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Comments
The car seems to copy the previous S Class in looks. The handling is not as crisp and overall, the vehicle is not fun to drive.
These comments are subjective. Objectively, the LS 430 is a great buy, unbelievably reliable and has the interior/technology to match any vehicle on the road. That said, I still prefer the Mercedes-Benz with the extended warranty of course.
While the handling of the 5 series is crisper than the E the ride can be punishing. The M-B is roomier on the inside and a "classier" car than the 530.
On the other hand, if you want to take every corner at maximum speed and interior room is not a concern then a 530 may be your ticket. I prefer the styling of the E to the 5 series.
Purchase the car you prefer to drive.
I received my Visa bill two months later only to find that they charged me anyway. I called MB customer service and they said they would credit my card. Isn't that nice of them ! I've heard that this is not uncommon.
A propos to this, when I called AT&T customer service to move my account to the new phone, the technician warmed me that I would lose some features of my current service (digital one rate) as the new Motorolla was an analogue phone. I gave him the model number etc. and told him that the phone was digital but the idiot insisted that it was not. I thanked him for his help, hanged up, and dialed the local AT&T digital office. They were much more knowledgable than the 1-800 tech and hooked me up immediately. The phone works fine and all the features of my previous phone (voice mail, text, call waiting, etc.)were intact. So the MB saleslman didn't lie. The 2001 model phones are compatible with ATT digital one rate.
You can actually lease a new E class for not much more than $700/month with less than $2000 total up front money needed.
Check around.
As far as leasing used, I checked this out first. The problem is firstly that the lease factor goes up, and secondly the E320s hold their value so well that dealers price them, in my opinion, way too high. It may be a better value on used MBZ to bargain vigorously on the purchase price, then finance it through your credit union.
Now that more and more people are discovering buying services and the Internet sales divisions of dealerships, I think the used E320 prices will eventually have to adjust downward by 5-7% relative to what you see out there today.
1) Ride & Handling - BMW most definitely has the more sporty feel while the Mercedes is softer - I think most people would concur with this. Depending on the weather of your area, the 4Matic system might be useful. However, I think the road condition would have to be pretty bad or hilly to make much difference. Both cars have traction & stability control.
2) Safety - I would rate them approximately equal. Mercedes has rear door airbags standard and their head airbag is a curtain rather than BMW's tube.
3) Service costs - Should be about the same but BMW's "free maintenance" period is only 3 yrs/36,000 mi vs Mercedes' 4 yrs/50,000 mi. Once out of warranty the Mercedes 4Matic may be more costly for repairs. We had 91/92 Mercedes 4Matics and they were very expensive to repair. New system is less complicated however.
4) Pricing - Comparably equipped E320-4Matic is probably $7-8,000 higher than a 530i. Also, most Mercedes dealers have gone to charging the list price while BMW's can usually be had at a discount. We bought our MB at model year end and received $2,500 discount. Even so, the MB was $6,000 more than the 528i.
5) Dealer Service - Depends on the dealership. Where I used to live, the MB dealer was vastly superior. Where we are now, the BMW dealer is much better to deal with.
Any further specific questions, please feel free to post.
Good luck with your decision!!!
MBCC is not the only leasing company that dealers use of course. There are some good leases going now. You can get $700 with little down, and at least 12K hi per year.
Do not rely on the interned lease calculators to do an estimate. They are not sufficiently detailed. If you have a Palm pilot, I can mail you a share ware lease calculation application, or I can email an Excel spreadsheet that I created based on Edmunds' example. Use the spreadsheet at your own risk. It is as good as the Palmpilot app., but it is useless in the dealership unless you have a notebook. It works well when you are sitting in the dealership checking the numbers.
Agreed, do not lease used. Lease for no more than the warranty period. Who wants to pay to fix "their" car?
Lastly, yes the residuals are fixed within a leasing company. However, the money factors and prices are not.
P.S.: Do not think of the economic slowdown as a reason to reconsider getting a car. Think of it as the right time to take advantage of lowered prices, interest rates, and better deals. (It is perhaps one of the best times to buy a house. Isn't it?)
I also had two teleaid malfunctions. One went away with activation. I am taking it in on Friday to have the other resolved. I think it is a software update like on the C classes.
We should all understand that with all the quirks, it is still one the most advanced motor cars on the road. Also note that these quirks are primarily software related. Nevertheless, I think the bugs in the E are pretty much ironed out. We will see what happens when the new one comes out and they lurch to the next frontier.
One thing that is not clear in the manual is how to operate the trunk lock with the mechanical key.
The manual says "remove the key in position two (clockwise twist) to lock," but I find that I can not extract the key in the twisted position. What am I doing wrong?
The E320 bumped a 4runner from the garage to the driveway. Yes, it is privileged. This weekend I will be driving again to let you know more then. This is all for now.
