Age Demographic
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Sacramento, CA
S2000, E500 on way
Age Demographic
I was just curious to see the age of the buyers of the new E-Class, I know a bunch of under 30's people around here, that have cars like this, or even higher on the spectrum. But on this site, when I ask about basic mods, it looks as if nobody is interested in performance mods?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
Well, I am one of the older owners. If I were interested in performance, I would have purchased the E55 gone Corvette hunting. Performance mods to an E320 don't make much sence and even mods to an E500 are questionable in my mind. The complex electronics of the W211 are only understood by a few tuners such as Kleeman or Rentech so what mods can you make without software changes? By the time you buy the E500 and then make the mods, you are at the price of an E55 without the performance and without any warranty.
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I'm 38, bought the E for my wife. I agree with Jim. The E500 is pretty fast out of the box and quite frankly I doubt the E55 handles well enough to justify its power.
500+ hp in a chassis that can utilize the power like a Vette or Viper or Porsche TT I'm into that.
I just realized you have an S2000, I have an 04' I bought as a play car. Now I have already begun to mod that and plan to supercharge it.
500+ hp in a chassis that can utilize the power like a Vette or Viper or Porsche TT I'm into that.
I just realized you have an S2000, I have an 04' I bought as a play car. Now I have already begun to mod that and plan to supercharge it.
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02 330Ci
I just turned 40, prior to that, I've been a bimmer person all along until I sat in and actually test drove the w211 E500. Prior to this new model, I never cared about MB. Plus the new BMW line of design is nothing short of HORROR!!. The exterior you can live with, but interior? Can anybody lend me a word? Having said that, the new 545 would have been the perfect performance wheels for ya.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Albuquerque
2003 E320
I am 64 but I bought my first Mercedes when I was 25. It was a 230SL and I still have it. Mercedes cars, the local dealer and the overall Mercedes organization have always treated me right and I have had about a dozen new Mercedes over the years along with a few used ones. I own 5 Mercedes right now so I guess you could say I am hooked.
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Almost a Member!
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From: Sacramento, CA
S2000, E500 on way
Thanks for the feedback. I plan to only do slight modifications, such as the Brabus chip, factory warranty backed, and a slightly higher final drive ratio also warranty covered. After all, the damn thing has 7 gears it redlines around 160 something in 6th. More than enough. The only other mod, which is not even a question will be better tires. I have G-Force KDW2's on my other car, and was a big difference.
I see a lot of cheap, not warranty effecting things that will give a big noticable difference to the E500, think about it, they COME WITH RADIALS? Just a simple switch to directionals will give a .2 1/4 mile diff.
I see a lot of cheap, not warranty effecting things that will give a big noticable difference to the E500, think about it, they COME WITH RADIALS? Just a simple switch to directionals will give a .2 1/4 mile diff.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Sacramento, CA
S2000, E500 on way
BTW 04E500, go with the Comptech supercharger kit, with the aftercooler for the S. They have a great warranty, because they have an obligation to Honda, because they build some Cart and IRL cars for them. Plus they have top notch equipment. There are guys running test pipes, with that kit, with a smaller, high boost pulley, running in the low 12's. Sot bad for about $6000 in work. When I figure out how to post pictures, I will. In the mean time...
http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog...geview/122787/
http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog...geview/122787/
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bay Area
vananron - so how old are you - you never mentioned.
I'm 37. Just installed the Brabus exhaust on my E500 and it sounds very meneacing now. Not too loud, just enough to make you sit up and take notice.
I'm 37. Just installed the Brabus exhaust on my E500 and it sounds very meneacing now. Not too loud, just enough to make you sit up and take notice.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 942
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From: Charlotte, NC
'16 528i MSport
My father is a real humble guy and so barely drives this E-class. My mom has her MDX that she can't live without and for me, well a little too many tickets and get my Acura RSX Type S taken away. I have to go to work so my dad lets me take the E-class just about everyday. I'm 20 and people get a shocker that not only do I have this car but knowing my background with the cops, that my parents even let me touch it not to mention drive it conservatively..haha..
Just waiting to graduate so my parents can buy me a car,..
Just waiting to graduate so my parents can buy me a car,..
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,434
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
27, jeez I am getting old. I agree with others, while I would normally be all about making performance mods, the bang-for-the-buck factor is just not there. To get anything worthwhile you have to spend $10K. They are right the E55 is definitely the bext "mod" for the money.
My next car is going to be super fast.
My next car is going to be super fast.
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From: Sacramento, CA
S2000, E500 on way
Sorry, I am stupid, I ask for ages, and don't give mine. I am 23 this car will be mainly driven by my wife (22). We were one day from putting a deposit on a new M3, but we found out that my wife was pregnant, so we need a four door. She liked the looks of the E500 over the 545.
For the record, my next car will be a new M5, whenever they decide to release it next year.
For the record, my next car will be a new M5, whenever they decide to release it next year.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 178
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From: 20 years in Boston, MA
ZipCar NYC / Boston
Wow I am 20 and nowhere near married or having children. :p
I am actually quite interested in visual upgrades to a W211 E500 4Matic. My parents and I came to a consensus on a powerful (albeit not E55) AWD. However, after ordering 321 AMG package, we were told it was not available.
Currently, I am examining future plans to enhance the aesthetics solely, probably through most of the components in the 321 package, perhaps with the Style IV rims instead. Performance upgrades do not make sense given that the car is brand new and given that so many people use this vehicle, there are warranty concerns.
