OT- MB experience
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From: South Jersey, USA
OT- MB experience
Thank you to all that weighed in on my "twins on the way, keep or sell the porsche" saga. I am happy to announce I'll be keeping my 993. I do need another vehicle for daily driving that both my wife and I will use. Performace is not important since I am keeping the 993 for those days when I need a rush. Safety, comfort are key. I've looked at everything in the sedan class and am leaning toward another Lexus ES300 to replace the lease that is due. But I really do love the look and feel of the MB430. If anyone has any knowledge or experience with this car, I'd love to hear from you. My biggest concern is the rear wheel drive. We do spend time in the snowy mountains and although we have an suv I'd like to have the flexibility to use either vehicle. Does the stability, traction control or whatever they have actually keep the wheels from slipping or am I buying ANOTHER vehicle that I can only use in certain situations?....I know this is totally off topic but the people on this board have been great advising on other OTs. Thanks in advance and glad to still be a Pcar Owner!
aap
aap
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,451
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From: Long Island, NY
I assume you mean the S430 (the E430 has become the E500)? It's available as a 4-Matic -- AWD.
Otherwise, M-B quality is not what it used to be, but it's a nice car. FWIW, my in-laws' '03 E500 feels a lot stiffer structurally than their '03 ES300, but the Lexus has been more reliable.
Glad to hear that the 993 stays.
Otherwise, M-B quality is not what it used to be, but it's a nice car. FWIW, my in-laws' '03 E500 feels a lot stiffer structurally than their '03 ES300, but the Lexus has been more reliable.
Glad to hear that the 993 stays.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 433
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From: Central Oregon
My decision speaks for itself. I've got one high maintenance, rough riding, noisy G-Force hotrod, the 993. A tow car, hauler, offroad, snow eating, 4wd Duramax, with Fiberglass canopy and extended cab, kind of an suv on steroids. But for dependable, low maintenance, quiet, smooth, adult sedan I can't find anything better than a Lexus or a Toyota. We don't have a Lexus dealer within 150 miles so my wife really likes her Avalon. No prestige but a nice car. I'd like to replace it with an LS 430 but here in snow country the front wheel drive with traction control really works great in the winter. If you want more sporty how about a GS 430 Lex ? Or another ES 300 ?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,680
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From: long island , NY
mb owner
hi,
current owner of 2002 e430 4matic . had it now 18 mos . i've put on about 17k , no disappointments. solid car , with a few minor niggles. feels like she's gonna last a while if cared for.
check mercedesshop.com or mbworld.org for a flavor of ownership experience.
at right price , i would recommend. like any other car , have it checked if you're buying used.
good luck , j.
current owner of 2002 e430 4matic . had it now 18 mos . i've put on about 17k , no disappointments. solid car , with a few minor niggles. feels like she's gonna last a while if cared for.
check mercedesshop.com or mbworld.org for a flavor of ownership experience.
at right price , i would recommend. like any other car , have it checked if you're buying used.
good luck , j.
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From: Wrightwood, CA
Originally posted by Speedraser
Otherwise, M-B quality is not what it used to be, but it's a nice car. FWIW, my in-laws' '03 E500 feels a lot stiffer structurally than their '03 ES300, but the Lexus has been more reliable.
Otherwise, M-B quality is not what it used to be, but it's a nice car. FWIW, my in-laws' '03 E500 feels a lot stiffer structurally than their '03 ES300, but the Lexus has been more reliable.
I actually sent a local MB dealer an article from USA Today that outlined the problems that have continuously plagued this model and their response was, "Not every car is perfect."
My response was, "My Lexus ES300 is perfect - 4 years running (at the time) and not one single problem." Never heard back from them. I went with the Audi allroad and have been very happy with its performance.
Rich
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: South Jersey, USA
LEx and Rich:
I agree, I've been pleased with my ES300. I guess I am just board with it. The lease is up and althought the $32K for an ES330 is very appealing I guess I'd just like to try something different. I've driven everything and can't make up my mind. Especially with twins on the way, I know I need to grow up and get the "big boy car" which is safe and big enough to carry all the family stuff, just trying to balence with fun, and a cool look.
I agree, I've been pleased with my ES300. I guess I am just board with it. The lease is up and althought the $32K for an ES330 is very appealing I guess I'd just like to try something different. I've driven everything and can't make up my mind. Especially with twins on the way, I know I need to grow up and get the "big boy car" which is safe and big enough to carry all the family stuff, just trying to balence with fun, and a cool look.
