I believe the E-55 comes standard with all options including the power rear shade. The K2a (phone plus CD) remains the only cost option.
Most dealers are selling the E-55 at sugg. MSRP. With the new 450 E-55 due out in 20 months the currrent E-55 is less likely to command a premium above MSRP.
Are the headlight rings sold by the dealer for the e-320 all metal or plastic with aluminum coating? Thought about adding them. What price can I expect to pay? Net vs. dealer?
The headlight rings are made of plastic with a chrome coating. They come with self adhesives and are snap to install. The dealer sells them for $150 or so, or you can get them from GAPA.com for less. Otherwise, you can bid on ebay for $60-70. I think they make the car noticably more refined and is a bargan when you take into account the look you get for the price. Below is a link to ebay for the auction. Good luck.
Just picked up our new 01 E320 on Saturday. It is beyond a doubt the nicest car I have ever owned. There are a few minor thinge that I will have to get worked out at the dealer such as the Nav is a little crooked, there is corrosion on r/r door handle, the phone cradle is not centered. We LOVE this car. E2,Nav,Rear Sunshade,K2a, Brilliant Silver with Charcoal interior. We enjoy just sitting in it in the garage. I researched this decision for months. The decision came down to the BMW 330i and the E 320. My wife loved the BMW - "it's sooo cute!!" We were about to buy the BMW, when I talked her into letting me try to work a deal on the Mercedes because I knew this was the better car for her. We worked it out and we LOVE it. We know now that the BMW would have been a mistake and we are absolutely thrilled with our purchase.
Why would anyone ever spend all that inflated retail money on an MBZ when they can go out and buy a sexy new Pontiac Grand Am? It's the most originally designed, most daring vehicle to come out in a long time. Folks, save your money. Don't worry about keeping up with the Joneses in your neighborhood. Show them you know how to truly invest your hard-earned bucks. Drive home a Pontiac Grand Am today and see what the excitement is all about!
Ok, I'll bite. As a revert back to the hazy days of beer filled NASCAR races ... Give me a break. I should not dignify your post with a response as I know it is not a wise use of time. How much is this great opportunity costing me. Lets say $75.00 for fifteen minutes of my time, blah, blah, blah.....If your understanding is that a vehicle is an investment, then I understand why you drive a Pontiac.
Sorry for the ebay link. The auction just ended. If you try it now, the link should work since another auction just started. I would post a picture of the rings on my car except I'm not that technically proficient to link a picture to my posts, unlike some of you smarter folks.
Congrats slugger4. Its a wonderful color combination. The rear sunshade is quite neat. In what way is the COMAND crooked? Just courious, did you elect to activate the new information service where you can receive news/stock/weather information via the COMAND. I did not do so since I think my Palm 7 does more. Evidently, it not a real-time system and it costs about $150 per year. You must send a information request via the COMAND and the Tele-Aid folks send you back a message with the information you specified when you sign-up for the service. I don't think this 'new modification' was worth 5 months of production delay. It would nice to know how well it actually works from those of you who actually use it.
I wish I was a Jones like you. But instead, I have to accept the fact that I am currently just an average guy making an average wage and that I can't afford an MBZ right now. But someday, I hope to make it where you are. And you know what, the bumper sticker on my MBZ will say: "My other car is a Pontiac Grand Am"...
First you said......Why would anyone ever spend all that inflated retail money on an MBZ when they can go out and buy a sexy new Pontiac Grand Am.......and then you say.......I wish I was a Jones like you. But instead, I have to accept the fact that I am currently just an average guy making an average wage and that I can't afford an MBZ right now.
Dude, what are you trying to say? Are you another Bill Clinton saying one thing while "duh I actually meant something else"? Clearly you don't know what the difference between a Rolex and a Timex watch. get real.
Ricky, Ricky, Ricky... Either get on the train or move aside. By the way, lesson one on pretentiousness: One should never place a bumper sticker on a Benz.
I'm out of my league guys. Guess I better go back home to the Grand Am forum where I belong. But someday, I'll be here talking about my MBZ with you guys -- except I'll still secretly be in love with my Pontiac Grand Am. See ya' guys, thanks for giving me the dignity of your snobby time.
