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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Comments
i'm planning to purchase a new car in few months.
i really like the styling of the s500, but after
reading all the comments, i have second thoughts.
i plan to keep the car longer than the 4 years warranty. also i like the ls430. any suggestions
will help.thks.
Oh yeah how 'bout 400-600 miles on one tank of fuel(not gasoline)? Its bullitproof. The SUV's, commercial gasoline and diesel vehicles are the problem children in and for the environment, not the diesel passenger cars of today.
Currently Volkswagen is the only manufacturer in the US selling diesel cars.
I wish MB would and could bring the 2003 CLK AMG CDI to the US. Talk about a high performance economical sports car!
The law mandates that this happen...EVENTUALLY...because the oil companies and their lobbyists have Congress giving them years to make the change. Since the refiners in Europe are already using the technology necessary to get sulfur out, there is no excuse but money...as usual.
Even the almighty CARB has finally recognized [through the Board chairman] that clean diesel has a role to play in the total picture of minimizing global pollution [including CO2]. But nothing will happen until Congress forces the oil companies to get going - all of the car companies are ready and able to offer diesel alternatives once the fuel gets cleaned up.
M
Putting the top down makes the naturally more flexible body [over its coupe or sedan counterpart] of the convertible that much more prone to feeding the vibrations through the structure.
M
M
I gave him a nice bottle of Merlot and was pleased to be reminded that any problem with any MB I've ever owned has been handled just as painlessly as this.
M
BJ
I just got the car this past weekend, so I am still trying to learn the various features. If I come up with any other weird stuff like that, I will let you know.
BJ
If you have a story to share, please send your daytime contact information to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Friday, December 20, 2002. Please be sure to include the vehicle model names and model years. Thanks for your consideration!
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Share your vehicle reviews
The alt is a 1992 300SE with 57000 miles and minimal documentation at an auction company. I offered 7600 and was told that $8500 was turned down. They are firm on $9000. Any advice on what to expect. My wife is watching me closely to say I told you so.
M
i got a letter from mb saying that my 3-year lease is almost due (1999 MB ML320). The car only has 14,327 miles ( i am not joking... my wife rarely takes it out, uses the lexus RX300 instead). The car is in really good shape, and I am thinking about renewing the lease, because my wife likes it a lot. but, I am getting tired of the ML, so i have been shopping around lately.
on new-years day, I went to the SD auto-show, and I wasn't really impressed by the selection. I was interested in the Lexus GX470, LS430, and the Mercedes E320. I didn't like the swinging-out door of the rear of the GX, thought that the style was too bland and boring (inside and out) of the LS430, so I seriously considered the E-class.
last night, I thought about the size and value of the new E. i'm used to the macho-size of the S-class cars, and when I test drove it at a dealership, I was rather shocked by the rather-small size (my neighbor thinks that car is huge)- not much rear legroom; so i thought to my self- if I spend around $55,000 on a E320, I may as well spend it all and get a 2003 S430. Now, I already have a 2002 S430, but I noticed quite a diference (more metal inside, rearranged buttons, new COMMAND center, etc...) it drove exactly the same as mine. but then, in about 2 years, the new generation S-class will come out, and this "new" car will almost be obsolete.
now, i am stuck between waiting for the 2005 ML (i heard it is to be similar to the G-class), the 2003 E320, or the 2003 S430. my lease is due in early February. i like the size of the ML, and the size of the S-class. the only thing I rather like of the new E is the exterior and interior styling. i am simply a bit too tired of the M-class ( i have owned 2, 1998 and 1999), so what do you think I should get? any advice would help, as I am completely stuck...
My reasoning being you didn't seem to like the new E any better than the your current S. The new S really isn't going to be that much different than your current one. The new ML should be the size you want and something different and you won't lose as much money in the mean time waiting for the new ML come out. Though from the sounds of it the money lost is the least of your concerns.
Actually you answered your own question...."My wife likes it alot"
yesterday, I found a website that showed some "photos" of the 2004 ML. if that is what it'll look like ( i doubt it), then, i might consider that. after thinking it over, I am probably going to extend the lease until the 2004 LS430 (i'm a fan of that car, but i can wait for the major changes) or the 2005/2006 M-class. Besides, around that thime, the Grand Sports Tourer/GST by mercedes will debut (though i wonder what the MSRP of that will be).
by the way, I recently had to bring my 2002 S430 in for service 4 times within a month's time. i suspect a wheel balancing problem, because when I cruise around 50-70 mph on the freeway, both the driver and passenger seat/headrest vibrate and shake quite a lot (it didn't do this when i bought it). it just started in late November, so i brought it in to my local mb dealerhip (MB of San Diego). i brought it there 3 times; they did absolutely nothing, and I waited for over 3 hours each time). finally, following my neighbor's advice, I drove to MB of Laguna Niguel, and they finally resolved the wheel balancing tire. but, they say in about 3,500 miles, I have to replace the rear tires because they are uneven or something.
i have two questions to ask you guys.. on the S430 and S500, is the airmatic suspension now airmatic DC, like on the E-class? is it basically the same system? also, does mb still offer GPS navigation on the E-class? my book at home has it under options, but when i go to mbusa.com, i didn't see it anymore.
http://www.jesmb.de/news/news/pics/w221-as.jpg
and here's the link to the 2004/2005 M-class:
http://www.jesmb.de/news/news/pics/M_01.jpg
i'm not really impressed with the redesign of the S-class (if that photo is genuine), but i will have to see the rear-end of the S to judge it.
M
M
Had same problem with wifes '02 S430. Ended up wearing the rear inner tread to belts in 23,500 mi (stock Continentals). Had alignment done and found worn or broken component. Have since added 21k on new Michelins and they are wearing well.
BTW: Have had car in shop 1/2 dozen times due to Airmatic light coming on. Have replaced most of the components. Have you had similar problems?
i tell you, my S430 has had about every single problem possible on a car. :-(
you know, one really wierd thing about this car (S-class) is that I cannot find a single good seating position. the seats are way too big for me (maybe not for a typical german). i dont know... I feel as though I am simply not connected with this car, unlike my other lexus' and the ML.
i am still have no idea about what to do with the ML-lease. i'll probably keep the ML until the GST or new one comes out. as said earlier, E is too small (besides the E350 is supposed to come out in october or something), although a manager offered an Invoice price, GX470's door is to strange in the rear; the rear end also looks a bit odd to me. I probably can't stand another S430, and i haven't found a good lease/price on the 745i, oh what the heck... i'll keep the good ol' ML!
Also, do any S-class owners have specific lessons-learned or feedback on potential improvements by MB in the assembly quality of the S-class?
Thank you.
M