So what was your very first experience with a Mercedes-Benz that got you hooked?
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
So what was your very first experience with a Mercedes-Benz that got you hooked?
For me, I drove a friend's moms 3 or 4 year old at the time 1986 300E. I had been into typical youth oriented cars like Mustangs, Camaros/Trans Ams, Corvettes, Grand National's, etc and didn't give one look to a Mercedes one time (I was in high school). I had to follow my friend somewhere and had the pleasure to drive his moms 300E and absolutely could not believe how well the car was made and how well it drove. It was amazing. How well the doors shut, how the car felt at higher speeds, how quiet it was, an airbag in 1986 (when everyone else got them around 1990), etc. Then I had to have one. It was several years later, but my first was a 1982 300D Turbo Diesel. It was far from nice, but still had that Mercedes feel nonetheless. Have owned 6 since then.
That same 300E is still like new today - garage kept with 42k miles.
That same 300E is still like new today - garage kept with 42k miles.
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2005 e320 4matic wagon (wifes)
I am a junkie for anything with a motor, hell I love a well tuned weed eater. I have had one of everything. In high school I got offered a 1963 190 for cheap, I am one of those if its free its me type of guys, or used to be. The doors were what really hooked me, every MBZ door always closes nice. People always take good care of MBZ so they seem to age pretty good. That old car was quiet and drove nice. I have liked the build quality since. I ended up crashing that car into an old man that pulled out in front of me. What a tank, I was unharmed and the car faired well. I am now a father of two. I love play toys but the only thing in the world that I really care about is the 3 women in our family auto, my wife and 2 daughters, why not surround them in safety. I have only had the w211 a short time but love it and this is my wifes first MBZ experience and I am pretty sure she is hooked. Thats good with me I love driving it or driving in it.
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From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I needed an excuse to buy a second vehicle for myself since I was doing a 153 miles daily round trip to the office. All my friends suggested I buy a hybrid. I thought about it but no hybrids appealed to me. Then I accidently read an article about the new Bluetec just released in the US; that was it. I read all about the engine and I was hooked on the new diesel technology. Having previously built/owned a large SUV in another country, retrofitted with a Mercedes Truck 6 cyl engine, I knew this was the way to go. I love what I have and thoroughly enjoy every moment I drive my Bluetec.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
My experience was when I rode on the S-Class for the very first time. My friends father to drop us off at a concert years ago and it was those W220 S-Class. The smooth ride, quietness and comfort is what got me hooked on these cars.
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From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
My wife and I were looking for a new family car. Since she didn't like the exterior stylng of the Acura RL, we tried the A6: very hard ride, as were the seats. Too bad, because there were lots of bells and whistles.
We took the E350 for a spin, and knew right away that we found what we were looking for: great suspension, and unbelieveable seat comfort. Now, if I can only get my heat fixed...
We took the E350 for a spin, and knew right away that we found what we were looking for: great suspension, and unbelieveable seat comfort. Now, if I can only get my heat fixed...
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From: East Bay Area, CA
2013 SL 550 (Previously 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo-S, 2015 Tesla P85D, 2007 S600, 2005 E55 AMG)
Yes its the doors! I was living in the UK in the 1980's and my very first car was a Citroen... (BX) Now it certainly had a lot of character! (hydro-pneumatic suspension and all) ...but it had the structural rigidity of a tinfoil box... My then manager had a 190E which I spent a lot of time in... OK, it was only the original baby benz but it was built like a battleship compared to a Citroen... It's all about contrasts... Needless to say at the first clunk of those doors I fell in love... The affair is still going strong.... just bought an S600!
It is easy to forget (those of us old enough to remember) how flimsy many 1980's mass market cars were and how enormous was the difference between MB's of that era and everything else...
Chris
It is easy to forget (those of us old enough to remember) how flimsy many 1980's mass market cars were and how enormous was the difference between MB's of that era and everything else...
Chris
Last edited by cjf_moraga; Apr 2, 2008 at 10:41 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
Yes its the doors! I was living in the UK in the 1980's and my very first car was a Citroen... (BX) Now it certainly had a lot of character! (hydro-pneumatic suspension and all) ...but it had the structural rigidity of a tinfoil box... My then manager had a 190E which I spent a lot of time in... OK, it was only the original baby benz but it was built like a battleship compared to a Citroen... It's all about contrasts... Needless to say at the first clunk of those doors I fell in love... The affair is still going strong.... just bought an S600!
It is easy to forget (those of us old enough to remember) how flimsy many 1980's mass market cars were and how enormous was the difference between MB's of that era and everything else...
Chris
It is easy to forget (those of us old enough to remember) how flimsy many 1980's mass market cars were and how enormous was the difference between MB's of that era and everything else...
Chris
The 1980's Mercedes were unbelievable...
