New Owners??
#27
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I think the original question was referring to the E class. There are a handful of cars that 4matic is standard on currently, such as the CL550, G550, G55, ML550, ML320, ML63, R320, R350, GL320, GL450, and GL550. The E350 Station Wagon appears to be the only current E class with 4matic at no charge. To my knowledge as far back as I can remember 4matic has always been extra on the Sedans.
#29
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Not so sure about that one...The engines in the US version of the E-Class are the result of the sulfur content of the fuel. The engines which are used in Europe are direct injection (CGI in MB speak) and are designed to work only with the ultra low sulfur fuel as distributed in ECE communities. Since this fuel is not available in the US, we get the port injection motors. Clearly, this is not easier for them given the many variants which are required by fuel quality all over the world but its part of the business. I'm sure the next generation of direct injection engines will be able to handle the sulfur content of US fuel...or, perhaps by then, our fuel is no longer "dirty" as it is today.
I've seen about 10 or so here in LA (mostly all last night). Definitely do not like the quad fog lights, the LEDs are nice. I almost mistook a couple of them for C classes from the front since the head lights, from a little distance, look like one piece. The back is weird, I don't think it'll grow on me, just like the C class rear. Even the new S and CL rear bother me a little, I don't know what it is, seems like it's bending in or something.
And about 4matic on the CL550 standard, that is the dumbest idea ever. I wouldn't buy a 09+ CL550 since it doesn't have ABC (has airmatic instead) and has all wheel drive.
#30
Senior Member
The 09+ SLK350 comes with a direct injection engine that produces 300 hp versus 268 and it's the same size. They could have easily updated the E class as well.
I've seen about 10 or so here in LA (mostly all last night). Definitely do not like the quad fog lights, the LEDs are nice. I almost mistook a couple of them for C classes from the front since the head lights, from a little distance, look like one piece. The back is weird, I don't think it'll grow on me, just like the C class rear. Even the new S and CL rear bother me a little, I don't know what it is, seems like it's bending in or something.
And about 4matic on the CL550 standard, that is the dumbest idea ever. I wouldn't buy a 09+ CL550 since it doesn't have ABC (has airmatic instead) and has all wheel drive.
I've seen about 10 or so here in LA (mostly all last night). Definitely do not like the quad fog lights, the LEDs are nice. I almost mistook a couple of them for C classes from the front since the head lights, from a little distance, look like one piece. The back is weird, I don't think it'll grow on me, just like the C class rear. Even the new S and CL rear bother me a little, I don't know what it is, seems like it's bending in or something.
And about 4matic on the CL550 standard, that is the dumbest idea ever. I wouldn't buy a 09+ CL550 since it doesn't have ABC (has airmatic instead) and has all wheel drive.
I don't think the SLK350 engine is direct injection. I think it has just been retuned to 300 hp.
#31
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E350
Not so sure about that one...The engines in the US version of the E-Class are the result of the sulfur content of the fuel. The engines which are used in Europe are direct injection (CGI in MB speak) and are designed to work only with the ultra low sulfur fuel as distributed in ECE communities. Since this fuel is not available in the US, we get the port injection motors. Clearly, this is not easier for them given the many variants which are required by fuel quality all over the world but its part of the business. I'm sure the next generation of direct injection engines will be able to handle the sulfur content of US fuel...or, perhaps by then, our fuel is no longer "dirty" as it is today.
That could be one of driving factors for re-using the engine in the new E-Class (at least for the 2010 model). Others were over supply of parts for the U.S. (due to lower actual demand than estimated of the old-style E-Classes), and meeting aggressive cost-reduction goals to be more "in-tuned" to the U.S. market with the the new E-Class (the C350 is using the same engine here, why not do some part-sharing to keep costs down... especially after they knocked off around $5,000 off the MSRP even before the 2010 E-Class was released?). Fortunately, all 3 driving factors worked together in this case. Unfortunately for the new 2010 E-Class owners, they won't be getting a new more powerful DI engine (with supposedly zero "acceleration-hesitation") that the rest of the world will be getting.
Honestly, IMO, if MB wanted to tune a new DI engine for the 2010 E-Class, they would have done it. As someone mentioned before, Porsche and some other automobile manufactures have successfully been using DI gasoline engines in the U.S. for years, MB could have too.
