New W211 missing the following...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 171
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From: Portland, OR
New W211 missing the following...
I have been following the German MB forums, and it is widely reported that within the last few weeks, W211 cars picked up at the factory are missing: manual side bolster adjustment (non-multicontour seats), strap on rear armrest, rubber mat to replace ash tray, and the little lights under the outside mirrors.
Very disappointing!!
Very disappointing!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
Yes, I'm referring to the mirror integrated entrance lamps. These are customers picking their new cars at the factory.
I picked up a new dealer catalog, and their is now a "sticky" on the back cover that says:
"Product Feature Change Notice
The illuminated entry system does not include entrance lamps beneath side mirrors. The front center armrest storage compartment is not climate-controlled. The standard sedan audio system includes 9 speakers, no subwoofer. The front passenger seat does not include adjustable lumbar support. The windshield washers are heated only at the nozzles. The reservoir and hoses are no longer heated. The rear-window washer on wagon models in no longer heated. The windshield is tinted but does not include a shaded upper band. In addition, the finish appearance of the wheels, interior door trim and seat trim, and the configuration of the climate-control dash-top diffuser vent may have changed. The front brakes on E320 models use single-piston floating calipers."
I picked up a new dealer catalog, and their is now a "sticky" on the back cover that says:
"Product Feature Change Notice
The illuminated entry system does not include entrance lamps beneath side mirrors. The front center armrest storage compartment is not climate-controlled. The standard sedan audio system includes 9 speakers, no subwoofer. The front passenger seat does not include adjustable lumbar support. The windshield washers are heated only at the nozzles. The reservoir and hoses are no longer heated. The rear-window washer on wagon models in no longer heated. The windshield is tinted but does not include a shaded upper band. In addition, the finish appearance of the wheels, interior door trim and seat trim, and the configuration of the climate-control dash-top diffuser vent may have changed. The front brakes on E320 models use single-piston floating calipers."
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wow. I guess they must have gotten some cost cutting guidelines and went at it. deleting those lights is serious stuff. and no lumbar support on the standard seat? I'll have to see what these trim changes are. I thought the E320 brakes always used a single piston caliper? in any case, they probably took a couple hundred dollars in cost out of the car with these changes.
every time I get close to ordering one of these cars, something "happens" to turn me off. first I delayed because of all the reports here of technical problems with the car, now they are deleting equipment in a frenzy. No E350 for 2005 is coming either it seems.
With a new A6 and new Lexus GS coming out, they shouldn't be deleting stuff from this car.
every time I get close to ordering one of these cars, something "happens" to turn me off. first I delayed because of all the reports here of technical problems with the car, now they are deleting equipment in a frenzy. No E350 for 2005 is coming either it seems.
With a new A6 and new Lexus GS coming out, they shouldn't be deleting stuff from this car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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good point. it did always seem that the premium package price was a "teaser", almost too good to be true (in relative terms, given the cost of the car) for the equipment in it.
to be honest, I'd rather they increased the base price of the car $200 and left the entrance lights, the lumbar support, etc, the way it was. really, what can they save deleting an entrance light from the side mirror assembly, considering its been designed and manufactured into the part for years? so now the car has no entrance lights? even the E500 has no entrance lights? and no lumbar support at all on the 320? some $20K cars have lumbar support
to be honest, I'd rather they increased the base price of the car $200 and left the entrance lights, the lumbar support, etc, the way it was. really, what can they save deleting an entrance light from the side mirror assembly, considering its been designed and manufactured into the part for years? so now the car has no entrance lights? even the E500 has no entrance lights? and no lumbar support at all on the 320? some $20K cars have lumbar support
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
The German MB forums state these changes started happening a couple of weeks ago. Considering the shipping time, I doubt any cars currently in the States would be missing these items yet.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 513
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From: NYC
W220
Hmmm, looks like MB just getting into more serious problems with all these "changes" as stripping off car quitely, removing Free Scheduled Maintanence program, increasing price like 2-3 times a year...
No a good sign for MB...
No a good sign for MB...
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 192
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The 2004 E-Class has fixed, 4-piston front brakes and single, floating piston rear brakes. Looks like Mercedes did go to a cheaper brake system on the front.
Unless someone trades cars pretty often or wants a CDI, they'd better go get a 2004. It'll be cheaper (and discounted) and will have more content.
I sure wish BMW hadn't messed up the 5-Series
Unless someone trades cars pretty often or wants a CDI, they'd better go get a 2004. It'll be cheaper (and discounted) and will have more content.
I sure wish BMW hadn't messed up the 5-Series
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24
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From: socal
2004 e320 wagon
looks like i bought an 04 e320 in the nick of time. i just checked my mirrors; they do have entrance lights. i suppose i should make sure they don't get swapped with mirrors that don't have entrance lights when i take it in for service. 
on the other hand, i didn't get the rubber mat that you swap with the cigarette lighter, but that's no biggie.
on the other hand, i didn't get the rubber mat that you swap with the cigarette lighter, but that's no biggie.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5
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From: England
Mecedes E-Class
W211 Changes
Hello new Member here great site really enjoys reading all the different threads, which are full of information. I have always loved Mercedes and been a bit obsessed with the brand and hope I always will be.
When the New E-Class came out here in the UK in 2002 and some friends brought one of the first I was really pleased because it was brilliantly design and showed the Mercedes Benz still make brilliant cars.
I am really disappointed there making these changes and removing items that really help to complete the package as it were.