I don't think that anyone in the auto industry would consider a Pontiac Grand Am in the same league as the E-class, price-wise, quality-wise, and especially safety (IIHS gave the Grand Am a "poor" rating). I mean, some dealerships use Grand Ams (or similar vehicles) as courtesy/rental vehicles!
If you come into this topic and start bashing the vehicle that the topic is about, how do you expect the owners to react? On the same token, you're being similarily defensive about your vehicle as they have been about theirs. Please keep this in mind the next time you decide to post, and leave the personal attacks out of the post. They have no place here in Townhall.
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, the extended warranty is available for up to 3 years I believe. The cost is about $2000 for the longest extended warranty. As I mentioned, unlike in the US, the MB Canada extended warranty may be purchased just before the 4 year/80K kms new car warranty expires.
Hope this helps! Drew/aling Edmunds.com Townhall host
Please don't even bother to respond to the attacks. That will only prolong it and I don't want to see that happen in this (usually helpful & friendly) topic.
For what's worth, the new 2001 E-class has the new feature where your digital speed can be displayed on the dash, I don't believe I found this feature on my 2000 model.
The past three mornings, when I first drove away in my 2000 E320 (It has about 5500 miles), it made a groaning noise, mainly on acceleration or deceleration. No noise when idling. At the same time, I noticed that it has used 5 gal. of gas to go 41 miles. Anyone else had this problem, assuming the two symptoms are connected? I have an appointment Thursday morning to have it looked at, but I'm not too optimistic about their diagnostic ability. If anyone has an idea, I'd love to hear it.
My nav screen sits a little crooked in the space provided. It's not that bad, but I would like it straightened out. I did not opt for the new information service. I can get that info from other sources. One big problem came out this morning on my wife's commute....the computer, phone, CD, radio etc. quit working. My wife still had an enjoyable quiet ride in to work. We will drop off at dealer tonight. We were told it may take a few days to fix if they have to order parts.:-( It will be hard for my wife to go back to her old car - 95 Acura Integra, but we hope to have the E320 back by this weekend.
I commend you on your courage to go on an MBZ forum and display your pride in your Pontiac. You've got guts, kiddo. I'm a wealthy guy that drives a Benz but I'm not like a lot of the snobs in this forum who think they're too good for society just because they drive an expensive car. Stay strong and don't let any of these guys in this forum push you around.
Yes, we once had this cute little ethnic fellow whom wanted to join our little golf club, and in his interview he too mentioned he was a " wealthy fellow" and we just chuckled till the little polo players on our shirts fell off. what a time I must tell you. Anyway, his gold nugget jewlery did not fool us. We ran his numbers and while he drove a benz, it was a leased "c" class. Oh the laughs we got from that one! The memories you jogged from memory are just precious and how joyful of you to grace us with your humor. We do find your little Grand Am friend amusing and welcome his comments. While I would never drive a domestic, I do have friends whom such purchases are darling for children and for live in help. And mr whako, or is it Waco?, in any event never in the many posts here as anyone mentioned that they are "wealthy Guy", because my good man that would make an appearence of wealth, and the symptom of such an admission would be, well, snobish.
I appeal to my fellow friends here to simply ignore this rather appealing attempt to "rise up against the oppresser" (or shall I dare say "Kompressor" ha ha)type and in do time the little boys will go home.
There is nothing wrong with stating a fact about being wealthy. Just like there is nothing wrong with stating that one is poor, or homeless. Perhaps you envy men like me who are wealthy enough to buy you out.
Some posts have been deleted because they were in violation of our Edmund's user agreement. Other posts have been hidden because they were off topic. Let's please stick to discussing cars, and avoid making personal comments about other participants.
I realize people will say things that annoy us. The best way to deal with this is to use your scroll and completely ignore them; responding will only create more disruption in the topic.
And now for the benefit of those that came here to discuss the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, lets try to get along... and continue with this subject. Thanks for your participation. ;-)
I bought a new E320 4-matic in October of 99. So far I have experienced the following irritating problems: 1. Excessive noise on start-up, could be power steering or transmission 2. Fuel gauge problem 3. Engine fan fault light comes on when outside temp is 80F or above 4. Left rear tail-light went out for a few days, then started working again. 5. CD Changer is tempermental
Overall, I would say that MB quality is far below that of Japanese cars. Also, I find the MB dealer to be very uncooperative. When I owned an Infiniti and an Acura, the dealers were excellent when service was required.
