Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans

kenyee

I think you'll find that BMW dealers aren't always good either. IMHO, MB has been attracting a lot of non-MB clientele w/ their newest models. Unfortunately, this means a lot more people in their service departments which up until now weren't prepared for it. Couple this w/ flubbing the design of the 1998 M-Class and you get overloaded service departments.

You still haven't shown us a prioritized list of your selection criteria. If Sport is wayyy up there (and it definitely was when I first graduated and got an Acura Integra), I'd say stop looking here and try a BMW. You probably won't appreciate luxury and safety until you're old enough to complain about back pain going over potholes ;-)

cliffyb

I agree with you're analysis to some extent, but what ever gave you the idea that Mercedes is at the front of the pack in safety and BMW at the back. These are both high end cars for being compacts and have a good deal of safety built in. The difference being that the Mercedes is a passenger car while the Bimmer is a driver's car...which your analysis does seems to support.

cliffyb

I guess my priorities would lean toward sport more so than luxury. But then again thats the goal of these cars. Simply put, how much luxury can really be had by such small cars? I do not see the C-Class,loaded with options or not, as being a true luxury car because its ride is too firm and space too limited. For those wanting luxury in this price range I think that a used E-Class would make more sense. I guess the achilles heal of this new C-Class is that it cannot satisfy the sport or the luxury side of an equation. People want this car to be the affordable alternative to the highly acclaimed S-Class. But it falls short IMHO.

kenyee

Yep. It's a compromise, but I'm not sure it misses its mark. If you draw a spectrum from sport to luxury, people have different opinions about what they want in a sports/luxo car. The C is one data point. The others compared here (330i, A4, IS300, etc.) are at *different* points and have different feels.

In different leagues are the E and S. A used E is at the upper end of Luxo and not very sporty (entirely different buyer). An S is ultimate luxo, and if you get the ABC package, it does well in sportiness.

As for MB safety versus others, I think the latest MB commercials about safety (the one w/ the little kid in B&W) and the M-Class "staying alive" one are the best statements on why "safety" in most people's minds mean MB or Volvo. The C, because it is so new, has just about every new safety feature, including nice curtain bags instead of the BMW head tubes. I am very impressed w/ BMW's X5 crash testing though. Safe often means more mass, which usually means worse handling.

mtroy

Over the last few months, I've read nearly all of the posts in this forum, and I do not get a sense of poor service from the dealers. Sure, there are the occasional stories of dumb remarks made by salesmen and service techs, but overall my impression is that we early buyers are largely satisfied with the service, even those of us who had initial glitches which took us to the dealers. Earlier, I had contemplated buying a Volvo S80. In that forum, the overwhelming sentiment was that the salespeople knew nothing about the car, the service people denied existing problems, and the Volvo company was unsupportive of people with real lemons. That turned me away from that car. Of course, in any of these forums, most of the people post about problems. Happy owners rarely have comments to make. Even so, this forum seems to have more happy comments than any others I've seen.

cliffyb

Kenyee,
I understand what you are saying. I do not think a person could go wrong with any of those cars. We have a family friend who manages a Pontiac dealership. I asked him how they could possibly unload so many bad cars(Read:Aztek) and he said "Well, our favorite saying is 'there is an [non-permissible content removed] born for every seat'"

kenyee

Funny you should mention that. An old Pontiac 6000 is what totally turned us off American cars. :-)
It died every year and had to be towed. The body panels didn't fit right inside or out.
We went from that to Acura/Toyota for reliability and perfect fit...and now MB for safety and durability since my Integra melted in the winter salt baths :-)

I suspect your friend is right. A better way to say it is: what's good for you is not necessarily good for me.

Pop back in if you do a back-to-back test drive of the 325 against the C w/ details. If you have any questions, I'm sure someone here has probably compared the two and others...

cliffyb

I have driven both already. I will admit that I have spent a good deal more time behind the wheel of a friends 323 than I got to spend with C-Class on my demo. Since the dealer's C-Class demo was loaded to the tune of $42,000+ and did not impress me as much(overall driving experience)as my friends $33,500 323. Visually, I still like the C-Class...which counts for a lot I guess. I just wish it rewarded the driver the way the Bimmer does. When I drove the C it was not altogether different from my wifes Accord...I guess that would be a compliment since the Accord is one of C&D's "10 Best" while the C is not.

