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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
Yes, I know there is a topic discussing the item however, wondering if any first hand experience using the warranty at the Benz dealer.
Thanks
Please post here if you also ordered the Nav in your 2003 E. I would like to get a group of us so we can keep each other informed. Thanks!
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000147532.cfm?x=a1Flj- t5,aKRmw5V
Cell phones change very fast and I rode in a friend's MB the other day that is about 4 years old. The phone in it looked like something that belonged in the Smithsonian. He said he never used it much when he got the car and turned it off. He said "No one is impressed by an old cell phone built-in to a car."
The big issue is that the integration today is between your pc and cellphone and PDA. The car isn't part of that loop, so it's usually not possible to transfer phonebooks.So how many hours are you going to spend programming your MB phone to recognize your voice?
I just got a new Mot T720 GSM phone from ATT Wireless. It weighs 3.5 oz. To voice dial, I press a button on the side of the phone and speak their name. All of my important names and numbers are in it. Many of them are on a transferable SIM card.
It cost $150. Why in the world would I pay MB and a dealer $2500 for the same thing.
Plus, MB electronics these days are a big ? mark and not their forté.
Just my humble opinion.
Good luck in your decision making.
M
BMW already has Bluetooth kit, but there are only 3 or 4 phones currently in the market that are compatible. Further, not all of them can synchronize the phone/address book with the car, apparently. BTW, it costs about $1,200 for the kit from what I heard.
Some of the comments that have been having me scratching my head.
1) looks like something out of the smithsonian. The phone, a Motorola Timeport, sits in a cradle in the armrest. It isn't even visible. It is tri-mode and works just fine on my nationwide calling plan. True, if you're looking to play tetris it is not the phone to get. It is a very fine cellular phone. I prefer the flip phone style to the tiny little nokias etc anyhow as it's more like talking into a real phone.
2) the phone is not tied to the car. It pops out of the cradle easily. The integration with the car is first rate (though I wish I could tell that I have phone mail). YOu can even do your speed dialing through the 10 buttons on the dash. Calls are easily made/answered with the steering wheel controls. The audio quality is fantastic throught he stereo and the microphone is very sensitive. I get nothing but extremely positive feedback on the system.
Overpriced? Yes. Should you get it? Try it and see. The way I see it is this is probably the most reliable part of the car and is, thus, the least of my concerns.
BigRob.
Four weeks ago I purchased a beautiful 1999 E Class Wagon (I like to call it an "estate"), mint condition, black opal, with only 30,000 miles (49,000 km for us Canucks). Just love the car. Does anyone know where I can get a 1999 E Class brochure. Also, since I will keep the car as long as possible (10-15 years), does anyone have comments on rustproofing. The owners manual states that its not necessary but it may be prudent to do something to control corrosion.
A hands-free phone is great, but get an aftermarket one. www.cellport.com has an aftermarket hands-free system with voice activation that allows you to pick any cellphone you want. This same company/technology will be available in future Benzes.
What you don't get if you go with any aftermarket:
Steering wheel integration; Dashboard integration; full radio integration. (The cellport system will blank out your radio when you make/receive a call); but you can't dial using the radio's keypad [but some cell phones have voice activation].
On another note: What may happen: Current owners (like me) MAY be able to upgrade their Timeports to the future phone system for a price
For some reason, I doubt that this will ever take place.
Reason not to get MB the integrated phone:
If it breaks (under warranty), MB dealers have to send it out to Motorola for a new one; You could be without a phone for about 10 days. If you drop it and it breaks, you're out several hundred dollars. Warranty does not cover a broken screen.
The Timeport is a tried and true cellphone: It works (just like the old home rotary phones). If you like that sort of thing and can be happy with it for the next 2 years or so... It probably won't add anything to the resale value of the car.
What should happen if you have voice-mail is that the radio/cd player should blank out every so often. This indicates that you have voice mail. This maybe carrier dependent though.
Also: Only the Mercedes Benz's branded Timeports will integrate with the car. A regular Timeport will NOT work in the car, no matter what anyone says!
Also: Depending upon what you are offered: You could go with a Timeport or V60. I don't think they are interchangeable.
I'm on my 3rd Timeport:
Original One: Radio Kept Saying processing. Phone replaced. 2nd One: Radio kept saying NO Phone. Phone replaced (Did not get reimbursed for the 45.00 Nokia that I used for 10 days - now I have a backup phone); 3rd One: So far so good.
Since I bought my phone with the car, I have a 4 year warranty on it. If you buy it aftermarket, find out if you get a 1 year or remainder of the car warranty with it. GET IT IN WRITING!!!
Good Luck.
Best features:
1. You can have your music loud and the system will automatically mute everything (no missed calls), and your incoming call (if you have caller ID) will be displayed on the dash and radio.
2. Constantly charging the battery (not sure if the frequent charges may shorten its life though).
I find my time much more productive when stuck in traffic with the MB phones. Never do I have to dangerously fish for the phone to see if it was ringing (and to check who was calling me), mess with the radio, or struggle with the car charger when the phone was low on battery.
I find myself checking office voice mail much more frequently when it's only a steering wheel button away.
Of course, no more ear plugs, microphone cords messing with the seatbelts.
Downside? Cost and if you're changing the car in a year or so, it may not be worth it depending on the number of calls you make in the car.
To me, cell phone (like computers) become obsolete so quickly and at such a high cost, the question is whether you use it enough to justify the huge depreciation, as you will not get anything out of it when you sell the car.
