Well folks,

Many thanks to all whom contribute to this forum - its is just loaded with info for car nuts like myself.

I began my car hunt looking at the following cars, in order of priority:
1) Infiniti M45 2) Caddy Sts 3) Audi A6
I drove them all, really liked the M45 with the muscular V8 and all the bells and whistles [e.g. rear camera, nice nav, push button start, xm, blue tooth]. I was all set to drop 51K on the car, and then my brother told me if i'm going to spend 51K, go drive a mercedes. I started out driving the E320 4matic. I was VERY impressed with the ride/quietness/firmness. I also, to be honest, liked the interior much more than the M45, maybe its the engineer in me. What i was really surprised at was that i thought the car had plenty of pep, even though every article i read on it said it was underpowered. Well, the 2nd visit to the dealership and the salesman said they had some serious incentives on the 500 as well, so i figured what they hey, lets take it out. I got done with the test drive with my mind made up, i was getting a E500 4matic. 300+ hp, V8, AWD, and it feels like a tank, a very fast tank.

Anyway, i've now just hit 1000+ miles on the car. Figured i'd share some observations with anyone who cares / is even thinking about any/all of the cars i mentioned above.

First, the negatives
1) The lack of mem preset feature on the steering wheel annoys a station surfer like me
2) RDS missing - again, wish i had it, nothing huge
3) for 65K, bluetooth & nav should be IN the price. period.
4) Seats get hot - get the ventilated seats if you can - i wish i had
5) Folding rear seats - this shouldn't be an option!!!
For the most part, the gripes are not huge to most, to some they are...

Now for the positves:
1) I was concerned about a car rated at 16-20mpg. Well with a 50/50 split, i'm averaging 20 (and i checked this manually). On the hwy, i get around 22-23. Unreal considering the power.
2) the ride is just, what i call, point and shoot. Aim the car, step on the gas, and you're off - simply amazingly tight and refined.
3) Airmatic suspension - thought it was not going to be something i used. Well, i now look for the button everytime i'm on a windy hwy/road - its awesome.
4) build quality / fit / finish - forums are a great place for people to complain, but i think after building the same car for 3 years, they have made huge strides as this thing so far has had no problems.

Well, that's about it. As a result of this purchase, i may be bringing 3, yes 3 more people to the dealership to see one potentially happy salesmen. I had a few friends who thought i was absolutely nuts liking the mercedes before i bought it (knowing that it took the place of the M45 on my top spot). One of the guys was a real car nut like myself, so i took him out for a drive in both, and he walked away telling me he now understands why i like the car.

Happy motoring!!!

Aceman

 

Congratulations on your choice! I've been driving MB Eclass cars for years. Had 7 so far. The 211 is by far the best (although I still hang on to my '01 E320 as a Florida car). You will enjoy that E500 every time you get in it! Good luck and drive it like it wants to be driven...

 

Nice report.... I'd say your grips are definatly for real and most will agree with you. I'd say some are more than an annoyance if anything, and are a lot better than mechanical problems or complaints that could crop up. I've accually obtained 27 M.P.G on the highway with mine on several occasions... I feel once your ride has had the chance to looen up a bit more you'll definatly be seeing even better milage.
Goodluck with it...

 

You know, as i'm sure you do as you've replied to a few of my posts, the gripes are definately not bothering me as much as they first did - primarily because the ride is just so awesome it kind of luls you into submission! This car actually causes me to not accelerate as fast i usually do, which must explain my mileage to some degree. Its not like my vett, even under full throttle, the interior is subdued and hte car doesn't feel like its straining. Just awesome.

Now its mod time - ordered the lip spoiler and tyring to figure out which rims, then lastly, a light tint and i think i'm done!

Aceman

 

I'm sure you know, there is no such thing as the "perfect" car.... at least in the E's price range.... What one car has, the other one don't. Yea, BMW may have bluetooth and lexus and honda may have a better nav systems, but there not an MB. They certainly don't have the looks or the lines of the E class either. I'd personally rather be driving a great looking Mecedes with a decent nav rather than a fugly honda or lexus with a great nav anytime.....and the BMW ??? Well I have no sweater to drape over my shoulders so I guess thats out for sure.

 

I agree with you about the gripes, while not major... it's embarrassing that my friends Honda has more standard features on a $25000 car than I do on a $56500 car.

I too wish I got the vented seats, but I imagine they are very prone to problems down the road, as with many of the "Gee wiz" stuff... not meant for long term owners.