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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
I got my e430 for 51k.
Ls sport version is 68+. Your in S class territory. LS is a good value compared to s class. Mercedes rarely does well in price comps. But they are better cars. IMHO.
It's great! I've not taken a long trip, so I don't know if it will get over 30mpg. My frame of reference is my '81 240D which I drove for 18 years and 240k miles. The turbo's very quick and it's an E class - the perfect automobile IMHO.
I chuckle when I see the dealer prices for recent Benz's - it seems that I'd have to pay more for my three year old car than I paid for an 18 month old one!
Bill
Quite frankly, I'm a little tired of the small little quirks associated with the MB's.
As owners, what after-market anti-freeze is recommended? Should it be standard Prestone or the orange Dexron/Dexcool "long life" version?
Any idea of how expensive the rims/wheels are that are included in the "sport" package? MB of Austin (Continental Cars) has an E320 Sport on their lot very similar to my car, but with the sport wheels. TireRack.com lists AMG and other MB-OEM rims for sale, but nothing like the sport version.
If you can afford a MB, surely you can afford to spend a few more $$ on their specialised fluids? It's about being penny wise, pound foolish, I suppose.
Best of luck....
Drew
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Have a look at this:
"Just today I received official Mercedes Benz information regarding changes to Mercedes Benz maintenance requirements. Again this is OFFICIAL and all owners of '98,'99,'00 and '01 Mercedes Benz vehicles will be receiving letters to this effect.
Effective immediately (this message was dated Jan 26th, 2001, but I believe dealers were given until yesterday to stock up on synthetic), Mercedes Benz ONLY recommends the use of MB approved synthetic motor oil for all vehicle equipped with the Flexible Service Systems (FSS) as of model year 1998.
This is the list of Mercedes Benz recommended synthetic motor oils.
Mobil1 tri-synthetic formula 15w-50
Mobil1 tri-synthetic formula 0w-40
Valvoline Synpower full synthetic motor oil 5w-40
Castrol Syntec 5w-50
Castrol Syntec 10W-40
Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5w-30
Shell Helix ultra 5w-30
Shell Helix ultra 5w-40"
Drew
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http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bogboo/newnews/newsarticle.php3?id=1973
Drew
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I hope that they maintain the separate headlights and not merge them like the S and C class.
Confused about fact that 10w 40 oil not available in mobil 1. What weight would you recommend for east coast US mid atlantic region. Temp can get in the teens, and of course hotin the summer. Rare extreems I just mentioned. Is it 15w 50 or 0w 40.
Interesting picture above. Very evolutionary and I am sure will be a nice car. Looks alot like whats sitting in my garage now. I think I can wait about 4 years from now. I am very much into engines and drivetrain, and would be inclined to wait till new offerings. But thats my thing.
2 months back when I was negotiating, dealer had a 320 sport, price was about 4k higher that non-sport. for 5k$ one could get the 430, not pay for metalic paint, get the bigger 17' wheels and that sweet motor. Granted the 320 sport looks nice, but its more show than go. I like the stealth v8, in that I prefer to lay low and not draw attention to my vehicle.
Jack
My only complaints about my E320 is that the cup holder is a joke, the seats could be more supportive and comfortable, and I will likely find myself spending all my free time washing, waxing, polishing, detailing.......
Now I only need to add some MB sport or AMG monoblock and a 6 CD changer.
Jack
I bought my E320 the day after it came off a 2-year lease. The only significant non-accident related repair (yup, got the rear end crushed in..) has been the rubber bushings in the front end; on the sway bar and tie-rod ends. They started making soft clunking noises at about 65K miles and they were all replaced under the Starmark warranty. Without the warranty, it would have cost nearly $1000 P&L.. And the service manager said it was not unusual at that mileage. Otherwise it has been very reliable; at least until now at 77K miles.. And it still drives and rides like new. Even the leather is holding up much better than on my sister-in-law's 95 BMW... Oh, the dealer put all brand new Goodyears and did a complete brake job before I took delivery. So I have avoided those expenses up until now (2 & 1/2 years).. Although I will have to check the brakes soon and I will need tires within the month also.
Good luck with yours..
You may think I'm crazy but I am looking at the E320 or the new full size SUV from Toyota, the Sequoia. It actually drives great for a vehicle that size although it, like most SUVs, lacks the fun to drive factor that the E320 offers. Also would like to hear comments regarding the E320 trunk. That too seemed smallish for a couple of strollers in comparison to the trunk of my Acura Legend. Any opinions?
My advice is to buy a Sequioa (excellent choice)
or Honda Minivan. Perhaps, if you get the minivan you can buy that great looking new E in about 18 months.
