News and updates:

1) Times when you could see and "feel" and possibly drive the newer E and CLK cars at the Marriott Hotel in Torrance:

Early in the morning before the first shift of sales people take their first test drive along the Palos Verdes Peninsula between 8 till 9:30 AM// Second shift starts after lunch therefore cars are parked between 11 ish till 12:40ish // third possible time is after third shift and that is after 3:30 till 5:ish PM.

2) If you are lucky talk to your sales person he or she could arrange for you to take a drive with him/her ...I did...shhhh

3) CLK 500 has AMG style (wheels and under body work ...) but it is not the case for the E Class not even the E500 sport!! bummer..

4) Pricing is gonna be the same for the w211 same reasoning was given by MB Training and devlopment person as to the SL500R. same pricing despite the newere technological changes and what have you..

5) the Audio system Audio 50 is based on 10 std speakers including a subwoofer and some tweeters. It is believed to be better improvement over the Bose system. This system in developed by Harmon Becker and has 4 multi channel amplifiers.

The Upgrade is called Logic 7 Harmon Kardon. It is a must have in my opinion: it is based on 12 speakers and 8 multi channel amplifiers with optimum natural and realistic reproduction of studio like sound for all five seating positions.

Every E is equiped with single indash CD and an optional in dash CD changer that is either dealer or factory installed for only $400.

6) The DVD based COMmand system is a delayed option till past February. The good news is that the cars are prewired for an easy retrofit. The retrofit is dealer installed.

7) E Calss come with two batteries ala SL 500R. the second one is a backup if the first one fails. it is believed that this second one is mainly for the sensotronic Braking system. Both batteries are foam based too.

8) the spare tire is not full one. Reasoning given is reducing cost and weight of the E Class for better torque and HP output and lower gas mileage.

9) I asked an MB Retail and Development guy about whether the drag coefficient (pusblished to be .27) is accurate across the E line although the 320 non sport has 16 inch wheels and the 500 has 17inch wheels He replied not to quote him but the dc is not gonna be the same. his estimates are in the .28 or .29 for the 500 w sport wheels.

10) two new front bumper sensors for air bags are installed.

11) newer Rollover sensors are included in the E Class that activates the curtain airbags once the angle has been changed..

12) Side airbags for the Front seats have moved now to the side seats instead. That allowed the airflow to beam through the front doors to the back of the B pillars for confort 4 zoning climate control that is std for the E500W.

I am sorry this might take forever but please aske me any question and I will be glad to answer you to the best of my knowledge.

Cheers

 

Johnny2000

How many airbags in the CLK?

How many in the E?

tnx

 

Thanks J2K,

That is the most specific information that I have seen come out from MB. Can you please ask the reps two questions on my behalf?
#1 Is the base price of the E500 going to be the same as the 2002 E430 ($54,515)?
#2 What style 17 inch wheels will be coming on the non-sport E500 (5 spoke-solid or 5 spoke-double)?

Thanks!

 

In reference to the airbags question for both CLK and E Calss, the number is 8. Additional Airbags sensors are installed in Front bumper. Both Front Airbags driver and Passenger side are each provided with Dual Stage Deployment based on impact severity.
That is a more severe accident will trigger the second inflation stage.

If the passenger seat is not occupied , the F Pssgr airbag will not inflate as simple as that.

This is believed to help keep the cost of repairs down!

Furthermore, they have talked about Adaptive system for safety that is threefold: 1) it is based on passive safety components like
Rollover sensors 2 front bumper sensors adaptive belt force sensor and center airbag sensor. 2) it si also based on active Safety system such as the soup letters of ASR ESP ABS BAS, Sensotronic Braking System, 3) integrated system that enhances cabin protection during an impact.

The seat tensioning system now is called ETD or Emergency Tensioning Device that is different from the ETR (retention) because it is now more than tensioning system in that it allows outboard seat belts and belt force limiters greater absorption while the load exerted on the occupant is reduced.


Please note that all seat belts including the rear ones now are ETDs and have belt force limiters.

Cheers

 

Also I fogot to mention that the SBS or Sensotronic braking system that is going to be standard for both E Class lines has a preventive type of system that basically takes over. I will explain..
Once the driver takes off his or her foot of the accelerator pedal, the SBS prepares itself for a braking power in that it inflates the air needed for the Sensotronic system to work efficiently for faster reaction to a stopping situation.
I hope I am coming clear on this please ask me for specifics and I will try my best to rely that info back to you.

The news here: passive active and preventive type of safety features are deployed and all are std features not options.

Safety is not an option here period.

