Picking up a starmarked 98 E430 tomorow. What should I check for at delivery?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
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From: NY
2003 s500 sport
Picking up a starmarked 98 E430 tomorow. What should I check for at delivery?
HI,
First of I spent a good part of past 2 days searching through forums and this is the best forum for current Mercedes cars on the net. My hat goes off to all of the enthusiasts here.
I decided to get a 98 E430. I am relaly impressed with it. I only drove classic Benzes up to now and this is a little surreal. Actually I found a cool comparison between my 71 280sel 4.5 and the E430. As I was test driving the e430 my friend was toying with all the buttons and activated the windshiels spray by mistake. I took me by surprise while driving but instinctevily put on the wipers (wiper). I was surpised that it's set up the same way as on my 30 year old. The light swith is also in the same location with similiar set up. That's about all of the comparisons. Nothing beats however the front grill star on 280sel. It stands there like a monument. (a little wimpy on the e430 though
).
The E430 is a 98 with 38000 miles and looks loaded it has all the standard options plus
- K1: Value Added Package
- E1: Value Added Package
- Driver Multicontour Seatback
- Passenger Multicontour Seatbac
- Glass Sunroof
- Power Rear-Window Sunshade
- Heated Front Seats
I get it under Starmark program and buying 2 more years of extended warranty.
My questions are.
What where those K1 and E1 packages? and What things should I check for when picking up the car? The car is supposed to g through 130point inspection. WIll they remove small scratches and stuff like that? ANy advice is appreciated. I will post some pics when I get it tomorow.
First of I spent a good part of past 2 days searching through forums and this is the best forum for current Mercedes cars on the net. My hat goes off to all of the enthusiasts here.
I decided to get a 98 E430. I am relaly impressed with it. I only drove classic Benzes up to now and this is a little surreal. Actually I found a cool comparison between my 71 280sel 4.5 and the E430. As I was test driving the e430 my friend was toying with all the buttons and activated the windshiels spray by mistake. I took me by surprise while driving but instinctevily put on the wipers (wiper). I was surpised that it's set up the same way as on my 30 year old. The light swith is also in the same location with similiar set up. That's about all of the comparisons. Nothing beats however the front grill star on 280sel. It stands there like a monument. (a little wimpy on the e430 though
).The E430 is a 98 with 38000 miles and looks loaded it has all the standard options plus
- K1: Value Added Package
- E1: Value Added Package
- Driver Multicontour Seatback
- Passenger Multicontour Seatbac
- Glass Sunroof
- Power Rear-Window Sunshade
- Heated Front Seats
I get it under Starmark program and buying 2 more years of extended warranty.
My questions are.
What where those K1 and E1 packages? and What things should I check for when picking up the car? The car is supposed to g through 130point inspection. WIll they remove small scratches and stuff like that? ANy advice is appreciated. I will post some pics when I get it tomorow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Congrats on your new ride. Where were you when I was trying to sell my 98 E430 for 10 months?
See here:
Kevin's 1998 E430
K1 Package $1,495:
Mobile Cellular Phone
CD Changer
E1 Package $1,950:
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Xenon Headlamps
Headlamps Washers
Rain-Sensing Intermittent Wiper
Base Price $50,600
Destination $595
Heated Seats $595
Multi-Contour Seats $780
Sunroof $1,110
Rear Sunshade $395
See here:Kevin's 1998 E430
K1 Package $1,495:
Mobile Cellular Phone
CD Changer
E1 Package $1,950:
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Xenon Headlamps
Headlamps Washers
Rain-Sensing Intermittent Wiper
Base Price $50,600
Destination $595
Heated Seats $595
Multi-Contour Seats $780
Sunroof $1,110
Rear Sunshade $395
Last edited by E55 KEV; Sep 5, 2002 at 09:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
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From: NY
2003 s500 sport
Thanks Kev
That was a nice e430 you had.
Thanks for the options detail. The car does not have a CD changer. Should I insist on getting it since it was advertised as such? Would they go for it? I also did not now that this model had those rain "sensitive" wipers and xenon lights. THe lamps look stock. Should they look any different or is the change visible when lit?
Thanks for the options detail. The car does not have a CD changer. Should I insist on getting it since it was advertised as such? Would they go for it? I also did not now that this model had those rain "sensitive" wipers and xenon lights. THe lamps look stock. Should they look any different or is the change visible when lit?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Hopefully, the dealer is honest in the added extras. Yes, I would insist on that CD changer if the car has that K1 package advertised, otherwise the Mercedes CD changer is about $800. Did they give you the phone, however you probably won't use it because it is non digital. I can fax or scan the options list if you need proof for the 'stealership'.
If they don't provide the MBZ changer a you have to get your own a cheaper why to go is the Alpine CHM-S620 and it requires a interface called 'MBZIL' to connect to the head unit. Your stereo is not fiber-optic which came on 1999 cars.
