Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

abacomike

roadburner said:

abacomike said:

Just called my insurance company - my policy will be $200 less every 6 months, which is also a plus. Then, on June 30, I will get an additional 15% reduction in my premium when the policy renews.

What I like about this E450 is that AWD is standard on the car this year. Also, it has the same engine as my S450 has, V6 Twin Turbo engine with 362 hp - 0-60 in 5 seconds. So it will be fast enough, I would imagine. Really excited about this. When the car comes in, I want to check the odometer as well as the entire car for any damage or imperfections before I give them the check.

AWD? How much snow do you see in South Florida?
Seriously, I also looked at cars with AWD, but I talked myself down.

We get torrential rains down here with surface flooding from June through October. So the 4MATIC will be a bit safer. Normally, I would not buy a car with an AWD option down here, but it is standard equipment on the E450 this year.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

roadburner said:

abacomike said:

Just called my insurance company - my policy will be $200 less every 6 months, which is also a plus. Then, on June 30, I will get an additional 15% reduction in my premium when the policy renews.

What I like about this E450 is that AWD is standard on the car this year. Also, it has the same engine as my S450 has, V6 Twin Turbo engine with 362 hp - 0-60 in 5 seconds. So it will be fast enough, I would imagine. Really excited about this. When the car comes in, I want to check the odometer as well as the entire car for any damage or imperfections before I give them the check.

AWD? How much snow do you see in South Florida?
Seriously, I also looked at cars with AWD, but I talked myself down.

I find the roads in Florida can be pretty slippery. A dry spell followed by rain brings out an oil slick. I prefer AWD for daily driving....more sure footed feeling....less chance of rear end spinning out, or front end wondering. We need AWD back home up here, so I am well aware of the difference.

Mike congratulations on the new car....sounds like a winner!

Thanks driver - thanks to all you well-wishers on this board - appreciate it!

stickguy

congrats Mike. sounds very nice. Hopefully it is your last car because you love it so much, you keep it until the end of the loan (6 years right there!) and many years after!

abacomike

stickguy said:

congrats Mike. sounds very nice. Hopefully it is your last car because you love it so much, you keep it until the end of the loan (6 years right there!) and many years after!

Such nice, kind comments - much appreciated.😛

omarman

Take delivery on Friday May 1st? Well that will make it official, the economy is open! Good job Mike.

imidazol97

You did as you said you would with the current car and didn't trade it after the first oil change or anything like that. Now that you own this one, we'll have to be sure you don't relapse and trade it for another shiny new car.

Which car was it that had the trouble with the car wash damaging the rims? Am I remembering that right?

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

You did as you said you would with the current car and didn't trade it after the first oil change or anything like that. Now that you own this one, we'll have to be sure you don't relapse and trade it for another shiny new car.

Which car was it that had the trouble with the car wash damaging the rims? Am I remembering that right?

2015 E400. Yes, you remembered.

roadburner

The more I thought about that 540i xDrive, the more I realized I'd have to ditch my BMW CCA vanity plate and replace it with one that simply read CODGER.
I'm back to only considering 2 door RWD coupes- even if I run the deadly risk of the front end "wondering."

tjc78

Congrats Mike!! It sounds like a beautiful machine!

jipster

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

suydam

@abacomike — is the first car you’ve bought rather than leased in, as my mother would say, a [non-permissible content removed]’s age?

venture

abacomike said:

Just called my insurance company - my policy will be $200 less every 6 months, which is also a plus. Then, on June 30, I will get an additional 15% reduction in my premium when the policy renews.

What I like about this E450 is that AWD is standard on the car this year. Also, it has the same engine as my S450 has, V6 Twin Turbo engine with 362 hp - 0-60 in 5 seconds. So it will be fast enough, I would imagine. Really excited about this. When the car comes in, I want to check the odometer as well as the entire car for any damage or imperfections before I give them the check.

My wife and I walk the neighborhood almost nightly, weather permitting.

I noticed a lonely S550 (I'm pretty sure it said 550. I could be wrong) sitting in the same spot every day for about a month. It looked like it hadn't moved.