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
For me, I drove a friend's moms 3 or 4 year old at the time 1986 300E. I had been into typical youth oriented cars like Mustangs, Camaros/Trans Ams, Corvettes, Grand National's, etc and didn't give one look to a Mercedes one time (I was in high school). I had to follow my friend somewhere and had the pleasure to drive his moms 300E and absolutely could not believe how well the car was made and how well it drove. It was amazing. How well the doors shut, how the car felt at higher speeds, how quiet it was, an airbag in 1986 (when everyone else got them around 1990), etc. Then I had to have one. It was several years later, but my first was a 1982 300D Turbo Diesel. It was far from nice, but still had that Mercedes feel nonetheless. Have owned 6 since then.
That same 300E is still like new today - garage kept with 42k miles.
That same 300E is still like new today - garage kept with 42k miles.
My other Mercedes of the past:
2004 E55
2006 E350
2008 GL 550 - totalled by the wife but waiting for the MY09 to be delivered
My father has had:
300E
W220 S600
W221 S600 (most reliable)
My Mother:
W221 S550
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
My first experience must have been in the early 80's when I was probably 4 or 5. My grandfather lived in South Africa and had a brand new Benz with a "power antenna" which I played with constantly. He also had a fleet of Mercedes trucks.
His car eventually had 500,000+ miles on it believe it or not and still ran with little maint. issues.
My father bought one in 1989 which I still drive. It now has about 200,000 miles on it and everytime something goes wrong, the mechanic is suprised its still the original part from 1989!
A friend of mine has a 1989 190E with 350,000 miles on it as well.
I just bought my first Benz in Sept 2007 .. 2008 E550 .. and I love it. I don't think its like my Dad or grandfather's car in that I doubt it will be worth it to keep it beyond the warranty. My total warranty is 7yrs/100k miles, so it'll be awhile before I get rid of it.
I'm already hoping the G-Wagon gets updated for 2009 and gets the newer, lighter, more effecient 5.5L from the S550/E550 or the 320 CDI engine. If that happens, I'll be the first in line for a built slot.
I fully recognize MB had at least a 10yr period where there were a lot of unhappy customers. I'm glad that period is over and cars from 2007+ are more reliable and better built. I don't think we'll return to the reliability of a decade or more ago because we are now a gadget based society and I for one love gadgets even though it means there are more things to fail.
Lastly, I wouldn't mind if MB up'd prices 25%-30%, built fewer cars, and increased quality. The way things were back in 1989 when my Dad bought his 420SEL.
His car eventually had 500,000+ miles on it believe it or not and still ran with little maint. issues.
My father bought one in 1989 which I still drive. It now has about 200,000 miles on it and everytime something goes wrong, the mechanic is suprised its still the original part from 1989!
A friend of mine has a 1989 190E with 350,000 miles on it as well.
I just bought my first Benz in Sept 2007 .. 2008 E550 .. and I love it. I don't think its like my Dad or grandfather's car in that I doubt it will be worth it to keep it beyond the warranty. My total warranty is 7yrs/100k miles, so it'll be awhile before I get rid of it.
I'm already hoping the G-Wagon gets updated for 2009 and gets the newer, lighter, more effecient 5.5L from the S550/E550 or the 320 CDI engine. If that happens, I'll be the first in line for a built slot.
I fully recognize MB had at least a 10yr period where there were a lot of unhappy customers. I'm glad that period is over and cars from 2007+ are more reliable and better built. I don't think we'll return to the reliability of a decade or more ago because we are now a gadget based society and I for one love gadgets even though it means there are more things to fail.
Lastly, I wouldn't mind if MB up'd prices 25%-30%, built fewer cars, and increased quality. The way things were back in 1989 when my Dad bought his 420SEL.
Thread Starter
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
You make a good point - it doesn't seem like their prices have increased like other cars. My 1983 300D sold new for $34,000 USD in 1983. That was a chunk of change in 1983.
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2016 E350
When I was 4 years old my parents got a 1977 Beige 240D. It all started then. It was a smelly smoky diesel. But other than that, it was what a car was supposed to be. Indestructible, great gas mileage, well-laid out, well-organized and clear manual...
That car is still running today. The odometer unfortunately stopped at 292k miles.
That car is still running today. The odometer unfortunately stopped at 292k miles.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Great posts.
Two experiences for me. First one turned me onto Mercedes and the second one sold it. First one was seeing a 300E on the expressway and how it looked so effortless, the second was riding to school in the back of a friend's whose mom had a 190E. Cramped as hell, but the ride was so soothing and quiet compared to anything I'd ever been in up to that point. I knew then that one day I'd have a Mercedes. There still is nothing quite like it, no matter how hard others try. Ditto for BMW.
