55, or Sport S.
I use my S600 every day to commute back and forth from work and other business functions, it is great and I always love getting in and turning that key (wanted the key less go, but it was really delayed). If you get any S, especially the S600, I would really recommend getting the 4-place seating package with active ventilated seats, people riding in the back always love it. If anybody has any other questions please ask.
I love the design in the S600 wheels, of highly polished aluminum. I wonder if mercedes makes them in bigger sizes, 18x9.5 lets say. That would be cool.
When I decide to buy my own S 500, a change wheels and tires will be in order. I liked the chrome 220 aMGs, but in person they look like painted. If i don't go with the 18s. I will probably try to find a set of 17s like those of the CL or if lucky, those of the S600, though not the ZR type
I was the one who wrote that. I have absolutely no inside information but was merely speculating on my own about the S55's longevity. The S55 is a true super car but I just wonder how that mighty motor will stand up over the long haul.
As for noise levels, the S500 with the Sports Package and the S55 have identical levels of quietness...until you floor the accelerator, of course. The S55 turns into a howling beast at that point. The induction roar of the S500 under full throttle is merely a mild growl by comparison.
Petervan,
The value of ABC can be found when the car is under hard cornering, braking and acceleration. It matters not whether the roads are flat or hilly, and certainly not if winter is a season you do not encounter. Your salesman is an idiot. If you drive hard, and like to surprise sporty car drivers trying to keep up with you on tight exit ramps, then get ABC. Indeed, since your roads are flat and smooth, and ABC seems to add a tiny bit of harshness to the ride (according to C&D -- I don't have my car yet), you really are in the ideal driving environment for an ABC equiped car, in my judgment.
But the standard suspension is pretty darn good, too, and you may be quite satisfied with flipping the dashboard suspension setting to Firm for those occasional times when you wish to play.
I'm using a 1999 S500L and the arm rest between the front seats is scratched in two areas. First, there is a scratch beside the front left seat on the corner (to the left of the centre openable wood compartment), and the second scratch is on the same piece of leather, just to the left of the rear aircon vents. Although they are minor, everytime I see them - I think, what a shame! I really want to replace this piece of leather, all feedback welcome!
roger23, depending on how long your waiting list is, I would wait to find out if there will be any changes for 2003. If they are minor, I would go for the 2002. If you can, place your order, here in the Bay Area, I you would have to wait for 2003 models anyway right now, even if you want a 2002. So good luck and ask your MB dealer.
http://www.edmunds.com/news/futuretelling/page024.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
P.S. I'm certain that you won't be disappointed with '02 ML500, but don't set your hopes too high about a drastically different interior ;-)
John
M
And, maybe, they will offer the leather upgrades in the interior as standard or at least optional thoughout all the lineup. Now this would be great.
Anyway, these years are so exciting for all the car enthusiasts, especially the MB admirers like myself. They are struggling to develop appealing features to make cars more appealing, and I love it. I especially love this "supercharged era" Mercedes has just initiated. Maybe 5 years from now, I may be able to get my hands on a S Slass that can have 500 Hp, a top speed of 200mph, makes 0-60 in 4,5 sec, and is ultra smooth, ulta silent, and ultra modern at the same time. Quite a dream.
talk to you later
This story will touch on the following trends:
-the gadgets in high-end vehicles from the Lexus LS 430 and Volvo S80 to Porsches and beyond
-drivers in their 40s-60s buying sports cars
-driver distraction
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teething problems. Anyone heard of any such problems? In particular,
any issues with the economy feature where some of the cylinders shut off ...
Thanks for any info.
A journalist from one of the country's largest newspapers has asked us for help finding consumers who recently purchased a Lexus L430, Mercedes C class or BMW 3 series after considering a more expensive vehicle, or anyone who recently considered purchasing a luxury vehicle, but decided not to because of the economy.
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Pat
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Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Even the Limo tint you can see outside not implying that you would, but with a shade infront of it it is impossible to see outside.
You could do it, but I think that this is MB's disclaimer. Go for it! I really like the S-Class with tint, even if it is just a few shades darker
Robert
I recently went into a place in New Jersey that specializes in M-Benz aftermarket equipment installations, and asked about the obvious flow of soapy water that I observed running into the doors of a brand new S430 Sport that was having its windows tinted. The installers claimed that it was no big deal, but I was less than reassured by their answer and sloppy lack of precaution in sealing off the door panels.
For what it's worth, I must say that the results looked great, though.
on an S430. if so it would look great!! thanks