FazTaz

I’m caught between a rock and hard spot. The lease on our E320 4-Matic ends soon. Im planning on renewing it on a month to month basis until our S430 4-Matic is available (’03 model). I was hoping to replace the E with another E 4-matic (E500) but I have been informed that the 4-matic variant of the E wont be available till 2004. The new E is a gorgeous car and it looks like they resolved a lot of the problems they had on the previous E models. My question is do you feel it is worth spending the extra and getting an S class? I know the S is a larger car and offers much more space for the rear occupants, but I have no clue how the new upcoming E stacks up to the current S class. Also I don’t know which amenities such as navigation, sunroof, leather, heated seats, HID lights, etc are options or standard features on the new E or the new S. Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me. Thanks! I would love to have an beautiful S in the garage but if I could get a better car for less I would do it in a heartbeat. Also does anyone have any info on the 2003 S class, and which cars are available in 4-matic. I think its highway robbery how a 70K S class doesn't have heated seats, nappa leather, or Xenon lights as standard feature while a 30K Acura TL has all of these minus the Nappa.

cjileong

FazTaz,

I'm not a sales rep so I won't be responding to the bulk of your message, but I can say that, on the authority of RAB, the S430 4M and S500 4M will debut in November, after the facelift itself which arrives in October. Apparently the facelift will have minor work on front and rear bumpers and an updated interior.

I've wondered myself the same thing about the S430. The Acura TL is actually one of my favorite cars due to the standard features it comes with.

DHS

Remember, Benz has always cut corners when it comes to loading up there cars with standard Equpiment..I remember ordering a 300 SD years ago and the dealership said only 1-10 were coming over with leather..So I bought the MB tex (Plastic ) seats..Cassette players were optional as were Sun roofs..Benz has always been behind the rest in loading this stuff on its cars. Why shoud 2002 be any different..If they could get away with it, Benz would still be selling the S 430 with Mb tex plastic seats.
To really answer your question, If you can afford the S 430 4 matic, I say go for it..It happens to be a beautiful car ( E 500 will be as well..But the S class is really special.