kenyee

It really does sound like you like the BMW better and you like it's sportiness better and price.
If you're still curious about the C, try out the Sport. You didn't mention which C you tried, but the price doesn't sound like a C320 Sport. Irregardless, though, the 323 will be cheaper and if you're happy w/ something that costs less, do it...you can always use the extra to get toys like the Valentine1. I think the 3 series looks cool, too...has this nice muscular look :-)

nka

Hi, I'm about to buy a car and I need some feedback from MB owners. I had a BMW 525i for the last 10 yrs and loved it(until it was totalled by a suburban), and now I'm looking into a MB C230 Kompressor or a possible equivilant in the BMWs. Does anyone own a Kompressor and have they had problems with it. Please let me know.

husky11

Here we go again! Well over 1-1/2 years ago this thread on the C class MB had many postor's who owned BMW's. The battle raged on for months on end - solving nothing in thefinal analysis. It seems to me that if you prefer the BMW - for whatever reason - go buy the damned thing and stay out of this chat room if all you intend to do is blast the MB. Shut up!!!

I have a 1999 C280 with 24,500 miles and have had wonderful performance all along save for a leak in the rear end (axel) which was discovered by the dealer and fixed post haste.

For what it's worth, as I mentioned last year, a taxi owner in Heidelberg, Germany took us to the train station in his MB taxi. I asked him if any of the taxi companies in Germany used the BMW product. He said - "hell no!" we can't afford the down time for repairs on that piece of junk! He spoke beautiful english since he had spent a few years in the U.S. That was interesting to hear.

Then, another fellow in this thread talked about the tremendous number of BMW lemon sites on the internet. I won't provide internet addresses because when I did that in 1999, the Edmund's hosts read me the riot act (via email).

CTIC - you remember some of the blasts that the bimmer owners were firing off all the time?

Some of them got downright mean in their posts. We don't need that here. Bimmer owners:Go cry somewhere else. Or if you prefer, I will send you a 25 cent coin so you can call someone that really gives a damn! This is not the place to [non-permissible content removed] about MB's folks - unless of course, you have had a problem that has been difficult to deal with - ON YOUR MB. We want to hear about your (MB) problems and the solutions - not about some guys "stick shift" bimmer. etc., etc.

zmeenow

ahh young grasshopper... i do not at all tie up my self worth with my car.. nor do i heed the words of the media minions.... i try for myself..
the differences between the best of the best becomes more or less subjective..some want more looks.. some more power.. some more luxury.. all in some balance.. to each their own..but life is to tasted...not digested entirely from car mags..therefore.. go out and drive these cars like many of us have.. dont depend on a predigested..non-subjective opinon..
not at all a personal attack.. i just like the usual balanced,thoughtful ,and empirical opinions that this room is known for.

nka

I logged on this site, not looking for anyone's opinion to help me buy a car, but looking for an objective statement from a C230 Kompressor owner who might have had a problem with their car who would care to share it, that's all. If anyone has a positive or negative statement regarding that particular car, please write. Thank you.

mrdiet

nka, If no one responds here, there's another topic in Sedans devoted to the outgoing model (pre-2001 MY C class). This topic tends to concern mostly the recent redesign (W203).

theonlyroberts

I ordered it in late September with 0%(yep 0%) down. It came in right on time (12/19) and I've been driving it since. Silver with charcoal with sunroof/split seat/heated seats/ski sack/headlamp washers. Tried the sport but didn't like the price or the aluminum dash and the difference wasn't wort $3k.

Likes: Great driving car. Very smooth and responsive. Hope it stays problem free. My last car was a Contour SVT... no issues, but a different kind of car.

Dislikes: Price of the CD changer.. what a ripoff. Then they put mediocre tape deck in with only Dolby B NR. At least the old C had Dolby C. Think the dealer will take the unit out so I can adjust the asimuth to my Nakamichi deck? I had to dig it out of mothballs and start dubbing tapes again. There's no excuse for this. Didn't the audio engineers ever hear of a loudness/contour switch to boost the low end at low volume? That multi-function display should do more and provide a nice display of oil-pressure/temp and voltage as well. I hoping that a programming update might add this.

Problems: Very slight brake squeel. My wife's key seems to have mind of it's own. Sometimes the remote works, sometimes it don't. The front passenger seat has this annoying problem where it feels like it's moving and then it 'pops'. I've noticed the lower part of the seats are spring loaded, but I think mine has a problem.

Plans: Those 5 spoke AMG wheels(the real AMG ones, not the sport ones) look really good.

BMW: Is always rated #1 or close by US rags. It's the horsepower/handling factor only. A good friend has a '98 M3. Great handling/accelerating car but it is stark and plain. Now if the plastic bits would quit falling off...

