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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
James
I heard that starting with the 2000 E-class, Mercedes used better interior materials (I've never checked it myself)
2000 or newer have all of the service included under the warranty period.
Mark
Not to go into all the details (this has happened b4), but I took my E320 to MB of Houston North yesterday morning early. I called in advance and had an appointment for B service, rotate and balance, and alignment. I planned on getting it today but didn't tell MB that; they though I was going to get it yesterday; was promised by 4pm. I get a message from them at 5:30 yesterday saying they couldn't finish it, could I come by today at noon. I needed my car and the only thing they hadn't done was the alignment, which was not all that important, so I go this morning to get it. I had to way almost an hour and a half.
The stories with Audi were worse. Am I being unreasonable to get these _____'s to meet commitments and communicate after taking $50k from me? I'm not asking them to cure cancer, only to do routine maintenance, with an appointment, in 24 hours.
Here's a chance to wheel and deal. This is my favorite site to watch MB EClass Inventory, since they are New England's largest automotive group.
Go to herbchambers.com
Search all new inventory
Select Mercedes
Select E class
93 to choose from, up 40 from late September (53)
Good shopping!
rich
There is no coding on a CD that includes the titles. However, there could be a way to manually input them for each CD and store in memory.
thanks,
JOHN
M.
what a question to answer on the E-Class board... you might as well ask all the good folks here, Why not just a Camry?
I'm sympathetic. At the price of these puppies, I'd want mine with all the goodies, too.
There's a Jewish saying: "Once you eat pork, let it drip from your chin".
Merry Xmas,
-Mathias
East Lansing, MI
Thanks!
Mark
The 2003 E320 is much more of a driver's car. it feels smaller to me and is much better to drive. The 2002 E320's steering feels looser and the car feels bulkier. I'd get the new 2003 E over the 2002 E 4matic in a heartbeat.
I've had plenty of practice when I, er, pass gas. I immediately pick out some other unfortunate person next to me and pretend that he's the uncultured oaf.
It's that "Who, me?" look. Practice it in the mirror - you'll find dozens of uses for it.
But go with your feelings not the numbers. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes you don't like just because you're getting a better deal. You'd end up hating wearing it.
I really like my E 430 4 Matic. It's great in the snow and always has plenty of power. If you want a 4 Matic, your other options are to wait until the 2003 4 Matic comes out, (add $3k) or to consider a C class.
Regarding the power, everyone has their own tradeoffs. The 6 cyl. will get better gas mileage, and therefore has a better range. The E430 is somewhat of a "tweener". It gets better gas mileage than the E500 and has a lot more power than the E320.
I test drove the E500 and agree it feels tighter. How important this is, along with the new model styling, depends on your own opinions. Anyway, the discount offered to you appears to mitigate the body style change.
So it's your choice. Good luck, and let us know your decision.
I got a quote for 50K flat for a '03 E320 w/ E2, E5, CD changer and metallic paint.. Could any proud owners comment; looking to buy this baby soon to gift my wife for her upcoming b'day... (well I'll be driving too )
ctic, sorry I had posted 49K in error.
Have a Merry Christmas and great holidays everybody....
Even though impressions by posters here are valuable, reliability isn't an individual opinion. It IS an individual experience.
The difference being that the sum of the experiences constitutes an statistically likelihood of any one individual might have an issue. Just because one individual does or doesn't have problems, is absolutely no basis upon which to draw a conclusion that might apply to you as an individual.
i.e. Just because Charlie has had a 1998 E with 130K on it and never seen the shop except for book maintenance, is any indication that this would be true for you. Similarly, if Bill had his Engine Control Unit go bonkers and fry his wiring, that's also not any indication that it will necessarily happen to you. Either could, neither are individually likely. But some things will happen. Here's why.
The most likely reliability of the MB 03 E-class will be average to below average. They have had below average in the intro years on the S Class and new C class and the ML trucks were below average to poor for a couple of years. As a benchmark, Lexus is ranked exceptional and Infiniti is ranked above average to exceptional in all years.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't buy a MB E if you want one, it's just that your reliability expectations ought to be in line with what is likely to transpire. For some people the problems range from little stuff and minor hassles, for others they are big deals like transmissions. They don't tend to go away during ownership and are the reason why MB has gotten well-deserved flack from Consumer Reports to the Wall Street Journal.
That's also one of the reasons that shopping your dealership is at least as critical as which flavor of the E and how it's equipped. I would get references or touch base with friends that have dealt with a dealership to insure that they have the right attitude, a good parts operation and excellent diagnostics.
If you know what you are getting into then you are prepared, know how to deal with things and can treat the hassle factor and the time required to deal with it as 'the price of poker'.
