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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans

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Comments

  • mbdrivermbdriver Member Posts: 426
    To each his own! Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder! What's one man's dream is another man's nightmare! And as the king of Siam would say, "Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."

    Like most newer cars, the GS is indeed attractive. But to me, it looks like a gussied-up Camry (Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera). I doubt if E-Class salesmen will lose much sleep.
  • popkwizzpopkwizz Member Posts: 17
    The Lexus looks more like a fish than the Mercedes.
  • boo20boo20 Member Posts: 85
    The only thing preventing me from switching from MB to Lexus at this point is the relentlessly ugly styling of the Lexus.

    The new GS has a face only a mother could love.
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    I guess those last few posters are "jaded" too right, the new GS is as ugly as all getout!

    M
  • laithy_74laithy_74 Member Posts: 35
    Since When does lexus need to make its cars beautiful to sell? The current Lexus GS is not as conviniently sized as the E-Class. The next GS looks like it will be much roomier. I am quite sure it will be very successful, and will at least force Mercedes to reduce MSRP of the E-Class by up to $5,000.
  • mbdrivermbdriver Member Posts: 426
    laithy_74 -- Dream on! I'd be shocked if Mercedes reduces the E-Class MSRP by even a penny because of competition from the Lexus GS. Or from BMW, for that matter. Perhaps that occurred several years ago when the Japanese luxo boats first competed with MB, and it was good for us consumers! But I doubt seriously if many E-Class fans jump ship to the GS, for reasons of styling, performance and especially handling. The GS may be a fine automobile, but it just ain't a Mercedes!
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    ..just a little indignified and embarassing for Lexus promoters like laysmackdown and laithy_74 to feel compelled to troll the Mercedes and BMW boards trying to sell their wares?

    Some people obviously have no self respect.
  • laithy_74laithy_74 Member Posts: 35
    ""Perhaps that occurred several years ago when the Japanese luxo boats first competed with MB, and it was good for us consumers!'''

    So prices were cut because of the competition weren't they? Why do you think it won't happen again? Besides, I would like to remind you that Mercedes is in its worst shape regarding quality. Never have Mercedes been flamed for quality issues like they are now. And The last time I checked, Mercedes is not selling as well as BMW and Lexus. I am surprised how some of you would consider talking about the E-class competition in this board and whether it can force Mercedes to cut prices as an insult, while I meant to be a good thing. Some of you sound just as arrogant as Mercedes is.
  • mbdrivermbdriver Member Posts: 426
    laithy_74 -- Please don't take this personally, and certainly I don't intend to get flaming insults started. But I find it difficult to comprehend that people can post on a Mercedes E-Class forum and throw out unsubstantiated assertions about competition and pricing (MB prices most certainly will NOT be lowered because of competion from the Lexus GS -- bet on it!!!!), quality (it has dropped, indeed -- but from what starting point and how far!!!), and sales figures. Are you sure that the Lexus GS outsells the Mercedes E-Class? Seems to me I see many more E-Class MBs on the street than Lexus GSs -- many more!!!. How about some authoritative quotes? -- and not merely statements.

    BTW, I wasn't insulted when you asserted that the GS would result in Mercedes cutting the price of the E-Class by $5000.00! Don't we wish! I was simply amused and found your statement to be way out in left field. Thanks to Lexus and Infinity back in 1990, prices for German cars returned to the reasonable level from the ridiculously inflated. But now that they're priced realistically, German cars and particularly Mercedes will NOT have to lower prices again because of competion from Lexus or Infinity. Don't misunderstand me -- I'd love to see the E-Class price drop even $1000.00 because of the competition from the GS. But with the E-Class 211 chassis being introduced soon, we can only hope there won't be a price INCREASE instead.

    And you mentioned arrogance! I'm forced to ask what you have contributed so far to this E-Class forum? Nothing factual or helpful that I've seen -- just assertions that I found to be pretty far out.