A few days ago it was gone and there is a brand new, shiny E(something or other) sitting there in the driveway.

venture

Nice Mike!

qbrozen

roadburner said:

The more I thought about that 540i xDrive, the more I realized I'd have to ditch my BMW CCA vanity plate and replace it with one that simply read CODGER.
I'm back to only considering 2 door RWD coupes- even if I run the deadly risk of the front end "wondering."

I vote Scat Pack Challenger. ;b

jipster

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC
Selenite Gray with beige leather interior and brown ash wood
Driver's Assistance Pkg (Distronic)
Parking Assistance Pkg.
Exterior Lighting Pkg.
Night Pkg: High-Gloss Black Elements (front splitter & grille)
AMG Line Exterior Pkg.
Premium Pkg. w/12.3 digital instrument cluster
Rear Spoiler
LED Logo Protectors
19" AMG 5-spoke wheels with black accents
All Season Tires
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Panorama Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Burmeister Surround Sound System

Total MSRP $74,950 Selling Price $64,000

72 month financing at 2.99% with $15,000 down

The 2018 S450 will be a lease return with no payments due because they have a 5 month pull ahead program going on now, which worked out great!

I decided to buy the car because I figured this might be my last car. The financing rate (2.9%) is actually a better interest rate than they have on their E class leases. This way, I own the car.

The car is being brought in from Gainsville and will arrive by Thursday. So I guess I will take delivery on Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

Congrats on the car Mike! Photos when it comes in or it didn't happen. ;-)

Sounds like a great car. The whole process, from start to finish, about a week? So no "Jipst Method of New Car Buying"?

abacomike

suydam said:

@abacomike — is the first car you’ve bought rather than leased in, as my mother would say, a [non-permissible content removed]’s age?

The S450 I have now was the first car I leased in almost 20 years. The 72 month financing at 2.9% was actually less than a comparable lease.

abacomike

jipster said:

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC
Selenite Gray with beige leather interior and brown ash wood
Driver's Assistance Pkg (Distronic)
Parking Assistance Pkg.
Exterior Lighting Pkg.
Night Pkg: High-Gloss Black Elements (front splitter & grille)
AMG Line Exterior Pkg.
Premium Pkg. w/12.3 digital instrument cluster
Rear Spoiler
LED Logo Protectors
19" AMG 5-spoke wheels with black accents
All Season Tires
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Panorama Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Burmeister Surround Sound System

Total MSRP $74,950 Selling Price $64,000

72 month financing at 2.99% with $15,000 down

The 2018 S450 will be a lease return with no payments due because they have a 5 month pull ahead program going on now, which worked out great!

I decided to buy the car because I figured this might be my last car. The financing rate (2.9%) is actually a better interest rate than they have on their E class leases. This way, I own the car.

The car is being brought in from Gainsville and will arrive by Thursday. So I guess I will take delivery on Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

Congrats on the car Mike! Photos when it comes in or it didn't happen. ;-)

Sounds like a great car. The whole process, from start to finish, about a week? So no "Jipst Method of New Car Buying"?

No, jipster, I don't have your patience. I did my research here on Edmunds and on the MBUSA site. Programs on the S and E classes are great right now.

sda

jipster said:

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

Glad it was something minor. I am surprised your car didn’t come with the owner’s manual especially with it being so new and CPO. What was the dealer’s response? If you enjoy your Accord half as much as I’ve enjoyed mine you will be very satisfied.

roadburner

jipster said:

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

Sounds like just a pin in one of the harness sockets; absolutely no big deal.

suydam

abacomike said:

suydam said:

@abacomike — is the first car you’ve bought rather than leased in, as my mother would say, a [non-permissible content removed]’s age?

The S450 I have now was the first car I leased in almost 20 years. The 72 month financing at 2.9% was actually less than a comparable lease.

A raccoon is non-permissible content?

jipster

sda said:

jipster said:

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

Glad it was something minor. I am surprised your car didn’t come with the owner’s manual especially with it being so new and CPO. What was the dealer’s response? If you enjoy your Accord half as much as I’ve enjoyed mine you will be very satisfied.

It is odd that Honda doesn't have a paperback owners manual. I know down/uploading info is the trend, but some of us are old school on stuff like that.

