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Mercedes-Benz CLK (2005 and earlier)
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Comments
Understand, there is probably no dealer in the SF area that wants to talk discounts on the Coupe...that doesn't mean you shouldn't be treated with respect, or shouldn't try hard to get the best deal you can. LA just has so many dealers and such a big market that you have a better chance of getting a discount of some kind.
Pay for quality and be done with it.
Since service departments operate as separate "profit centers" for the dealerships, they are quite happy to get warranty/service work whether the car was purchased there or not.
Hope other prospective buyers will enjoy the benefits of polite competitive shopping. Savings of $1000+ are, in my book, quite worth the effort of a few phone calls. (and, at that rate, pays quite a bit better than I bill for my regular hourly rate.)
Pay for quality and be done with it.
Also wondering about any European delivery program. It has been years since I've inquired about that at an MB dealership. Does it still exist; is it available for the coupe and are there substantial or any savings for someone going to Germany anyway? Thanks
My rule of thumb these days is that the program makes no sense unless you really want to drive the car in EU [vs a rental alternative]; prepayment requirements, and the time elapsed after you drop the car vs when you take re-delivery at home, mean also a cost-of-money factor that needs consideration...though with interest rates so low these days, that's less important than it was a year ago.
I've driven both but that has not helped in my decision. I've never owned a stick so, I can't judge whether it's "smooth" or not. I've driven my friends cars but not long enough to become real confident with it. I like the idea of having a stick and I know once I drive it I'll get use to it and I will get the timing down. (No, I didn't make is stall or jump. I just waited till NO cars were even close to me before pulling out of the MB dealership.)
However, I don't want to order a stick to find out that the stick stinks (and it's not just my inexperience) and I should have gotten the auto.
Please let me know what your experience and thoughts have been on stick vs. auto.
Get what you feel comfortable with and ignore any pressure that you 'have' to learn to drive a manual shift car to be a 'whole' person. After all the 'standard' shift in cars is now an automatic.
Regards Tom
I have driven the Acura RSX Type-S (6 speed manual) and found it very responsive and a bit easier then the MB. Now, that could be because the Acura had 88 miles so I wasn't afraid to step on it. And I know the engine performs best when at high rpms. (The dealer even told me to take it to 6000 before switching gears!) :-) The MB only had 5.2 miles and I didn't want to hurt the engine by stepping on it. And that is why I feel the Acura seemed more "fun" to drive then the MB.
I'm sure once the MB is mine and I feel comfortable with the clutch, it will be as fun (if not more) to drive then the Acura.
Again, thanks for your response.
If I were you, I'd base my opinions on what the actual cars felt like on your test drives; 83 miles aren't going to make much difference in terms of transmission smoothness. If the rsx felt better, it's because it has a better tranny, as well as a higher redline (which is why the salesperson didn't cringe at 6k). You might want to take them both back out again, with as little time as possible between them, and re-evaluate.
I did a test drive of a C230 with the automatic two months ago, back when I still had some free time. Overall, I found its characteristics to be extremely similar to my wife's A4.
Particular to the transmission, I did play with the Mercedes "Tiptronic" shift, and I found that it has the same aggravating flaw that the A4's TIP has: a perceptible delay between input and the gear change.
I do plan on test driving the C230 again with a manual. If the MB has a poor manual shifter, it will be another factor...and I know that both Audi and BMW offer small wagons that are an alternative to the utility of a hatchback.
-hh
Regards,
Bruce iibeatdownii@aol.com
Why? Because I could configure its HVAC controls to put heat on my feet and heat through the windshield defroster, yet simultaneously direct refreshingly cool air to my face. Doing this helps keep this driver significantly more alert and clearheaded...I consider it essential to driving safety.
The amazing technology that allowed this was called a "fresh air vent". They seem to have disappeared from the allegedly more advanced cars of today.
Yes, I know that some auto makers are offering temperature controls where the driver & passenger have their own choices, but this is a "left/right" HVAC control, not "top/middle(face)/bottom" HVAC control.
Currently, the HVAC on my Saab and my wife's A4 are such that we can make the interior any temperature we want, but the catch is that it all must be the _same_ temperature from top to bottom. One of our solutions has been to run with a cool cabin with seat heaters on.
However, in a snow/icestorm, you need to blast the defroster, so this drives up the cabin temperature. I find that I need to run down a power window every few minutes to vent the cabin to cool down the air around my face and head and figuratively avoid passing out.
This kind of HVAC system is "Progress"? I say not.
During my brief C230 test drive, I didn't get a chance to really look over the HVAC system controls.