    Sorry, laithy_74. Again, I'm not attacking you personally. I just happen to disagree with just about everything you've written and fail to understand exactly why you're posting here.
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    Also consider that the E-class was developed in Germany, where Lexus has little reputation. Worldwide, I bet the E-class outsells the GS even if the GS outsells the E here in the US.
  • laithy_74laithy_74 Member Posts: 35
    mbdriver, I meant habitat1 when I said arrogant because he attacked me as being disrespectful. I wasn't talking about you. You didn't say anything wrong.
  • laithy_74laithy_74 Member Posts: 35
    My post regarding the sales was also based on the fact that BMW and Lexus indeed outsold Mercdes so far this year. The Lexus GS isn't even close to E-class when it comes to sales, but I believe that's because the GS sedan isn't a smaller alternative to the LS, like the 5-series is a smaller alternative to the 7-series and the E-class to the S-class. It's too cramped, inconviniently-styled, and doesn't have any family resemblance to the LS. The ES300, on the other hand is very successful because it is pretty much a poor-man LS. So I do not see why the GS can't jump in sales if styled and sized adequate. The ES300 sold over 6,000 in March and the RX still outsells everything there, so just think about the possibilities!
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    Give it a rest. Since you're so caught up in sales...the E-Class is the #1 car in it's class, in the world as it is also the best selling luxury car in the world. The E-Class is also the best selling car in it's class right here in the U.S....way ahead of the GS. Period. Lexus's GS doesn't even compare sales-wise, not here, or the rest of the world. Mercedes isn't going to drop prices on the new E because the current car is a hit, it only makes sense to keep prices level. Most GS sales are the GS300, the GS430 is way down on the charts, always has been even back when it was the GS400. In Lexus defense they only have 2 models compared to the 4+ that Mercedes has.

    BMW and Lexus outselling Mercedes doesn't mean much because Mercedes moves much more hardware from 65K on up than either of them, yet Lexus and BMW only outsold MB by a few thousand units. All 3 are running at around 50K or so for the first quarter. Hardly the bleak situation you always try to predict.

    M
  • dzidzi Member Posts: 8
    I’ve been following this forum for a while. Great place to learn from knowledgeable E-class owners. Last November I finally bought my very first MB E320. It’s a 2002 model and has 2500 miles on it now. Great car except one thing bugs me constantly. I would like to get you guys’ opinion on this issue. When I stop at traffic light with one foot on the brake, after a few seconds I can hear a “knocking” sound from the back of the car. After a few seconds more there will be the 2nd sound. I took the car back to dealer. They replaced the fuel tank but nothing changed afterward. I took it back and got the service manager involved. He looked into the problem and told me that the sound is resulting from the “emission system purge value self-test”. The first popping sound is opening the valve and the 2nd sound is closing. He insisted there’s nothing wrong on the car and the sound is normal on all 2002 E-class cars. I can understand the mechanism of what he’s describing but could not agree with the loudness of the sound. I drove other 2002 E-class and don’t think I ever heard this kind of noise. Do any of you guys owning the 2002 model ever experience this before? It would be disappointing that I have to either turn the music loud all the time to cover up this noise or learn to get used to it. I would really appreciate to get you guys’ opinion on this and what I can do next. Thanks in advance.
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    I don't have an E-Class but clearly that is unacceptable. I'd go back to the dealer and drive another with the service advisor and ask him where the so called normal noise is on that one. Some of these guys are real low lifes.
  • cce182cce182 Member Posts: 40
    First question. Is your E320 a wagon or a sedan? If a wagon, it is possible the sound has an easier time reaching the cabin (but this is pure guessing on my part). But, so what?

    I'm suspicious of the solenoid "self test" diagnosis. Sure, when the car starts up, it goes through an "initialization" (something like 'booting' your computer) and goes through a number of self-tests, e.g. Airbags, ABS, and emissions-control systems, but I don't understand why the self-test would have to rattle on while you're standing still somewhere in traffic.

    The difficult we face with ALL new cars, with their fancy electronics, emission controls, navigation, entertainment, ad nauseum, is that they are too technical for most retail service departments to keep abreast of their workings. They try, they get training and all that, but IMHO can't really keep up. I'm sure the "self-test" explaination was delivered with all sincerity, and I'm suspicious that it's probably wrong.

    When they tell you that something you don't expect "is normal" and "all of the others in this MY year do this", they're basically admitting that they don't know what the problem is, don't know how to fix it, and are too lazy to call the zone manager. If purge valve self-test IS normal, then ask them to replace your valve with a quieter one, or replace the vibration isolation between the valve and the chassis (assuming there is any). Take mbnut1's advice. Also, try another MB service department. Where I live, MB service departments compete for your business.