Anybody know of a good MB dealer in Eastern MA? My dealer refuses to take care of my problems.
the cutoff date is 1 year from date of purchase. I purchased mine a year and 2 weeks ago and my sales guy told me yesterday that it is too late for me to buy extended warranty. You could also buy from third party like warrantygold.com but can you really trust them?
99e3204matic,
I bought mine from Wagner Motors in Boylston. Service is OK. Not too bad but also nothing to brag about either. I have clients who rave about the service they get from Herb Chambers Motorcars in Boston as well as his other MB dealer Flagship Motorcars in Lynnfield. Just curious what dealer is this that you are unhappy with?
Drew was right in saying that "Canadian" Customers may purchase an extended warranty any time within the 4 Years/80k miles period/distance. This extended (Signature)Warranty can cover an extra 12/24/36 months and up to 100k miles on the odometer. The drop dead time in Canada is 4 years minus one working day.
Sorry to hear you have so many problems. I have the same car with same model year delivered in October 98. I only experienced two defective sensors and some minor adjustments. So far, the car is flawless and second to none, at any speed and under any weather, particularly harsh weather. Among all the problems listed, I experienced two intermittently. The fuel gauge needle pointed regularly to 7/8th when tank is full.This problem disappeared after I overfilled my tank once. If you read some of the early postings, you will find out it is a common problem. Another common problem is what you called "Tempermental" CD changer. Yes sometimes the sound system does not read the CD changer. This problem can be fixed by the dealer after diagnosing the CD connection on his computer. I agree with you that MB dealers will not pamper customers like Infinity or Lexus, nevertheless all the problems must be fixed, even if it takes some sweat. Any boby who emigrated from a Japanese luxury dealership must focus only on repairing the car and forget about the other perks such as free coffee, donut, croissant,dating the secretary and movie tickets. Whenever I have a mistreatment by the dealer I call MB HQ's which always sided with me. MB dealers do not have time to be nice for obvious reasons, they over sold their capacity for several years, hence expect the same treatment for years. Please keep us updated about fixing those problems. Jean
You are *saving* a lot of money, but you're only getting the appearance items and wheels/tires aren't you? The E55 engine is still something special and IMHO the crown jewel of the E55 package. The other stuff looks nice, but not so different from a stock E that most people would notice. I agree however that if I were to go the E430 route, that I'd skip the factory sport package and just go out and get the AMG wheels/tires. Not sure about SP8000s as the tire choice though.
I have 18,000 miles on my 99'E320 4 matic. I am not sure whether I am lucky or the people that are having problems are unlucky. I could not be any happier with it's flawless performance and build quality. I have not encoutered any of the problems that have been reported in this forum. Good luck to all!
your instructions for instalation of the cd changer was right on. It got scarey going past the trunk liner and see black boxes, computer cable plugs, coaxal cable plugs etc. Very interesting, felt like a kid, wanted to take it apart and see what else was back there!
Only thing I would add was that the orange and black cable lay over the wheel well, and the you must pull them to get them in hand and redirected through the cut out. Dad long ago said never force anything, and it was tough to pull a cable your not sure of. when done gently, it comes up and I had faith it was there and faith that if not pulled to hard and it was the wrong cable I would not do any damage. The carpeted box from Gapa.com does not need any mounting brackets and has a nice finished look. It holds the player with cusion which I suppose could also help with skipping. Two plugs snap in very easy, and it integrated right away with the system. No need for the dealer to program anything. Perhaps if you have a command, but not with stock radio. THe detail of the system is great and I am very happy with this bose setup. It appears speakers in the dash are for the teleaid system. Grill near rear view mirrors is a vented port that emits mid range from lower door speaker. Door speaker is co-ax, with tweeter in front. Rear door is midrange, and back deck is woofer. Review or opinion of anysystem is a personal preference, so my opinion is that the system is very heavy with a good smooth low range. Thats my preference. Bass resoponse is tight and integrates well. The system is very bose like, in that the sum of the parts work excellent. Its a funny sysytem in that everything sounds right, but you don't know where its comming from. The radio, like most high end systems does not compare with the tape and cd/player. I don't think thats a bad thing,a s much as it cannot compare with a digital source connected by fiber obtic.
