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Mercedes Benz E-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1933 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 2:46 PM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

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

Messages Page 152 of 195

#1502 of 1933 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [hpatel79] by abacomike

Jan 14, 2012 (6:42 pm)

Replying to: hpatel79 (Jan 14, 2012 6:21 pm)
Maintenance from Mercedes for 36 months is about $1000. You are also getting the tire and wheel insurance package as well, then that is a good price.
 
It's always smart to go to at least three dealerships, if at all possible to make sure you get the best deal. I am not an expert on leasea, but I do know that money factors have gone up considerably since January 3rd.
 
Hope I've helped you out a little!

#1503 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by bevbran

Jan 15, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 14, 2012 6:05 pm)
On the topic of fuel economy, after my first tank I'm at 25mpg. Keeping in mind I have the 4Matic and spent (too much) time at idle while getting acquainted with the car, syncing garage door opener, etc. etc. I think that's pretty good. My driving is mixed, some highway, some around town and in my '09 I was usually in the 22-23 mpg range.
After two weeks of driving this fabulous car I am more convinced than ever that P2 was worth the money... for me. (Silly as it sounds, the trunk closer is great! How pathetic is it that I want to push a button to close a trunk, LOL...) Headlights well worth the money for P2. Learning curve is quite steep for all the voice command, sound, nav, electronic display---every day I learn something new and appreciate this fine ride even more.

#1504 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 15, 2012 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 15, 2012 12:12 pm)
The fuel economy will improve. I have 1800 miles on the car now and this morning, I drove 48 miles on I-95 at 65 mph and got 32 miles per gallon. Remember, that is strictly highway driving. Combined highway and city is 25.7 mpg. That is 5 mpg better than I ever got ony 2011. That, to me, is significant. All it can do is get better as the car begins to break-in.
 
As for your learning curve, I still pick up new functions every week. Yesterday, I decided to listen to some CD's. I played around with some readouts and found a function selection that allows me to select a CD by "ALBUM COVER" instead of title. What tun happens is that a kind of "round-table" comes up and shows each album cover and you then "turn" this table around until the album cover that you want cones to the front center. Each album cover is in fill color and shows the exact cover as if it was in your hand. truly unbelievable. My 2011 did not have that capability. Even when the CD is playing, the album cover, in full color is displayed. I believe either Gracenote picks it up off each CD once it is read by the computer or some other audio function picks it up.
 
You'll see the function once you start selecting options on the bottom of the screen when a CD is playing.

#1505 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by bevbran

Jan 15, 2012 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 15, 2012 12:54 pm)
Hey, that's fun--CD covers. I"ll have to look for that. Today, while driving I couldn't find the "Weather Radio" option on the screen...so I hit the voice button and said "Weather Radio" and it went right to it! Sometimes it'll recognize my request to find my iPod...and other times it plays dumb if I'm not in the right screen. Still learning, learning....

#1506 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 15, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 15, 2012 3:05 pm)
There is a "voice training" program built right into the system.
You can train the voice recognition system to recognize your voice. One tutorial is for commands and there is another for numbers. Once you have completEd both tutorials, your voice commands will be more easily recognized by your computer. Try it - you'll see what I mean.

#1507 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 15, 2012 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 15, 2012 3:05 pm)
If you want the weather function from satellite radio, push the contoller forward (up) and turn the controller all the way clockwise. That will take you to the "globe" icon on the right-top of your main menu. Push the controller down (select it) and then push it down again when Sirius weather comes up on the screen. You can now select 5-day weather outlook or current weather or today's weather or you can select "map" which will show you radar reports for rain, etc., and current weather conditions for your city, state or even the entire country. This feature is stupendous! I took out a 2-year subscription for weather and traffic because I liked it so much.
 
I know you will enjoy this feature. It is different than weather channels on your radio - this is entirely visual!

#1508 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by lawcar

Jan 16, 2012 (10:18 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 15, 2012 7:46 pm)
That's an interesting feature and it's helpful reading everyone's tips. I tried picking up the manual and going through it, but it's pretty thick so I just skimmed it. I just learned a couple of other things. I tried to turn off the radio completely and pressed the control stick, but it shuts off the entire Command system. I found out that the radio is always on, and to silence it, you have to press mute. This is different than turning the radio off, and not intuitive. Also, I was looking to stop the voice command when the Nav system was on and getting me to a destination. I thought that there would be a control function within the Nav system to stop announcing the driving instructions all the time. I don't think there is, and to stop the announcement, you have to press the Mute button while the announcement is being made. If you just press mute when the announcement is not being made (i.e., when the Nav system is operating but nothing is being announced at the time), then it doesn't silence the directions.