    Good luck
  • dzidzi Member Posts: 8
    The E-320 I have is a sedan. Service manager said this valve is inside the fuel tank and since they already replaced the tank once so they are not going to do anything more at this point. I don't know all these technical stuff and I just can't imagine an $50,000 car will have this knocking sound all the time when I stop the car in traffic. Everyone sit in my car all aware of this sound and I'm just too embarrassed to tell them this is normal to MB. I'm attaching the email from this service manager so you guys can tell if what he said make sense. I'm also in the process of contacting MBUSA and this dealership management. I'm still curious about other 2002 E owners comments if they can hear the same thing.
    =========================================

    AS YOU HAVE REQUESTED. I AM WRITING THIS EXPLANATION OF THE EMISSION SYSTEMS PURGE VALVE SELF-TEST, AND RELATED SOUND OF THE DEVICE AS IT IS PERFORMING THIS TEST. THE SELF-TEST WILL BE CONDUCTED AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE VALVE IS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE AND MUST SEAL TIGHTLY TO CONDUCT THE LEAK TEST. THE SOUND OF THE VALVE OPERATING IS CONSISTANT WITH OTHER E320 MERCEDES BENZ OF LIKE YEAR. THE TEST WILL BE CONDUCTED WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW THE FULL LEVEL AND ABOVE THE EMPTY LEVEL. THE LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK CAN CHANGE THE TONE OF THE VALVE AS IT OPERATES.
  • jsalemijsalemi Member Posts: 17
    This may sound like a dumb question, but what's the best way to clean & shine the wood trim in the cabin? A swipe with a damp rag? Same cleaner used for the vinyl? Windex? Pledge? Something else?

    Thanks!
    ---joe
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    I have a question.. do they still have M-B Tex as an option on new Mercedes cars?
  • mbdrivermbdriver Member Posts: 426
    Try good ol' Pledge on your wood trim. It's the best way to clean it and keep the shine.

    I don't think the MB Tex vinyl interior is even an option in the U.S., except perhaps on the station wagon.
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    What a shame! M-B Tex is often the reason so many older Mercedes' interiors lookg good, 15 years later. No scratches or tears in the upholstery as compared to leather.
  • jsalemijsalemi Member Posts: 17
    Thanks! Pledge (like everyone else, it seems) now makes polish-laced wipes that would probably be real handy for cleaning the wood trim. I'll pick up a box, and toss it in with my cleaning supplies in the trunk.

    Happy motoring!
    ---joe
  • rbrenton88rbrenton88 Member Posts: 186
    Has anyone noticed that whenever an argument breaks out about this car vs. that car, the primary validation given always comes down to how many units were sold last quarter?
    Why would this matter to anyone except people whose paychecks depended on it?

    More people bought Fords last year than Rolls Royces. I guess that means Ford is better.

    Are there trolls on the Lexus board too? I'd take a look, but then I have no interest.
  • kappiahkappiah Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 E320 Sedan and I don't hear or experience any knocking noise when I stop in traffic or at a light. I have had my sedan since September 2001 and it rides quietly. I agree with the suggestion that you take a test drive in another 2002 E320.
  • speculativespeculative Member Posts: 36
    I just saw a pic of the new eclass...looks sharp, a logical progression. It definatly would look better without the black roof...maybe a body colored roof.
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    The black roof is only if you order the optional big moonroof.
  • sfmartinsfmartin Member Posts: 59
    I have a 2002 E55. I had noticed an occasional "thumping" noise from behind the rear seat when stopped. Very subdued, my wife doesn't notice it. I had assumed it was fuel sloshing in the tank. Anyway, it's so minor I'm not concerned about it.
  • basaambasaam Member Posts: 1
    "As I turn into my garage or go to pull away from the curb" occasionally, the column makes a squealing sound that is clearly not normal. I have gone to the dealer a number of times during service visits, with them even replacing the column on the last visit but the noise returns.

    Has this happened to any of you? What did you implement to stop this from recurring?