W210 Xenon headlamps have a more 'clearer' outside dome than those with halogen and for 98 all Xenon cars had the headlight washers. When you light up at night you will see the big difference. When you turn on at night you should notice them power up in a different way that halogen does - the come on and then appear to get progressively brighter at first turn on. I will never buy a car without them.
If they don't provide the MBZ changer a you have to get your own a cheaper why to go is the Alpine CHM-S620 and it requires a interface called 'MBZIL' to connect to the head unit. Your stereo is not fiber-optic which came on 1999 cars.
W210 Xenon headlamps have a more 'clearer' outside dome than those with halogen and for 98 all Xenon cars had the headlight washers. When you light up at night you will see the big difference. When you turn on at night you should notice them power up in a different way that halogen does - the come on and then appear to get progressively brighter at first turn on. I will never buy a car without them.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
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From: NY
2003 s500 sport
what a car!
I like it a loooot!
My impression is that this is a great car. I considered the new E class which is what I always wanted ever
since I knew it will come out but since E500 is out of
my budget and I can't go below 8 cylinders (religous reasons )than I settled for the next best thing.
Wow did Mercedes advanced a little since the 70's.
My observations about the 130 point inspection.
I think it's only on paper. The car is mint but when I test drove it before signing the papers there was a LAMP Deffective error.
It happend to be the right side marker light. You were right Kev the Xenon ligts are great!
Also I insisted on the CD changer. To my advantage they still had the original window sticker which spells out CD changer in options.
Thay also put it in the current window sticker. I was promised by them that they will get it for me this week. This is not in a contract but I hope that
they will honor their word. They did say it in front of 2 of my friends. I hope they paid attention because they were a little preoccupied with checking the
car out.
Kev, how did you feel when you stepped up from E430 to E55?
E430 is awesome from performance point of view, E55 must be just hellish. I will enjoy it for a few years and step up
to w211 E55 if I can get it.
Thanks for the options list and feedback
My impression is that this is a great car. I considered the new E class which is what I always wanted ever
since I knew it will come out but since E500 is out of
my budget and I can't go below 8 cylinders (religous reasons
)than I settled for the next best thing.Wow did Mercedes advanced a little since the 70's.
My observations about the 130 point inspection.
I think it's only on paper. The car is mint but when I test drove it before signing the papers there was a LAMP Deffective error.
It happend to be the right side marker light. You were right Kev the Xenon ligts are great!
Also I insisted on the CD changer. To my advantage they still had the original window sticker which spells out CD changer in options.
Thay also put it in the current window sticker. I was promised by them that they will get it for me this week. This is not in a contract but I hope that
they will honor their word. They did say it in front of 2 of my friends. I hope they paid attention because they were a little preoccupied with checking the
car out.
Kev, how did you feel when you stepped up from E430 to E55?
E430 is awesome from performance point of view, E55 must be just hellish. I will enjoy it for a few years and step up
to w211 E55 if I can get it.
Thanks for the options list and feedback
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
6.3 congrats!
Make sure the rain sensor works. Mine didn't and I didn't even realize it until I complained that the intermittant setting wasn't working right (doh!).
I had a starmarked C once that had a leaking head gasket. Of course it got fixed under the starmark coverage, but a blind mechanic should have spotted it if the inspection really took place. Knowing the sheer irritation of that lamp message, looks like yours got the 5-second 'inspection' too.
Although they becoming more and more ubiquitous, like Kev said, you can't mistake those factory zenons! I'm just jealous that the new model has zenon highbeams as well.
Strange that the CD changer should be missing. Maybe they plundered it for another customer and hoped you wouldn't notice?
I just want to say how useful the headlight washers are. I use them every weekend while racing my buddies through the mud bogs. You'll love them too.
trade ya the washers for your sunshade.
Make sure the rain sensor works. Mine didn't and I didn't even realize it until I complained that the intermittant setting wasn't working right (doh!).
I had a starmarked C once that had a leaking head gasket. Of course it got fixed under the starmark coverage, but a blind mechanic should have spotted it if the inspection really took place. Knowing the sheer irritation of that lamp message, looks like yours got the 5-second 'inspection' too.
Although they becoming more and more ubiquitous, like Kev said, you can't mistake those factory zenons! I'm just jealous that the new model has zenon highbeams as well.
Strange that the CD changer should be missing. Maybe they plundered it for another customer and hoped you wouldn't notice?
I just want to say how useful the headlight washers are. I use them every weekend while racing my buddies through the mud bogs. You'll love them too.
trade ya the washers for your sunshade.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NY
2003 s500 sport
You are right I think it was the 5 sec. inspection. The lamp washers are there too I think. I do however have a spare rear sunshade complete with motor that I got once on ebay new and planned on retrofitting to my 67 MB coupe. I have to check many other things. I am scheduled to have the lamp replaced tomorrow. They will try to get me another changer. Probably from other lease return. This is not right really. Let's see how it turns out. I will keep you guys posted.
