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Open the door(s) and press the lock button on the smart key before the last door is closed. I have not yet consiously tested this next feature: but it seems that you have to aim at the door handle sensor to get the driver's door to lock. Nifty feature, since it introduces one more step to prevent the absent minded from locking the key in the car.
I can still use the safety light if I feel the need at any time.
I am considering a 2002 E320 Wagon for purchase later this year or early next. I would appreciate any feedback from owners of either the RWD or 4-Matic versions as to their experience / opinions regarding:
- Performance in rain or snow.
- Performance on dry pavement (i.e. any dissadvantages to 4-matic)
- Gas milage (i.e. how much lower for 4-Matic)
- Long term maintenance and repairs (I realize MB covers everything for the first 4 years, but is there any indication that 4-Matic may be more expensive in the long run?)
-General satisfaction. I see from the "C" series board that they are having a lot of quality control problems. The "E" series board, less so, but still some.
- Any buyer regrets from buying one version, but wishing you had gotten the other??
We would be replacing our SUV and traveling occassionally in PA snow country. My inclination is to go with the 4-matic, but it is a couple thousand more up front and may have higher ownership costs down the road.
All feedback greatly appreciated.
Maybe MB shut it down. Which, if I remember in the past would occasionally happen, by server hacker intrusions as they were called.
M
As most of you wrote in previous posts, I like the larger rear seat area of the E vs. 530i, but have to say 530i looks better inside and out, but that is personal taste. But when 90% of the taxis are E-class, it gets boring rather quickly.
The E is more expensive, however, that for the same price, I can get 540i. So, how does the price I am being offered look compared to what you guys are seeing across the pond?
I have had some minor quality problems, but less than with other cars I have owned, and certainly less than the M-Class. I average 25 mpg overall and 27-28 on the highway. Mileage gets better over time (I now have 18k miles). This is amazing considering the size and weight of the car.
In short, this is one happy camper (literally and figuratively.)
Last winter, just for kicks after a snowstorm, I actually tried to spin out with my RWD E-Class. The car just wouldn't do it! Between the stability control system and other standard features that keep a driver out of trouble, all I experienced was a slight beginning of a slide or slip, and then everything kicked in to keep me going "straight and level." The white triangle with the exclamation point in the instrument cluster lit up momentarily. My neighbor has a BMW 530i with the same stability features, and he drives like a madman. He often sees the white triangle on slippery roads, but he's never lost control!
I'd guess that long term the 4-matic might be a bit more troublesome, but Drew reports that MB has improved the system dramatically. So it's just a matter of personal choice -- some people are more comfortable with 4WD.
Hope this helps -- and let us know what you decide.
Appreciate your feedback on the RWD vs. 4-Matic question. Thanks.
Sequoiasaurus,
DON'T appreciate the picture of the 2003 Wagon. Makes me re-think maybe I shouldn't go for a good deal on a 2002! It is good looking. Please do not post a front view.
P.S. John01, Relative to your question on US pricing, I am hoping to get a deal on a 2002 Wagon at about $2,000 under invoice in a few months. They were offering that deal on 2001 models in June/July and the sales manager actually suggested I wait, since I really didn't want to buy until this winter. He still believes that MB will reinstate it's $2,000 dealer incentives on E's in another couple of months.
Great photos!!!
We can only use the "img src" tags to display pictures in a message if we actually own the picture.
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Pat
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Jack
Link:
http://www.bilfo.dk/skabelon/nytdesign/default.asp?fldAuto=357&faq=4&type=3&side=spion
You are welcome to post just the link, however.
(Oh, I see that you just did!)
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
The best way to describe the effect of the Bilstein HD's is that they turn the car into a Mercedes. The ride is firmer on relatively smooth surfaces, but there is actually less harshness both here and on rough surfaces (wheel activity is so much better controlled). The roll transitions in corners are well controlled, the steering response and accuracy are immensely improved, and the highway stability is phenomenal. Speed bumps in my neighborhhod that would actually bottom out the front suspension at much over 25 mph can now be handled at 40 with incredible comfort and perfect suspension control.
So, in all, this is a change that provides better comfort and much, much better chassis performance.
As for the "firmness" issue, the car now has a surprising (and welcome) combination of firmness and suppleness. It is simply a different car from the original tuning.
I have been an active reader for over almost two years now. I'm in the process of buying a CLK320, i noticed that very little has been said about this car on this site. Can anyone tell me why? The asking price is $33k for 98' CLK320 with 16K mile, all comments are welcomed. Thanks
conditions,but still,I wouldn't use them.
As far as the CLK,I've never liked them.First of all, it is based on the previous generation C sedan,but as it was the first Benz after the E to have the striking four headlight design,I sometimes wonder if the more casual buyer thinks it is some sort of E sedan derivitive,as it was since at least the late sixties. So in that sense,I don't think it is a totally honast design. Also,in its own right,I just don't think it is very attractive. Its very heavy around the C-pillar/rear wheel arch.
P.S. The 2003 spy photos are nice. Am I correct in assuming that MB will pretty much expect full price for the new model?
I had the brake covers on my S-class the brakes warped. They never warped after I took them off.
I would not use them.
Touchless car wash does a good job getting it off.
I have a powerwash and Lite spray with cleaner it comes right off. If not heavy, no need for cleaner.
