Need convincing: Latest 05 or used 03-04
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
Need convincing: Latest 05 or used 03-04
Hi,
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know
).
Looking forward to your input!
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know
).Looking forward to your input!
Last edited by aomE500; Oct 29, 2004 at 12:17 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally Posted by aomE500
Hi,
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know ).
Looking forward to your input!
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know
).Looking forward to your input!
My preference/suggestion would be 04->05->03. With 04, you got better quality than 03, and with free maint. program. There should still be brand new 04 around. Or I can sell you my commute car with 11k miles has retrofitted LED, Navi, and euro command. (Just joking, i like my E500).
Also, unless you like black cars. Black is horrible to keep up.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
03 E55
Originally Posted by aomE500
Hi,
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know ).
Looking forward to your input!
So I've ordered an 05 E500 that should be arriving late Nov/early Dec.
The options are:
Brilliant Silver/Charcoal
Appearance Package (w/ burl walnut vs. black bird's eye)
Premium Package
Keyless Go
Active Ventilated Seats
Parktronic
What things can I expect on this car that is an "improvement" over the prior years? Or for that matter, would have content/features that the prior years won't? (We read so much on the decontenting, how about some good news instead?).
I'm also considering an '03 Black/Black w/ DISTRONIC (Why did MB kill this option on the 500?!?!), Parktronic, TPM, Keyless go, Wood/Leather Steering wheel, V60 Phone, Bi-Xenon, Sunroof w/ Premium Sound, Heated/ventilated/dynamic seats. I would have Steve retrofit the NAV, so all in all it would run about 10k LESS than what I'm getting the 05 for after all is said and done (which isn't really THAT big of a difference, considering it's 2 years older and only really has the Distronic as the only other option I couldn't get, so the price diff. isn't an arguement). Though that reminds of the person on the C class board that installed Distronic on his car... boy, I wonder if that can be done... then again, it's probably more a gimmick then something I'd use EVERY day. Anyone have it that can share their experiences?
My concerns off the bat are the reduced warranty of the 03, (but I do get that maintenance package), it IS used (so you NEVER really know what issues it may have--it's got 19k miles), and Black would be a nightmare to take care of (ask me how I know
).Looking forward to your input!
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
The car is in NH. (which of course is another problem since I'm in CA).
Cost not really THAT big of an issue, but then again, I'm getting an awsesome deal on the 05, that an 04 would have to really beat it.
The only reason I was looking at an 03 is that it was loaded w/ tons of options and was priced right.. but I agree that it would be a gamble.
-Alex
Cost not really THAT big of an issue, but then again, I'm getting an awsesome deal on the 05, that an 04 would have to really beat it.
The only reason I was looking at an 03 is that it was loaded w/ tons of options and was priced right.. but I agree that it would be a gamble.
-Alex
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally Posted by aomE500
The car is in NH. (which of course is another problem since I'm in CA).
Cost not really THAT big of an issue, but then again, I'm getting an awsesome deal on the 05, that an 04 would have to really beat it.
The only reason I was looking at an 03 is that it was loaded w/ tons of options and was priced right.. but I agree that it would be a gamble.
-Alex
Cost not really THAT big of an issue, but then again, I'm getting an awsesome deal on the 05, that an 04 would have to really beat it.
The only reason I was looking at an 03 is that it was loaded w/ tons of options and was priced right.. but I agree that it would be a gamble.
-Alex
That's why finding left over 04 is a much better deal if you plan on keeping the car for a while. Also, do i need to mention that for 05 you get the tacky sticker from mercedes?
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
06 CLS500 + 99 ML320
I just picked up mine from Smythe in SJ last Thursday and sticker was $66.5K and I paid $57.5K I have all you have and more except parktronics and vent seat. I was looking a used 04 black E500 there but I really afraid to keep cleaning the car... at the end I have more what I want and pay little more.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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