All the service manager said was that he hopes I was completely satisfied should I get an email survey.

On enjoying the Accord, you bet. I'll just sit in the Accord,while it's in the garage,
and listen to music as I'm messing around with the features. Going for joyrides with Mrs. Jip. It's been great.

jipster

roadburner said:

jipster said:

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

Sounds like just a pin in one of the harness sockets; absolutely no big deal.

Thanks. Had no idea what the fix entailed, other than it sounded simple.

So, looks like you're not getting that deal after all, @oldfarmer. Sorry. ;-)

fintail

Congrats! Got in before the facelift. I actually prefer the 2020 vs 2021 - the new design elements don't completely suit the car IMO. The original is more distinctive. I hope it serves you well - I am just over a year in my E450, and it has had virtually no problems. I have several of the same features - distronic, pano, parking assist, etc. With the same engine and similar ICE interface as your S, it should be an easy learning curve for you.

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

28firefighter

Congrats, Mike! Many happy miles.

fintail

They can't as far as I know, well not past names of google accounts (google shouldn't be sharing PII type location data, but then again they cooperate with the CCP/China, so who knows). Location services can also be turned off.

I think the conspiracy theorist set just got a ton of new ammo though, unfortunately.

ab348 said:

Our Chief Public Health doctor up here was quite transparent in stating they are using Google location data to track people's movement. This was in response to a question at a presser about people going for pleasure drives to get out of the house, etc., instead of just doing a once-weekly grocery/supply run. Whether they can drill down to identifying info about individuals he did not say. But it felt somewhat chilling.

driver100

jipster said:

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC
Selenite Gray with beige leather interior and brown ash wood
Driver's Assistance Pkg (Distronic)
Parking Assistance Pkg.
Exterior Lighting Pkg.
Night Pkg: High-Gloss Black Elements (front splitter & grille)
AMG Line Exterior Pkg.
Premium Pkg. w/12.3 digital instrument cluster
Rear Spoiler
LED Logo Protectors
19" AMG 5-spoke wheels with black accents
All Season Tires
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Panorama Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Burmeister Surround Sound System

Total MSRP $74,950 Selling Price $64,000

72 month financing at 2.99% with $15,000 down

The 2018 S450 will be a lease return with no payments due because they have a 5 month pull ahead program going on now, which worked out great!

I decided to buy the car because I figured this might be my last car. The financing rate (2.9%) is actually a better interest rate than they have on their E class leases. This way, I own the car.

The car is being brought in from Gainsville and will arrive by Thursday. So I guess I will take delivery on Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

Congrats on the car Mike! Photos when it comes in or it didn't happen. ;-)

Sounds like a great car. The whole process, from start to finish, about a week? So no "Jipst Method of New Car Buying"?

Actually, Mike had a bit of a head start....he has probably been thinking about this for about 2 years and 4 months by now. You both evaluated and made your purchases pretty quickly all considering. Iluv took about 11 months and still didn't pull the trigger.

driver100

sda said:

jipster said:

driver100 said:

Hey Jip, Did you come back from the dealer? What was wrong?

Yes, it was a loose or misplaced pin...or something in the mechanism. Nothing was replaced. So I'm assuming the dome light mechanism was opened up and the pin was put back in place. I was just happy to have my car back. :-)

I tried to set up a meeting with the Honda tech "genius" while I was at the dealership, but she didn't return my call in time. So going to try for sometime later this week.

And I did find a owners manual in the Honda Link app. So can get a head start
on brushing up more on the tech features.

Glad it was something minor. I am surprised your car didn’t come with the owner’s manual especially with it being so new and CPO. What was the dealer’s response? If you enjoy your Accord half as much as I’ve enjoyed mine you will be very satisfied.