My question: is it one of these IMO dumb (if not dangerous!) "automatic" HVAC system found on most cars today, or is it actually capable of putting cool air in my face while simultaneously giving defroster heat?
-hh
PS: Can't I please just have my fresh air vent back? :-)
But, like you, I'd rather just have a simple one. My 12-year-old crx's hvac control if far superior in my opinion. Seems like these so-called "idiot-proof" systems actually are harder to get how you want them. I'd prefer to have a simple system that I can control, not the car.
-hh
The only financing through MB that I heard about was with the balloon payment option. Those quotes started as high as 8.3% but finally came down to 7.2%. However, in this economy that is still too high.
I chose to wait until I have more money for a down payment and get the regular 60 month financing. I don't see the rates going up anytime soon so I will take my chances.
Good luck getting a good rate.
Tom
On my way home, on a curvy backroad, I encountered a huge skunk while on a 90 degree corner. Now I'm sure that I could have put all that Mercedes handling goodies to work, but unfortunately, I met another car on this corner, and I did not want to go left of center, so, I felt the inevitable "THUMP.........THUMP". In the rear view mirror was a not so lucky skunk, in the Mercedes (with 30 miles now on the odometer)was a not so lucky, proud, but mortified driver. Well home was only a few miles away, but it was already obvious to me that the skunk got me with some vengeance. My car really stinks. I tried spraying water on the underside and wheel wells, I even took this clean car out for a drive later in the rain to just try to "wash it off". My wife suggested washing the car in tomato juice. Not a good option. Anyway, since we were expecting severe weather moving in last night, I still parked it in the garage, stink and all. Now my wifes SUV and my son's car don't smell so good, and the garage smells too. But it sure looks cool.
With the way you phrased your response, I'm not sure you understood my inquiry.
For example, my HVAC system acid test would be:
Can the HVAC system be configured blow "hot" (~80F) air out the defroster while *simultaneously* also blow "cold" (~60F) air out a front vent that I can aim onto my face?
The 1984 VW Scirocco does this okay.
The 1985 Porsche 911 does this very well.
The 1995 Saab 900S cannot even come close.
The 2001 Audi A4 can't either.
FWIW, I have noticed that the automotive industry's trend towards more and bigger glass canopies makes this "winter defrost sauna" problem progressively worse.
-hh
No, I doubt that the temp difference between feet and face was as dramatic as you are demanding, but it was acceptable to me.
And on the skunk problem - take it to a high-pressure self serve wash, and do everything you can reach with the wand...wheels, wheel wells, undertray...anything that might have contacted the animal, including the front valence. Make sure your brakes are not hot - don't want to warp the rotors on your brand new car. Tomato juice is for the small patch on your pants or arm...not practical for this challenge, I'm afraid...
Parking the car in the garage is a bad idea, as you've already discovered. Leave it outside to air out, and to prevent the stink from getting into the carpets & seats... you probably have a long road ahead of you now.
On cleaning up the stink, since you can't dunk the whole car in tomato juice :-), your best bet is to go with a good detergent delivered by a spray hose and wash, wash, wash. There are cleaners that are slightly acid-based, such as "Lemon" or "Orange" based stuff, which might mimic the acidity tomatoes (which is supposedly what makes tomatoes helpful) that might be worth a try.
There's some cheapie "car wash" kits that let you hook up a soap bottle to your garden hose to make a soapy wash solution on the fly. This would be better than plain water. Douse everywhere you think is reasonably waterproof along the undercarriage, wheel wells, the tires themselves (both sides), etc. Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat... until you run out of soap and/or patience.
Personally, I'd try rotating through different types and styles of cleaners... each will have its own strengths and weaknesses, so they'll attack different parts of the skunk juice formula and be more effective. You might also find something that works great, so you can come tell us what you found! :-)
The rest is just going to have to be time, to let it fade.
-hh
Please contact me at my e-mail address if anyone would like to partake in such an event. Thanks agian all for your time. My E-mail is iibeatdownii@aol.com
Regards,
Bruce ~
Thanks
Regards,
Bruce
Impressions: Positive
Build quality - flawless. Structural integrity - like it has been machined from a single ingot of steel. New car smell. Cool, common sense Euro touches - abound. Engine - powerful, responsive, great low end get up and go. Auto tranny - very sweet, whether choosing the gears or leaving it in drive, this is love! Power seats - mandatory. Convenience of it being a hatch - fits three sets of golf clubs, three men, and a cooler. (:o:) Handling - get in, buckle up, hold on!, corners flat, powers beautifully out of turns (rear wheel drive, no more torque steer), taut steering with wonderful feedback to the pilot. Amazingly tight turning radius! Climate control - very flexible, effective, intuitive. Audio system - got the CD changer and the non-Bose system; puts out Great sound, at least to my ears, which are pretty disearning. Steering wheel thumb controls - very cool, every feature of the on-board computer can be walked through; no need to take your hands off the wheel. Did I mention new car smell? Integrated key and fob - wonderful. "Keyless key", very cool.
