ATSOBE

Not sure on what i should do about the c350. Should i wait till 2008 jan to see if price drops something and to see the reliablilty of this car. Do you think it will any major recall liek the lexus es 350 did with it flaw in the tranny. What do you merc owners now from previous merc you owned or bought. Are they mostly flawless first year or not good to buy the car so early first model I need help deceding.

JimPap

The 2008 C series hasn't been out long enough for anyone to answer based on facts. Everything will be speculation.

You're minimizing your downside risk by waiting(and your risk drops the longer you wait, but how long?), but that doesn't mean that there will be major problems during the early months (which I haven't heard of any) nor will it mean that problems won't show up a few months later.

Untertürkheim

I have heard that cars built for the E.D. program are usually built better-have less problems. Mine have been flawless, any other input?

MBTex

Why? Are they built at a different plant or are each ED orders given a special tag so each guy that works on it knows to build it better?

I'm guessing most ED owners are just more satisfied with their purchase because of the experience of ED and that is reflected in any surveys of MB owners. I'd love to do it myself someday.

430752

Well, the common wisdom is not to buy a new model car in the first year of its introduction. And common wisdom is usually born out of hard learned lessons.

But, I think a lot of that is also born out of the way cars were made in the 70's and 80's. Quality has gone way up. First year snafu's have gone way down.

With that said, I'd neverthless expect that if anything were to go wrong, it's be between now and, say, March. That's a solid 6 months. Also, by waiting you might see Merc put some features back in (e.g. memory seats) if the clamor gets loud enough. But, that sort of stuff is unlikely until the 2009my, which might not arrive until next Oct/Nov. If you can wait, can't hurt. But then you might a follower instead of a leader, if that sort of thing concerns you.

-777

Untertürkheim

Actually ED cars do have special tags on the build sheets, and so do US delivery cars. You can tell from a VIN number what country the car was built for, and in the case of the US, whether is was EU or US delivery.

oblu

[sarcasm alert]
Do they not have warranties where you live? There's this cool thing here in the United States called a new car manufacturer warranty that's good for 5yr/50k miles after purchase where if you have any problems with the car you can bring it to an authorized dealer service center and they'll repair it for free. Most of them even give you loaner cars to drive while yours is in for service. Might want to check into that in your area. Makes it so you don't have to worry so much. Unless, of course, you wish to use fear of first year problems as an excuse not to make a decision.

MBTex

OK, but does that mean they "build it better" because of that?

Or perhaps that was your original question...do they build it better because of that...

Untertürkheim

It was more of a question, I would be interested to know how many people have ED cars and how they compare with the domestic delivery cars. I know mine have been far better than average in terms of reliability. Basically, I have reason to believe that they are built better, but no proof of concept beyond my own garage.

MBTex

Fair enough...I think intuitively I would have to say no simply because the average joe at the factory would have to intentionally alter how he builds the car based on where it is being delivered. And I can see how taking ED would bolster one's owner satisfaction in the car based on what I've heard of the program.

But I have no first hand experience with it. It'll be interesting to see if others with experience share your impressions....could be another selling point for ED

Untertürkheim

What I think may be the case (and also what I have heard) is that the pre-delivery inspection and testing is much more thorough and meticulous for the ED cars, so any issues then may be corrected prior to delivery.

MBTex

That would make some sense. They don't want those cars coming back to the factory with issues after a few days driving around Bavaria...

Untertürkheim

Be careful, Mercedes-Benz is not at all bavarian, that's BMW. Stuttgart is in Baden-Württemberg, making it a schwäbisches car. Say around B-W and you be sure to offend everyone.

MBTex

Didn't mean to imply that MB was located there....just that I'd gladly take a spin around the area if I took ED. Bimmer haters will just have to deal with it!!

RLE

<<It was more of a question, I would be interested to know how many people have ED cars and how they compare with the domestic delivery cars. I know mine have been far better than average in terms of reliability. Basically, I have reason to believe that they are built better, but no proof of concept beyond my own garage.>>

MB's mass produced cars are like jellybeans, made in the millions and all basically alike. What possible difference could there be?

RLE

<<Why? Are they built at a different plant or are each ED orders given a special tag so each guy that works on it knows to build it better?

I'm guessing most ED owners are just more satisfied with their purchase because of the experience of ED and that is reflected in any surveys of MB owners. I'd love to do it myself someday.>>

You have put your finger on it. Except for the heavy wallet types who "go over" every year or so to bring back the latest.

My Porsche was an ED car and for that reason I put more personal value in it. To this day I carry in the ashtray the entrance ticket to the Monza Autodromo where for about five bucks you could drive the track to your heart's content.

delirium

i bought a first year CLS500 (built in 2005 but was an 06 model)

Broke down on me.. stalled at stop light, shuddered at idle, lurched at a stop light. the engine was junk... but it was soo beautiful.

15000 miles is all it got me.