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Hello to all - I've been absent for many years but always lurking and learning. Well now I'm back with a new car which I'm finally feeling the passion for once again. I originally started out in the MB world with a 2004 E320 4-matic sedan which I ordered and purchased and drove for 10 years before finally realizing that the cost of ownership to maintain a 10 year old car were far exceeding the value of the car - even though it only had 79K on it and was essentially in mint condition. Every trip to the dealer was a "several thousand dollar bill" at about the midway point of ownership. It seemed everything from both the cat's to the air-matic suspension were failing and the final straw was the electric closer for the trunk failing in the middle of winter. When the dealer called to say it would be $1800 to fix the trunk I put my foot down and said no and then subsequently traded it in on a 2014 E-350 4Matic lease. While that was a nice car as well, it lacked personality or character and felt okay but... I really wanted a Coupe even though they weren't "practical" for me. Well practicality went out the door in December and I turned my silver sedan lease in for a 2016 E400 4-Matic coupe in Black! And I've fallen in love with the brand all over again! I've just placed an order for the AG M590 staggered wheels with the Pilot SS's in 245/35/19 and 275/30/19 sizes and they should be here just as the winter junk has left the roadways. I'll post photos when they are mounted. In the meantime here she is bone stock and shiny.
very nice! congratulations! black car is arguably harder to maintain than other color but sure is pretty. cant wait to see the AG wheels on. plans on lowering?
Black is certainly nice when it's clean but I've come to the conclusion that this will be most likely my last black car. It's cleanest day seems to be the day I took those initial photos. I'm way too fussy with regards to a dirty car. I've always had silver for that reason as it seems to hide dirt well. Perhaps something in between next time around. As for lowering - I'll most likely leave it stock and hope the fender gap doesn't drive me insane. And I'm pleasantly surprised by how well it handles for having the stock sport tuned suspension (sport 2 package) and I'd hate to make it any firmer. And it's a leased car... Avant Garde has indicated that my wheels are delayed in shipment so I won't have them to post photos of until after 4/1. Hoping they arrive sooner.
I lowered my 2004 E320 4-matic about 1.5" when I put 19"s on it right after delivery. It looked great lowered! But I recall the 2004 (first year of this series E with 4-matic) was delivered to the USA with a higher than usual lift from factory. It had the optional airmatic suspension. This car seems to sit stock with a lot less fender gap with the 18"s so I'm hoping I get lucky with the look! If I owned it I'd swap out the springs in a heartbeat. Leases have definitely altered my approach to mods. Still getting use to leasing versus owning and what can be done and still stay within the lines.
Here it is again only with the new wheels mounted. I went with Avant Garde M590 style and Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Sizes are as follows:
19x8.5 ET45 with 245/35/19
19x9.5 ET48 with 275/30/19
Although it's still sitting at stock height and so far I don't mind it. Could be one of the benefits of black car color - wheel gap isn't highlighted so much.
02-26-2016, 02:52 PM