Impressions: Negative
Not much here - Cheap floor mats, which surprised me, everything else is first cabin. Outward visibility, right rear - the C pillar is thick and the high rear end creates a pronounced blind spot. Plus, the side mirrors are small and don't offer a lot of rearward visibility. A lot of head turning done to ensure its safe to change lanes. This isn't negative, just wanted to mention; SO MANY COOL FEATURES TO LEARN ABOUT WITH THIS MARVELOUS CAR, IT WILL TAKE US WEEKS!
Last word: when you are inside driving this car down the road, its hard to believe how sexy it looks from the outside. Looking at it parked, its distinctly a wedge, so aerodynamic, one can just picture it knifing through the air like a jet fighter. Just looking at it from the side and front, thrills me. Its the ultimate blend of sport car and practical hauler. We've got a keeper.
I checked out Classic Soft Trim (locations nationwide), and they will install leather for $1500. You can pick the colors and options that you want, so it's better than just having 2 color choices. They also have a 3-year warranty, and don't have any problems with intstalling the leather on the door panels with the airbags. I'm sure there are other places in SF area that could do the same thing as well. Of course, you could get the full Brabus interior, but that would cost almost as much as the car itself.
In short, don't let the nonavailability of factory leather stop you from getting the car if you really like it.
I wonder what the Orion percentage is of the total. I would think that it must be more than MB expected - seems very popular. And here I thought that I was getting a different color. Oh well.
I agree with the advice to order the car with the standard cloth, and if you really think you have to have leather after living with the standard seats for awhile, it can always be retrofitted. There are lots of outfits out there who specialize in this. I'm one of the minority who have wished for years that we could get back to MB-Tex or cloth as the standard seat covering, but I realize most of the market feels differently.
Also,even with the excellent bolsters on the sides you will slide around on the seat during spirited cornering.
About the only advantage leather has over cloth is the ability to slide into the seat easier, buth then this leads to the problem espoused in the previous paragraph....
I have a question to those on the forum who already have the coupe and the optional Bose system. I read on a previous post that the coupe used a 4x6 woofer mounted in the right side panel I belive in the trunk? If it is indeed a 4x6 how does the base sound? A 4x6 stikes me as being very small for really deep base, does anyone here know the specs of the system and the RMS watts going to each speaker? Besides auto Pilot and the extra woofer in the rear are the stock speakers and the ones found on the Optional Bose ones the same? I would appreciate any reviews on the Bose system if possible. For those who opted not to get the Bose option and are still waiting for your delivery date I can only say that your going to be very pleased with the sound from the stock system.
Regards,
Bruce
Last news from my dealer was that no leather cars have been scheduled for production yet, and they were expecting to hear something at the end of October. (Which is almost here, though I'm not holding my breath.) So I'm trying to decide how long I'll wait before switching to cloth seats, or bailing entirely and picking up something in stock elsewhere.
Anyone want to try their crystal ball for me? How long will it be?
I am new to this board. Just got a white C230, Loving It. I think it's a great deal to get it. SLK 230 Kompressor engine with standard Merdecez interior. And I got my non-leather chair, which I like. (personal taste). I think it was worth every penny I spent. If someone is daring enough, I think the apple green is VERY cool.
One question, I need to get a clear plastic protector for my floor mats, any one know where to get one for the 2002 C230? I looked, and no luck. Either online or in the Bay Area, CA. Please email me at leepolun@jps.net if you know. Appreciate your help!
Just to keep things Kompressor-related, my dealer said nothing about *current* delays in production for leather-equipped cars, though he did acknowledge prior problems. He just said, "60-90 days". I wonder how long 60-90 days will really be?
Hoping for late January,
Mike
The wait is almost OVER!
I got the Bose System option. I have to say that I am impressed with it. I love it much more with the option. I bought my C230 from the show room which supposedly they take better care and featured the Bose system. 10 speakers baby. It does make a difference. I love it when I am polishing it up and play the music while doing it. Thumbs up for the Bose!
Regards,
Bruce
P.s. Lee are you from the bay area? If you are where a bouts in the bay?
Tom in Daytona
Bruce~