I don't think they have full manuals anymore. I find a lot more information on the MB manual site. The cars have so many features and they print so many disclaimers you would need a glove compartment the size of a microwave oven.

abacomike

driver100 said:

jipster said:

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC
Selenite Gray with beige leather interior and brown ash wood
Driver's Assistance Pkg (Distronic)
Parking Assistance Pkg.
Exterior Lighting Pkg.
Night Pkg: High-Gloss Black Elements (front splitter & grille)
AMG Line Exterior Pkg.
Premium Pkg. w/12.3 digital instrument cluster
Rear Spoiler
LED Logo Protectors
19" AMG 5-spoke wheels with black accents
All Season Tires
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Panorama Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Burmeister Surround Sound System

Total MSRP $74,950 Selling Price $64,000

72 month financing at 2.99% with $15,000 down

The 2018 S450 will be a lease return with no payments due because they have a 5 month pull ahead program going on now, which worked out great!

I decided to buy the car because I figured this might be my last car. The financing rate (2.9%) is actually a better interest rate than they have on their E class leases. This way, I own the car.

The car is being brought in from Gainsville and will arrive by Thursday. So I guess I will take delivery on Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

Congrats on the car Mike! Photos when it comes in or it didn't happen. ;-)

Sounds like a great car. The whole process, from start to finish, about a week? So no "Jipst Method of New Car Buying"?

Actually, Mike had a bit of a head start....he has probably been thinking about this for about 2 years and 4 months by now. You both evaluated and made your purchases pretty quickly all considering. Iluv took about 11 months and still didn't pull the trigger.

To be honest, when I found out that a new S450 lease would cost me about $950 a month, I decided yesterday to move to an E450 4MATIC. They just dropped the APR on a finance to 2.9% for up to 72 months. Furthermore, they have a 5 month pull ahead program on the E class but only 3 months on an S class. They also pick up the first month's payment on a finance. So, the decision was made 24 hours ago.

driver100

Agree....like the 2020 more than the 2021.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The more I thought about that 540i xDrive, the more I realized I'd have to ditch my BMW CCA vanity plate and replace it with one that simply read CODGER.
I'm back to only considering 2 door RWD coupes- even if I run the deadly risk of the front end "wondering."

I vote Scat Pack Challenger. ;b

Shelby GT500R

stickguy

Jip is living proof of something I believe in. Even as a dedicated frugal guy. Not spending money is nice, but using some of what you make/saved to have something nice you really enjoy every day, is even better!

suydam

Pictures please, when you get it, @abacomike!

cdnpinhead

suydam said:

A raccoon is non-permissible content?

In today's world, you bet. We live among people who think this makes sense.

I'm old enough and lived in the South long enough to know why, but it's kinda sweet that you probably don't have a clue.

abacomike

suydam said:

Pictures please, when you get it, @abacomike!

I have to figure out how to post pictures. Driver will tell me.

cdnpinhead

Bring your lunch.

suydam

cdnpinhead said:

suydam said:

A raccoon is non-permissible content?

In today's world, you bet. We live among people who think this makes sense.

I'm old enough and lived in the South long enough to know why, but it's kinda sweet that you probably don't have a clue.

I know that it can be a racial slur, but the expression I was using actually is a country term for a raccoon. Live and learn!

ab348

Hope you enjoy your new car, @abacomike !

ab348

Woke up to snow here today and it is still coming down. Disgusting.

abacomike

fintail said:

Congrats! Got in before the facelift. I actually prefer the 2020 vs 2021 - the new design elements don't completely suit the car IMO. The original is more distinctive. I hope it serves you well - I am just over a year in my E450, and it has had virtually no problems. I have several of the same features - distronic, pano, parking assist, etc. With the same engine and similar ICE interface as your S, it should be an easy learning curve for you.

abacomike said:

Well, I went ahead and did it!

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 4MATIC Friday. As long as they show the car as sold, it will qualify for the incentives for April.

Yes, fintail, but the comfort and ride will be missed in the S450. I would have waited until October, but the programs they have available were too good to pass up. It was now or never for another Mercedes. I probably would have leased a G80 in November.

abacomike

ab348 said:

Hope you enjoy your new car, @abacomike !

Thanks ab348.

abacomike

cdnpinhead said:

Bring your lunch.

