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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
The 97 BMW 740iL was a reliability problem - lots of little things. The 98 BMW 328iC was okay, but the convertible was a poor ride on rough roads.
If you do get a problem car, then the issue is whether or not your service center fixes the problems to your satisfaction. Granted, some cars maybe more prone to having problems than others (but from the survey that may not be the case), but it just seems to be luck of the drive...
I put new Yokohama AVS Db tires (235/45ZR-17) and 17" wheels on my E320. The tires are designed to be very quiet, and they were at first. But like others who post on this board, at 10,000 miles I began experiencing lots of noise between 30 and 60 mph. Had only one puncture -- large screw embedded in the front left tire and a resulting slow leak. Fixed in February and no problem since. But I probably won't get more than 20,000 miles on them, and I won't buy Yokos again (reputation for being noisy).
Several on this board a while back strongly recommended Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season, but they're pretty expensive. However, Tire Rack rates them highly, as do many users. Suggest you go to www.tirerack.com and read all the reviews. I've done that, and I'm anxious to replace my Yokos with them (at more than $2000 each!).
Let us know what you decide.
With MB you are more likely to be unlucky both during the initial 90-day ownership interval and over 3 to 5 years of ownershp than with ANY major, competitive luxury brand such as Lexus, Infiniti, Acura and BMW. All of the major mid segment Japanese branded vehicles: Toyota, Honda, Nissan will also be luckier choices. Some domestically branded cars will be luckier but the difference in the luck is lower.
It is luck of the drive. But you can start out with a more luck in some cases than in others.
Good shopping!
I just put new Michelin Pilot sports on my 2000 E430 sport (total current mileage, 21,400). I have about 1,000 miles on the new tires now and so far, so good. They are quiet. The total price was just under $1,000 including the four wheel alignment.
I just had my "B" service done at the dealership today and when I picked up my car, I overheard a gentleman talking with one of the service guys about tires. The service guy said that every brand of "low profile" tires will get noisy at 10,000 miles and just get noisy-er as the mileage increases.
Well, I guess there are trade off's for the look vs. the longevity and noise.
Mark156
M.
Although my Yoko AVS Db's are noisy, I'll keep them until they wear out. I'm considering the very highly rated and expensive Michelin Pilot Sport All-Seasons, but the Continental ContiExtremeContact tires are almost half as much and are rated higher on Tire Rack.
Decisions, decisions!
Like mbdriver I put Yokohama AVS db tires (16") on my E320 about 2 years ago. And also like mbdriver's experience, mine got so loud and so rough feeling (like snow tires) that the local NTB dealer agreed that something was wrong. Yokohama allowed me to trade them in on their Avid V4 tires. They have about 20K miles and have remained quiet with excellent dry and wet traction as well as fair snow traction. Since you have the wagon, I assume you have the 16" wheels?
I agree with mbdriver and others that the 17" versions probably will get noisy no matter which brand or tread style; it's the nature of very low profile tires. But the 16" tires have a better shot at staying quiet, as mine have. Previous tires were Goodyear LS installed by the dealer when the car was Starmarked. They were just adequate.
If others are looking for feedback on the Dunlop Sport A2, check the comments in Tire Rack's website. I too thought they might be good for my next set.. There are some pretty vicious comments in there..
But in looking through Tire Rack's ratings and comments the other day I noticed (as has mbdriver) that the ContiExtremeContact tires seem to be a bargain based upon their ratings and owner feedback. Those may be my next set of tires..
"--However, the sales staff there POed my wife when we were in the market for the 2000 E320 -- she felt that their "supersalesman" acted as if he thought we might not be able to afford a new MB.-- "
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I think some sales people( particularily MB!) find this to be a very effective sales trick.
I have heard of a number of people being taken
in by this maddening approach.
The sales staff probably gloat in the break room
over their success!
Don't fall for it!!!
Is there a way to change the setting to turn this off?
I wouldn't hesitate to put them on my car.
Regards,
BigRob.
Suggestions are welcome - I'm looking for a quieter ride than the OEM Conti's.
Thanks, TD - Miami
A few weeks ago, I was looking at small SUVs. I had written off the Honda Element which is nearly perfect except for its load rating of 675 lbs. (They gotta be kidding!) I pulled into the Toyota dealer on my motorcycle, and nobody even acknowledged my presence until I practically grabbed a salesjerk by the tie to get him to show me a RAV4.
A few minutes later, I pulled in (on the same motorcycle) to another dealer and an hour or so later walked away with the title to a 1995 E320 Wagon. Oh, and yes, I could afford it...I paid cash.
I'm sure salesjerks compare notes on tricks to insult, coerce, or shame people into a sale. They can play all the stooooopid games they want. In my experience a little respect is all it takes to win a customer.
(Oh, and I'm shopping around for a good price on MXV4s while Michelin is offering a $50 rebate!)
Will I regret buying this car?
I will be using the car everyday and need something reliable
In an interesting footnote: If you left the car's battery disconnected for days at a time, those days will not be counted.
I think the owners manual recommends 60K miles.
I used an independent MB specialist and I asked to have the filter changed also but they suggested just pumping out the fluid due to the cost of removing the bottom of the tranny and the filter. I paid about $80, about half the cost of doing the filter. I've now got 120K on it and so far the tranny is perfect. (Am I doomed now that I mentioned that?>??)
Either $80 or $160 is a small price to pay to maintain the tranny. I am an ex-mechanical engineer and would NEVER believe that you never need to change transmission fluid.. There are too many wear parts inside to keep the fluid absolutely virginal.
Thanks.
Muddog
A CVT like many other car companies or more speeds - 9, 11, 15.
Those shift gates are gonna look pretty ragged after a while.
M