Need Wagon-Only Forum, my first Mercedes
 

Does wagon-only forum exist? Nevertheless, just purchased a '14 E350 wagon, pics to follow upon delivery next week.

Went with Luxury version as I truly adore the ride quality (my other ride has a far less forgiving suspension) and prefer the more modest styling.
(Although I may go for some nice 18" wheels/summer tires in the future, and replace the 17" all-seasons with winters.)

The only option that I didn't get but really wanted was the panoramic roof (mainly for the kids enjoyment). Although I prefer Iridium, settled for second choice Palladium Silver with Silk Beige.

Pics and more comments to follow. Just a few quick questions.
For those with young children... Do your kids use the 3rd row seats? Are they safe? My kids are 6 & 7.
Also, is the five-year pre-paid maintenance worth the $2k?

Thanks

Welcome to the club!

My 6 year old loves the 3rd row seat. He and his best friend always ask to sit back there.

As for the 5 year pre paid maint, you'll have to ask your dealer what each individual service cost and see if buying the 5 year saves you any money and figure out if its worth the risk.
If the car is totaled or stolen, you don't get a refund on any unused maintenance.

In my case, the pre-paid maintenance is not any cheaper than paying for each service individually, thus it didn't make any sense for me to buy it.

Wagons are pretty rare in the states, although here on the west cost they seem to be more common. My dealer usually has 4 or 5 on the lot and I usually see at least 1 or 2 other on the road during the daily drive around town taking kids to various activities.

Some have commented that you shouldn't buy prepaid maintenance at purchase unless you are leasing and they include that in the residual. Otherwise, the pack includes the first 10k maint. which is the cheapest. Then compare your options as thenew3 stated to the actual costs based on what is required for your model.

Considering that most services are glorified oil changes I wouldn't buy the plan. I did my own 10K oil change and I'll do my 20K change as well.

As for a wagon-only forum, there is very little on our cars that is wagon specific and given that MB only sells less than 2,000 wagons in the US a year a specific forum would be very tumbleweed prone...

All seven of us wagon fanatics could have in-depth discussions about rear AIRMATIC, 3rd row seats, cargo covers... the list goes on!

Today's topic: I find the intermittent rear wiper sweeps too frequently. Discuss.

:zoom:

Speaking of cargo covers, anyone else have a metallic rattle/squeak coming from the cargo cover over rough roads? Mine did that from the first day. Dealer replaced the cargo cover and greased the hinge behind the passenger side rear seat. Noise went away for 2 weeks, now its back.
Heard the same noise on a 2014 wagon sitting on their lot. I'm curious if any other wagon owners have heard this noise and have had it fixed.

Thanks for the thoughts, will skip the prepaid maintenance.
My car is still at dealer. They had to send it to the body shop to repair holes on front bumper left by the two screws holding in the front license plate. (I register in FL so no front plate required.)

While at dealership today noticed that '14 Sport models have drilled front discs while Luxury models have solid front discs. This annoyed me as it doesn't make sense to put inferior brakes on a $70k car just because it's categorized as a Luxury model.

I should have done more homework before rather adamantly stating that I'd only consider Luxury for the ride quality and preferred look. I wonder what other differences exist between the two trim levels.

There's no difference in performance of cross-drilled vs solid discs in this league of braking systems. The cross-drilled are merely for aesthetics on the sport model.

I thought they put cross drilled on all E550's vs solid for the E350?

My E350 sport wagon came with the drilled rotors. But as it's been said I suspect it's strictly cosmetic.

Stylish Wagons
 

Well done on your choice of car, Sir!

I think I could add a few cents to any wagon only forum but probably not enough to keep those tumbleweeds at bay.

I have one quintessential wagon accessory, I threw a Thule box over the panoramic roof and I've stuffed more stuff in my car than I could ever imagine.

'12 E350 Wagon

the cross drilled is "better" but an average person will probably never realize the difference.

These holes allow brake dust and gas to vent, similarly as the slots in slotted rotors. Yes, the holes just look cool.

I have them on my C63 and my E350. It lends a performance aspect to the equation. lol.

I have cross drilled rotors on my 2014 250bt sport version. I remember reading something like they are for recovery rather than stopping effect. its the surface area and the material that matters for stopping effect. The drilled rotors will air better and keep cool or cool faster so you can use the breaks more frequently. The overheat issue is something you might face in a rally race but highly unlikely on a daily commute or even a casual race. Drilled rotors might get you a few k more miles overall as well or maybe not.

Has anyone compared the cost of replacement rotors? I looked on some MB parts site and it shows OEM drilled rotors at $250 each while OEM non-drilled are only $60 each? Why a $190 difference just for a few drilled holes?

You're correct.

The Luxury package needs part A 000 421 12 12 which has an MSRP of $115 while the Sport package needs part A 000 421 11 12 which has an MSRP of $274.

I'm guessing the price is indeed for the drilled holes.

Drilled or slotted rotors are ONLY for looks on any car driven on public roads. Rather than enhancing miles between changes, I'd opine that you will go through pads quicker without any benefit.

Holes and especially the slots can enhance the pad wear and make the rotors wear less rings to it.