Yes, I drive my parents' car. Thanks.
I am actually quite interested in visual upgrades to a W211 E500 4Matic. My parents and I came to a consensus on a powerful (albeit not E55) AWD. However, after ordering 321 AMG package, we were told it was not available.
Currently, I am examining future plans to enhance the aesthetics solely, probably through most of the components in the 321 package, perhaps with the Style IV rims instead. Performance upgrades do not make sense given that the car is brand new and given that so many people use this vehicle, there are warranty concerns.
Yes, I drive my parents' car. Thanks.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
I'm only 25. Our E is technically my mom's car. My dad rarely drives it. Last time he did, he curbed both wheels. I used to drive it the most but my mom is slowly taking it out more. She chose the tint and decorations so I don't bother modding it. I feel like a gay drug dealer driving that car. I'd really rather be driving my own car and modding that. Plus, I'm trying to save and get married so my priorities are elsewhere than the Benz. I'm mainly on here cuz I'm the one who takes care of it, washes it, etc.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Long Island, NY USA
05 C320 sport coupe
I am 31.
I just sold my 2002 Mustang GT. That car was modded up. I had fun building it, but the money is just thrown away because when I sold it I didnt get any of that money back.
Im not doing a thing to my E500. For me, its just not a car to be throwing mods at...Maybe rims, but thats about it.
I just sold my 2002 Mustang GT. That car was modded up. I had fun building it, but the money is just thrown away because when I sold it I didnt get any of that money back.
Im not doing a thing to my E500. For me, its just not a car to be throwing mods at...Maybe rims, but thats about it.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 424
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From: Ohio
ML-350, Maserati Quattroporte
Got mine as a 40th b-day present to myself. Wife almost killed me for getting rid of my S430. I felt too young for an S. I'm glad to see so many younger people in an E. Obviously MB design change is working toward their goal of a younger demographic.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: McLean, VA
S4
I'm 22; I bought the e320 and started modding it like crazy, but soon realized I'd go broke if I kept the car bcs i was putting all my money in it, so I got rid of it 
I do plan on buying another car (possibly another e320) in the near future and will most likely keep it stock.
I do plan on buying another car (possibly another e320) in the near future and will most likely keep it stock.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
56, and my wife (it's her daily ride) is 50.
Got the '03 E500 last September after losing our beloved '97 stick-shift BMW 528i to a red-light runner. The '04 BMW 5-series wasn't out when we were looking for a replacement car, but we decided not to wait for it based upon the exterior photos. Good move, as it turns out. Not only does the new Fiver exterior not look better in person, the interior is cheap-looking and claustrophobia-inducing. Personally, I would have settled for a VW Passat GLX V6, and put the $25-30K difference to other uses, but I could understand my wife's preference for something a bit larger. She was the one who has just been in a head-on collision - the 528i gave its life to protect hers.
No mods. I agree with the comments that buying an E55 makes more sense than putting money into performance mods on an E500. I'm too old for look-at-me cosmetic mods. Well, I did replace the standup tristar on the hood with a flat badge, but that was to remove a field-of-vision visual distraction and increase fuel efficiency by .01 MPG. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Got the '03 E500 last September after losing our beloved '97 stick-shift BMW 528i to a red-light runner. The '04 BMW 5-series wasn't out when we were looking for a replacement car, but we decided not to wait for it based upon the exterior photos. Good move, as it turns out. Not only does the new Fiver exterior not look better in person, the interior is cheap-looking and claustrophobia-inducing. Personally, I would have settled for a VW Passat GLX V6, and put the $25-30K difference to other uses, but I could understand my wife's preference for something a bit larger. She was the one who has just been in a head-on collision - the 528i gave its life to protect hers.
No mods. I agree with the comments that buying an E55 makes more sense than putting money into performance mods on an E500. I'm too old for look-at-me cosmetic mods. Well, I did replace the standup tristar on the hood with a flat badge, but that was to remove a field-of-vision visual distraction and increase fuel efficiency by .01 MPG. Yeah, that's the ticket.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 917
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just turned 34 last month, wife will be 33 next month. 2 kids (4 and 1), so needed a 4 door car. Last car was a '96 Camry, and this was my upgrade reward for all the hard work we've put into our company over the last 10 yrs or so (we made the Inc.500 list of fastest growing private companies in 2000)..
No mods, but only because I don't like the looks of the mods out there. May consider some small interior stuff like adding the TV tuner or illuminated door sills, but that's about it.
No mods, but only because I don't like the looks of the mods out there. May consider some small interior stuff like adding the TV tuner or illuminated door sills, but that's about it.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
I'm 68 and our current E-500 is the third E Class we've owned. It gets more compliments than any car we've had before and is fun to drive any where. Hardly a day goes by we don't get a compliment on it. We aslo enjoy the friends we've made and events we've attended through the Orange County Chapter of the Mercedes Club. Our test drive at the California Speedway in the Maybach last year with complimentary helicopter transportation to and from the track and Orange County airport was definitely a five star activity.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Lahore | Manama | Seattle
Man, I love these age questions. This must be the third I have seen in the past few months!
I feel old amongst the current company
I am 34 and single and an average Joe that works hard for his money at the largest Consulting firm in the world.
I have a four year old though who loves the panoramic roof!
I feel old amongst the current company
I am 34 and single and an average Joe that works hard for his money at the largest Consulting firm in the world.I have a four year old though who loves the panoramic roof!