12k on o1'430 and not a think wrong.
I think it is great not to overpay especially in times like these. Food for thought..
Cheers
J2K
In thinking about it, though, I have no idea what brand of filter they used.
Is this likely to be a warranty issue when I take the car in for service? If so, I suppose I could get a filter from the dealer and have the oil changed again.
Im interested in the '03 E55. I'm trying to get on a waiting list for one of them...
Any guidance at all would help me tremendously.
One might caution you that there's more mechanical risk with the turbo, but I'm not losing any sleep about my '98.
Take one for a ride and see what you think. Good luck.
Has anyone had a similar experience? I do know that both Lexus and BMW provide their brand to drive if your vehicle is in the shop.
Also, where I live in West L.A. Lexus absolutely does not give loaner cars, let alone their own brand, neither does BMW. The only cars I have seen that consistantly give loaner cars is Infiniti and Mercedes. Recently, Mercedes changed their policy only offering loaner cars for scheduled service which is dissapointing. Chrysler is effecting MB more than most would like to admit.
In you situation, the service was subpar, although an hour wait is not that bad, and I would complain to MBNA. Also, they should have given you a free loaner due to your situation, although this was not a scheduled stop, the car gave out on you, which is no fault of yours. Unfortunately this is a dealer by dealer call.
1) the bumper performance is embarrassing. MB should be built like a tank.
2) they say how flawless the BMW was, then in one sentence buried in the summary, point out that it's a part of a 50,000 car safety recall. (yes, I know, 2001 model)
3) complained about the ergonomics such as cruise control (which I hate) and other controls. For the first two weeks I drove the car I had the same exact complaints. Now I have none.
4) they said the cupholder is "serviceable". My god. I'd hate to see a bad one! No biggie here.
5) Unless they've made a major change in the 2002, fold down rear seat IS NOT an option. The gas tank is mounted vertically behind the seat for crash protection. No ski pass-thru. No fold down (at least in 2001 and earlier).
Ultimately, cars are a very personal choice. To me the E class is the best embodyment of the LUXURY SEDAN. Period. Best looking, best riding, best available options, most room in class, available AWD (which I went for here in NH and NOT available in BMW). Heck, even best in class gas mileage...which is really important nowadays. To each his own...for me it's about styling, not racing...the choice is clear.
Enjoy,
BigRob.
My climate control system decided to go do it's own thing. No matter if it was in auto, manual, economy or AC, it would run at whatever speed it felt like (whenever it felt like) and let out whistling sounds. The only position that worked properly was OFF.
Since it's a 50 mile/hour+ round trip I'd been saving minor things like adjusting the headlight shutoff interval and speed sensitive volume control to my first visit. I had them change these for me to.
Anyhow, the climate control acted up the whole drive there, it was obviously broken. I get two phone calls during the day. First one is they are replacing the blower motor to fix my CC problem. Second call, they don't know how to change the Headlight turn off interval and are calling an MB rep.
I return at 7PM to pick up my car...of course there is nobody in service to speak to, get in my car to drive off and what happens? CC fails immediately! So, not only did they NOT take the time to verify what needed to be fix by spending a few minutes in the car before the service, they never verified if the work they did was correct! If I were a MB rep, I'd be wondering just what they're doing with those warrantee parts. Sorry to be so paranoid.
They did get my headlights set for me. The speed sensitive volume control, though they say it is disabled, still does it's thing.
I called them the next day. They say they'll leave the problem open and the next time it's acting up, bring it by (yes, remember, it's a LONG ways to go to do this). How convenient. Obviously I'm still some kook and they're hoping I have a limited attention span (typical modern day service industry tactic).
The next day, I do just that, I stop in, they get their shop forman to sit in the car with me, we start it and turn on the CC and it fails immediately. Forman discusses it with the service manager who arranges to have my car picked up when the parts they're ordering come in. I point out to him that I'm surprised that they would return a car to me in this condition (not fixed) in the first place. He apologizes.
Yesterday they did the swap thing and now my car is back to 100%.
Fellow forum members, do you think this is MB calibre service? Even though they recovered I'm still disappointed. What good is it that you can eat off their shop floor (it being so clean in there and all) if they treat you like a witless imbicile with nothing better to do than to provide my own service?
Thank goodness I love the car so much...
Enjoy,
BigRob.
Apparently, even the recall hasn't solved the problem, there is a recall on the recall as number of the replacement fans are defective too.
I'm not sure how much I trust Consumer Reports.. I surprised they downplay this rather upsetting safety recall.
Anyway, in a crash, I really worry more about passenger safety than cost of repairing the bumper. I don't think BMW even offers side airbag curtains or rear airbags as standard equipment.
Regarding BigRob's experience, I would call up the MB regional rep and see what they have to say. The service level at the dealership is definitely worse than what we usually get from other MB dealers.
The speed sensitive volume control for example, can definitely be turned off. I saw this feature on the MB shop computer screen in person. But then, your dealership looks pretty lame if they don't even know how to change the headlight turn off interval.
Raise a concern to the regional rep and see what they do to make up..
One answer I've seen over the years is that CR likes to spread it around, to demonstrate their ubiquitous neutrality.
I would aggressively complain to the area MB Reb and let him know of your dissatisfaction.
Wally