Well...
Regrets???
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 177
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From: Connecticut - USA
Regrets???
Has anyone had any regrets or buyer's remourse in pulling the trigger on their new E-Class after nearly a year of ownership? Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my E-500. However, if you went with say a new Audi A6 or something would you get as much automotive enjoyment as their E-Class for a lot less money? The reason why I ask this question is that I received a letter from Audi (we have an allroad) saying that they would give me full retail for any car that I wanted to trade in for a new or used Audi. Maybe I'm just getting phylosophical, but I would tell anyone that I don't NEEED a MB that costs me close to $900 per month on a lease. Could I be just as happy with something cheaper given that most of us just commute to work everyday in theses things? I dunno.. I'm sure I'm going to get lambasted for this one... 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Regrets?
Probably should have never gotten two W211. But the E500 costed me so little money it made financial sense (i probably would still make money after two more years). I should have used that offer to buy a SL500 but that would defeat purpose of having a beater.
I am very happy with the E500 despites the minor problem and cheap interior it has (should have gotten the wood steering wheel at least).
E55-hmm. Regrets, probably not. Just not what i expected. But then again, I had not other choices back in late 2003 as my ex M5 is being killed by RS6. I don't like Audi, so E55 by elimination was the only choice available. (But this will change soon, in about a year, I will be
in the new M5. 
.- That is my BMW dealer does not screw me over. 
)
Probably should have never gotten two W211. But the E500 costed me so little money it made financial sense (i probably would still make money after two more years). I should have used that offer to buy a SL500 but that would defeat purpose of having a beater.
I am very happy with the E500 despites the minor problem and cheap interior it has (should have gotten the wood steering wheel at least).
E55-hmm. Regrets, probably not. Just not what i expected. But then again, I had not other choices back in late 2003 as my ex M5 is being killed by RS6. I don't like Audi, so E55 by elimination was the only choice available. (But this will change soon, in about a year, I will be
in the new M5. .- That is my BMW dealer does not screw me over. )
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,492
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
Originally Posted by CALBenzo
That is exactly how I feel. Otherwise, no regrets. 
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,281
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
I really love that fact that I have a 4-Matic, but when the weather is nice and I really don't think I am using the 4-Matic, I wonder if I should have gotten the CDI. But in the end I really think that a RWD car in this climate is suicidal.
So regrets, no. But I sometimes wonder.
Steve
So regrets, no. But I sometimes wonder.
Steve
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
To me, "regret" would mean that I made the wrong choice from among the automotive options available in 9/03, when we purchased our E500. If I were purchasing right now, I would sure consider an Infiniti M35/45 or an Acura RL, but the current models of those cars weren't available in 9/03. I might also consider going downmarket to an Infinit G35 sedan or an Acura TL, because I miss having a manual transmission, but in 9/03 the nearest Infiniti dealership was too far away and the current TL wasn't on the market. We looked at an Audi A6 and a Volvo S80 and a few other cars but didn't like them as much as the E500. Waiting a few months for the new BMW 5-series wasn't an option because, first, our '97 BMW had just been destroyed and we needed a new primary car and second, we had seen the pictures of the new BMW 5-series.
So, no, I don't regret the purchase decision we made in 9/03.
Whether I regret getting any $60K car that burns a lot of gas is a more complex question. Ruminating about it here would say more about me than about the car, so I'll spare you the boredom. Suffice it to say that my wife is the primary driver of the E, and she was driving the BMW when it got hit, and I wanted her to have a really nice car that would hold up as well in an accident as our BMW did. The E500 fills those requirements nicely, and if a fully-optioned Accord or Camry would also fill them ... well, life isn't all rational cost/benefit calculations.
So, no, I don't regret the purchase decision we made in 9/03.
Whether I regret getting any $60K car that burns a lot of gas is a more complex question. Ruminating about it here would say more about me than about the car, so I'll spare you the boredom. Suffice it to say that my wife is the primary driver of the E, and she was driving the BMW when it got hit, and I wanted her to have a really nice car that would hold up as well in an accident as our BMW did. The E500 fills those requirements nicely, and if a fully-optioned Accord or Camry would also fill them ... well, life isn't all rational cost/benefit calculations.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento, CA
2015 E350
No regrets here. I had a very problematic 2001 C320 before, and as a result I was somewhat fearful about buying another MB. But the feeling of the new E got me hooked, and so far I'm totally enjoying it. Sometimes I wish it was a 500, but most of the time I'm glad it's not.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Yea, I regret not getting the "E55 option" on my car. But at the time, would have been MSRP. Got my car for 800/mo incl. tax on 67K sticker. E55 would probably be 1400-1600
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 120
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From: San Francisco
2005 E-500
Two days and counting
As I enter the end of day two, I have no regrets what so ever. I realize that this not the question and is during the honeymoon, but it certainly is off to a great start. I even was able to program the home link for my garage door (fifth attempt; helps to read all the instructions).
It is, of course, encouraging to read about the experience of all you vets. Back to the garage for more mannual reading with the key on.
62 degrees in San Francisco; Premium Gas $2.49, but still on the dealers dime.
:p
It is, of course, encouraging to read about the experience of all you vets. Back to the garage for more mannual reading with the key on.
62 degrees in San Francisco; Premium Gas $2.49, but still on the dealers dime.
:p
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,439
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Its been a year to the month (approx 15,000 miles) and I have absolutly no regrets... This car has been the finest auto I've ever owned.... Perhaps I'm just a simpleton, or maybe I'm just not trying to compare it to something its not.... I bought one of the safest cars on the road for my wife and kids and it just happens to also be a first class family sedan.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Absolutely NO regrets. This is the 1st car I have owned since the '70s that has taken me off the new car market. Usually I begin thinking "what would I like to be driving next?" in less than a year after purchase. No such feelings so far. Completely Satisfied!
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: chicago
2003 E500
Absolutely regretted it. Way too many problems in the first year combined with serious attitude at MBUSA (not local service).
In retrospect, should have gotten the Infiniti G35 AWD as a bridge vehicle as there was nothing else I liked in Spring 2003. Will be looking at the M45 or moving up to the Audi 8L after the refresh this year. MB is totally off the table.
In retrospect, should have gotten the Infiniti G35 AWD as a bridge vehicle as there was nothing else I liked in Spring 2003. Will be looking at the M45 or moving up to the Audi 8L after the refresh this year. MB is totally off the table.