If you plan to buy another MB after your current E-class, it may be worthwhile to call MB parts to see if you can take the phone with you? I know MB are trying to make their phone systems more 'forward compatible', i.e. you can keep the system and only upgrade the handset.
They're also coming up with bluetooth universal kits for the 2004 E I believe.
You'll no doubt notice the increased thrust in the V8 over the 6 when you drive the 500. For my driving, I found the E320 power more than adequate. I never drive over 80mph and the 0-65 acceleration gets me on the freeway on ramps at freeway speeds without slowing existing traffic.
My guess is that MB will fix some of the 1st year bugs in the '03 design of the E. Maybe make the brakes a little less "touchy."
You'll like the tighter suspension on the new E. More like a sports car. Maybe they'll make the '04 even tighter to go with the increased power in 500.
I assume gas guzzling isn't a concern for you.
My reccomendation is not to deal with the dealer. Instead talk to the Mercedes area rep. Ask the dealer for his number. If they won't give it to you, call the headquarters in NJ and get it from them.
I had a problem with my 2001 C. I dealt with the rep directly and was able to negotiate $5000 more in compensation than the dealer was willing to give. Hence I ended up with the E.
You may have a case. Especially if the dealer "promised" you could add it on later.
I have one of these cars, and I prepaid for the NAV so I am on the list. I will be dealing with my area rep to get a 2004 as a replacement. Who knows what else has changed. It scares me that I may be getting a "retrofitted" 2003.
Its worth a shot!
It will be standard on the the E 500, S 430, S 500, CL 500 and SL 500 models this fall.
M
The E-class Wagon, and possibly future turbodiesel sedan, remain on my future shopping list when it comes time to replace our SUV and sedan. But I am not pleased to see some apparant backsliding in quality control and reliability. My informal poll of as many business associates and friends as possible seems to show far fewer problems - large and small - with the BMW 5-series than the Mercedes E-class. Electrical component malfunctions still seem to top the list. Unfortunately, the BMW 5-series Wagon just isn't comparable in size or versitility as the E-Wagon.
I hope Mercedes can find a way to redirect some of their engineering to getting the basics right before they embark on an 8 speed transmission.
Just venting.
Rod
http://www.mbspy.com/comand.htm
BigRob.
In similar fashion, if the windows do funny things like roll up and drop down about 2", use your keyless remote to fully lower and raise the windows.
About the integrated phone....I got it in my 2000E320, it was a digital MOtorola StarTac.....took about 4 months before anyone could activate it..no one had any idea what to do with it..finally got it activated at Cellular South......didn't like the phone so I had it deactivated about 1 year later.....tried to reactivate about 2 months ago and was told the technology was so outdated it couldn't be activated again......as I've posted before I think this is the only year this particular Startac was used....it has a movable antenna and clearly says digital on the phone but the cellular companies I took it to insisted it was analog...( I think it is tdma )...I think it was ahead of it's time for awhile.....at least here in our little area of the world......great idea though......
The only repair was the seal on the differential. This was found during routine warrantee servicing. Out-of-pocket service and maintenance costs have been the purchase of a set of four Blizzak snow tires with alloy wheel for winter use.
The interior looks like new; the exterior has done well with Zaino maintenance; and the original tires (MCXV4) will go about 45,000 miles with a tire pressure 2psi higher than recommended.
1. 3.7L Engine
2. Pivoting Head Lights
3. New Colors Combos
4. TV/DVD option on COMAND II
Any others?!?
You didn't state which model year you're looking at. I've got the I6 but the newer E's (1998 on) have the V6. There are differences in reliability. The I6 has a known problem with the right front corner of the head gasket. Mine (1996) started to leak at 116,000 miles (118,000 now) so I'll have to do something about it later this year for upwards of $1000 ... Not a pleasant thought..! Maybe I'll trade it in!!
I haven't heard if the V6 has any generic problems..
After almost 6 years, I sold the '98 and bought a Lexus. Still like driving the '01 and so far have had only minor problems. I sleep better knowing I've got 8 years of warranty.
Thx
I think the other folks are talking about the original new car warranty and extending it. THat can only be done through a MB dealer within the first year of purchase. OTherwise, you might be dealing with a Starmark warranty on a used MB. I bought my E-class used and the Starmark warranty was good for an additional year up to a total of 100K miles. That gave me a 3 year balance and 62K miles balance. Worked out pretty good since it needed a $1000 repair at 70K miles 2.5 years later. Along with a couple of other much smaller repairs. If buying a used one with Starmark, you CAN buy additional years at the time of purchase, but if the car already has 74K, it might not be worth it to get additional time; you really need additional miles.
If you're buying from a non-MB dealer you cannot get either of those warranties but must try to get a third party warranty that will actually pay when there is a problem. I believe there is a Town Hall discussion on third party warranties.
I did check into a few of them when my Starmark warranty was about to run out and there are a few that will cover high mileage cars, but it can cost as much as $1200 per year. Some were less money, but I have a hunch that you get what you pay for on these repair warranties. So far I haven't had engine or transmission failure (117K miles) but my E will need a head gasket possibly before the year is out. That may cost me up to $1000, so I might have recovered the cost of insurance. Maybe..
Good luck..
MB should have this feature.
I have a 2000 E320, and a friend has the 2001 model. The only difference I can see is in the gear shift knob.
Hope this helps.
I had forgotten about the hood slope change.. Was that the first year of the rack and pinion steering also?
Have either of you owned the 96-99 model? If so notice any difference in handling or ride quality after moving to the 2000 model?