Last edited by chokaay; 07-12-2009 at 04:09 PM.
#33
I actually ordered a steel grey with ash grey interior E350 coupe with the appearance package as well a P2 option package a couple of weeks ago. It is still on the boat, scheduled to be at the L.A. dock on July 20. Hopefully, will take delivery on July 22 or so. When I figure out how to upload pictures, I will do so. I don't purchase cars very oftern (every 6-7 years or so). I have been rather obsessed in reading this forum as well as other reviews of the car for a while. I owned a 2003 BMW 330Ci and drove it 130,000 miles. I previously owned a 1997 E320 and absolutely loved the car over the 120,000 miles that I drove it(it also saved my life in an accident in which I totalled the car and walked away without a scratch). I purchased the BMW after the accident because I wanted something a little more sporty. Now that I am a bit older, the idea of owning this new coupe has gotten me very excited.
#34
Service Costs on 2010 E Coupe. Somewhere else in this Forum, it was discussed about how much each 10,000 mile service would cost. I cannot find it, but from memory, someone said that the A Service, at 10,000, 30,000 and 50,000 costs about $180, depending on the Dealer. The B Service at 20,000 and 40,000 costs about $380. 2 Dealers in my area quoted a Maintanance Contract for 20,000 miles for $1,239, 30,000 mikes for $2,089 and 50,000 miles for $2,284. What am I missing? These Contract Costs seem much out of line? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Much thanks!
Much thanks!
#36
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
It does suck that it's so hard to find one with walnut wood. I'm not too big on the birdseye personally.
Does yuch mean yuck though? Lol.
I'm still miffed at how I STILL HAVE YET TO SEE ONE DRIVING by a new owner. This is weird, it's like due to all the negative words I've had toward them, the cars are automatically avoiding me on the streets, hah.
Does yuch mean yuck though? Lol.
I'm still miffed at how I STILL HAVE YET TO SEE ONE DRIVING by a new owner. This is weird, it's like due to all the negative words I've had toward them, the cars are automatically avoiding me on the streets, hah.
#37
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'12 ML350
Have seen 3 E350 saloons on the streets here in northern NJ these last 2 weeks, and saw my first E550 saloon yesterday with its temp tag on the back window.
Haven't seen a coupe in the wild yet though...should be soon...
#38
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Me too. Considering since I've been old enough to remember (i.e the W210's and W211's) E-Classes are more common than perhaps anything here in L.A. Maybe it's just me though. I do live in the greater Hollywood area, and frequent Beverly Hills, Calabasas, and other "wealthy" areas per-se, and have yet to see any.
#39
#40
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
There is supposed to be a Sport and a Luxury version. The Sport having the black ash, the Luxury having walnut. Although the website has conflicting information, in the details they show the Luxury wheels and the Sport wheels, but when you go to build your own its all Sport models. Maybe someone who placed an order or looked into this can figure out if indeed they are going the route of the C class and offering a Sport and Luxury version.
#41
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Would think the streets of LA would be teeming with W212s already...
Have seen 3 E350 saloons on the streets here in northern NJ these last 2 weeks, and saw my first E550 saloon yesterday with its temp tag on the back window.
Haven't seen a coupe in the wild yet though...should be soon...
Have seen 3 E350 saloons on the streets here in northern NJ these last 2 weeks, and saw my first E550 saloon yesterday with its temp tag on the back window.
Haven't seen a coupe in the wild yet though...should be soon...
#43
Interior Wood Trims
Here are the wood trims which come with the W212.
Sport Sedan
black/black interior - black ash wood
grey/black interior - black ash wood
almond/black interior - burl walnut wood
natural beige/black - black ash wood
Luxury Sedan
black/black interior - burl walnut wood
grey/grey interior - burl walnut wood
almond/brown interior - burl walnut wood
Sport Sedan
black/black interior - black ash wood
grey/black interior - black ash wood
almond/black interior - burl walnut wood
natural beige/black - black ash wood
Luxury Sedan
black/black interior - burl walnut wood
grey/grey interior - burl walnut wood
almond/brown interior - burl walnut wood
#44
Senior Member
We ordered a W207 350 arctic white with almond beige with P2 and appearance package 2 weeks ago. The dealer called yesterday and said they had one just came in. Delivered last night and drove it for a little. The drive is definitely lighter and less effort than the W211 500. It is quite sporty none the less. One thing I noticed immediately was the transmission. Not sure if this is normal for the 7 speed. But let say when I am cruising around 35-40mph, I let go the gas and then step it on again. I felt there was a little jerk and perhaps the car was trying to hunt for a gear? I will do another follow up once I get to play with it a little more. Seems like there are quite a few gadgets I need to figure out how to use.
