PUZZ1

As some of you read, my dealer is having trouble locating an E500 4Matic in my desired color (Capri Blue). I'm now faced with the decision of a). Compromising on color (my wife is against this option) b). Forgoing the 4Matic or c). Going with an E320 4Matic assuming my dealer can find this color.

What would you do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oslo

Can you live without your wife? Yes/No

Can you live without 4Matic? Yes/No

Can you live without 8 cylinders? Yes/No

Strike out, and count!

jprescott

Even though it's painful, you may be happy if you order the car to spec. It should not cost any more than locating a car. The painful part is the 8-12 week wait. I say don't compramise. Sweat out the wait.

PUZZ1

I hear you, but the only issue with waiting is that I have two trades that are losing value with time as they continue to be driven and as we approach another model year. Further, I think my leverage is diminished when ordering from the menu.

jyg e500 maybe

does help in winter, but performance suffers. keep e500. e320 is too slow. especially in 4-matic

DavidNJ

I would order. Even consider an ED if the dealer won't discount US delivery.

If you lease this won't be as big an issue, however if you buy you will be MUCH better off with an '05. For a few dollars more you will have $4-8k more value in each of the next 4 years.

By the way, your trades won't loose value as much as the new car will. And the 4matic assembly plant in Austria hasn't been converted to nano-paint. It may be by the time a new order is processed.

And last but not least, a CDI may be the solution. It gives up 4matic, airmatic, and 4-place a/c, however it is cheaper than the E500 and is close enough in performance not to be an issue.

luxury1

I was faced with a recent issue but with options not color. In my opinion, if you are going to spend this much on a car, get it the way you want. Place the order...