Max (SD)

The wife and I have just concluded our second testdrive of the E500. Looking at a two year lease, at which time we will pickup an E55.

So far we have decided on the following.

Charcoal Leather
E2 Upgraded Stereo and Sunroof
E3 Sports Package
Drive Dynamic Seats
Active Ventilated Seats
In dash CD Changer
Mot V60 with voice
Rear Sunshade
Wood and Leather Steering wheel.

We have yet to decide on Black or Tectite.

Can anyone offer some advice on the above selected options?

Any recommendation on Lease negotiation would be appreciated.

Any discount of MSRP?

jhb

Max, you will never regret it. I am paying about $1035 before sales tax for a 39 month lease no money down, just inceptions, on an MSRP of about $66700. I love the car. On the color choice, both black and tectite are great. I would choose tectite because it is not as common and will show dirt a little less. But, actually, in the E500 with the sport package, I actually like it better than black anyway.

Your options are pretty much the same as mine, except I have the roll shades on the rear-side passenger windows (inexpensive and helpful if you have folks in the back seat often) and I do not have the sport package (I didn't care for the wheels and blue tinted windows on my color choice-Pewter/Stone) I do suggest one more that I have, the fold down rear seats. Great storage capacity. We go to the garden center and fill it up with as many flats as a station wagon could hold.

Keep us posted on what you do.

Jeff

jhb

PS, what did they tell you about availability of the V60 with voice activation? I am still waiting for mine and I took delivery of the E500 October 21, 2002!!!

Jeff

etenn

If you go with the black...be sure it is the Obsidian Black which is metalic. The metalic paint is standard with the E500 and you should be sure you get that and not standard black.

Ed

Max (SD)

1. The salesman said that the V60 with voice was available on the E's. I specifically raised the question because I have read on this board of this possible problem. However, I will double check.

2. I was thinking about the side shades, but the wife was concerned that the kids (2.5 and 3.5) would play with them while she was driving. Anyone have any similar problems? Are they difficult to unclip and could they snap/whip a child as they retract. I am still undecided, although I am leaning toward getting them.

3. We just saw a Tectite at the dealer this evening. It was dusk and the car looked very dark grey. I don't know what it will look like in direct sunlight. I currently drive a Porsche Seal Grey, it appeared darker with a hint of brown. But again it could have been because of dusk.

4. Fold down rear seats, is this an extra option? How much? I doubt we would haul anything, as we will be keeping our ML320 for hauling things around.

mco

The rear seat fold-down for $100 is a launch promotion- I don't know if it is still available.

ValueplusClass

The side blinds have their own channels and when fully open are in the door.

Barney

I think the side shades are great. The way they are designed they should not be tempting or even accessible to such young hands.

benggolf

That is quite a deal! They never had that offer in Canada. Had to pay CDN$900 (US$585) for that option when I ordered the car.

mco

The promotion does not include fold down passenger front. It is not the E4 package.

benggolf

Mco or anyone from Canada, could you please confirm that subject option (#287) includes the fold down passenger front seat? This was never explained to me by my salesman. TIA.

mco

accesory code 287 is listed as split fold down rear seat. It does not include front seat.

benggolf

Mco, so how do you get the folding front passeger seat too?

mco

In US it is not available at this point.

benggolf

Called the salesman and he told me the same thing for Canada. So why did MB put out the photo in the brochure showing both the rear seats and front passenger seat folded in the down position???

Misleading advertising!

mco

Same reason they have a picture of the navigation system???????