Drew
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Bill
Bill
I don't let any valets near my baby anyhow. I'll park it myself. (Always by itself, or next to another nice car)
I've had my share of little quirks with my 00 E320.
1. Bad sending unit for fuel gauge (fixed)
2. Intermittent turn signal (bad bulb-fixed)
3. Squeaky steering wheel (not fixed yet)
4. Intermittent cup holder lid..sometimes it shuts, sometimes it won't shut.(not fixed yet).
Admittedly these items do not affect my ability to drive the car. They are, however, annoying, and should not be happening to a $50k car.
It would seem to me that MB should be paying more attention to quality control as opposed to having to pay all that warranty work.
Love the car, but irritated by the little quirks.
Having said all that. I feel better already. ;-)
Taison
I have no problems with my steering and the car is rattle free. I just purchased the M-B extended warranty from a salesman recommended by somoene on this board. I saved a few $$ off MSRP.
The warranty is for my peace of mind.
I have two minor complaints about my vehicle. The first is my clock is constantly "losing" a minute or two every month. So, I have to change the minutes periodically. Second, the seat occasionally "moans" when I initially take off at warp speeds. This only happens sporadically and then only on my first launch. I have decided to live with my car's personality; the dealer probably could not fix these minor annoyances and may make things worse.
Overall, the finest vehicle I have ever owned. At 12 months out I am usually looking to trade cars but not this time. I plan on keeping my E and adding a Honda S2000. How does yellow sound for the S2K?
No problem locking the trunk using the mechanical key.
No squeaks in my 2001 E even with those AMG suspension and 18 inch wheels. The only thing I hear is those rear headrests bumping on the rear deck over speed bumps when I have them folded down.
Debating between the 2000 StarTAC or the 2001 Timeport with a CDMA provider, any feedback?
the single wiper is problematic, mb even replaced the entire wiper assembly, still streaks. roger
Mike1212, I did not replace 320, but tested extensivly and bigest difference is acceleration and effects from larger wheels and tires. They are considered ultra high performance. That means priority is dry whether. Because side walls are small, its somewhat bumpier than 320. I don't mind that as much as noise. Car runs smoothes and handles the road imperfections very well. 320 is better insulated against bumps. The 430 is very quick and lots of power. The 320 does not lack in power in anyway. My choice for the 430 was pure indulgence..
Wipers: what is best way to clean the rubber on the blades?? I suspect rain-x would help also.
Has anyone been successful just replacing the blade with a refil?
Question: I know a lot of mercedes owners have xenon envy. My question is: are all xenon's created equil? by that, are the xenons on 35k honda, er, acura tl's as good as an s-class xenon's?? I don't have xenons, and not willing to put 2k in them. While they im sure work better, I think the standard lights work very well and suit my needs.
bargamon: I have purchased and installed the wiper refills my self. They are about $9-10 dollars each at the dealer vs. ~$25 for the blade assembly. Even with a new refill the windshield still looks foggy and has some streaks. I think some of the photos I've seen of the "2002" model show dual wipers. That has to be an improvement. The single wiper moves so fast that when I shoot some fluid on the windshield the car next to me gets sprayed as the wiper "throws" the fluid off the tip of the blade. The driver next to me can't be too happy with that...
jures - any chance you can find out the brand of the "foaming, orange smelling" spray cleaner you use for your java interior and where to purchase it? Sounds like a great product.
bargammon - I have xenons on my E320 and love them. They're significantly brighter than halogens, and I noticed the difference immediately. While halogens may be adequate, the zenons, to me, are worth the extra cost. Perhaps Drew can comment on any differences between S-Class and Acura (etc.) xenons.
Thanks for the info. I'm actually looking at a 430 4Matic. The bumpiness that you describe is exactly what bothered me a little. My old E320 was very smooth. It's the tire/wheel setup. No changes to the suspension that I can tell.
My 320 4Matic was wonderful in the snow. I imagine with the wider tires on the 430, they would "float" a little more.
When I went to my second dealer to retrieve my deposit refund, the salesman told me that a lot of people with java interiors use the black all-weather vinyl mats. I went ahead and purchased a set. My original plan was to use the front all-weather mats only during the winter rainy season here in California. I left the java rear mats alone.
However, I've found that these all-weather front mats are so easy to clean and look rather inconspicuous that I'll probably leave them there permanently.
Jack
(Incase anybody wondering why I need a RHD car in US??I am from India and is planning to take the car when I go back after say 4-5 years. There are quite a few customs duty reductions when you bring your own used car to India on transfer of residence. Otherwise the duty is almost 120% of the veichle price!!!! Buying a new MB is also very expensive in India. The new S-Class goes for around 6,500,000 Rupees where as you can get a Honda City for 650,000 Rupees. 1$ is equivalent to
45 Indian Rupees. BTW I am not interested in taking a LHD car to India.)
Good luck with your decision.
i am considering purchase of E430 4matic as well.
What do you mean by the tires "floating" a little more.
Drew
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