    Thanks in advance
  • wnielwniel Member Posts: 97
    Are you sure it's not the power steering pump making the noise? I had a problem similar to what you describe in my ML320. The problem was the power steering pump. I could feel a bit of vibration in the wheel at the time of the squeal. Had the pump replaced and that took care of the problem.
    Wally
  • EdsotoEdsoto Member Posts: 42
    Just took the plunge: E320; Silver/Charcoal;Heated Seats; E2;K2A... $48,000.

    WOW.

    Details to follow.

    :)

    If any New York City people are interested in a great deal on an E320 SE ($45000), I'll post the phone number.
  • bmms8bmms8 Member Posts: 86
    i booked a e-class for 2003, nd my dealer called me tday daling wih opions,evn they have no prices he gave me a clue on what thy are going to have. we are planning on a e5 and its basically the same optons, but some stuf are new. but one bad ting is that the e2 package will not be standard even though the airmatic will. he said th price will be about 54-55 K, but i think it is a god price, esecially for 20- something more hp, and the airmatic system as standard, he also said that th nav system will have a delay of a quater, 3 months, but he also said, tha it ill be digital, if ay one has more info plz tll me,ty (sorry if there are ny spelling mistakes)
  • boo20boo20 Member Posts: 85
    There's a spell checker below the editing window.
  • jean7of9jean7of9 Member Posts: 192
    While doing a routine winter tires replacement on my 99 E-320 4matic the technician noticed that my front right ball-joint is worn out at 37k km (23.12k miles). He said this is a common problem on the E-Class. Mine lasted a bit longer than usual because of the 4matic. You may want to visit this part at your next scheduled maintenance.
    Jean
  • billsoterbillsoter Member Posts: 49
    I'm thinking of buying a used 97 or 98 E320 preferably from a MB dealer along with extended Starmark warranty. Does anyone have any advice concerning such a transaction? Also, I live in Northern Virginia. Does anyone have experiences, good or bad, with American Service Center, HBL of Tysons or Euro Motorcars?
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    Big difference in the engines. The 98 has a lighter more efficent V6. The 97 has the last of the line inline sixes. Some prefer the inlines for their smoothness. Some of the inlines had head gasket oil leakage problems. If you can't tell the difference in smoothness get the 98. Unbelievable fuel mileage for such a big powerful car.
  • jsalemijsalemi Member Posts: 17
    I bought my new E320 from ASC back in February, and I found them to be excellent to work with. Haven't had a chance to use their service department yet, but I've never heard anything bad about them in that area, either.

    ---joe
  • tomskyjltomskyjl Member Posts: 2
    I used to use Pledge and other brands for the wood trim. I found that they left an oily film on the wood surface which attracted fingerprints. I then tried Zymol Detail and am estatic over the results. Even though it comes in a tiny jar, you use only a very small amount at any time. It leaves a thin waxy coating which seems to last forever and gives a deep, subtle gloss. Here is a link to ordering the product.


    http://www.autogeek.net/zymoldetailwax.html


       Jack

  • namoonanamoona Member Posts: 1
    Edsoto can u post the phone number of the dealer in NYC
  • jsalemijsalemi Member Posts: 17
    I never thought of using Detail. My wife picked up some of those Pledge wipes, and they worked ok -- the only trick is to use the wipe on a big piece of furniture first to use up some of the excess Pledge on the wipe. Once it's dried a bit, it takes a couple of seconds to swipe it on the wood.

    I'll have to order the Detail next time I put in an order for cleaning supplies.

    Thanks!
    ---joe
  • EdsotoEdsoto Member Posts: 42
    Hi:

    CBS car broker in NYC offered me a price of $44,500 for a 2002 SE - Silver/E2. He did not mention if it had any other options.

    Jerry was the POC: 800-313-5670.

    I got my silver/charcoal,E2,K2A, Heated seats for 48000 at MB Greenwich.