Personally, I think MB builds a better car and I expect it to last much longer than the equivalent BMW.

tarik

A picture says more than a thousand words, this is what a typical Taxi stand anywhere in Germany looks like. It even holds true for Munich (BMW) and Ingolstadt (AUDI). If not a Benz, you will only see a bunch of Passats (for roominess) and a few FIATs (cheaper).

Tarik

kmerrick1

Need feed back on the 2001 C-240 . Dealer tells me 168 H.P. is not enough. Car is sluggish. Is he right ?or is he trying to sell me a bigger Mercedes ? Kmerrick1

mtroy

That expensive cd changer should be able to play all 6 cds randomly, not just random tracks from a single cd. Very minor stuff. Who's got the most minor nit, I wonder?

dennett

I hope you've left! The C class is such a better value than the 3 series BMW! The bmw doesn't include trip computer, fog lights, steering wheel audio and computer controls, Tel Aide, 8 airbags, nor leather seating. Plus it's free service ends 14k sooner than our Cs, nor do the their service departments give free loaners. When I tried to equip a 3 with all the standard features of the C, some can't even be had on the 3, it cost significantly more than the C240. Plus the average Joe can't tell a 1990 3 from a 2001 3, try that with the new C, even your great grandpa could tell the difference! And BMW reliability, tell that to my buddy with his 99 540i who's had to crawl out his window 3 times because the doors won't unlock, or all the electrical gremlins I've heard about in the new X5, electrical problems seems to be a common problem in all the bmws. If you don't like the C fine, but don't come in here and tell us it's inferior to the 3 because it's most definitely not! Today's C will still be current for years to come, your new 3 will be the old model in 2 or 3 years, BMW has got to keep up with MB right!!:)

pmvi

kmerrick1,
It all depends on what you're looking for. The C240 with a manual transmission offers responsive acceleration, and feels relatively sporty. With the automatic it will be nondescript. You are the only person who can answer whether it's enough power for you though. It irritates me when car salesmen make these kind of blanket statements.
How do you drive? If sporty driving isn't important to you, then you should be fine. What do you drive now? How do you like it?

sleake

I drove both the 240 and 320 before buying the 320. I thought the 240 was a little bit sluggish, but that isn't why I chose not to buy it. I decided on the 320 for different reasons. In any case, I think the sense of power is a very subjective thing and depends a lot on how one drives. I strongly suggest that you test drive both cars and decide for yourself.

dennett

The 240 auto has plenty of power, easily equal to the competition at Audi and BMW, check post 399 if you don't believe me. I've taken ours through the mountains east of San Diego and it could go much faster through the twisties than I was willing to drive, actually the wife was willing to let me drive. I haven't regretted going with the 240 for a minute. We really considered the 320, but when I crunched the numbers the engine accounted for close to $5k in the cost difference and it wasn't worth it to us, but I'd be lying if I said I'd have taken the 320 in a heartbeat if money had been no object!! Actually if that had been the case I'd have gone for an S500 or S55!!! Some day!! Go for the 240 I couldn't believe you would ever regret it, we sure haven't!

ric1035

i've been shopping around for a c240 for quite sometime now. i test drove a c240 auto (it was sluggish), a c240 6speed and a c240 6speed sport (AWESOME, black on black)
the salesperson insisted i speed up on a 25mph 360 degree turn onramp.. so i downshifted to 2nd and floored it...this one stayed flat, did not lean a bit
tried to make a deal but did not happen, the msrp is 36.9k.. as much as i like the sport it had options i did not need. no discounts from the dealer . i had trade equity of 10.5k (hoping to get more) and trying to get no or minimal monthly payments on a 24 month lease but they still needed 5k out of pocket to make it work

so i went to bmw in escondido,CA down the street and was greeted with rudeness. i was up front and told them i just left the mb dealer and the deal did not go through. i told him i wanted to drive their 3 series to see if i would like it as i never seen the inside or driven one before. he was more interested of the lease specifics and said that it didn't matter whether i liked their car, the deal will not work and i would be wasting each others time, he excused himself and helped another customer. still curious what a 3 series looked like another salesperson greeted me , all she did was bad mouthed mb, saying their cars are always sold out and they do not discount their cars either and mb is having to raise residual to attract customers. they were very unprofessional compared to the mb sales people

i'm sticking with the c240mt and wait til the right vehicle with less options comes along, i'm in no hurry, not a lot of people want the 6 speed. the black on black c240 i drove has been at the dealer for a month now.FYI the residual for a 24 month lease is 78%, 36 is at 70%