I am wondering are these changes being made to all LHD and RHD cars. Also what German site did you hear this on just out of interest?
I just looked in my latest brochure and can see the dash top air vent has a mesh over it as you stated why would they change this it does not look better.
Also in the UK the Classic (has no chrome cheaper wheels etc.) model does not have lighting in the exterior mirrors but the Elegance (like normal us model)and Advantagarde(similar to apperance packag)e models do.Just thought you might be interested.
Thanks for reading post kind regards.
Sam
When the New E-Class came out here in the UK in 2002 and some friends brought one of the first I was really pleased because it was brilliantly design and showed the Mercedes Benz still make brilliant cars.
I am really disappointed there making these changes and removing items that really help to complete the package as it were.
I am wondering are these changes being made to all LHD and RHD cars. Also what German site did you hear this on just out of interest?
I just looked in my latest brochure and can see the dash top air vent has a mesh over it as you stated why would they change this it does not look better.
Also in the UK the Classic (has no chrome cheaper wheels etc.) model does not have lighting in the exterior mirrors but the Elegance (like normal us model)and Advantagarde(similar to apperance packag)e models do.Just thought you might be interested.
Thanks for reading post kind regards.
Sam
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
I am very disappointed as well. The German forum I lurk on is http://www.motor-talk.de
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,398
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Originally posted by Adobe
The 2004 E-Class has fixed, 4-piston front brakes and single, floating piston rear brakes. Looks like Mercedes did go to a cheaper brake system on the front.
Unless someone trades cars pretty often or wants a CDI, they'd better go get a 2004. It'll be cheaper (and discounted) and will have more content.
I sure wish BMW hadn't messed up the 5-Series
The 2004 E-Class has fixed, 4-piston front brakes and single, floating piston rear brakes. Looks like Mercedes did go to a cheaper brake system on the front.
Unless someone trades cars pretty often or wants a CDI, they'd better go get a 2004. It'll be cheaper (and discounted) and will have more content.
I sure wish BMW hadn't messed up the 5-Series
I'm not ready to move within 2 weeks.
I think the possibility of owning an E has passed me by now, this is the straw that breaks my back. Going to give the new A6 a serious look now.
But for others that can make a move fast and get one, you are correct, move now because this is a significant amount of de-contenting they are doing (along with price increases).
Maybe they will get their act together for the W212, I can try again in 5 years!
Last edited by nyca; Apr 14, 2004 at 02:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,398
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Originally posted by DMI+RY
Hmmm, looks like MB just getting into more serious problems with all these "changes" as stripping off car quitely, removing Free Scheduled Maintanence program, increasing price like 2-3 times a year...
No a good sign for MB...
Hmmm, looks like MB just getting into more serious problems with all these "changes" as stripping off car quitely, removing Free Scheduled Maintanence program, increasing price like 2-3 times a year...
No a good sign for MB...
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 192
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I can't forgive VW/Audi for decades of poor quality. I just saw a new BMW E60 and that's out. My wife doesn't want a Japanese car nor a FWD car and (of course) no American cars.
What I should do is keep on driving my low mileage 300E or try to find a really low mileage E430.
Of course I could do what almost all my neighbors on my cul-de-sac have done and that's buy a Lexus.
How's the dollar doing against the Yen?
What I should do is keep on driving my low mileage 300E or try to find a really low mileage E430.
Of course I could do what almost all my neighbors on my cul-de-sac have done and that's buy a Lexus.
How's the dollar doing against the Yen?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
This BS is starting to **** me off- what are they thinking?! WAKE UP! Why don't they try and fix the problems they have instead of delete parts of the car that, as stated, 200 dollars would cover.
They cant even get the steering wheel buttons to work, radio text, or any other things that come standard on 20K cars to work, let alone the other intermitted random electrical gremlins.
Seems petty, but you take it for graunted that your "luxury" car has these old technologies worked out, and it should be a no-brainer to have them implememted or fixed.
Bull SH*T.
They cant even get the steering wheel buttons to work, radio text, or any other things that come standard on 20K cars to work, let alone the other intermitted random electrical gremlins.
Seems petty, but you take it for graunted that your "luxury" car has these old technologies worked out, and it should be a no-brainer to have them implememted or fixed.
Bull SH*T.
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I saw the new GS at the auto show yesterday. The styling didn't thrill me. The new A6, if you can get past the huge grill, is nice. Hard to tell it from the new A8 actually.
MB appears to be relying on an ill-informed group of buyers when making these changes, they know that most people are drawn to the 3 pointed star, and aren't worried about things like brakes. Its sad, but true. The average suburban housewife getting into an E320 isn't looking at this.
MB appears to be relying on an ill-informed group of buyers when making these changes, they know that most people are drawn to the 3 pointed star, and aren't worried about things like brakes. Its sad, but true. The average suburban housewife getting into an E320 isn't looking at this.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 942
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From: Charlotte, NC
'16 528i MSport
I am actually glad we got this car in 04 and not 05 because of the innumerable facets being "deleted" on the E-class model not to mention the free maintenance.
I also wanted to know that are there any ways to control the heated outside mirrors? I was sitting at a red light and wa slookig in the left side mirror and it was like 65 degrees out and the thing was still on. I could tell by seeing the hazy like waves in the air..Or am i completely way off?
I also wanted to know that are there any ways to control the heated outside mirrors? I was sitting at a red light and wa slookig in the left side mirror and it was like 65 degrees out and the thing was still on. I could tell by seeing the hazy like waves in the air..Or am i completely way off?
