Holy E class regrets.
Many of you have seen me post around here in the C/E/S forums for years, so most of you know I'm not a troll, and I promise people I'm not trolling anyone here or starting something just to cause trouble.
It's been a while since I've been on the E forum here, but holy moly, just now I've read 2 threads of people with E class remorse, hoping to trade in the car. I've also read a bunch of posts of people not happy with various things about the E300 (4 banger) and RFTs. I'm as guilty as the next guy for buying a car once without driving it. It was a massive mistake and I lost money on that decision, but that was very very early on in my adulthood and it also wasn't, nearly, a car as expensive as the W213. I'm finding myself baffled going "what gives?" These are $80,000 (CAD) cars and are certainly not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination. What's going on here guys? (seriously.) |
I certainly have shared some of your sentiments, except for the dodgy run flat tires which I gladly paid to replace.
I think buyer's remorse speaks more to our society as consumers influenced by cachet and marketing rather than as true enthusiasts. My decision to buy the E350 Wagon and then E450 Wagon took months. I recognized that I would be driving each car for years It's a shame more don't consider the value of their hard earned dollars. |
Originally Posted by nycebo
(Post 7643392)
I certainly have shared some of your sentiments, except for the dodgy run flat tires which I gladly paid to replace.
I think buyer's remorse speaks more to our society as consumers influenced by cachet and marketing rather than as true enthusiasts. My decision to buy the E350 Wagon and then E450 Wagon took months. I recognized that I would be driving each car for years It's a shame more don't consider the value of their hard earned dollars. I just don't get it. Now that said, you (sir), taking months to buy a 213. Good for you. That's something to be proud of. These aren't easy financial decisions to make as after we make them, we lose a TON of money :( |
Sharing my bit of buyers remorse on a MB forum maybe wasn't useful. But since you're asking for the whole thought- here it is. My post was looking to see if there was any hope of a graceful (and less costly) quick unwind with a MB dealer.
After more thought- I have decided to stick with the E450. Partly from just seeing it thru to get a truly informed, better feel for it, but also because I figure the off the lot depreciation was the worst, and while still steep- it will lessen over the next year. If by then I decide to trade it in, I'll have given it a good taste. I had in the past looked at MB's as mistake- sacrificing driving feel for luxury. All these glowing E63 and E400 reviews seemed to change that perception- and BMW"s lost path made it seem like they'd traded places. It's indeed a pricey car deserving of a thought out decision. For my part, I test drove E's 4 times over 18 months at 2 different dealerships. I drove the E300 sedan, then the sport 400 wagon on the next two, then the luxury E450 the final time. My intent was to find a car more suitable for passengers, but still fun enough to drive, and room for a bicycle or two in the back for my weekend club rides all over NE. The E63 seemed a bit too much, and the Air Body Control option seemed a long term problem likely. I was hoping to get most of the suspension qualities without those. I don't really need the HP, but do like the torque down low. I like to buy my cars and the ones I've loved I've usually kept for a long time- '98 & '06 3 series were both bought new - and traded with +250k miles on them (thank heavens I don't have that commute any more!!). I also love the idea of the one car that can do it all. Hence the wagon- I went ahead and got the 100k warranty and had the car OptiCoat Pro+'d. - The plan is to keep the car for a long time. Not spur of the moment for me. I had considered a lease for a moment, because it was my first Benz. But between the math being absurd on the lease, and believing I was going to love this car forever I bought outright. A test drive doesn't ever give you a full sample of a car really. And I'm not shy driving them during the tests. I thought it was a decent ride, powerful and smooth. But mostly I was in awe of the interior. I did worry a bit that the steering would lack- penalty of a luxury car I thought. I came from a '17 Golf R, which while I loved it for driving, nice heavy steering, loads of feedback- particularly great in bad weather, but was not an ideal car for taking clients out. And it certainly didn't love big bumps or potholes. Before that a Camry Hybrid (zero complaints, zero excitement), then a couple BMW 3's before that, a truck, a mint green '78 Ford econoline with 12 seatbelts and a 1 ton suspension was my first car. The R actually handled small bumps better (although I'm pretty sure that's moslty it's nice pZero summers vs. Conti RFT's on the E450) The E450 is by far the superior highway cruiser, quiet, powerful. Newer Golf Rs received a taller 6th in 2018, but still would be undergeared for 80 on the highway. For short commutes and grocery store runs though- the R was always fun- I enjoyed getting in it every time. The E450 feels a bit more like I need to take care of it rather than amuse myself in it. Partly the size causes some "care" to be taken- but also the finish itself has a funny effect- mine is stunning with the Designo interior. I'll be proud of it whenever anyone is sitting in it- but for my commute and such, do I need more than the very nice leatherTex the R had? Don't get me wrong- I was nice to the R- I changed my own oil, more frequently than needed. It was only hand washed, by me. But I also loved getting up early on snow days to find some empty roads and test it's grip. So, I've found myself missing (a bit more than I thought I would) a real driver's car, my manual transmission, and the tossability you can only get with a small car. Once I'm done playing with all the gadgets in the E- I find myself wondering how much more actual car was there other than screens and leather and size. The R had all the dynamic modes, self driving safeties, cruise, lane keep, active headlights and such- and the gauges and knobs worked just fine. Maybe even more directly. And the steering was so tight! However- this forum was also useful in reminding me why I went to look at the E's in the first place- Passengers, and more plushness than the R. So I'm going to give my original plan more time and hoping non RFT's will help immensely. And I can likely get my R back or a well used Porsche for relatively small dollars. And if I find after awhile I just need to be in my take on a "drivers car" every moment, and I don't have enough love of the E- then I can trade it in a year since the most dramatic depreciation is likely already done. Hopefully- I'm still driving it in 10 years. |
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
Sharing my bit of buyers remorse on a MB forum maybe wasn't useful.
