jbec.keane

I was going to wait until the next model year, but my son's car has a broken camshaft and at least 2 bent valves. While we're still trying to decide what to do with his car (1987 Nissan 300ZX), he has my 2003 E320 at college.

This seemed like a good time to get a new one.

The details:

2013 E350 4MATIC Luxury
Steel Grey
Black MB-Tex
P1 Package
Heated Steering Wheel
Driver's Assistance Package
Split Folding Rear Seats
PARKTRONIC

The MSRP is 63,975 and I got what I think is a really good deal at 10% off.

I should hear in a few days about a delivery date, until then I'm without a car. At least I work form home most of the time.

If anyone is aware of a 1984 through 1996 Nissan 300ZX that is available, let me know. It must be a standard and it must be a 2 seater (no +2).

petee1997

Congratulations on the new car. Compared to the E320 you are going to find a world of difference. In that short 10 years MB has come a long way, especially in reliability. I am not sure what HP the E320 has but the new E350 has 300hp. That was the HP for the V8 in 2003.

You are in for a great experience. Good luck.

threeMBs

Ya, but that V8 had 332 torque while current V6 still has only 273 torque. I had/have both so can compare - '03 E500 was a lot quicker than '12-on E350.

no_mulligan

Since you had V8's, why didn't you stick with them? Other than fuel economy and a few $$, what attracted you back to V6?
I just gave up my '06 E350 for a '12 E550 4Matic. Love it. I drive it easy most of the time. Absolutely no trouble merging or passing when needed. 402HP/443 lb-ft torque. With a direct injection engine, I get 26 to 27 MPG highway.

BenzV12

Good choice , I like steel grey too , I believe it's also called as tenorite
Happy driving

jbec.keane

I'm less concerned about the HP or torque numbers, then safety, ride quality and the ability to get ten years out of the car. My current E320 will be ten years old in February and has 300,000 miles on it.

Since I now work from home most of the time, the mileage on the new car will be substantially less, but I want something that will last.

The dealer I'm working with is out of state and almost 250 miles away. I asked for a quote and their initial offer was 10% off before incentives. My local dealers were not even close to that. The salesman said they were willing to go so low on the price in order to get a sale from a customer outside of their region.

threeMBs

The highlighted part above. In SW FL, the ratio of E350s vs E550s sedans is about 20:1 (very few to none 4Matics), so the real $$$ difference is almost $15K. My current economics situation has changed a bit. But other than that (regardless of all others with V6s say) there is NO reason IMHO to chose V6 over V8.

threeMBs

Wow 300K miles on '03 E-class? I geuss it just proves that V6s are more reliable than V8s. My '03 E500 was anything but the most reliable (transmission, steering), however it is still in service and cosmetically looks great (I know people who bought it from me), but it still has "only" under 80K miles.

jbec.keane

I was driving 60 miles each way to work everyday for most of the ten years, plus vacation travel and etc. The secret (at least as far as I'm concerned) was that the car was serviced by the dealer for most of that time. Once one of the service technicians opened his own shop (RedLine SpeedWorx) in my home town, I had much of the scheduled service down there. With my previous vehicles, I would switch to break-fix only after a certain number of miles. With this car, I continued to perform the scheduled service.

I really haven't had any unusual problems with the car, just the usual issues associated with a car with so many miles.

jbec.keane

The salesman called today and told me that the production date for my car is the second decade of December (Dec 11-20) and it should be at the dealership by mid-January.

So far, everything is happening as expected.

ProjectCamaro

Congrats on the new purchase, updating from your previous car this one should feel near perfection.

jbec.keane

I figured I would post an update.

The original build date ran into the Christmas holiday and was delayed. My car was built on January 17th and is on the Georgia Highway and scheduled to be in Baltimore on February 4th.

I expect it will take about a week to go through customs, VPC and then delivery to the dealer in Rhode Island, so by Valentine's Day, I should have my new car.

We shall see.

Dc88

You will love the new W212. I also went from a 2003 E320 to a 2012 E350 BT and I love it! Big difference in all the gadgets, sportier ride but still the familiar Benz "look/feel".

rufmb

Congratulations...from a 2013 E350 Luxury and 300zx owner

jbec.keane

The Georgia Highway arrived in Baltimore late on February 5th. I am waiting for my salesman to give me a scheduled ETA to the dealership in Rhode Island. Shouldn't be long now.

jbec.keane

I've made an appointment to pick up my new car at the dealer on Saturday, February 16th. Here's hoping all goes well.

I've tried to look up the VIN in EPC-net, but it still shows as invalid. I'd like to review the data card before going to pick up the car so I can confirm that the car was ordered correctly. I have confidence in the dealership and the salesman, but a little paranoia is not all bad.

John

BenzE350

Good to know there are Red Sox fans in NJ.

Certainly hope you can get 10 years and/or 300K miles on your new E350 - but I'd be nervous owning any of the newer cars with all the advanced tech past the original / extended warranty.

Regardless - good luck and enjoy your new ride.

MCMAC

I notice that your new car is to have the split folding rear seats...

I just used mine for the first time while traveling to a long golf weekend (at Bandon Dunes) and absolutely loved them. The only down side is the front passenger seat automatically sits upright and cant be adjusted while the seat behind it is down. But hey... I was driving alone so it was perfect. Glad I have that option.

Enjoy your new car

C280 Sport

Congrats on your new baby! I love the W212! Also congrats on your now 300,000 mile E320! That's a lot!

jbec.keane

Picked up the car on Saturday at the dealership in Warwick, RI. It snowed a little before and after the delivery, but everything went perfect. After delivery, I drove to my parents and my in-laws house to show-off the car and then drove home to New Jersey. A trip of 250 miles. The electronics on the car are great and the navigation is much more advanced than the 2005 navigation I have in my 2003 E320.

I've attached a picture from today with a little snow falling.

John Keane

HBerman

You can have the settings changed by the dealer if you sign a release waiver. I've done that before.

MCMAC

Thanks for the heads up... I think I will take it in and see if they will modify the settings. Personally I would be willing to sign off on the change! I'm sure my wife would really like the mod

jbec.keane

Any other little secrets I should know? I'd really like to have the navigation work while in motion and to have the brake lights flash during hard braking. I doubt the dealer would do either of those.

BenzV12

What a nice car , same wheels as mine

ImInPA

The NAV will work while you are in motion, however, you will have to use voice commands while moving. Pretty nice actually once you get used to it. I think you are going to love the W212. I sure did.