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From: So.CA
aap,
Have you considered any of the Volvos? I am a big Volvo fan, had a 760 turbo wagon and an 850 turbo sedan at various times and loved them both! Obviously, safety is the Volvo hallmark! And if you're concerned about snow capabilities, they have quite a variety of FWD, AWD, low-pressure turbo, high-pressure turbo, small and large, sedan, wagon, and SUV variants to please most anybody. And one other huge advantage, one that I never hear anyone mention in magazines or in conversations but one that I think you will enjoy, is that turbocharged cars are the absolute best performers as the elevation increases. Clearly I'm biased as I've had excellent experiences with my older models and was sorry to let them go. Perhaps not as much panache as MB, but then lots more car for your stated purpose, IMO.
Edward
Have you considered any of the Volvos? I am a big Volvo fan, had a 760 turbo wagon and an 850 turbo sedan at various times and loved them both! Obviously, safety is the Volvo hallmark! And if you're concerned about snow capabilities, they have quite a variety of FWD, AWD, low-pressure turbo, high-pressure turbo, small and large, sedan, wagon, and SUV variants to please most anybody. And one other huge advantage, one that I never hear anyone mention in magazines or in conversations but one that I think you will enjoy, is that turbocharged cars are the absolute best performers as the elevation increases. Clearly I'm biased as I've had excellent experiences with my older models and was sorry to let them go. Perhaps not as much panache as MB, but then lots more car for your stated purpose, IMO.
Edward
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: South Jersey, USA
Edward,
We drove the Volvo (s) last weekend. Well equipped and very safe. Just not too "sexy". I like the old volvo look (square) more than their new products. Haven't ruled out yet.
We drove the Volvo (s) last weekend. Well equipped and very safe. Just not too "sexy". I like the old volvo look (square) more than their new products. Haven't ruled out yet.
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From: atlanta burbs
don't do the E-Class
Though they do not build E-classes in the US they build the M-class only. In fact the E-Class with 4Matic is built in Austria (almost all MB 4wd are built in Austria or Alabama)
My E-class experiences
I bought a 2000 E320 in late 99 early 2k from day 1 it had problems, mostly electrical, gauges not working, being replaced then failing again, lights not working or not turning off etc. Dealer could not fix. I went to war with Benz and they gave me a new car wothout having to use the lemon law. Within weeks the new car was having the same problems, so I dumped it too.
My Mom has a 99 E320 and it has needed
a new transmition at 60k miles, luckily for her Benz stepped up (after some serious prodding) and replaced the Tranny for labor only 1K instead of 4K
She also had a Pulley fall off the car at 54k miles. Benz cannot say why it fell off it just did.
She has had plenty of other troubles as well, many similar to the ones I had. I have been trying to get her to sell the car with no luck, she loves it
Please don't take this post as anti-benz. My wife has an 99 ML320 which we love and has been a fantastic car with 80k miles on it. And I used to work for MBUSI (makers of the ML in Bama) and know the quality level to which MB aspires.
buy the Lexus
Jon
Though they do not build E-classes in the US they build the M-class only. In fact the E-Class with 4Matic is built in Austria (almost all MB 4wd are built in Austria or Alabama)
My E-class experiences
I bought a 2000 E320 in late 99 early 2k from day 1 it had problems, mostly electrical, gauges not working, being replaced then failing again, lights not working or not turning off etc. Dealer could not fix. I went to war with Benz and they gave me a new car wothout having to use the lemon law. Within weeks the new car was having the same problems, so I dumped it too.
My Mom has a 99 E320 and it has needed
a new transmition at 60k miles, luckily for her Benz stepped up (after some serious prodding) and replaced the Tranny for labor only 1K instead of 4K
She also had a Pulley fall off the car at 54k miles. Benz cannot say why it fell off it just did.
She has had plenty of other troubles as well, many similar to the ones I had. I have been trying to get her to sell the car with no luck, she loves it
Please don't take this post as anti-benz. My wife has an 99 ML320 which we love and has been a fantastic car with 80k miles on it. And I used to work for MBUSI (makers of the ML in Bama) and know the quality level to which MB aspires.
buy the Lexus
Jon