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
My post was looking to see if there was any hope of a graceful (and less costly) quick unwind with a MB dealer.
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
After more thought- I have decided to stick with the E450. Partly from just seeing it thru to get a truly informed, better feel for it, but also because I figure the off the lot depreciation was the worst, and while still steep- it will lessen over the next year. If by then I decide to trade it in, I'll have given it a good taste.
For you, you are coming from the opposite type of car...a hot hatch.
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
It's indeed a pricey car deserving of a thought out decision. For my part, I test drove E's 4 times over 18 months at 2 different dealerships. I drove the E300 sedan, then the sport 400 wagon on the next two, then the luxury E450 the final time. My intent was to find a car more suitable for passengers, but still fun enough to drive, and room for a bicycle or two in the back for my weekend club rides all over NE.
The E63 seemed a bit too much, and the Air Body Control option seemed a long term problem likely. I was hoping to get most of the suspension qualities without those. I don't really need the HP, but do like the torque down low. (snip) I also love the idea of the one car that can do it all. Hence the wagon. (snip) I thought it was a decent ride, powerful and smooth. But mostly I was in awe of the interior. I did worry a bit that the steering would lack - penalty of a luxury car I thought.
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
I came from a '17 Golf R, which while I loved it for driving, nice heavy steering, loads of feedback- particularly great in bad weather, but was not an ideal car for taking clients out. And it certainly didn't love big bumps or potholes. (snip) The R actually handled small bumps better (although I'm pretty sure that's moslty it's nice pZero summers vs. Conti RFT's on the E450) The E450 is by far the superior highway cruiser, quiet, powerful. Newer Golf Rs received a taller 6th in 2018, but still would be undergeared for 80 on the highway. For short commutes and grocery store runs though- the R was always fun- I enjoyed getting in it every time. The E450 feels a bit more like I need to take care of it rather than amuse myself in it. Partly the size causes some "care" to be taken- but also the finish itself has a funny effect- mine is stunning with the Designo interior. I'll be proud of it whenever anyone is sitting in it- but for my commute and such, do I need more than the very nice leatherTex the R had?
As for the designo, it's a rip off, but I got it anyway (on both cars) because it's gorgeous. You are likely lamenting it now but the price hit will fade from your mind and you'll be left with its sumptuous beauty. And that will be every time you get in the car. Sadly, initially, the price bite smarts. As for run flat tires, they don't make THAT much of a difference, but they DO make a difference. I swapped mine out immediately after 1000 mile break-in and will never look back. Normal tires are smoother, better handling, lighter and cheaper. Done done done. The RFTs will be sold on eBay post haste.
Originally Posted by jl199986
(Post 7643448)
So, I've found myself missing (a bit more than I thought I would) a real driver's car, my manual transmission, and the tossability you can only get with a small car. Once I'm done playing with all the gadgets in the E- I find myself wondering how much more actual car was there other than screens and leather and size. However- this forum was also useful in reminding me why I went to look at the E's in the first place- Passengers, and more plushness than the R. So I'm going to give my original plan more time and hoping non RFT's will help immensely. And I can likely get my R back or a well used Porsche for relatively small dollars. And if I find after awhile I just need to be in my take on a "drivers car" every moment, and I don't have enough love of the E- then I can trade it in a year since the most dramatic depreciation is likely already done. Hopefully- I'm still driving it in 10 years.
Keep us posted on your experiences. Good luck. |
This was a great and insightful exchange - I've enjoyed reading it.
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