scottie10

Just adding my 2 cents here: I sold my BMW 328i to purchase a C-240. When I shopped for the C, my sales person (former BMW sales) told me that I wouldn't like the handling of the 240 since I was used to the BMW, BEFORE I ever drove the car. Since I did not want to pay for the extra $$$ for the 320 engine, I decided that if the 240 was too sluggish, I would stick with BMW. (I did have a few problems with my bimmer, but overall great service from my dealer, always w/gratis loaner car.) I was surprised at with the list of standard features of the 240 that were either not available on my BMW or that were options. IMO, the C offered me a better value. I am so happy with my new 240. No, I can't make the jack-rabbit starts from a stoplight like my BMW (but other than a teenage boy, who wants to?), but there's plenty of power in my 240 to drive around town which is mostly what I do. I don't see the point of posters here who criticize the C over the BMW. Two different cars - both are nice. The bottom line is for the same $$$, the MB buyer COULD HAVE bought BMW, but chose not to. BTW, the "brake squeal problem" on my new C seemed to disappear after I put on 500 miles. Perhaps it was just a break-in thing? I love my new C!

dennett

I see in today's paper, which has an artical grading the 2000/2001 cars, that the C240 gets an A, while the the 330i gets an A-. So that settles it, it's in print, the C240 is better than the 330i! LOL! Seriously, I may have been a bit hard on the cliffyb guy, but I hate it when anyone tries to say the bmw is better car/better value than the C. I'll never agree to that, and this is a forum about the C. I like BMWs and there's no doubt the 3 series is a very good car, but the C is just a better car. If you're out there cliffyb check the report card in the Times, I'd believe what the NYTimes says over C&D any day of the week, when doesn't C&D kiss BMW and Honda's rears? I bet there's a ton of their advertising in that rag and I'd probably love the thing if I drove a bimmer or honda!

kenyee

Good timeliness:
http://www.curtrich.com/january2001.html

Sounds like price is the same once optioned similiarly, but you still get more w/ the C and also 4 yrs of free service...

zmeenow

yawn....do i hear an echo?

newmbfan

First the bad news. My 240 WAS scheduled to be built the first 10 days in January. It has now been moved back to January 20-30 :<)

I probably will not get it until late Feb or early March now and will end up with out a car for a month as the lease on my current ride expires 2/22.

Here is what I was quoted for a lease today.

$35,000.00 MSRP 15,000 mi/yr,
$2687.84 Cap Reduction ,
$61.00 for plates,
$148.00 DOC fees (Which make me sick),
$522.52 First Lease Payment,
$80.64 tax.

$3500.00 out the door and $522.52/mo.

69% Residual

All Seems a little steep to me. The Lease factor was 0.00445

They will also finance at %9.95 for 60 Months. The rate is the same if I put 10, 20 or 30 percent down. This was all through MBCCL.

I think I will stick with my %8.5 Home Equity rate and take advantage of the tax break.

I asked if there were any squeaky brake problems that he know of and I got an explanation that I would just have to learn how to drive a Mercedes????????????????????????????????

Keep up with all the great information. Every time I start to get impatient and start looking at the bimmers, I just come back here.

dennett

Just read "Curts Comparison" very good, I'd like a similar one comparing the 325 and c240, I believe the C240 would come out over 1k cheaper and still have more features.

One safety feature Curt left out is the Latch babyseat foldable mount points on the new C. If you haven't looked check your back seats, there are little square latches that fold out from between the base of the seatback and the bottom cushion. If you pull them they pop out and then release and disappear by pressing a release button in the back center of the latch. This new mounting system will be required in all US cars by the fall of 2002, and I think the C is the first car to have the system. Most cars will have them hard mounted unlike the C'c hidden latches. If you don't have a child you probably don't care, but because all cars will have these in 2 years all babyseats will be made to simply insert and then release from the latch. It's much safer and much easier than current babyseats, believe me I have hassle with my 7 month old's seat everytime I go anywhere. The big problem is that no one makes a Latch compatible seat yet!! :-( MB is supposed to have one availible anytime, to go with the new C, but I have a bad feeling it will be much more expensive than all the generic car seat manufactures' prices will be in a year or so. Oh well, my son's current seat will fit him for another few months, we'll see what's availible for the Latch then. Still loving the C!!!