PARFIVE: thank you also for your previous posts as they were also very helpful.
when i ordered my y2k e320 4matic, i didn't order the intergrated phone. now i wish i had, has any one added the mb phone kit? either doing it them selves or having the dealer do it. and have you had any problems with it. thank for your help. roger
99e3204matic, I've had some problems similar to yours. Foreign Motors West in Natick corrected them promptly. Who have you had problems with? Probably, Foreign Motors West. Bill
My E has about 75K miles on it and I figure it must be about time for sparkplugs and wires. So I buy plugs and set of wires and the box of wires (outrageously expensive) comes with only three spark wires? Huh? My E has 6 cylinders. What gives? Before I tear things apart I'd like to understand what this is all about so I don't end up with a stranded car.
On Dec. 12, 1999, I ordered a desert silver/java E430. Yesterday, Dec. 12, 2000, exactly one year to the day, I finally got my car. December 12 happens to be the late Frank Sinatra's birthday. Like Sinatra, you could say that I configured the car my way.
First, a list of things that I didn't choose. I didn't get the sunroof, telephone, heated or ventilated seats, rain-sensitive windshield wiper, or the sport package. I did get COMAND, parktronic, rear sunshade, rear manual sunshades, multicontour seats, lit door sills, Xenon headlamps, wood and leather steering wheel, wood and leather shift knob, chrome wheels, trunk handle, and chrome headlamp rings.
While driving the car home last night from the dealer, I found that the ride was extremely harsh, like a sports car. You could feel every bump. When I got home, I checked the tire pressures on the Continentals. They were all in the low to mid-40s, way over-inflated. I then set them down to the recommended 32/33. This morning, the car rode like a dream. For some reason, it seems that almost every time I get a new car, they over-inflate the tires.
I got a flat last week and they said the tire was not repairable even though it has only 5k miles on it. I briught it to dealer and they put on a new Eagle LS for me for $160. Right away when driving home I noticed the ride wasn't "normal". the next day while the car and tires were cold I check the pressure. 3 tires were 27psi and the new one that my dealer replaced was 36psi. The 3 tires when you press in with your thumb it gives a little. but this new tire was hard as a rock. You figure with the car there at least the MB technician would set the pressure equal.
Thanks for the info on the extended warranty. The Canadian policy seems the best for the consumer; the extended warranty can be purchased near the end of the original warranty, when the owner knows whether or not he or she will keep the car or opt for a new one.
I love my y2k E-320 and drive only about 6000 or 7000 miles per year. I'm going to have a tough decision next April when my first year of ownership is almost up. On one hand, I'd like to retain the car and get the extended warranty that doesn't kick in for another three years. But on the other hand, I'd also be tempted to go for a new MB when the four-year factory warranty expires and enjoy the improvements, newer technology and styling. I assume the extended warranty would cost $2k or so. Any thoughts?
I've had mine since Sept 99 and it now has about 14,750 miles on it. The car has been flawless except for that pesky "check engine" light that keeps coming on. The dealer always fixes it but it comes on again within a few hundred miles. My dealer is HBL Motors in Tysons Corner, Virginia and they have been very cooperative. The car is great and a real driving pleasure.
They initially inflate them high so that they're sure to seat on the wheel rims. But they're supposed to set them to recommended pressure as part of the dealer prep. If they don't, it gives new meaning to the Chevy slogan, "like a rock."
Tomsky2: Interesting it took a full year to get your E430 on special order. I guess they're not set up to produce cars w/o sunroofs. Curious, why didn't you want it? Are you really tall and need the extra inches of headroom? I would think the lack of a s/r will make it hard to re-sell your car.
