New E500: Several Questions
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 69
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From: Chicago
2016 E63S AMG, 2012 ML350
New E500: Several Questions
Just picked up an '06 E500(Silver/Black) and I have a couple of questions for the converted.
First: Can anyone tell me what i can expect from the OEM tires (Michelin Pilot HX MXM4) Do they handle OK in Snow/Ice? How is the wear on these, are they noizy, Etc.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on where to place a car seat in the back seat(Behind passenger or in the middle) Does MB recommend the disconnect of the rear airbag?
So far, I love the car although I'm pretty nervous about not driving a 4Matic for the first time in 5 years here in Chicago.
Any advice is appreciated.
First: Can anyone tell me what i can expect from the OEM tires (Michelin Pilot HX MXM4) Do they handle OK in Snow/Ice? How is the wear on these, are they noizy, Etc.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on where to place a car seat in the back seat(Behind passenger or in the middle) Does MB recommend the disconnect of the rear airbag?
So far, I love the car although I'm pretty nervous about not driving a 4Matic for the first time in 5 years here in Chicago.
Any advice is appreciated.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 536
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From: Orlando, Florida
**SOLD***2003 E500
Car seat
As far as the car seat goes, the actual left and right rear seats are the only ones that have the anchors under the flap at the base of the backrest. The center strictly has the shoulder harness.
Randy
Randy
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Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
You'll find a lot of information about the Michelin tires, including many user reviews, here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Pilot+HX+MXM4
Based on the user reviews, it would be fair to say that the tires are most definitely not winter tires.
The .pdf version of the US owner's manual says that you can make a written request to a M-B dealer to have the rear side air bags deactivated, at your expense. They don't actually recommend it and the tone of the information (sorry, the .pdf doesn't allow text extraction) suggests that they don't think it's a good idea. The manual doesn't seem to state a preference as between the left and right rear seats for a child seat. The manual has a lot of information on the subject of infants and children as passengers and it should be read in full.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Pilot+HX+MXM4
Based on the user reviews, it would be fair to say that the tires are most definitely not winter tires.
The .pdf version of the US owner's manual says that you can make a written request to a M-B dealer to have the rear side air bags deactivated, at your expense. They don't actually recommend it and the tone of the information (sorry, the .pdf doesn't allow text extraction) suggests that they don't think it's a good idea. The manual doesn't seem to state a preference as between the left and right rear seats for a child seat. The manual has a lot of information on the subject of infants and children as passengers and it should be read in full.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Stuttgart, Germany
'06 E320 CDI; '00 BMW 530d 5-speed manual
DWP,
Do yourself a favor, and get a set of winter tires for your car, you could get a set that will last for 4-6 years for under $500. Trust me when I tell you that I've been driving a BMW 530d RWD (5speed manual) over here in Germany for 2 years - snow tires make all the difference (even on cold, but dry days) I dont even notice that my car is RWD.
My second suggestion is, spend the money on the snow tires, and then go spend another $500 and take a winter driving course to make yourself a better 2WD driver (probably lower some insurance also, who knows)
They make so much of a difference that here in the German state of BW, it has become mandatory to have winter tires on in the winter.
mon-004o
Do yourself a favor, and get a set of winter tires for your car, you could get a set that will last for 4-6 years for under $500. Trust me when I tell you that I've been driving a BMW 530d RWD (5speed manual) over here in Germany for 2 years - snow tires make all the difference (even on cold, but dry days) I dont even notice that my car is RWD.
My second suggestion is, spend the money on the snow tires, and then go spend another $500 and take a winter driving course to make yourself a better 2WD driver (probably lower some insurance also, who knows)
They make so much of a difference that here in the German state of BW, it has become mandatory to have winter tires on in the winter.
mon-004o
Last edited by mon-004o; Feb 24, 2006 at 01:32 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Get Winter Tires
I put Bridgestone Blizzaks on different wheels for both my E's. It makes all the difference. You can find some OEM wheels on Ebay or go with a wheel/tire package. I got some Mille Miglia/Blizzaks for my wife's car from Tire Rack. Found some OEM wheels from a forum member and purchased them and had Blizzaks mounted on them at my Benz dealer for my car.( They seem to be the only ones that have the German weights, that stay in place, unlike some other weights)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Originally Posted by mon-004o
DWP,
Do yourself a favor, and get a set of winter tires for your car, you could get a set that will last for 4-6 years for under $500. Trust me when I tell you that I've been driving a BMW 530d RWD (5speed manual) over here in Germany for 2 years - snow tires make all the difference (even on cold, but dry days) I dont even notice that my car is RWD.
