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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

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

Messages Page 165 of 195

#1632 of 1933 Re: Do E350s come with run-flats? [lawcar] by abacomike

Feb 22, 2012 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: lawcar (Feb 22, 2012 2:45 pm)
I've had Pirelli's on one E350, Michelin's on one E350, and the rest (4) had Continentals. I found the Continentals to be quieter than the Pirelli's and the Michelin's I had on the 2009 were the noisiest of all. I don't think they wear very well, but I got 18,000 miles on the set. Not bad considering you can't rotate these tires.
 
I prefer a little quieter ride on the highway. I really haven't had any problems with the Continentals. Remember, I had 4 E350's with them and they all performed great. Bridgestone's and Continental's came with my BMW's, 2005-2008. They also performed well on the BMW, it was the car that I hated.
 
When I am ready for tires, which won't be for about a year, I'll probably price them around town (Pep Boys, Tire Kingdom, etc.) and then go to my Mercedes Dealership who said he would match or beat any price I got anywhere else. I also have a $500 coupon the General Manager gave me which I will use toward the purchase. Looks like I won't hit 10,000 miles before my year anniversary in October. So, I guess that's when I'll have my first A service.
 
Hope I haven't confused you, Dave.

#1633 of 1933 Got it. by lawcar

Feb 23, 2012 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Feb 22, 2012 3:14 pm)
No, you made it clear. I thought you had the Super Pilots before, which is why you like them. When I need tires eventually, I'll check with you because your probably severaly months ahead of me. I'll check out our local tire stores as well as the MB dealer which I bought the car.

#1634 of 1933 Re: Got it. [lawcar] by abacomike

Feb 23, 2012 (5:32 pm)

Replying to: lawcar (Feb 23, 2012 2:02 pm)
Not necessarily! I only have 2800 miles on the car and I've had it for over 4 months. I only drive about 9000 miles a year so my guess is that you will need tires before I need them. I expect to keep this car for at least 3 years which is when Mercedes usually makes a major body change (about once every 7 years). So I expect that the next Mercedes I purchase will be when they make that major change in body and engine.
 
I understand they are working on a new engine with 300+ horsepower which will attain over 35 mpg's on the highway. Another car that looks pretty sharp is that new Lexus GS. The only problem I have with Lexus is that they are made by Toyota. A women who lives a few buildings away from me lost control of her 2004 Camry yesterday while driving in our condo area. Her car unexpectedly accelerated and she lost control of her car. She crashed into a tree along our major drive. Quite a bit of damage to both her car and this huge ficus tree. She was taken to the hospital and is still hospitalized. This all took place in a posted 25 mph zone. I live in a huge condo community with about 2200 units on a 900 acre parcel with golf course. So I am still a little wary of Toyota products.
 
We'll compare notes when we get replacement tires, which will be sometime next year!

#1635 of 1933 Re: Got it. [abacomike] by lawcar

Feb 24, 2012 (9:24 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Feb 23, 2012 5:32 pm)
I put on about 12,000 miles a year, so I'll probably be the guinea pig for new tires. I've had 4 Lexus cars over the years: 2 ES series and 2 GS series. The ES is a very good value and has a lot of standard features at a bit less cost than MB or BMW. However, it is a very cushy ride (I had the ES as my first entry level Lexus on 3 year leases). The GS has a better ride and handling (not as responsive as a BMW, but noticably more than the ES) and also is a good value. I haven't driven the new GS though. I know the residual value on the GS was not as good as BMW or Lexus. When I leased my BMW in 2009, the payments on it were $100/month less than the GS. I didn't care for the MB at the time and so got the BMW. I'm very happy with my 2012 E350 and since I'm buying it, hope to keep it 5 years even if body style and engine changes.

#1636 of 1933 Re: Got it. [lawcar] by abacomike

Feb 24, 2012 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: lawcar (Feb 24, 2012 9:24 am)
Used to be a Lexus fan. When I lived in Palm Desert and Chatsworth, I leased a 1976 ES300 and again in 1999 I leased another ES300. In 2001, I leased a GS300 and, I must admit, the GS300 was nice, but a little soft, as you mentioned. That's when I went to BMW with a 530i. Finally went back to Mercedes (had Mercedes in 1986, 87, 91 and 94) in 2008 after that bad experience with 2-2008 535i's - the first one I bought, the second one was replaced by BMW because they couldn't fixt the first one. Then, when I had the same exact problem on the second one they built for me, I asked for, and received my money back and went right to Mercedes. Been with them ever-since.
 