I added the integrated phone to my 00 E320. Purchased the phone right from the dealership for $1213.75 plus tax. It looks just like a regular star tac phone(except for the MB emblem) but my understanding is that it has proprietary software indicative only to MB. A regular star tac won't work. I was going to install it myself because I had installed my own CD changer, but then decided against it. Way to many wires and antenna leads. I had the dealership do it for an additional $330. The phone works great. Reception is good, and you can dial from your radio buttons, or call preprogrammed numbers right from your steering wheel. Also answer and hang up from your steering wheel switches. Was it worth the money? For me it was, as I'm constantly talking with clients while driving. I've been told that people on the other end can hear me perfectly, although they say I sound a little far away.
Comments
(phone plus CD) remains the only cost option.
Most dealers are selling the E-55 at sugg. MSRP.
With the new 450 E-55 due out in 20 months the currrent E-55 is less likely to command a premium above MSRP.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ebaytag1=ebayreg&ht=1&query=mercedes+headlight+rings&ebaytag1code=0&SortProperty=MetaEndSort
There's a pic there. $143.50 for the pair.
<<A HREF="http://www.gapa.com/item.wws?sku=W210HLR&qty=1&storenum=1&price=75.00">https://www.gapa.com/item.wws?sku=W210HLR&qty=1&storenum=1&price=75.00>
Congrats slugger4. Its a wonderful color combination. The rear sunshade is quite neat. In what way is the COMAND crooked? Just courious, did you elect to activate the new information service where you can receive news/stock/weather information via the COMAND. I did not do so since I think my Palm 7 does more. Evidently, it not a real-time system and it costs about $150 per year.
You must send a information request via the COMAND and the Tele-Aid folks send you back a message with the information you specified when you sign-up for the service. I don't think this 'new modification' was worth 5 months of production delay. It would nice to know how well it actually works from those of you who actually use it.
Dude, what are you trying to say? Are you another Bill Clinton saying one thing while "duh I actually meant something else"? Clearly you don't know what the difference between a Rolex and a Timex watch. get real.
M
If you come into this topic and start bashing the vehicle that the topic is about, how do you expect the owners to react? On the same token, you're being similarily defensive about your vehicle as they have been about theirs. Please keep this in mind the next time you decide to post, and leave the personal attacks out of the post. They have no place here in Townhall.
Thanks!
Drew/aling
Edmunds.com Townhall host
Hope this helps!
Drew/aling
Edmunds.com Townhall host
M
One big problem came out this morning on my wife's commute....the computer, phone, CD, radio etc. quit working. My wife still had an enjoyable quiet ride in to work. We will drop off at dealer tonight. We were told it may take a few days to fix if they have to order parts.:-(
It will be hard for my wife to go back to her old car - 95 Acura Integra, but we hope to have the E320 back by this weekend.
We do find your little Grand Am friend amusing and welcome his comments. While I would never drive a domestic, I do have friends whom such purchases are darling for children and for live in help.
And mr whako, or is it Waco?, in any event never in the many posts here as anyone mentioned that they are "wealthy Guy", because my good man that would make an appearence of wealth, and the symptom of such an admission would be, well, snobish.
I appeal to my fellow friends here to simply ignore this rather appealing attempt to "rise up against the oppresser" (or shall I dare say "Kompressor" ha ha)type and in do time the little boys will go home.
Tah tah for now Mr CCCCChwhaco.
I realize people will say things that annoy us. The best way to deal with this is to use your scroll and completely ignore them; responding will only create more disruption in the topic.
And now for the benefit of those that came here to discuss the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, lets try to get along... and continue with this subject. Thanks for your participation. ;-)
Pocahontas,
Edmunds.com/Host
Do you happen to know the cut-off (after purchase) for U.S. owners to buy the extended MB warranty?
44264 - FWIW, my 2000 E-Class doesn't have an option to display digital speed.
1. Excessive noise on start-up, could be power steering or transmission
2. Fuel gauge problem
3. Engine fan fault light comes on when outside temp is 80F or above
4. Left rear tail-light went out for a few days, then started working again.
5. CD Changer is tempermental
Overall, I would say that MB quality is far below that of Japanese cars. Also, I find the MB dealer to be very uncooperative. When I owned an Infiniti and an Acura, the dealers were excellent when service was required.
Anybody know of a good MB dealer in Eastern MA? My dealer refuses to take care of my problems.
the cutoff date is 1 year from date of purchase. I purchased mine a year and 2 weeks ago and my sales guy told me yesterday that it is too late for me to buy extended warranty. You could also buy from third party like warrantygold.com but can you really trust them?
