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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans

6720 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2010 at 12:16 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan



Messages Page 154 of 673

#1529 of 6720 New MB owner by ncpete

Apr 21, 2001 (4:02 pm)

I have been dreaming about owning an E-Class ever since I saw those 4 beautiful oval headlights staring back at me at a car show back in 1996. Well, about a week ago I took the plunge and got a GREAT deal on a 1997 E420 with 42000 miles. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it! Smoke silver with tan leather interior. The dealer was asking 31.5K - I thought he was crazy! KBB value on this car with options (sunroof, 6CD chgr, phone, leather) was quoted at 38.9K. The vehicle had all service records current and as a matter of course I had two independant prepurchase inspections done just to make sure the car was mechanically sound. CARFAX was also clean. The car did show some signs of reworked damage on the rear quarter panel (that the dealer pointed out himself), but was not significant. Previous owner was a non-smoker, given away by the lack of cigarette burns on the end of the lighter. Further investigation showed that the previous owner was also a surgeon (phone was still loaded with hospital ER and OR numbers). This explains the low miles and also assures me that it wasnt driven alot on the highway. I tried to keep an objective opinion about the vehicle to shoot bullets at its low price but there is just nothing wrong with it! I bought it and just love driving it. I am glad its a 420 - the added HP makes a big difference in passing performance. The interior is incredibly quiet and very comfortable (my wife caught me sitting in it one night pretending I was racing it while it was parked in the garage - she thinks I'm nuts! maybe...). Now that I have found the car which will probably be with me for a very long time, anyone have any suggestions on maintanence practices I can do on my own?? The owners manual is pretty strict on using certain "Mercedes certified" fluids and parts. I like using Mobil1 synthetics in the crankcase. Any comments. Any and all are welcome. Thanks!

#1530 of 6720 Warranty Maintance??? by rayberg7

Apr 21, 2001 (5:29 pm)

#1531 of 6720 Warranty Maintance??? by rayberg7

Apr 21, 2001 (5:43 pm)

I had my 2000 E320 in for repair of an
EGR valve and fuel SE sender. Since the car had 19,800 miles on it and it is quite inconvenient for me to get the car to the garage, I asked that they go ahead and perform the Class I 20,000 mile service. The maintenance chief said that I would have to pay for it myself because the car computer said that maintenance was not due for another 2,000 miles. Is this Mercedes policy to treat customers in this fashion? Or is is just this particular dealer?
   Also, I received a letter the other day from Mercedes (not the dealer) stating that they were recommending henceforth that synthetic oil be used in the 2000 and 2001 E-class cars. Does this mean that Mercedes will pick up the cost for this oil? I know in the past that owners had to pick up the synthetic oil cost themselves.

#1532 of 6720 Radio Recption by rayberg7

Apr 21, 2001 (5:51 pm)

Regarding complaints about radio reception. I drive frequently between Colorado Spings and Denver. Radio reception was great in my old Mercedes with the telescoping antenna. It's very poor in my E-320, but better driving away from Denver when my rear windshield is facing the radio station. In my opinion, Mercedes should get rid of the rear window antenna and go back to a standard antenna.

#1533 of 6720 First Zaino Treatment! by livetodrive

Apr 21, 2001 (6:23 pm)

After having our E-430 4Matic for a month, we gave it its first Zaino treatment today. Cut the ends off two expensive Linens and Things towels (despite wife's pleas), followed by Dawn wash, clay bar, Z7 wash Z1 followed by Z2, altogether 4 hours of fun, with plenty of neighbors stopping by to comment! It really does shine. The Pirellis, though, did not come out very clean. Any suggestions? Washing a car is a great way to find out new features. Some not so good... 4 paint chips (2 on the hood are bothersome). Any suggestions on the repair? Have any dealers repaired them at no cost? One new discovery - there is a probe jutting out of the driver's side air dam on the bumper. Is this a temperature sensor?
 
Per a recent post, I inflated the tires from dealer-set 32 to 36 psi, and then we went for a drive. Now that it has over 1,000 miles, I couln't resist bringing it up to an effortless 100 mph, albeit briefly, while the Valentine 1 was quiet.
 
The radio reception is not a problem, but we live in a metropolitan area, so I guess the signals are strong. The COMAND worked well, but I had to work around the region cds. To operate, insert the destination area cd and program the destination address. Then drive to the area on my own. Once in the region, the map pops up and starts giving directions. By the way, we named the voice "Marilyn".
 
So all in all, I spent the day bonding with our new E430. It was great.

#1534 of 6720 New E class by fletchkel

Apr 22, 2001 (5:46 am)

Is it known what model year will see the next version of the E class?
 
I curently have a '92 LS400 which is a fantastic car but I need AWD. I don't have to make a move immediately if the change is coming within 2 years.

#1535 of 6720 Help Needed by swimmom

Apr 22, 2001 (8:07 am)

We are enjoying our beautiful 01 E wagon need some help with CD player installation. I purchased a becker cd changer from continental imports along with the appropriate (or so they told me) mounting brackets. I had saved some install instructions I saw posted almost a year back and gave those to my husband yesterday and came back an hour later to find him scratching his head with frustration. Apparently the mounting brackets don't seem to fit anywhere.(we had 2 sets, one that came from becker with the CD changer and an additional set provided by continental imports that were the supposed "correct brackets") Has anyone successfully installed a cd changer into a wagon? Can anyone provide me with any tips on where these darned mounting brackets fit? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

#1536 of 6720 livetodrive re:ZAINO by 2ndmb

Apr 22, 2001 (8:42 pm)

I added 2 more coats of ZAINO to my 2000 E320 this weekend. This makes 7 coats in 9 months! It looks beautiful. The more coats you put on the deeper the paint gets. Your comments about the paint chips are normal, I think it is based on the style of the front end, here in NY the trucks kick up lots of stones on my daily commute. What color is your E? Mine is brilliant Silver.

#1537 of 6720 Swimmom - CD Player Location by rablake

Apr 22, 2001 (9:07 pm)

Hi Swimmom
I, too, finally got my '01 E320 wagon a couple of weeks ago and am enjoying driving more than ever. Don't know if this helps, but the MB CD player is mounted in my wagon in the right rear deck, behind the access door to the first aid kit, below the deck surface. I would guess after-market brackets might duplicate the location but do not know.
Richard

#1538 of 6720 mbdriver by bargamon

Apr 23, 2001 (9:36 am)

thanks for the response. What I am thinking is not as winter tire substitute, but to replace goodyears as they have no winter ability.

Messages Page 154 of 673

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