But I did take note of that new GS that just came out and it is really sharp looking. Something to think about in the future, definitely not now. Quite frankly, I personally feel the Mercedes sport package is just a tad too stiff for me. But, when you're having fun with a car, you tend to overlook some of the imperfections in the ride. I think, from experience, that the Mercedes sport package rides just a harshly as the BMW sport package in the 5 series.
 
As for those tires, you are correct in assuming you will be getting replacements before I will. Besides, the more stop and go driving you do, the faster these tires will wear out.
 
Take care!

#1637 of 1933 Not All Mercedes Dealerships Are Friendly! by abacomike

Feb 25, 2012 (2:09 pm)

I had an opportunity to take a neighbor of mine over to a brand new Mercedes Dealership owned by the same company as the one I got my Mercedes at! My neighbor preferred purchasing his new car at the new dealership (only about 2 miles from where we live) because he did not want to drive the extra 15 miles to my dealership. Since he knows I have purchased many Mercedes Benz vehicles, so he wanted me to help him with negotiations.
 
The dealership is truly beautiful, but unfortunately the people who work inside are not - what I mean is they are assertive, overly aggressive and very unpleasant. When we pulled up in my car (my neighbor had just sold his car privately) we were met outside the front door (he didn't even let us get inside before starting his pitching). He asked why we were coming into his dealership since he noticed I was driving a new 2012 E350, and we told him my friend was interested in a new car. He then had the nerve to ask me why I didn't take him to my dealership (he saw the name of my dealership on my license plate frame) to get his car - "...were you unhappy with your salesperson?" I could not believe his nasty approach, but I held my tongue, as did my neighbor, and walked into the showroom. The salesperson followed us in and immediately started on my friend - "...are you going to buy or lease your new car today or are you just looking?" It took less than 10 seconds for my friend to ask for a different person to speak with. The salesperson went right for his manager and things got even worse! The manager came over and asked what the problem was, and after my neighbor explained his reason, the manager said if he didn't want to work with the salesperson who waited in him, he could take his business someplace else!
 
I personally have never had an experience like that in all the years I've been buying cars!
 
I wonder how long it will be before corporate changes the management of that new dealership?

#1638 of 1933 Re: Not All Mercedes Dealerships Are Friendly! [abacomike] by kevinc5

Feb 26, 2012 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Feb 25, 2012 2:09 pm)
I've never run into that attitude at any dealership, much less a Mercedes dealer...but if you don't name the dealer your story isn't much help to anyone.

#1639 of 1933 Re: Not All Mercedes Dealerships Are Friendly! [kevinc5] by abacomike

Feb 26, 2012 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: kevinc5 (Feb 26, 2012 2:15 pm)
I've already taken steps regarding the manager! To mention the name of the dealership solves no problems! My direct contact with corporate will! And I'm quite sure that anyone who gets treated that way would do what we did on Thursday - buy a car someplace else!!!
 
This is the reason I buy my cars where I do! I'm treated like a member of the family, not like a member of a herd of livestock!

#1640 of 1933 Re: Not All Mercedes Dealerships Are Friendly! [abacomike] by ghstudio

Feb 27, 2012 (10:46 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Feb 26, 2012 2:34 pm)
Sounds like every Toyota dealer I've ever visited. If you aren't ready to buy right now, go away.
 
You really should post the dealer's name or location here. Part of the benefit of these forums is finding the outstanding dealers and knowing the "not so outstanding" ones.

#1641 of 1933 Which Sport Package do you mean? by lawcar

Feb 27, 2012 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Feb 24, 2012 1:43 pm)
The Sport Package compared to the Luxury Package? Or another sport suspension package? I understand that 9 out of 10 2012 E350's are the sport package and very few dealers even have the Luxury Package.

Messages Page 165 of 195

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