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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
A Boxster 2001, can't wait to take the top down tough weather in the Northeast.
I have driven it about 400 miles just has that unique Porsche German feeling.
Love taken it out just to go for a drive. It is quite a contrast to the E.
The dealer took 5% off MSRP, looked about a year ago and no discount was available. The economic slowdown has hit the showrooms.
Best of luck with your choice.
One of my reasons for going back to the MB is that I've decided that I'm old enough to be driving a comfortable car.
BTW, I once heard an interview with a large fellow on "Car Talk" that his research lead him to conclude that the new Bug was the most comfortable car for larger people.
Good luck!
Drew
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I have just found this site, and though that it contains some interesting points.
I reside in the United Kingdom, and own an E-class 320CDI. I understand that this vehicle cannot be purchased in the USA, if anyone has any questions about this vehicle, I will endeavour to do my non technical best to answer them.
Bye for now, John
For me, for now, my 430 is my fun car. Depends on your budget, but those small 2 seaters are a blast. I think the lexus convertable, while very nice to look at and appointed well, I don't know will be as much fun as a boxster, honda, miata, or slk320. IF its for fun, then don't worry about hard top that folds. It adds weight and that reduces the fun. Audi TT should also be considered. Enjoy!
wagon: We have an 00' ML320. You can find very low miliage models in the mid 30's range. You should not look at 98'and 99' models as they had some fit and finish issues. Go to the ML chat at edmunds and you will be amazed how active that site is. You need only look back a few months of previous activity and you'll find more info then you could ever imagine. We have the 3rd row seats and its a very versitile comfortable vehicle. Lots of comfort and 320 is very good on gas compared to other monsters of the road.
ccg
Shortly after taking delivery, started hearing a groaning noise from the steering. Dealer topped up PSF. One month later problem returned. Diagnosed as bad steering rack. Replacement rack ($$$!) was air-expressed in, car back in 48hrs, problem completely solved.
Other than that issue, have had no squawks with the E, and enjoy driving this car more than any I've ever owned or driven.
This winter (in midwest US) has won me over completely on full-time AWD vehicles. Although I have the stock Contis, the car has cruised through the worst of our weather, including this morning's ice storm. Winter tranny mode is essential in icy/very slick conditions.
Wife is thrilled with her '00 ML320, as am I. It is her first MB (first non-American car, actually)...she'll never go back. We, like others in this forum, are very pleased with the versatility (we have 4 kids), driving comfort, and fuel economy of the ML. We purchased the roof crossbars and luggage carrier. I cannot recommend this setup highly enough. The carrier is aerodynamic - on holiday drive, 200mls each way, I cannot say it hurt MPG by more than 1-1.5MPG at most, and it did not noticeably affect the vehicle's handling or performance. Plus, with the carrier off, the cross bars give our ML a distinctive and sporty appearance and make it easy to spot in a parking lot. Only negative, the cigarette lighter and trip computer have both quit working and it's not blown fuses. Will get those looked at at 1st Service A (at 2,000 miles paid to have Mobil 1 0W30 put in, running same oil in E430).
Last week I had to go to Stockholm, Sweden on last-minute notice. I was pleasantly surprised to walk out of the airport, and find a lineup of 2000/2001 E240 CDi Estates (wagons) serving as taxicabs! The one I rode in must have been the top-line trim, as it was black/black leather with seemingly every gadget and option, except contour seats. Too bad they don't bring those Diesels over here, the car felt as quick and as quiet as a 320.
Bill
Here are the options I have tentatively picked:
1.E2 (Bose sound, sun roof & rain sensor)
2. Front Heated seats
Am I missing something fairly essential? Can I install the CD myself at some point?
Is the extended warranty worthwhile?
Thanks.
CAUTIOUS BUYER
Yes, the CD changer can be added later on, but since it has a fibre optic interface, I don't know if I'd install it myself.
WRT the extended warranty, for MBUSA customers, you can purchase it as long as it is within 1 year of the vehicle's date of purchase. MB Canada customers can purchase it within the vehicle's normal 4 year/80K kms warranty period.
Drew
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
I wouldn't want to purchase the 4wd model of the wagon just because they're more complex and more stuff needs to be serviced and repaired. In one sense I do like the older inline 6 models as they were fairly easy to work on but of course they all have high milage now.
One stupid question from me to you owners:) Does the odometer on these cars go beyond 100k or does it just turn back to 0 at 100k?
In any case I'll keep looking and reading. Even though I cannot afford a new one, I do enjoy reading this forum.
The ride is a little harsher but it handles the corners better.
My motivation though, was the look. The 17" rims and lower profile tires give it a much sportier appearance.
Leo
Leo
And..If one lives in one state (state X) but buys the car in another state (state Y)--which Sales Tax applies to the purchase?
Thanks.
Leo
Although the noise does sound like something that is normal (whining from a bearing for example, like Hondas' alternator bearing), I do not recall hearing it in the first few days. Maybe I am just now learning about the sounds of the car. It does sound in the cabin, and therefore increases the noise level. This is why I am considering being a real pain-in the-[non-permissible content removed] about it until they fix it. If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know.
Anyway, I still think the car is very nice.
M
E320? I was reading about the complaints about the frequency of chips that some owners of their new C-class MB experience--and the potential use of some sort of an abrading chemical ("bras", whatewver that is?) for protecting the paint.
