E500 owner reporting in:
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 122
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From: So California
‘22 S500
E500 owner reporting in:
Having owned an E500 for a week now I have a few observations to share. This is a car which breaks rules and raises the bar when compared to other sedans. It rides differently, brakes differently, and accelerates adaptively. It's possible to label these differences as being "artificial." That's subjective, I think. Does a car that rides softly, like no other, yet corners essentially flat feel artificial? No. Just different. One expects lean when driving a car which is cushioned. It's not to be found. Brakes which are progressive to touch: also different. To me, the car's a wonder. Its seating, interior lighting, four zone air conditioning which directs more air to seating areas which have seat belts fastened - the list continues. Complaints: My "Keyless Go" is erradic. Needs to be corrected. Period. Design: Subjective. I think it's great looking. Up for debate though. The drive, the ride: As good as it gets. Harmon Kardon sound quality: Move over, Mark Levinson. This is a wonderous system. I think the most discerning audiophile would be pleased, if not amazed. My take. Peter
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 122
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From: So California
‘22 S500
Keyless go . . . . uh-oh . . .
It's great . . . . I love it - works perfectly on my '03 CLK320. Fun at first, practical after living with it. The E500 delivered with the Keyless Go working improperly. From the start. The trunk would open, then refuse to stay locked. The driver's door would mostly not open or lock. The car would rarely start. All of this easy to co-exist with because I quickly started to use the standard key. And that works perfectly fine. Meantime, my dealership has ordered a new module and will fix this problem on Monday, when I bring the car in with BOTH keys. I guess some serious re-programming is in order here. Peter
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
How do you drive 3 Mercedes at once?
Peter - I see you have now added an 03 E to your 03 CLK and 03 SL500. Or did you trade the SL in for the other two? lol
Anyway, didn't the SL spoil you for the other two or is the E500 that good that with its same engine as the SL500 the two driving experiences are harmonious?
Anyway, didn't the SL spoil you for the other two or is the E500 that good that with its same engine as the SL500 the two driving experiences are harmonious?
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Peter, thanks for keeping the rest of us updated. It's always good to hear from people who have been living with the car for a while. Glad you seem to be having a very positive experience, except for the keyless go. Some other early reviews were not nearly as positive. I feel a little better now. Thanks and keep giving us your impressions. Those of us waiting for cars have to live through people like you that already have one! 
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12
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From: florida
e-420
E-500 sport
Peter did you drive the sport? I took mine in yesterday and the service rep drove it to confirm my complaints. He said that the car was over compensating for road bumps by pumping air into one side of the car. which has the effect on the passengers of jolting them back and forth. I am not sure why this only happens on the sport. Maybe because of the different tires not sure.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 122
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From: So California
‘22 S500
Status of my garage . . . .
Yes, to the curious, my '03 SL500 is gone. It was the Designo, launch edition . . .and frankly, I thought I could grow to like the color. But no. I disliked it more and more . . .and the wheels were clumsy looking to my eye. I sold it back to the dealership, recapturing tax and plates, plus an additional thousand. It was a fine car, no complaints - just too high profile for my needs. The E500 is a very different automobile, obviously . . . and yet repeats many of the better attributes of the SL. Engine, suspension, comfort. Actually - comfort is substantially better on the E. Ride, sound, seats, air conditioning . . . and power. All better, in my opinion. Sex . . . not really. This is a serious car, a businessman's car. A wonderful car. A go anywhere car. A not "see me, see me" car. I love it.
My other cars: '03 350Z Touring. Artpiece, for now. Perfect sports car, right out of the box. Will keep it for one month. Next up, the '03 CLK320. Again, an excellent car . . .seats 4 comfortably . . . . . zero problems . . but substandard air conditioning. Low profile enough for my purposes. Fun too; Lastly, the '03 Honda Pilot SUV, seats 8 - a great "dog" truck. Honda quality . . . . superbly comfortable, go anywhere, runs on regular unleaded. And that's my update. And yes, I LOVE cars. Fashion by Kirkland . . . Peter
My other cars: '03 350Z Touring. Artpiece, for now. Perfect sports car, right out of the box. Will keep it for one month. Next up, the '03 CLK320. Again, an excellent car . . .seats 4 comfortably . . . . . zero problems . . but substandard air conditioning. Low profile enough for my purposes. Fun too; Lastly, the '03 Honda Pilot SUV, seats 8 - a great "dog" truck. Honda quality . . . . superbly comfortable, go anywhere, runs on regular unleaded. And that's my update. And yes, I LOVE cars. Fashion by Kirkland . . . Peter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 143
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From: Chandler, AZ
Nissan Sentra
Interesting that I am looking to replace my ML430 with a Honda Pilot and buy a 350Z for a daily driver. I did not want to hear that there were any problems, especially electrical or software issues on the new E. I have had a horrible time with my ML. I feel now that I am really asking for trouble with another new model. I have to admit that I am really impressed with the car but I don't have the stomach for another round of growing pains. That may explain the Honda and Nissan.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 122
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From: So California
‘22 S500
For Daytrader - Sport pkg observations
Yes Daytrader (are you still doing that???), I did in fact drive the E500 sport. I'm not one for Z rated tires on a luxo sedan. It's a bit of an oxymoron to me. Plus . . . the alloys, to my eye, looked just like the Designo launch edition of the SL - which I disliked. They look like wagon wheels. The non-sport E500 rode nicer and quieter. You asked, I answered. Anyone else on this forum . . . . who is frightened of electrical problems on this new car, i.e. similar to the early ML's - FEAR NOT! The E is a terrific car. Runs beautifully. No complaints, other than the Keyless, which I trust will be corrected on Monday. Peter
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: So. FL
2003 SL Launch Edition, 2003 E500 Pewter/Stone
Thanks Peter for your observations. I happen to have the Launch edition and didn't dislike the color at first but have really grown to like it, especially in different light conditions. Having seen pretty much all other colors now, I actually prefer the designo over all the others. Just shows you-it is a matter of taste. I do think the SL is the most beautiful design of an automobile I have ever seen, irrespective of color preference.
I plan to keep the SL and trade my '99CLK Cabrio for the E500 in Pewter/Stone, non-sport. I drove the E500 at an E Motion event and was blown away. I agree with Peter's observation that it is quite similar in drive to the SL with the combination of suspension and engine. I think MB is hitting a groove with the new technology.
As to first year problems, I do not worry as the new E is being built in "old factories" in Germany, not, like the ML, in a "new factory" in Alabama that needed to get its own new factory kinks out. I had a '98 ML and had many problems too. I do not fear that from the E.
I plan to keep the SL and trade my '99CLK Cabrio for the E500 in Pewter/Stone, non-sport. I drove the E500 at an E Motion event and was blown away. I agree with Peter's observation that it is quite similar in drive to the SL with the combination of suspension and engine. I think MB is hitting a groove with the new technology.
As to first year problems, I do not worry as the new E is being built in "old factories" in Germany, not, like the ML, in a "new factory" in Alabama that needed to get its own new factory kinks out. I had a '98 ML and had many problems too. I do not fear that from the E.