Taison, thanks for the photo of the new E and I
am looking forward to the 400HP AMG version.
During snow storms the car seems to snow plow (goes straight instead of turning) when taking a left or right turn. Even at slow speeds.
Are the Blizzak's better in snow than the Alpins?
Has anybody ever tried both?
I'm moving up on the wait list for an M5 (now #2 with expected April/May delivery), so I've started to review my alternatives before spending $75k. If the new E came with an E55 equivalent engine, BMW quality handling and - for god's sake - a 6-speed manual, I'd almost have to wait!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
Drew
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The BMW "sport" suspension is too tight and results in a less than luxurious ride. The cars handle like nothing else on the road and have ample power. But, M-B blends the German art of handling and power with a degree of luxury.
The E-55 will never be as hard-core as the M5 because Mercedes' buyers prefer it that way.
I like the feel of my E430 and prefer my seats.
My multicontour seats are comparable to the "standard" BMW seats. The "sport" seats are just not as comfortable.
In a nutshell, the BMW and M-B products may compete with each other but they are very different products. I prefer the sports car feel of the 330 Convertible to the 320 CLK convertible; however, my luxury sedan preference is for the E430 over the 540IA. Again, the products are comparable yet quite distinct.
FWIW, I was in the same position you were several months ago. I read all the magazine tests and everything I could download from the Internet. From an objective perspective, here is what I concluded:
1. Engines: virtually the same vis-a-vis performance characteristics. The M5 is less than 2/10ths of a second quicker from 0-60mph (M5=4.7; E55=4.8) which was attributed to the manual transmission. In real world driving conditions, it's a wash.
2. Brakes: virtually the same again. Most reported that E55 brakes are stronger and bring the car down from 60-0mph in a shorter distance, while one other said the M5 had better brakes.
3. Handling: The M5 always seemed to get the nod here...primarily because of the driver's interaction with the car due to the manual trans...and was said to be more "sporty" even though the E55 was said to have a slightly "firmer" suspension.
4. Fit and Finish: both virtually the same in the short term, but BMW seems to have a lot more quality control problems throughout it's production line...and the M5 is not excluded from these complaints. There are lots of documented reports of M5s using an exorbitant amount of oil...even after break-in.
5. My Conclusion: The M5 does NOT have a spare tire and I plan on driving my car much longer than the period of time covered in the manufacturers road side assistance package. Also, in day-to-day, real world driving for me, an automatic trans is less taxing than a 6-speed. Exclusivity goes to the E55...there are just less of these truly hand-built AMG around. Dealer support, and while this varies from region to region, the WDC area has to have the absolute worse BMW dealers in the area. Conversely, the MB dealers are much more customer service oriented (it kills me to admit this since I sell BMW motorcycles and customer service is the hallmark of our business). The E55 obviously won, and I haven't had a second thought since buying my car at MSRP btw (I didn't have to order it either).
YMMV. I hope this helps. Regards, Bill Shaw
the lion
tomsky3 - I agree wholeheartedly with your post regarding COMAND. I have the '00 version and find it very useful and easy to use. Glad I got it. BTW, the headlamp washers are included with Xenons. My E-1 package also had heated seats. For the '01s, only the Xenons and HL washers are now in the package.
recorbill - COMAND has gotten me out of some frustrating situations and saved lots of aggravation. Frequently I find that I'm not familiar with the best route to a destination (read I'M LOST!), and COMAND saved the day! Edmunds doesn't like COMAND and says it's "gimicky," but I think it's a useful addition on a $50,000+ car.
r21070, yes, it's safe. To make sure that the gas cap is tight, you have to make sure that the it is turned until it clicks a few times.
Drew
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Thanks to all for an interesting board.
JR
For further information, you may want to drop by the Check Engine Light discussion on our Maintenance & Repair Board - there is a lot of great information there, and you'll find lots of folks who will be very willing to help you sort out what could be the cause.
Pat
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Thank you for all your good information. Hope I am not guilty of GIGO here and polluting the waters.
brushless car wash. My wife uses this car wash on her Ford Expedition regularly. The paint appears to be in good shape after 28 months of regular washings.
The car wash states that the first rinse is recycled water but the final rinse is "fresh" water. My M-B E430 has never been through this automated car wash because of the widely held belief that they are not good for the finish.
Is this really true? Millions of people use these things every day. Drew, I live in Florida so the temperature is not a factor. However, I know that Canadians such as yourself face some really cold months. Have you used these "brushless" car washes?
I understand that most comments on this board will be negative towards these car washes but what are the facts?