Thanks.
Cautious Buyer
http://www.continentalimports.com/be_chang.html and buy the becker unit (model 2662) for under $400 including mounting brackets.
I bought the becker. Easy to install. Works great. No dealer coding required.
BTW..Becker makes the radio for most MB's.
Check you radio control card that came with your manual. The number probably starts with BE. Stands for Becker.
Wally
The clock seems to lose about a minute every month or two. Do you think this is worth the time (no pun intended) to have it corrected? I understand from a previous post that the battery is part of a larger module that would need to be replaced. Is there no other way to adjust this?
I (as others have reported) am only able to get about 19.5 gallons of gas in the tank as indicated by the display. I understand that the tank is supposed to hold about 2 more gallons. Has anyone had success in getting this corrected?
I noticed on my wife's 1999 C class that when serviced (we pay for all services on this one, as the "free" service was not included until the next year model) the dealership automatically put in Mobil One oil without asking ahead of time. Now since they pay for the service on the newer car do you think they will use Mobil One? My guess is that I will have to pay extra. But that is interesting that they would recommend this when they are not paying for it!
Zaino update: I received the full line of products. So far have completed Dawn wash, clay bar and two coats of Z5. (I also went out of my way to buy some 100% USA cotton white bath towels and cut the edges off). The weather is not so sunny in southern CA right now and this has slowed the process this weekend. I am very impressed. The swirl marks are definitely reduced and after a couple of more applications I will switch to the higher gloss polish. But even at this point the finish looks better then when I purchased the car! Very pleased with this. For any of you who are buying new, I would strongly suggest that you NOT go with the dealer Teflon (very disappointed with this on my black car; but ok on my wife's desert silver car)and consider Zanio or other similar product.
Overall: After almost 12K miles I am very pleased with this car. I look forward to driving it every day. I need to make a choice about renewing Tel Aid. Have not used it yet and would probably sign on for about $5 a month rather than the $17 they want. I also need to make a choice about the extended warranty. I told my wife that I like this car so much I might keep it past the four year warranty. She counters that I will probably be attracted to some more enticing vechile by that time. So, any thoughts about the warranty adding any value at trade in time? Is is transferable either as trade to private party or to dealer?
Again thanks for your comments. This board has been a great source of information for me.
leothelion
Thanks for any advise.
TeleAid--Last week I received the notice from MB that it was time to renew the contract. I returned it, canceling the service after the first year. I've never used it and don't intend to. For the same price, you can almost pay for a cell phone, which is far more useful.
Extended warranty--I haven't shopped around yet for a better price than the brochure price, but I do intend to purchase the additional four years' warranty. The peace of mind is worth it.
Whining noise--My car sits outside, and it has been bitterly cold here in central Illinois this winter. I hear the whining noise (I've described it before as a moan, but then I wear hearing aids from being a machine gunner in WWII, and don't hear the high frequencies that might make it sound more like a whine to others), also louder when I first start up the engine. If I stop somewhere for an errand, I don't hear it when I start the car again. Didn't hear it at all last summer--just after it got cold. The dealer couldn't find anything wrong, but at least it's on record.
Make absolutely sure that it's coming from the engine compartment and not the gas tank area though (which is around the rear tires). If it is coming from there, it is probably the fuel pump and one should mention this to the service advisor. One of the M-class owners had this an the problem was diagnosed as a dirty fuel filter The filter was changed and the whine ceased immediately.
Drew
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Of course you can visit your friendly dealer and expect to pay $300 or so for a replacement wheel.
However, any reasonably large auto salvage yard should have a pretty good stock of used wheels. Just make sure you count the number of "holes" between the spokes in your wheels so you get a match. Expect to pay 40-50% of new price for a used rim in good shape. But make sure they agree to replace it if it is out of round or can't be balanced...
Tom
Incidentally, in early January there were a number of posts regarding MB extended warranty discounts. Bottom line: Cost is negotiable at some dealers. One poster e-mailed me the salesman's name and dealer in NJ where he bought the extended warranty at less than MB list. I don't think he'd mind if I forwarded it to you, if you follow his instructions for arranging it.
I also have a partial cure for cats. I have a heater pad that I keep in the garage that seems to keep my cats off my car. It does'nt always work but it does seem to work about 90%.
MJS
Boat US mail address is: http://www.BoatUS.com
Still, I like the extra room the 330Ci Convertible affords compared to the SLK. Optioned up the BMW 330 Convertible is the same price as a base SLK 320 with Auto and Xenon lights.
Then, I found out that this convertible like the S2000, SLK, CLK, SC430,etc. is selling for full MSRP and has a waiting list.
Just got a really nice book "Mercedes" by Lehbrink & Schlegelmilch. Hundreds of beautiful pages of all kinds of Mercedes models and good history. Great gift idea for a BB enthusiast AND I DON' GET ANYTHING FOR ADVERTISING IT ! :-)... Check it out! (you can buy this for under $30)
Thanks.....
Your choices are nice and can't go wrong either.
Corvette convertable may be fun. Not as refined, but lots of power and grip.
Used SL500?? Boxster? 911 convertable!!!! Lots of low milage ones out there. Just for the hell of it, what about a miata. I hear they are lots of fun, and at that price you can buy two!
Have fun, wish I could shop with you!