OK, pinhead, help me out with posting photos - step-by-step Instructions, please:

I know how to take and store photos on my iPhone 8+. It's getting the photos posted on this site. I used to be able to save the photos to my PC and then upload them to Edmunds. But I have tried that several times but it didn't work.

graphicguy

@abacomike.....cool...Congrats on the new ride. Can’t wait for pics.

graphicguy

@abacomike....not @cdnpinhead but maybe I can help. I think you look at Edmunds with your iPhone, right? Well, when in the forums, there should be some small icons just underneath the “LEAVE A COMMENT” line. Click the icon with the dot over what looks like mountains. A pull down should have a “Choose Files” button. Click that and choose the photos you want to display in the comment box.

tjc78

abacomike said:

cdnpinhead said:

Bring your lunch.

OK, pinhead, help me out with posting photos - step-by-step Instructions, please:

I know how to take and store photos on my iPhone 8+. It's getting the photos posted on this site. I used to be able to save the photos to my PC and then upload them to Edmunds. But I have tried that several times but it didn't work.

The easiest way to get pictures onto the site is to take them with your phone and upload directly from there.

The problem is this... the "mobile" version of the site which is displayed by default is broken and the pictures won't upload (the buttons don't do a thing)

So... what you need to do is, in the upper left of the address bar in Safari browser there is a function (it has two "A" characters. Click it and then "Request Desktop Site".

Once you have the desktop site you can then click the Attach Image icon and browse to your photos on the phone.

Hope this helps.

graphicguy

So, I have heard this news for months now, and sort of expected it well before I bought my car. But, I think Kia took a shot at building the best built, most performance focused, highest quality car they could, and the market (aside from me) didn’t respond.

The COVID-19 issue didn’t help.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33178/the-kia-stinger-might-die-for-being-the-best-car-no-one-is-buying

I love it. Now, it looks like I’m going to have a relatively exclusive car.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

Just called my insurance company - my policy will be $200 less every 6 months, which is also a plus. Then, on June 30, I will get an additional 15% reduction in my premium when the policy renews.

What I like about this E450 is that AWD is standard on the car this year. Also, it has the same engine as my S450 has, V6 Twin Turbo engine with 362 hp - 0-60 in 5 seconds. So it will be fast enough, I would imagine. Really excited about this. When the car comes in, I want to check the odometer as well as the entire car for any damage or imperfections before I give them the check.

Why the odometer? Do you suspect that the lot boy will take it out on a joy ride?

It's supposed to have 12 miles on it - but since it is coming from another dealership in north central Florida, it could have a few hundred miles on it. If it "ain't" new, it ain't new!

Interesting. Would you ask for money off if it had miles on it? Of my last 3 new cars 2 were dealer trades and had up to 200 miles on them when I took ownership. I knew where they came from and the milage matched pretty close so I could assume the transporters weren’t taking them on a wild ride through the countryside.

The Mustang had 16 miles on it. About 10 were put on by me on the test drive.

I do understand your desire for a pristine car.

tjc78

If I was buying a 70K+ car I want it with less than 25 miles. If I'm leasing I really couldn't care less. My 2009 Genesis had over 300 as did my 06 Avalon both of which were dealer traded.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The more I thought about that 540i xDrive, the more I realized I'd have to ditch my BMW CCA vanity plate and replace it with one that simply read CODGER.
I'm back to only considering 2 door RWD coupes- even if I run the deadly risk of the front end "wondering."

I vote Scat Pack Challenger. ;b

Shelby GT500R

at least my pick is semi-affordable. lol.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The more I thought about that 540i xDrive, the more I realized I'd have to ditch my BMW CCA vanity plate and replace it with one that simply read CODGER.
I'm back to only considering 2 door RWD coupes- even if I run the deadly risk of the front end "wondering."

I vote Scat Pack Challenger. ;b

Just go for the Demon version and get it over with.

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

So, I have heard this news for months now, and sort of expected it well before I bought my car. But, I think Kia took a shot at building the best built, most performance focused, highest quality car they could, and the market (aside from me) didn’t respond.

The COVID-19 issue didn’t help.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33178/the-kia-stinger-might-die-for-being-the-best-car-no-one-is-buying

I love it. Now, it looks like I’m going to have a relatively exclusive car.

That's interesting. Put it up on blocks and don't drive it to keep the miles low. Imagine what it could bring at a Barrett Jackson auction in 15 years...