M
Two experiences for me. First one turned me onto Mercedes and the second one sold it. First one was seeing a 300E on the expressway and how it looked so effortless, the second was riding to school in the back of a friend's whose mom had a 190E. Cramped as hell, but the ride was so soothing and quiet compared to anything I'd ever been in up to that point. I knew then that one day I'd have a Mercedes. There still is nothing quite like it, no matter how hard others try. Ditto for BMW.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; Apr 3, 2008 at 03:03 AM.
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
My dad paid something like $85k for his 420SEL back in 1989. New S550 isn't much more .. S550 should be around $125k.
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
My partner Theo had a White 1994 C230,and to my surprise ,he let me drive it around my Brooklyn neighborhood. I was so careful with it,I doubt i could really feel how great the car was due to my 'kid glove' treatment of his car. Besides ,he rode 'shotgun',so Iknew better to try any 'gymnastics' with his car. But in all,it was a great experience...
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From: Long Island, NY
2004 E500 Wagon 4Matic
Those frenchies
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From: East Bay Area, CA
2013 SL 550 (Previously 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo-S, 2015 Tesla P85D, 2007 S600, 2005 E55 AMG)
I recall the handbrake in the traditional center seat position but there was this party trick lever next to it that would raise and lower the car on its hydro-pneumatic suspension which was great when you needed to recover it out of a field or someone's front yard.... (No brakes remember) There is an MB connection as Citoren actually licensed the technology to MB for the S-Class at the time!
http://www.answers.com/topic/mercedes-benz-w124
Gotta love the company that called its station wagon version a "brake"... (Or "break")
Chris
Last edited by cjf_moraga; Apr 3, 2008 at 03:59 PM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1972 280SE 4.5
I remember my brother, cousins and friends spending their afternoons playing outside in the neighborhood. I instead would head to my aunt’s garage and spend hours playing “car” in her 1971 250E. I still remember the huge white steering wheel with the MB star in the middle and the unmistakable “Mercedes smell.”
As I grew older, many of my parents’ friends drove Mercedes and very often I would tell myself “one day.” I took me almost forty years to get my first MB. But, it was well worth the wait. Whenever I drive my ML or my partner’s E350 I smile and remember the kid behind the wheel of Tia Annie’s 250E. It puts a huge smile on my face, every single time!
Jose
As I grew older, many of my parents’ friends drove Mercedes and very often I would tell myself “one day.” I took me almost forty years to get my first MB. But, it was well worth the wait. Whenever I drive my ML or my partner’s E350 I smile and remember the kid behind the wheel of Tia Annie’s 250E. It puts a huge smile on my face, every single time!
Jose
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
The first Mercedes that made me fall in love with Mercedes Benzes was my first car, a 1994 S420 (W140).
My father had given me a choice with my first car: either get a BMW 330i (I think it was a 2003) or I get his car and he buys a new car (he wanted the Chrysler 300). So being the wonderful son that I am, I accepted the S420. My God... what a car that was, in every way. Handling, accelleration (I could imagine the 500's or 600's), comfort, quiteness, space, all those buttons that did everything, the vacuum doors. It was everything in one. Man, the looks I would get in that high school parking lot. Every week I would find out something new about the car. There is so much. I'm getting tears in my eyes just thinking about her.
No car has ever, and I mean, ever, been the same.
I lost her when I rear ended a mini-van. My father did not want to fix it and just wanted to get rid of it, so he sold it. Till this day, I regret selling it. I wish I still had it. Never gave me problems, just paid for gas (she drank a lot) and regular maintenance (which actually wasn't that much).
R.I.P. 1994 S420. Long live the W140... The car that forever changed my life.
My father had given me a choice with my first car: either get a BMW 330i (I think it was a 2003) or I get his car and he buys a new car (he wanted the Chrysler 300). So being the wonderful son that I am
, I accepted the S420. My God... what a car that was, in every way. Handling, accelleration (I could imagine the 500's or 600's), comfort, quiteness, space, all those buttons that did everything, the vacuum doors. It was everything in one. Man, the looks I would get in that high school parking lot. Every week I would find out something new about the car. There is so much. I'm getting tears in my eyes just thinking about her.No car has ever, and I mean, ever, been the same.
I lost her when I rear ended a mini-van. My father did not want to fix it and just wanted to get rid of it, so he sold it. Till this day, I regret selling it. I wish I still had it. Never gave me problems, just paid for gas (she drank a lot) and regular maintenance (which actually wasn't that much).
R.I.P. 1994 S420. Long live the W140... The car that forever changed my life.
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
It's always interesting to hear these stories... A Mercedes-Benz is an amazing car. No matter how hard they try, the Japanese will never be what a Mercedes-Benz is.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Right now, the Japanese & Americans want you to replace a car every 34 months, tops... The Germans overbuild a car to last longer... and the balance in philosophy between Overbuilding & the need of MB for MB buyers to lease & replace their cas at 36 months are in direct conflict with one another so something's gonna give in the next few years.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 6, 2008 at 01:14 PM.
