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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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(the long black plastic piece at the bottom of the windshield) on my next visit. Also, I have many more paint chips on my front end than in any other vehicle I have ever owned. Next time around I am going to purchase the 3M product which protects against chips (invisible bra).
Only my Ford has required more service in 2 years than my E430. I sold the Ford Expedition for a Honda Odyssey. If it wasn't for my dealer service I would have sold/traded my '00E430 by now.
Has anyone had a similar experience. Any comments would be appreciated.
- Some people think it's cool (or should I say phat!) to remove the nameplates from the cars. It's a way of making a personal statement.
- Some people object to the Mercedes practice of identifying the engine in the car. By removing the E-320 badge, they may think people will not know if it the car has the 6 or 8 cyl. engine. The flaw with this thought is that if the badge is missing, I just assume it is an E-320.
- There was one case on this board of an E-55 owner removing the badge to make the car more "stealthy". The E-55 has other cosmetic changes, though, such as the wheels, that make it easily identified.
This weekend I was invited to test drive the E320 and E500 at a marketing event called E-Motion in Tarrytown NY. The car is so beautiful and awesome I really cannot wait to own one.
The event was super well organized and had a tremendous turn out.
Staff on hand was not very knowledgeable about the car overall (event marketers) but I did find one guy who worked for MB that was knowledageble and answered most of my questions.
Now, I'm looking to replace the factory installed audio system with an aftermarket music system.
I was told, by a rep at a store, that it cannot be done & that I would need to replace the CD changer AND the audio system together.
Is this true.? Any ideas.?
Thanks,
Magesh
Most of those thoughts crossed my mind too, but I find it hard to believe so many people have done that. I recently read a very brief article someplace where there have been some "gray market" E class cars brought into the country. From where or why, I don't recall, but the article mentioned that they might not have the logos on them. If that were true, I doubt you would want to remove the logo from your Offically imported E class..
BTW, if you're planning on replacing the system, why buy the MB CD changer?
Regards,
BigRob.
Thanks again.
I compared last fall and elected not to replace my sedan. However, I am reconsidering for this fall/winter/spring since I like the current 5-series and don't like the direction BMW has gone with the 7. When I compared the 530i to the E320 and 540i 6-speed to the E430, although the E offered more room, I found the BMWs to be tighter in handling and steering. Both the 530 and 540 were equipped with BMW's "sport package". The E430 was too, but I don't believe the suspension was any different, just the tires and aesthetics. Has the new E improved in these areas? Is the new E "sport" really any different in handling? Thanks.
E32 is $46,950, $2k less than last year (less standard features).
E500 $54,850, $1K more than last year (more standard features)
Don't know why Edmunds doesn't have this info yet.
should i expect it to be very reliable?
thanks - drj
A question about purchasing an extended warranty would be perfect for our Finance, Warranty, & Insurance board.
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Factory CD (in-dash) $400
Keyless Go - $1015
V60 Phone - $1595
Panorama Roof - $1500
Power Rear Shade - $440
Rear Side Shades - $320
Premium Sound - $700
It looks like most options went up about 2% over last year. At least the CD changer is finally in the dash. However, I have been told that the car comes with a single CD player standard.
JR
Jean
Also...need the command system which I understand will not be out until Jan. Anyone have any advance info on new system. The old one was a joke compared to Lexus. Thanks.....
Wally
My service advisor said that happens (theft) every three or four years. He tried for an immediate replacement and finally located an E-320 wheel from a totaled E in their body shop. It's a standard 16" E-Class wheel that will work fine as a spare with my upgraded 17" wheels and 235/45ZR-17 tires.
Tough to get much information here even though we have 2 large dealers in the Seattle Area. Actually there are 3 dealers within a 50 mile radius. Anyone know??
Dealer Sales Meeting. They will be worth the wait. My car was off the line on Aug. 5th. According to my sales person ship was to arrive on Aug. 24th. So they should be at dealers the first week of Sept. Ordered a Platinum Blue Met. with the Sport Pkg. as shown in the small hand out brochure. I don't think a better deal than MSRP will be out there for quit a while.
Taxi drivers in Frankfurt, Munich, and Stuttgart routinely drive their Mercedez 250,000-300,000 miles before the first overhaul on the engine. That's in stop and go traffic. Unless you live somewhere near the ocean or in a high snow area with lots of salt use, you should be able to get that kind of mileage easily here in the States. I'm planning on at least 200K on my E model before trading it.
I think that dustoff156 is right. It's true for many cars today that they will run into the 200K range. For example, my daughter's 1986 Toyota Camry LE is right at 200K now. I know several people that have kept MB's that long too.
What you need to get comfortable with is how much it will cost to do that next 100K on a MB. Parts prices can be VERY high and unless you have a very good private MB mechanic, you will get soaked by the dealers.
So, if you are intent on the 96/97 E-class, the primary issue will be the service history on the the MB you buy. I always recommend that folks buy used cars from 'loving' owners with service records. A car with a one dealership or one mechanic history is often a good choice.
Call every auction house in your area and tell them you are interested in picking up an E-class from an estate sale. Sometimes you get lucky.
You should also research the particular year MB through consumer reports and places like Mercedesproblems.com. Certain model year MB's seem more problem prone than others and the whole last decade has not been a bright spot in MB's quality history. None of their automobiles has made the JDPower Initial Quality top 3 in the last seven or eight years as I remember.
Good luck. If you find a good one, they are indeed keepers!
I recently spent $350 for a transmission fluid change, oil change, alignment and a few minor things. The cooling system is flushed and replenished every several years.
Our Mercedes mechanic, the ex-service manager of a Mercedes dealership, owns his own local repair shop, and his prices are significantly lower than a dealer's. I keep several coats of Zaino on the paint, which looks new. The car drives and handles much like my 2000 E-320 and is a pleasure to drive. My wife has threatened divorce or worse if ever I wanted to sell it.
The secret to long life is regular preventive maintenance. Hope this helps.
I was a little disapointed that horsepower hadn't increased much. Do you think MBZ will do with this redesign like they did in 1998 when the fresh design got a new engine the second year out?
I think that 65k should give you a very nice ride with soft and comfortable seats. The Lexus does this but I want a MB. Am I the only one who feels this way?
The pictures don't really convey the look of being there.
To me the new E looks like a C Class in E-dimensions, especially the side profile view. From the rear quarter, it also looks like an S-type with a shorter trunk (but nothing like the "did you forget the trunk or something" on the shorty C-coupe).
It's much rounder and fleshy looking than the current E, kind of like the Jags look these days.
It looked glitzy too, not so subtle any more. Chrome strips on the door in the body side mouldings look destined for dings. The turn signal crystal strip in the rear view mirrors is hard to get used to, kind of distracting.
I hope that this helps.