E320
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Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 229
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SL500
E320
Hello Everyone,
First off let me assure you that I am a huge MB fan. I recently purchased my first MB and my extended family drives MB's as well.
Here's the situation. My dad leased a 2000 E320 for 3 years so his lease is coming up in a couple of weeks. I went and looked/drove the new E320 and here's what I found:
1) Clearly not as powerful as the 2000. Car seems sluggish
especially from a standstill.
2) Leather inserts, although nice after a while it becomes clear
that it's not real leather. I know this because my sister drives
a C240 with the inserts.
3) Climate control is manual not digital.
4) Traditional suspension setup.
5) Many are built without a sunroof.
I am aware that full leather, 4-zone climate control, Airmatic, and sunroof can all be added as options. It is also clear that the car will still be underpowered (even if they add the 3.7 liter engine?) and I would have to order the car, finding all these options would be next to impossible.
I then drove the E500 which to me is the perfect E-Class. All above concerns are addressed. I went ahead and received some numbers. $2500 down $895 month for 36 months.
My problem/question is can't I get a BMW 540, 745i, Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 for the same price? Is the Benz truely a better car or is it a situation where your paying extra to say "Look at me, I drive a Benz." At this point I'm thinking my dad should just re-lease his car.
Sorry for the long post and your comments are welcome.
First off let me assure you that I am a huge MB fan. I recently purchased my first MB and my extended family drives MB's as well.
Here's the situation. My dad leased a 2000 E320 for 3 years so his lease is coming up in a couple of weeks. I went and looked/drove the new E320 and here's what I found:
1) Clearly not as powerful as the 2000. Car seems sluggish
especially from a standstill.
2) Leather inserts, although nice after a while it becomes clear
that it's not real leather. I know this because my sister drives
a C240 with the inserts.
3) Climate control is manual not digital.
4) Traditional suspension setup.
5) Many are built without a sunroof.
I am aware that full leather, 4-zone climate control, Airmatic, and sunroof can all be added as options. It is also clear that the car will still be underpowered (even if they add the 3.7 liter engine?) and I would have to order the car, finding all these options would be next to impossible.
I then drove the E500 which to me is the perfect E-Class. All above concerns are addressed. I went ahead and received some numbers. $2500 down $895 month for 36 months.
My problem/question is can't I get a BMW 540, 745i, Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 for the same price? Is the Benz truely a better car or is it a situation where your paying extra to say "Look at me, I drive a Benz." At this point I'm thinking my dad should just re-lease his car.
Sorry for the long post and your comments are welcome.