IMHO, if one lives reasonably close to a dealer, who we know will provide free loaners, I wouldn't sweat the teething problems.
I think 2ndmb is looking at two different cars. If AWD is important, I personally wouldn't be happy with a RW drive car, even with ESP. Last winter my 4Matic got me through a 5-hr trip through a heavy snowstorm while I saw SUVs and BMW 3 series (which have their own version of ESP)off the road. It was somewhat surreal driving up inclines other cars couldn't negotiate. The yellow ESP light would flash on and off as it corrected the track while the 4 wheels kept the car moving. I've read the system is less complex than earlier MB 4WDs, so therefore more reliable. I haven't had any problems with it.
V6 or V8? - Let's face it, both have plenty of power. The issue is, plenty is never enough! We all want more. My wife had an E320 loaner while our E430 was in the shop. Opportunity knocks! She took it for a 400 mile spin. When she came home, she commented that it didn't have the passing power of ours, especially on the hills. This is to be expected, but then again, there are trade-offs, such as mileage and range. I get about 17 mpg average in suburban driving, and up to 22 on long trips.
I like the '03s a lot. For one, the styling is new. Since it's evolutionary, however, it doesn't seem to date the W210s. The 03s also incorporate improvements such as the electrohydraulic brakes, and the stiffer chassis, that is readily apparent. On my test drive of the 03 on local streets the brakes felt similar to those on my car. Inside, I like the new instrument cluster, but the functions appear to be same. If money is not an issue, the 03s can be had with some awesome options, like the Distronic cruise control and Airmatic suspension (I'm starting to sound like an MB salesperson!). Another big improvement will be the DVD-based COMAND system. On mine, as the CD maps don't overlap, crossing boundaries entails either entering a waypoint (unlikely), or knowing the route until you enter the area included in destination CD. If a navigation system is important, it probably would be worth buying the 03. The other stuff is really nice, but not a must-have.
As you can see, there are no clear choices. It depends on each person's needs, wants, and budget.
thanks...rich
Anyway, thanks to ctic, merrel and omasterq for their response to my query. btw, I live in a Philadelphia suburb and the quote was from R & S Imports; the sales person - Jim - was truly a go-getter wanting to get my business. My experience w/ Brandywine Motors of West Chester was also great, but they c(w!)ouldn't match the price - about 0.5K more. The latter dealership is quite outstanding, plenty - literally over 100 of MBs - in stock, a five-star new super-building w/ a star bucks cafe counter, a mb sales boutique, et al.
I will take delivery hopefully Dec 31st (I am willing to pay the lux. tax) as that day is my wife's birthday.
The best part of the deal is the financing - R & S offerred 5.99%; Brandywine started w/ 7.99(!); I applied to PeopleFirst thro' Edmunds and viola my rate was 4.89/60mos. This was a truly great experience with PeopleFirst taking about 20 mins to reply (as they say); after a few question (I had to call them back), my loan was approved. R & S agreed to match them; but I would like to give business to the people who were upfront first....this would be a good strategy too - apply to a online lendor such as PeopleFirst - no app fees; get their truly low rate and check w/ the dealer if he/she could match; if the dealer matches, convenience will matter most in deciding whom to go with.
Happy Holidays and a great New Year 2003; may we all buy our next MBs sooner than we dreamt!
Sounds like you got a great price-- platinum blue is an awesome color but it seems a little hard to come by here in the Los Angeles area.
What was the MSRP on your E320?
hope it helps.
What is useful is 30 - 50, 50 - 70, because is the kind of transition you make when actually in traffic on the highway or in a situation you either need to avoid or put behind you.
30 - 50 is obviously "in" the 0 - 60 time, but the question is how does the vehicle do, when you are rolling along and punch it.
The MSRP was
46950 base
655 Destination charge
1550 E2
875 E5
400 CD Changer
665 Metallic paint
51095 Total;
My Michelins have 28000 miles and they don't seem to grip like they used to.
Anyone have good success with other brands?
Thnaks
What type of Michelin tire do you currently have? I mean, what is the tire rating?
fcarl5
Call them and make an offer.
So what that they have 100 E's. They are New Engand's #1 dealer, so that number is not unusual.
Stop Hating, and drive!!!
Assuming that the inventory figure is accurate, the point that is being made is that dispite the new E being viewed as a hot commodity with little negotiation room on pricing, the ever increasing inventories suggests that there should be flexibility in the E Class selling price.
This type of post should be regarded as a service to potential E Class buyers. Imagine if a factual post was that they couldn't keep them on the lots. That would be a very different signal to potential buyers.
What I view as the greatest disservice to fellow posters is the personalization of posts.