Cheers

 

HI Ciscobigot,

To answer your question on the wheels first,

The standard wheels are gonna look exactly like the ones you have in your portfolio E320w is 16'' and the E500 std ones are the same design similar to that of the CL500C but bigger 17''. the Sport package for either E320w or E500W is 5 spoke 17'' wheel that is really not that impressive in my mind.

E320W Sedan wheels: 8.0j x 16 double-spoke Tires:225/55 R 16 95w

E500W Sedan wheels:8.5j x 17 double-spoke Tires: 245/45R17 95W

Sport Line Package 8.0j x 17 5-spoke Tires: 245/45R17 95w


As for the price, the rep did not want to reveal the numbers but insisted that MB is watching the market and do not want to price themselves out of the competition with the likes of Volvo Saab BMW Lexus and Jaguar. He insisted on saying the price is gonna be the same even on some options cheaper!

I will post the news on pricing as soon as they become available

Cheers

 

hi Johnny2000, thanks for the information

I have some questions regarding the event

1. Is this the marriott hotel that located in -->3635 Fashion Way
Torrance, California 90503. if yes, how long this event gonna be?

2. I knew about this event before but I couldn't go this monday and tuesday. I see if I can go on wednesday. Let say I can go on wednesday ,do you know the best time for me to come there?

3. What color did you see for the new E ? which one is the best fit for the car?


thanks in advance

 

To answer your questions,

I saw two E500W one is Bordeaux and the other one is blk on blk. two E320W black on blk and silver on blk. And I have also seen lots of CLKs.

My first impression is that blk on blk looks awsome. The silver without the panorama roof looks nice but not as nice as the one with the panorama roof.

I think once blk is clean it is the best. However in the afternoon with the sun reflection you could see the swirls on the black ones! from waxing...

The best times to go and see the cars are the ones I posted earlier.

the Training is going for the next 4 business days till Friday..

The address is 3635 fashion way torrance Ca call info for phone #

Cheers...

P.S. If asked how did you know about the event please say I just happen to be here....

Thanks and cheers

 

Since most indications are leaning towards that the base prices will remain the same as this years models, I'm going to change my order to an E500 instead of the E320.

 

The difference is $6,000 for the CLK320 v. CLK500.

R&T calls it the best $6,000.- investment in it's Aug. issue.

 

Thanks Johnny2000!

I think i will go there and check it out!

 

That was my thinking exactly when I purchased my 2000 CLK430 Coupe. Getting AMG styling, wheels, and a V8. I never regretted my decision, and now I am changing my order from the E320 to the E500 because I just can't go back to a 6 cylinder after having an 8 cyl.

 

Thanksss Johnny2000 for the information

I will go there on wednesday, if I could

 

Not a full-size spare? Sheesh! Can it really make that much of a difference?

And, the panorama roof: nice or strange? Is there any safety disadvantage compared to the solid roof? Does it have an interior shade? I hate the rattling shade assembly on my 2000 W210... Is it tinted?


Also, I'm dying to see the folding seats. Cool or like a minivan?

Just some thoughts I have; I'm going to the E-motion event in NY next month and I can't wait!!!

 

BenzE,

The Panorama roof is really impressive in that it makes the car brighter and gives you and your back seat passengers feeling of open space. Yes it has shades that unlike the C230k even rear passengers could control from the control unit in the upper middle console between the two front and rear roof area. It looks great and I alread y love the easy access to the panorama roof from the back seat. also the E500w comes std with 4 climate zoning not two where back seat passengers can have complete control over temp sought after....cool

Add the solar powered fans to that and you are the coolest..

Spare tire issue: MB rep said stats show only 3 percent of MB owners have ever used their spare tires in a four year ownership based on data they have collected from MB centers in the USA.

U could still fit a full spare there if u decide to do so. The issue has never been space but weight and crush tests. It is believed that after lowering the gas tank the trunk has increased in volume by 0.6 cubic feet and it made it longer although not as deep (down) as the W210.

I hope this answers some of your questions..

Cheers

 

First off thanks for all the info Johnny2000...it's wonderful. My question is on the CLK. Is the audio system you mentioned going to be on the CLK...if not do you happen to know which one will be? Also, any word on a DVD based navi on the CLKs? maybe retrofitting since the 2003s will have a CD one? Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info, Johnny2000! I can't wait to see the new E. I will have to wait to get mine though, since I plan on an E500 4matic.

 

The CLK unfortunately is gonna keep the same Audio system and the same Navigation system COMMMAND. When I got into the CLK500 Sport the only thing I got disappointed in was that the car had the same Radio and Climate control units.

The new Seat Belt for the CLK though is now ETD or Emergency Tensioning Device that also extend out the minute you close the door with an arm which makes getting the belt a breeze.

Most of the controls have remained the same but the dash board looked like that of the new E Class.

Cheers