MBZman

Hello Everyone, I accidently posted this in the w210 forum so here it is.

First off let me assure you that I am a huge MB fan. I recently purchased my first MB and my extended family drives MB's as well.

Here's the situation. My dad leased a 2000 E320 for 3 years so his lease is coming up in a couple of weeks. I went and looked/drove the new E320 and here's what I found:

1) Clearly not as powerful as the 2000. Car seems sluggish
especially from a standstill.
2) Leather inserts, although nice after a while it becomes clear
that it's not real leather. I know this because my sister drives
a C240 with the inserts.
3) Climate control is manual not digital.
4) Traditional suspension setup.
5) Many are built without a sunroof.

I am aware that full leather, 4-zone climate control, Airmatic, and sunroof can all be added as options. It is also clear that the car will still be underpowered (even if they add the 3.7 liter engine?) and I would have to order the car, finding all these options would be next to impossible.

I then drove the E500 which to me is the perfect E-Class. All above concerns are addressed. I went ahead and received some numbers. $2500 down $895 month for 36 months.

My problem/question is can't I get a BMW 540, 745i, Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 for the same price? Is the Benz truely a better car or is it a situation where your paying extra to say "Look at me, I drive a Benz." At this point I'm thinking my dad should just re-lease his car.

Sorry for the long post and your comments are welcome.

Crazy4Cars

1) E320 underpowered? WRONG STATEMENT. It is not, I also had a W210 320 and it is not underpowered by anymeans, of course the E500 would be a better deal if you live in the USA. Mercedes knows that 80% of that market will take the 500 over the 320 anytime.


2) The car is wonderful to drive and therefore, I will not take the Lexus of BMW at anytime.

Gethen

I faced a dilemma, or initially a quadrilemma when I looked for the car. Here are some thoughts.

Your 1) - I had an opposite impresion comparing 2002 E320 vs. 2003. Were you driving with Winter traction setting? Some people do report sluggishness due to delay in electronic circuits that control acceleration. 2002 E430 did not feel much better.

BMW 530 seemed on par or slightly better acceleration-wise. Could be just because it is a smaller car. Never tried BMW 540 - neither of 2 dealers in town had it, unbelievably. I am sure though that 540 does very well. I do not know if next year's redesigned 5 series will have computer-controlled acceleration, hence feel "sluggish". The 530 came very very closely in my list to the E320.

BMW 745 - definitely more expensive. Also, did you see what the new BMW is like inside? Are you sure your Dad will like it?

LS430 - Consumer Guide sings praises to it. In my opinion, it lacks individuality. Lexus GS I liked more, but overall it compares unfavorably against E Class (my opinion, don't want to go into details).

Q45 - same as LS430.

Jag S-type - what's with the urinal-shaped grille?! According to the word of mouth, acceleration is good, but the car will spend a good deal of time at the shop.

I don't think the "Look at me!" sentiment applies to the E Class, with many competitors closely priced and equipped. There are some Benz models where you could say that, but not E.

Good luck with your decision.

Otto

MBZman,

you or your dad just need a e500 because

1. powerful, e500 beats your 2000 e320 (I believe even e320 w211 beats e320 w210 because the latter is heavier)
2. e500 comes with real leather (well, the price of a new e320 is cheaper than the price of 2000 one, the difference is leather seats, $1440, so if you were willing to pay the price for 2000 e320, you can afford leather seats for new e320, too.)
3. 4 zone digital climate control. (I don't see 2000 e320 has 4 zone climate control, by the way, it only costs $550 for e320 -- unbelievable cheap)
4. e 500 comes with ADC (again, 2000 e320 use traditional suspension as well.)
5. I have NOT seen any w211 on the road without a moonroof, some of them have pano roofs which is not available for any other mb models.

I love bimmer as well, it is another alternative. basically, it is your taste. I have no comment for lexus or infiniti because I don't think you will switch to them after you have had w210.

as Crazy4Cars said, e320 is NOT underpowered because how fast you can drive in US highways without getting tickets? again, most of people buy w211 because of its style, not speed.

Otto

jposhea3

laughing out loud

MBZman

Thanks for the opinions guys. I was over at my dad's for Christmas and although he respects Lexus and Infiniti he is more comfortable driving an MB (he has formely leased both). As for the BMW (also formely leased) he told me he just doesn't desire another BMW, although he does consider them on par with the MB's. He has decided to re-lease his for 9 months so he can get an 04. Once the 04's are out they will probably be with the 3.7 liter engine (E350) and adding leather, 4-zone and even Airmatic won't be all that expensive. Clearly from talking to him over Christmas dinner he wants another MB.