#1509 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [lawcar] by abacomike

Jan 16, 2012 (10:52 am)

Replying to: lawcar (Jan 16, 2012 10:18 am)
Hi Dave. Sounds like you are trying to get acquainted with your COMMAND system. COMMAND expertise takes many, many months to master. Just the commands alone are impossible to remember there are so many of them. I just made a list of the most frequently used commands and, after 3 years of owning E350's (2010, 2011 and 2012) I am just beginning to learn how extensive this system is.
 
You can turn off Navigation Directions (that lovely lady who directs you to turn, etc.) by hitting the mute button. When you want to hear her again, just press the mute button again. I believe if you look inside one of the indexes or options when navigation is selected, at the bottom or very top of the screen, there is an option to include voice instructions and another to exclude voice instructions. I'm not in the car right now, but I've "turned her off" in one of my other cars that had the same COMMAND system as this one.
 
You will just have to do what most of us do with this very sophisticated system, trial and error. I used to sit in the car and literally play with the system until I got the hang of it.
 
I was lucky that I had a technologically "endowed" dealership individual who was trained by Mercedes to go over this system with me. Whenever I have a question or need help, I just call him and he goes through it for me over the phone while I'm in the car or I drive to the dealership and he sits with me.
 
Remember, if someone had to sit with you to go over every possible command and how the system operates from top to bottom, you'd still be at the dealership learning the COMMAND system - and remember, you got your car 3 weeks ago!
 
When you said you picked up the manual to go through it and it was pretty thick, so you just skimmed it was histerical!!! First of all, there is the owners manual, then there is the COMMAND manual (almost as thick as the owner's manual) and then there is another manual for audio (quick reference guide). Most people do not use more than 10% of the capabilities of the COMMAND system. From turning on and off the audio system, switching from SAT to FM to DISC and orally telling it which disc, which track, which radio frequency, which station on SAT, etc., has over 100 commands. Then, you have Navigation and telephone. I added voice tags to each of the contacts I use frequently in my address book so the COMMAND system will recognize the individual or company I want to call more quickly when I call out the name, like "call Dad, Justin, Michele, Walmart, Dr. Friedman" etc.
 
All I am trying to do is explain to you that it will take lots of time and lots of patience to get a good feel for the COMMAND system. And remember, that's just the AUDIO, TELEPHONE AND NAVIGATION. Think of all the other things you want to know about the SPEEDOMETER screen readouts and how to use those.
 
ENJOY!

#1510 of 1933 Mercedes Insurance Program by abacomike

Jan 16, 2012 (12:00 pm)

I received my renewal from my insurance company (one of the biggest, if not THE BIGGEST in the country) and even though I had no tickets or accidents for over 10 years, my rates when up by more than 20%. So after calling 6 other companies, I took a chance and called Mercedes Benz to see what they could do. They transferred me to the company they have a relationship with (I'm not mentioning the names of these companies because I don't know if I can) and within 5 minutes, I had a policy for the same coverages and I saved $650 a year when compared to the best rates from all the other companies. That was significant.
 
I drive about 9000 miles per year and have 250-500 thousand liability with 100K property damage, 250-500K uninsured/underinsured motorist, 1000 deductible collision and "0" deductible comprehensive. They also included one year newer vehicle replacement for a total loss, and I have PIP for 10K which is required here in Florida.
 
If you own or lease a new Mercedes, you might want to check out the insurance company - they have an arrangement with Mercedes Benz for new car owners. You can contact Mercedes at the same number you use for roadside assistance. If they don't list "auto insurance separately" just connect to their customer service extension.
 
The company is a well-known insurance company. They cinsider education, tickets and accident as well credit rating. If I can save that much, perhaps you can, too! They write 12 month policies only, so you don't have 6 month policies where they raise rates at the end of every 6 months.

#1511 of 1933 Re: Haha by lawcar

Jan 16, 2012 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 16, 2012 10:52 am)
You're definitely right. I'm just continuing to learn by doing. My cell phone (and my 5 year old wireless phone at home) have features I've never used or even knew existed. I'm happy as long as I am able to answer the cell phone, dial a number, plug in a destination, turn on the radio and change channels and fill up the gas tank.

Messages Page 152 of 195

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