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Sedans Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
6709 messages, Last post on Sep 14, 2009 at 5:50 PM
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Replying to: mrmell (Apr 19, 2007 1:54 am) Changes, body style, etc. Let me know. Thanks. No inforamation other than it is my understanding that the major change is due for '09. |
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Has anybody tried to install a convertible child seat (20 lbs - 80 lbs) in the middle of the back seat? It appears that there is room but there might not be a tether in the back and the hump shape of the middle position (normal for a rear wheel drive car) might not accomodate this setup. Also are the rear side airbags dangerous for my son when he is sitting in the car seat in the event of a side impact accident? If so, is it possible to disable the rear side airbags on the side of the car where the child seat is installed? Did it cost much money for this action to be performed? Thanks for your help - my wife and I are trying to decide whether to purchase the E350 or a BMW 5-series or an Audi A6. |
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One car salesman told me that the rear side airbags were small enough that they would not be too dangerous for my son in his car seat. Another car salesman told me that the rear side airbags could not be disabled by the dealer. Did the rear side airbags shrink in size from 2006 to 2007 or from the previous generation E-class to the current generation E-class? I see that for the 2006 and 2007 ML350 the rear side airbag changed from optional to standard equipment. |
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Replying to: blckislandguy (Apr 15, 2007 5:38 pm) You're putting words in my mouth...!! I am not seriously considering any European makes right now, but I am still about a year away from needing a new(er) car. From what I know about current European makes, there aren't any that are above average in reliability, whereas, there are numerous Asian makes and a few American ones that are at or well above average reliability. But recently I've looked at Infiniti M35 (certified used), Hyundai Azera (new), Toyota Avalon (new), Chrysler 300 Touring (new), and Honda Accord's upcoming diesel. My choices will probably change in the next year, but I will still be looking for a mid-size sedan with respectable power/weight ratio (with good mpg), above average ride/handling qualities, decent trunk space, generous front legroom and headroom, some form of ESP with ABS and traction control, leather heated seats, and decent stereo. And reliable.. Is that too much to ask for?  
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Replying to: microrepair (May 06, 2007 12:05 pm) |
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Replying to: blckislandguy (May 10, 2007 6:04 pm) Yeah, some say you can get your choice of colors in a Mercedes as long as they're silver (LOL). |
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Replying to: blckislandguy (May 10, 2007 6:04 pm) Re: AWD and living in NE.. I've lived in Mass. all my life and have thousands of miles under my belt of driving on snow and ice. I've never had a serious problem with 2 wheel drive, either front or rear. And after owning my current E with ESP, I will NOT buy another car without it. I prefer to avoid AWD/4WD systems due to (Ya got it!) reliability and extra dead weight (increased fuel consumption). More parts equals more failures. I spent most of my life working as a mechanical engineer and can't get away from the idea that simplicity breeds reliability. Re: color... That is almost funny... Mine isn't silver, it's the Desert Sand. I got a GREAT deal on it because it sat at my dealer's for 7-8 months and they were going to wholesale it off. But they posted it on AutoTrader as a last resort and I happened to spot it there and went in to my salesman and asked if he would honor that greatly reduced price even though 3 months earlier the best he could do for me was 8 grand more. They accepted but offered me so little for my older E that I then sold my 96 on Autotrader for 2 grand MORE than they offered me and it was a dealer from Florida who bought it and had it shipped directly over to the middle East.. He must have had some Sheiks anxious for a used MB...!! So I ended up getting a my Certified E class for about 55% of the original sticker and got a terrific deal on my old one to boot.. My net cost was about half the price of a new Infiniti M35.. [Not bad for a 27 month old E320!] Bottom line was my dealer couldn't move the car due to the color, in fact, my wife didn't like the color at all. But I am not that hung up on colors and actually, the Desert Sand is great because it really hides the normal dirt.. I know I'll miss the great ride, but being retired I can no longer afford $800 repair bills every 8-10 months.. So on to an Asian or American brand that costs less to buy and own..
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Replying to: microrepair (May 12, 2007 7:35 am) In any case, I think that you should look at Volvo S80s. Their bling factor is low and as a result their resale is low. Moreover, there is a new edition now on the market and new versions tend to lower the resale on the old models. All in all, I think a used S80 might offer you good value with its front wheel drive, nice interior, heated seats, safety, some cache when you go to Tanglewood, etc. etc.
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Replying to: microrepair (May 12, 2007 7:35 am) May I point out that $800 every 8 months works out to $100/month -- far less than the typical monthly payment on a new mid-priced car? Although I don't have an MB, I do own a 6-yo BMW, so I share your concern about repair costs. But I would happily hang onto my car forever if I could be reasonably sure that it wouldn't cost much more than a hundred per month to do so. (That's 3 bucks & change per day. I could save that much by reining in my coffee habit.) Over time, I've come to believe that depreciation is the great destroyer of wealth - more so than post-warranty repair costs. It's usually cheaper to fix what you own than it is to replace it - particularly if you're buying new.
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Replying to: jimbres (May 14, 2007 3:58 am) The luxury sedans all take a big hit when they are three to four years old and about to come off warranty. No one wants one. The drive-to-impress MD/JD/MBA is already into his new leased car (these folks never seem to realize why they have such low net worth compared to their high incomes) and other people fear used lux cars, maybe rightfully so. How about this for a strategy. Subsitute some leg work and internet research for the ease in buying something new by buying a CPO luxury car. Before it comes off CPO have it gone over very carefully. Even if you do have some heavy maintenance costs, a two to three year old S Class is now down into the mid to high 40Ks. This is a bargain by anyone's measure. To further refine this strategy, pick something out that has lots of nice features but a lower than usual resale. Like the trouble free '04 and newer Jags and the Volvo S80.
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