zmeenow

as previously posted.. i got one of the 1st c240s off the line.. mine was delivered in oct.. black with ash interior.c2 package..is it fast enuff?
the driver adaptive trans will.when cold..give a slow start..as engine warms up..it is very responsive..as fast as the 320 or the beemer? no.
how much speed do i personally need off a red light? im not into racing.but..from 40 mph and up.. passing torque is great..and..if you want to really feel the torque for passing, use the shifter to hold in 3rd,or 4th gear..and see what this engine can do!but even in overdrive(5th) passing at 60-80mph is quick and responsive.i still feel mb has struck a fine balance of performance/luxury/safety.all at reasonably good value..will be interesting to see how it does in this nor'easter in jersey

cgw

The comparison is mostly accurate, but omitted two options which are cheaper on the BMW: Xenon lights, a $850 option on the MB, are $500 on the BMW, and a navigation system, $2025 on the MB, is $1800 on the BMW. Still this only changes the comparison by $575, not a big deal on a $43k car. A bigger cost factor is that 330i's are available at discounts below the sticker price, C320's are not, at least in my area. In addition, a C320 with a nav system does not come with a cassette player (and it may not be possible to add one); the BMW with nav comes with a cassette player.

robtroxel

Scottie, You can program your opener to your Benz by pushing the red button on the back of the garage opener housing then return to the car and push your mirror button along with the current remote button ( refenrence your instructions from Benz)I'm assuming you have the recent rolling code model.

dl7265

BMW rates #4 in safety ??? ummmm better recheck those facts .........

hoppyeng

Sorry, may be #4 was too high

bradfordl1

He newmbfan....

What in the world did they mean "learn to drive your Mercedes?????" Are they saying, if you drive right the brakes don't squeal??? In my very limited exposure to some of these MB sales people, I get the impression they think they are talking to car buyers who have tons of money but don't have a clue as to how the thing works!

kenyee

bradford1:
I went shopping for a salesperson/dealership in the Boston area I could trust (Jerry Pillary at Clair was who I felt comfortable w/ eventually).
Some dealerships "demo" new cars. I.e., instead of beating the crap out of a few demos, they'll put some miles on each new one they get.
Some dealerships have salesmen just out to make a deal (went to one where the salesman had come from a Tweeter..audio/electronics store for those not around here) and seem a bit pushy.
Others won't even acknowledge you when you walk in the door because they're too "busy".

semerril

Those of us in the northeast are getting whacked by a pretty good snow storm now. My experience with the C240 in our first storm 2 weeks ago was not very favorable with the stock performance tires. I almost had to ditch it off the road when the right side of the car hit about 5 inches of snow, and an 18 wheeler in the rearview mirror on the interstate. The traction control probably helped keep me relatively straight, but it was white knuckle time on that drive into work. However, that noon I went and had 4 snow tires put on, and it handled, and gripped the road, much better in comparably crappy conditions. So my advice to those who get snow is to get snow tires on it before you crack up your beautiful new car.

One more comment...I really like the car, but like others, I've had trouble with brake squeal. After putting up with it for 1000 miles, I took it to my dealer, and they replaced all 4 pads. One day later, they still squealed...and I have another appointment. As others have mentioned, perhaps there is a break in period. For about 4 days prior to the original brakes being replaced, and after one last god-awful squeal, they were fine. Since I waited 2+ weeks for the appointment, I went ahead and had them worked on, and hence the new pads. But maybe, just maybe, the originals had the squeak worked out. That's my one complaint...when I go into a slow, controlled brake around town, my $35K car sounds like an 85 Hyundai.

cclass117

When I got my C, I had trouble programming my integrated remote too. Some models have rolling code feature and MB Client Service Center told me if that's the case, I'll have to turn off that feature.
Unfortunately, mine wasn't it. I just had to reset the whole remote and try to re program.
All you need to do is press left and right button(button 1 and 3) and hold it for 20 sec. it will start blinking rapidly. then let go. your Remote is reset. Now, try to reprogram by pressing both your garage door opener and MB's remote button(one of three, which ever you want) at the same time. it should blink slowly, and then rapidly. Now it should work.

benz747

Hi All,

I am a gr8 MB fan and I am going to be a owner of C240 soon; I would like to know - is there a scope of price negotiation exists on this CARS? if yes what range one should go

I am posting this question second time and hope somebody will reply. Thanks

hal99

The actual money factor is .00390, Your dealer's F&I manager is a bit greedy. I would allow .00030 as a bump. Not .00055! You know what they say.....hog's get fat and .......

zmeenow

dont expect much wiggle room if any at all on the price.. supply is low... demand is high..try for the mats at n/c and smile.

newmbfan

What he was trying to say was that you need to not ride the brakes and then when you apply them, apply them with enthusiasm.