    Good Luck.
  • bmw530bmw530 Member Posts: 6
    I purchased a 2001 E320 last year and was totally satisfied with my purchase until the transmission started to delay shifting up. I took it into the Mercedes dealership several times who said there was nothing wrong with the car. Needless to say four months later the dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. They insisted that a rebuilt transmission was what it would be replaced with as allowed by the Mercedes Benz warranty. Has anybody had a similar experience. I could not believe that a Mercedes would need a replacement transmission after four months and that Mercedes, of all Automobile Manufacturers, would use a remanufactured transmission to replace what should have been a new transmission.
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    bmw530, while I worked at GM and their standards may not be Mercedes-like, field managers actually said that rebuilt transmissions usually are a better choice, as there is more cause for reliablity problems with just dropping a new transmission in.

    As backwards as that sounds, it makes sense. A lot of problems with replaced parts have to do with the parts around them, rarely the part itself. From what I have heard, a rebuilt transmission is better as it is more like "microsurgery" where they go and replace one tiny part. I heard several field managers say that a rebuilt transmission has more attention to detail than a new one.

    While I'd probably prefer a new transmission myself, rebuilt transmissions are industry normal. I'd grin and bear it, and perhaps complain to M-B and ask them to cover it for 100,000 miles or something. A M-B transmission rarely goes, so consider yourself statistically rare....

    Anyway, good luck to you. Don't take a rebuilt tranny as a bad thing, especially if you trust the mechanics and dealer experience.
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    Think of it like this - transmissions are not like one piece. They are a complex machine in and of itself.

    Chances are a shifting problem is not the WHOLE transmission - would you ask for a new front suspension when the rear has gone...
  • cwradiocwradio Member Posts: 2
    A local dealer has a new 2001 e320 on the floor (fifty three actual miles). Black ext / charcoal int, bose w/ 6 cd changer, and sports package. Any concerns that it's still unsold? Any idea what a fair price would be...based on your experiences?
  • dustoff156dustoff156 Member Posts: 6
    I purchased a 2000 E430 from Chuck Albert at American Service Center in Arlington, VA. I found him to be low key, straightforward, and responsive. Have had zero problems with the car and nothing in their maintenance shop except for periodic services and oil changes, but have been impressed with their service staff. Friends who also use ASC voice similar comments.

    I initially planned to buy a two to three old car because driving in Northern Virginia usually results in door dings and scratches in parking lots, etc, but when I analyzed the cost, I decided against it. There's something about the look and smell of a new car. Have not been sorry about my decision and, two years later, I have incurred no dings or scratches.
  • billsoterbillsoter Member Posts: 49
    Thanks for the info. Since I posted my question I've been analyzing the costs myself. Because of the very flat depreciation curve of Mercedes vehicles, buying used makes almost no sense at all. A new vehicle is the only way to go.
  • rlowrierlowrie Member Posts: 30
    I'm sure it has been discussed ad naseum here but I'm not having much luck with the search aspect of this board. Can someone point me to posts (or provide any details) on when the new E might be showing up in the US. Also, has there been any pricing info tossed about? Thanks.
  • valueguyvalueguy Member Posts: 208
    My '00E430 has not been garaged the last few days. The temperature in the car has been around 97F. Usually, I use a reflective screen for the front windshield when my car is parked for more than 2 hours. But, I did not use the screen and today, I noticed the front passenger side airbag is beginning to separate from the dash. It looks like the edge of the seal has "melted" away.
    I called the dealer and they offered to replace the airbag.

    On Monday I will drop my car off for a week to have the instrument cluster replaced secondary to a slow clock. Also, the dealer will replace the passenger side air bag. Has anyone on this board had a similar problem? Has anyone replaced the passenger airbag? Will my dash look "perfect" again? I am not getting a loaner; instead, I will be driving my '02 BMW 330 convertible for the week.

    I appreciate all responses. Thank You.

    The new 'E' is due out in August in the USA. I believe the car will be available in Europe later this month. Prices should be similar to current '02 MSRP with perhaps a 2% increase. M-B wants to make sure quality scores in the USA are high when the car debuts in our market.
  • bmms8bmms8 Member Posts: 86
    my dealer told me the other day that he car will come out in september, but they expected it to comeout earlier than that
  • eadlueadlu Member Posts: 13
    Check the NHTSA web site. MB claimed it was voluntarily replacing the front side airbags on the 2000 E class cars. I believe this bulletin was issued more than a year ago. I own a 2000 E and I have not received a notice to bring the car in for replacement of the bags.
This discussion has been closed.