99e3204matic,
I bought mine from Wagner Motors in Boylston. Service is OK. Not too bad but also nothing to brag about either. I have clients who rave about the service they get from Herb Chambers Motorcars in Boston as well as his other MB dealer Flagship Motorcars in Lynnfield. Just curious what dealer is this that you are unhappy with?
Jean
Jean
M
Only thing I would add was that the orange and black cable lay over the wheel well, and the you must pull them to get them in hand and redirected through the cut out. Dad long ago said never force anything, and it was tough to pull a cable your not sure of. when done gently, it comes up and I had faith it was there and faith that if not pulled to hard and it was the wrong cable I would not do any damage.
The carpeted box from Gapa.com does not need any mounting brackets and has a nice finished look. It holds the player with cusion which I suppose could also help with skipping. Two plugs snap in very easy, and it integrated right away with the system. No need for the dealer to program anything. Perhaps if you have a command, but not with stock radio.
THe detail of the system is great and I am very happy with this bose setup.
It appears speakers in the dash are for the teleaid system. Grill near rear view mirrors is a vented port that emits mid range from lower door speaker. Door speaker is co-ax, with tweeter in front. Rear door is midrange, and back deck is woofer. Review or opinion of anysystem is a personal preference, so my opinion is that the system is very heavy with a good smooth low range. Thats my preference. Bass resoponse is tight and integrates well. The system is very bose like, in that the sum of the parts work excellent. Its a funny sysytem in that everything sounds right, but you don't know where its comming from. The radio, like most high end systems does not compare with the tape and cd/player. I don't think thats a bad thing,a s much as it cannot compare with a digital source connected by fiber obtic.
PARFIVE: thank you also for your previous posts as they were also very helpful.
I've had some problems similar to yours. Foreign Motors West in Natick corrected them promptly. Who have you had problems with? Probably, Foreign Motors West.
Bill
Can anyone give me a clue on this?
Thanks,
Fred
First, a list of things that I didn't choose. I didn't get the sunroof, telephone, heated or ventilated seats, rain-sensitive windshield wiper, or the sport package. I did get COMAND, parktronic, rear sunshade, rear manual sunshades, multicontour seats, lit door sills, Xenon headlamps, wood and leather steering wheel, wood and leather shift knob, chrome wheels, trunk handle, and chrome headlamp rings.
While driving the car home last night from the dealer, I found that the ride was extremely harsh, like a sports car. You could feel every bump. When I got home, I checked the tire pressures on the Continentals. They were all in the low to mid-40s, way over-inflated. I then set them down to the recommended 32/33. This morning, the car rode like a dream. For some reason, it seems that almost every time I get a new car, they over-inflate the tires.
Jack
I love my y2k E-320 and drive only about 6000 or 7000 miles per year. I'm going to have a tough decision next April when my first year of ownership is almost up. On one hand, I'd like to retain the car and get the extended warranty that doesn't kick in for another three years. But on the other hand, I'd also be tempted to go for a new MB when the four-year factory warranty expires and enjoy the improvements, newer technology and styling. I assume the extended warranty would cost $2k or so. Any thoughts?
Paul
Tomsky2: Interesting it took a full year to get your E430 on special order. I guess they're not set up to produce cars w/o sunroofs. Curious, why didn't you want it? Are you really tall and need the extra inches of headroom? I would think the lack of a s/r will make it hard to re-sell your car.
Purchased the phone right from the dealership for $1213.75 plus tax. It looks just like a regular star tac phone(except for the MB emblem) but my understanding is that it has proprietary software indicative only to MB. A regular star tac won't work.
I was going to install it myself because I had installed my own CD changer, but then decided against it. Way to many wires and antenna leads.
I had the dealership do it for an additional $330.
The phone works great. Reception is good, and you can dial from your radio buttons, or call preprogrammed numbers right from your steering wheel. Also answer and hang up from your steering wheel switches.
Was it worth the money? For me it was, as I'm constantly talking with clients while driving.
I've been told that people on the other end can hear me perfectly, although they say I sound a little far away.