To buy or not to buy (New E) ? ? ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 113
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From: Northern California
E 320
To buy or not to buy (New E) ? ? ?
Have new E on order. After reading so many people on this forum post their problems am wondering about the decision. Test drove LS 430 yesterday. Heart still says buy new E but dealerships are an hour away. If problems persist, will cause a lot of problems. Need real input/advice from owners of New E.
New E owners please provide your true opinion. With statistics on this board will have some idea how many % have real issues and how many do not......
Thanks to all in advance.
To E or not to E............
New E owners please provide your true opinion. With statistics on this board will have some idea how many % have real issues and how many do not......
Thanks to all in advance.
To E or not to E............
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 2
From: Washington State
E-500
I went thru the LS 430, Jag, BMW thing also. Many of us did.
In the end the E was the only way to go despite some pros and cons. The problems you see here are are easily addressed and seldom (if ever) have we had anyone say he would not buy the car again despite whatever problem he may have had.
I think the dealer has a lot to do with how irritated people get. It usually is not the car.
Put up a poll and ask:
Would you buy your 2003 series again?
Yes
No
This is simple enough and would give you the answer you want.
I would not hesitate to buy my E500 again.
Ed
In the end the E was the only way to go despite some pros and cons. The problems you see here are are easily addressed and seldom (if ever) have we had anyone say he would not buy the car again despite whatever problem he may have had.
I think the dealer has a lot to do with how irritated people get. It usually is not the car.
Put up a poll and ask:
Would you buy your 2003 series again?
Yes
No
This is simple enough and would give you the answer you want.
I would not hesitate to buy my E500 again.
Ed
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
I'll be the first to admit I'm not as knowledgeable about a wide variety of automobiles as some are on this forum. Still, I just don't get the E500/LS430 conflict. To me, they are completely different cars. Both are excellent vehicles. Most here could purchase either or both. So it comes down to, "What are you looking for?"
Over the holidays I met up with some folks who brought along an entourage. One had a LS 400 with the lease about to expire and quizzed me heavily on my E500. Rather than address details, I tried to redirect it to the 50,000 foot level. What are you looking for? What is most important in a vehicle for you? What gives you pleasure while you are driving? How important is residual value? How important is having a dealer in close proximity to home/office?
None of these questions have a right or a wrong answer. And, if you don't know what you like, then experiencing the variety of cars on the market in your price range is a good idea. But, after experiencing what there is to offer, I can more easily understand the attitude of someone conflicted over the MB/BMW purchase than the MB/Lexus purchase.
I made my decision based upon what I was looking for in an automobile. I've had more than my fair share of problems, but the car seems perfect now. The LS 430 is not in my thoughts now because it wasn't there in the beginning.
Over the holidays I met up with some folks who brought along an entourage. One had a LS 400 with the lease about to expire and quizzed me heavily on my E500. Rather than address details, I tried to redirect it to the 50,000 foot level. What are you looking for? What is most important in a vehicle for you? What gives you pleasure while you are driving? How important is residual value? How important is having a dealer in close proximity to home/office?
None of these questions have a right or a wrong answer. And, if you don't know what you like, then experiencing the variety of cars on the market in your price range is a good idea. But, after experiencing what there is to offer, I can more easily understand the attitude of someone conflicted over the MB/BMW purchase than the MB/Lexus purchase.
I made my decision based upon what I was looking for in an automobile. I've had more than my fair share of problems, but the car seems perfect now. The LS 430 is not in my thoughts now because it wasn't there in the beginning.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: So. FL
2003 SL Launch Edition, 2003 E500 Pewter/Stone
Here is the Poll I started to question whether those who already took delivery would buy one again:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=22782
I am more and more satisfied every time I drive our E500. The poll showed an overwhelming percentage agrees with me-80%.
If you like to drive, you must get the E500 over the LS430. If you want to feel like you are floating on a cloud, get the LS430. I have now had the LS400 and the new E500. I would never go back to the LS400 series. In addition to the drive feel, the styling of the Lexus really does not appeal to me. Looks like a battle ship. They really tried to copy the S class and failed miserably. They forgot to trim the sides down as MB so cleverly did in the S class change to the current body. Get an opportunity to drive both and decide what you prefer.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=22782
I am more and more satisfied every time I drive our E500. The poll showed an overwhelming percentage agrees with me-80%.
If you like to drive, you must get the E500 over the LS430. If you want to feel like you are floating on a cloud, get the LS430. I have now had the LS400 and the new E500. I would never go back to the LS400 series. In addition to the drive feel, the styling of the Lexus really does not appeal to me. Looks like a battle ship. They really tried to copy the S class and failed miserably. They forgot to trim the sides down as MB so cleverly did in the S class change to the current body. Get an opportunity to drive both and decide what you prefer.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz, CA
'03 E320
Yes I would do it again
My first MBZ was an '81 300D, which I sold in '92, after over 300K in miles. Since then I have had Infinities, Accuras, and a Porsche. All of these were and some still are good vehicles.
I have recently purchsed an E320 and every day I drive it, validates that I made the right decision. I appreciate the quality, design,and performance, and it fits me like a glove. It may be difficult to justify the cost on an objective basis, since this is probably more personal and subjective.
I agree with ctouhey's reply and think it is what an individual is looking for in a vehicle.
When I was in college I thought obtaining something cheap that could get me from point A to B was all that was required. Being half a century+, my needs have changed, and so has my level of appreciation.
Good luck on your decision.
I have recently purchsed an E320 and every day I drive it, validates that I made the right decision. I appreciate the quality, design,and performance, and it fits me like a glove. It may be difficult to justify the cost on an objective basis, since this is probably more personal and subjective.
I agree with ctouhey's reply and think it is what an individual is looking for in a vehicle.
When I was in college I thought obtaining something cheap that could get me from point A to B was all that was required. Being half a century+, my needs have changed, and so has my level of appreciation.
Good luck on your decision.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
I would do it again in a minute, and I do believe that some of the problems mentioned here were the earliest deliveries. I have not heard about many issues on the ones delivered in November and December, so the SRS system software issues and motor mounts (E500 only) appear pretty well in hand or fixed. I expect that those who take the first cars off the boat at intro (of any manufacturer) are part of the initial test fleet of items which may be unique to the US market. The SRS/TeleAid software glitch is probably a case in point, but mine was resolved overnight with a new part and manual reprogramming. I was fortunate. All in all, these issues have been easily resolved but some took some time for parts to arrive after the first rush of fixes, or for the dealership personnel to get the training in diagnostics. The car is more enjoyable every time I drive it.