I can't turn the LED lights on for some reasons. I went to the menu and enabled Daytime Running Lights, it just turned on the headlights. Weird. Anyhow, I like the fact both high beams and low beams use projectors.
To be honest, I still can't stand the tail lights and the rear end. (This car is for my mother so it's not my call) The front end does look very good and aggressive. I wish they came with AMG body on the 350. That would definitely make the car look more aggressive and mean. However, I like the fact they have oval tail pipes and those little fins on the diffuser.
I can't belive we have 3 generations of E classes now!
Photos will follow later.
I can't turn the LED lights on for some reasons. I went to the menu and enabled Daytime Running Lights, it just turned on the headlights. Weird. Anyhow, I like the fact both high beams and low beams use projectors.
To be honest, I still can't stand the tail lights and the rear end. (This car is for my mother so it's not my call) The front end does look very good and aggressive. I wish they came with AMG body on the 350. That would definitely make the car look more aggressive and mean. However, I like the fact they have oval tail pipes and those little fins on the diffuser.
I can't belive we have 3 generations of E classes now!
Photos will follow later.
Last edited by blueC230K; 07-17-2009 at 11:11 AM.
#45
Just ordered a Silver E Coupe. Delivery in 2-3 weeks. My wife just asked me an interesting question: does anybody know how many Americans are employed by MB? (I think she wants to know so that she will have any answer to: Why did you not buy American?)
Thanks!
Thanks!
#46
I put in a deposit a while back for an E63 with Mercedes of Manhattan
...
I'm told late Oct delivery, but we shall see.
Obsidian Blk on Black; Premium 2; AMG Performance; Panoramic; Parktronic
...
I'm told late Oct delivery, but we shall see.
Obsidian Blk on Black; Premium 2; AMG Performance; Panoramic; Parktronic
#47
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'12 ML350
Not sure exactly how many Americans are employed by Daimler, but they do have a U.S. manufacturing facility in Alabama building the M, GL and R classes...so if you buy one of those vehicles, you're buying U.S. built cars.
#49
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E550 (W212) 2010
Delayed delivery
Got a call from my dealer today. He said that Mercedes Regional Marketing Manager could offer me a production spot for my E550 in September, which he said would mean October delivery. The catch was that I would have to forgo pano roof. His explanation was that MB "is running out of parts"
I said No to this. He then said that the order will be put back into October production spot with the delivery in November! He further stated that the delivery time will most likely change....for the better.
Any ideas? Is it possible that MB is trying to hedge currency exchange?
I ordered the car first week of July in Maryland.
I said No to this. He then said that the order will be put back into October production spot with the delivery in November! He further stated that the delivery time will most likely change....for the better.
Any ideas? Is it possible that MB is trying to hedge currency exchange?
I ordered the car first week of July in Maryland.
#50
It looks like MB is not done yet for getting order correctly. I did test driving fully loaded E550 last Saturday and found steel gray with natural beige combination is fantastic! I asked to change color of my E550 4matic with sports package initially ordered last May to this combination. I got phone call from dealer today about that my change could not be gone thru NetStar. NetStar doesn't accept steel gray/natural beige combination for 4matic.... But, I can configure that color combination on E550 with 4matic and sports package in 'Build your vehicle' of MB web site. What's going on??????????
One other funny thing is no W212 sedan has three spoke steering wheel in the dealer regardless of options. The fully loaded E550 with sports package I drove has four spoke steering wheel.... Dealer said whatever steering wheel MB factory puts, that's it. Nobody can change choice of steering wheel.... Total chaos.....
One other funny thing is no W212 sedan has three spoke steering wheel in the dealer regardless of options. The fully loaded E550 with sports package I drove has four spoke steering wheel.... Dealer said whatever steering wheel MB factory puts, that's it. Nobody can change choice of steering wheel.... Total chaos.....