I thought it was a really arrogant statement! He also did not deny that they have had some problems. I have been reading this board for a couple of months and it seems to be the only significant and recurring problem. Some folks like zeemenow don't seem to have any problem and it drives others nuts.

All I know is that if the brakes squeal, so will mama!

cliffyb

Dennet, Dennet, Dennet,

What do you do at work if someone has an opinion different than yours? Do you automatically say
"OK, YOUR not allowed to talk anymore!" Sorry that I made for such interesting discussion that you were still posting about me two days later. The things I said were not without merit either.

Look...I know this is a C-Class board, since I have not actually bought my car yet and the C-Class is one of the cars I am choosing from, than allow me please to maintain my presence here...however painful for you that may be.

That said a couple of things. I do not read the NY Times but thank you for update. That you would take the opinion of a newspaper over a automobile magazine is your choice. Second, saying that the 323 will have electrical problems because the X5 has been is kind of a stretch. Sport utilities are more notorious for problems of any kind than cars. But using your same logic, what kind of reliability is the new C-Class going to have based on short history of the M-Class. HA! The M-Class has had VERY POOR reliabilty. This years consumers reports said "Reliabilty-POOR" "Avoid Years 98-99"

dennett

I didn't get at all personal with you, other than saying I hope you've left, I'm not the only one around here with that thought! Later

zmeenow

i dont want to drive anyone nuts so.....when i got my cd player(from clairparts) and had it installed..my in dash radio/cassette went haywire! my dealer,prestige motors in paramus nj replaced the radio with a new one..no excuses given.. other than that..my c has been problem free(other than some jerk at the bank putting an idelible "scuff"on my rear bumper my 3rd day of ownership).i fortunately have not had a brake problem..but if i had a squeal, i too would be at the dealership demanding the same resolution of the problem you all are! good luck..hope its resolved quickly!
re: postings that are non productive? yawn...i DO have an echo!!
happy new yrs all!

cclass117

Now, I got 1800 miles on my C but I have never had a brake problem. I've been reading all the posts about brakes and now I am worried. If this many people are having the same problem, there's got to be something wrong right? I hope MB's going to find the solution and fix everybody's brake. It's MB for crying out loud.. Make the damn car right. Also, I am experiencing a rough idle after I stop and am supposed to bring it to local dealer next week. I am guessing ESP or other stability electronic component are crapping out and trying to control the brakes & rpm because I have to brake certain way to experience that problem. I'll let you guys know what was wrong after I get my car fixed.

drmperalta

Well, the main reason why FWD are better in snow is the heavy engine on the front the pushes the front drives wheels down for more traction. How about a tried and proven cheap trick of loading 50 lbs or so of sack of sand (or salt or rice or potatoes, or whatever) to trunk?

I bet many owners will not try this because they don't spend more MONEY to their status symbol MB and will prefer something else that is costly (snow tires perhaps?).

cliffyb

Yeah, I realize that you and the other objective freethinker zeemenow are not my biggest fans. Maybe it's because you guys just sunk $35k into a car and are so proud you see it thru rose colored glasses. Maybe you see this site as a place where collective MB owners can get together and kiss each other's behinds.

"Mercedes Benz, permitting bald divorced men who otherwise could not, to get dates"
Jay Leno
Car Collector

zmeenow

jeez this guy gets more infantile by the day!
if i had a complaint..id complain!..if i had a beef id beef!
i dont.. my car is performing to specs
as to jay leno?..sorry ,im not his fan either.
does he collect cars? fascinating....
id rather hear how your ford (pickup?)
is performimg...on the ford bulletin board of course.
finally drove in the snow..the esp did keep the car from fishtailing in any major way..id say its closer to frontwheel dr with torque steer.. a slight sidewards pull..did have some trouble getting up an unplowed inclined driveway
(taking off my rose colored glasses now)

dennett

I know this has been talked about here many times but what's the concensus on when the first oil change should be done? There's no way I'm waiting until 10k, our car is about to hit 2k and I'm thinking it may be time, or should I wait until 3k? I plan to take Drew's, used to be aling, advice and go with what the computer recommends from that point on, plus it will be free for 4 years. My dealer said the oil change would be $42 or $43, seems reasonable enough. I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year!! Oh yeah, the car is still awesome, no brake squealing nor any other problems, hope MB gets that minor problem fixed on the troubled cars, keep us posted. HAPPY NEW YEAR!