My second suggestion is, spend the money on the snow tires, and then go spend another $500 and take a winter driving course to make yourself a better 2WD driver (probably lower some insurance also, who knows)
They make so much of a difference that here in the German state of BW, it has become mandatory to have winter tires on in the winter.
mon-004o
Do yourself a favor, and get a set of winter tires for your car, you could get a set that will last for 4-6 years for under $500. Trust me when I tell you that I've been driving a BMW 530d RWD (5speed manual) over here in Germany for 2 years - snow tires make all the difference (even on cold, but dry days) I dont even notice that my car is RWD.
My second suggestion is, spend the money on the snow tires, and then go spend another $500 and take a winter driving course to make yourself a better 2WD driver (probably lower some insurance also, who knows)
They make so much of a difference that here in the German state of BW, it has become mandatory to have winter tires on in the winter.
mon-004o
http://video.dot.ca.gov/asx/d3-meyers-50.asx
... in the wintertime. After a snowstorm passes over the mountains the major interstate highways through the mountains are commonly restricted to vehicles with snow tires (or tire chains).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by MPE430
First: Can anyone tell me what i can expect from the OEM tires (Michelin Pilot HX MXM4) Do they handle OK in Snow/Ice? How is the wear on these, are they noisy, Etc.
Any advice is appreciated.
Any advice is appreciated.
Think about it... MUST you be on the road? If the answer is yes, then Snow Tires are the answer. If its not a MUST, the stock tires are great!
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Feb 24, 2006 at 12:04 PM.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Originally Posted by Randy B
As far as the car seat goes, the actual left and right rear seats are the only ones that have the anchors under the flap at the base of the backrest. The center strictly has the shoulder harness. Randy
Piece of cake.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Chicago
2016 E63S AMG, 2012 ML350
Thank you all for your perspective-Much appreciated. One more question, in the manual, a feature is decribed (Summer) where you can hold down the open door lock button on the smart key after unlocking that will automatically roll down the windows/sunroof. I had this feature on my '02 and used it frequently.
So far this is not working using the SmartKey-do I have to change a setting on the steering wheel or is it part of an option (Keyless) that I dont have?
So far this is not working using the SmartKey-do I have to change a setting on the steering wheel or is it part of an option (Keyless) that I dont have?
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,492
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I put the baby seat in the seat behind the driver? Why? I see it (and have read) that in a controllable accident (one you see happening) you would turn the car to protect yourself which in turn would protect that side of the car. The center "seat" is tiny, hard and doesn't hold a seat properly.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 180
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From: CA
09 S550
That is not true, my 2006 E500 has anchors in the center behind the head rest. I find it is the safest to place it in the middle so if there is a side collision you still have space on both side but make sure you use the belt as well as the middle belt from the car sear to the anchor so the seat does not fall during turns.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,492
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I think he is talking about the anchors at the bottom seat back under the flaps. If the center was the place to put a car seat, I think Merc would have put these there..
Last edited by ATS; Feb 24, 2006 at 02:10 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
They are there. You are not supposed to put 3 car seats in the rear at once, since they do not fit. As another memeber said, you use one anchor from each side and the top anchor is there for a reason. I have one behind the driver and one behind the passenger, but the safest is in the middle (due to side impacts). It is all relative and we are being picky, but that is as MB designed. I actually asked when I only had one baby.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Oh yeah, the summer feature has nothing to do with keyless go. You have to "aim" the key to that little box of a window on the driver's door handle. It does not work from a distance like others do.
