E Class Test

[philayl]

Hi, I have posted once before about buying a new E Class, I decided that the usual half hour test drive is not enough so I have hired one for the weekend in July as I am going away for four days, I thought that this would give a good idea if it suits me or not before laying out so much cash. Although I have decided on the Elegance, the hire company only have the Avantgarde, but I am sure that it will give me a good idea of the car and it's suitability. Am really looking forward to the weekend now with the prospect of trying out the Merc. I am also considering the BMW 5 series, specifically the 520d SE, but have yet to try one.

 

[100%Bitch]

I am also considering the BMW 5 series, specifically the 520d SE, but have yet to try one.

Hiring one is a good idea though.

 

[philayl]

Manged to negotiate a good rate out of them as well!

 

[st4]

They're great.

Co-incidentally my old man got one as a rental car (Porsche hired it when his car was in for a week) and he loved it. It got me to buy mine, and he is looking @ getting one.

Engine wise you'll get the 220cdi. I think its fine, but its not the fastest car in the world by any stretch. Do bear in mind you may buy a more powerful model, and handling will be affected by the mass of the engine upfront (the diesel V6 will weight more and hence may feel nose heavy, not a sensation in the 220 car, but one I heard about the 320 and 55).

I agree, you only find a cars quirk out after a long time. I have put 4.5k on mine since mid march and still can't find issue with it, with my last car within 4.5k it was sold.

Try and test it on a road you know well, so your concentrating on the car and its interaction with you and the road, and not the road alone (if you don't know it).

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Having owned MB for over 16 years now I find that the thing that most affects my enjoyment of the car is the spec. No doubt owners of MB cars either appreciate the brand, styling or engineering, once you are used to that the overiding issue becomes spec and finish. My first MB was poverty spec, with no leather or air-con etc.

That experience led me to spend quite a lot of time selecting a replacement which was almost fully loaded. That time spent searching for the right spec was really worthwhile and I never have to think I wish the car had this or that fitted.

I know that this will increase the new price of a car by a large amount but if this is an issue there are plenty of nearly new well specced dealer cars out there.

The Avantgarde equipped car is quite different to the Elegance in ride and you may find it a bit harsh. I am prepared to accept that for the handling benefits the stiffer springs, lower profile tyres and lower ride height bring.

As regards the Beemer I have heard that the latest cars are more spartan than ever inside and that some new buyers are migrating to MB because of the fact.

Hope this helps and above all enjoy the moment, the latest 211 offering is now well sorted and should be an excellent buy. The extra warrany is by all accounts worth having and you may be able to negotiate this into the deal if you are buying privately.

 

[toxic]

Hi yes spec can be a issue but the basics first should be covered

leather- colour to match the paint
comand or similar system-cd changer
colour- type of paint they have a few
air con
Auto-must have
wood leather steering wheel
alloys


Any one else think of a good basic spec for a merc

after that the worlds your oyster most bit and bob's can be retro fitted if needed but the spec list is a nightmare just take you time, and start viewing now or ask the dealer for a weekend test drive some one on the sales team should be willing to give up there ride for the weekend. just be careful you get a slimier engined car if you want a CDI do not test drive the E55 you will be very disapointed a the performance of any other car let alone another merc.

 

[philayl]

Hi yes spec can be a issue but the basics first should be covered

leather- colour to match the paint
comand or similar system-cd changer
colour- type of paint they have a few
air con
Auto-must have
wood leather steering wheel
alloys


Any one else think of a good basic spec for a merc

after that the worlds your oyster most bit and bob's can be retro fitted if needed but the spec list is a nightmare just take you time, and start viewing now or ask the dealer for a weekend test drive some one on the sales team should be willing to give up there ride for the weekend. just be careful you get a slimier engined car if you want a CDI do not test drive the E55 you will be very disapointed a the performance of any other car let alone another merc.

I have already decided on the spec I would like, all you say plus, split rear seats, comfort front seats, keyless go, Harman/Kardon sound system, Parktronic, Parameter steering, optional 6 spoke alloys. I am leaning towards Indium Grey for the colour, but have yet to see one this colour in the "flesh" so to speak, and Palma Grey leather upholstry. I am having the new COMAND system with the 6CD player, bluetooth, linguatronic, and SD card slot, just out as an option this month.
p.s. anyone local to me got an Indium Grey, would love to see one, local dealers haven't one in stock.

 

[philayl]

Hi,

The Avantgarde equipped car is quite different to the Elegance in ride and you may find it a bit harsh. I am prepared to accept that for the handling benefits the stiffer springs, lower profile tyres and lower ride height bring.

Hi malcom210, I had heard that the ride in the Avantgarde can be a little stiff, that is one reason why I am going for the Elegance, I am only interested in comfort now, the other reason is I want the Burr Walnut trim and steering wheel, but at least this will give a general feeling for the car. I am also going for the 220CDI, that is powerful enough for me.

 

[jon cash]

hi phil , i really like the specification that you are going for but if you really want a luxury motor go for the E280 CDi its a real peach, far more civilised than the E220 and the differnce in running cost is marginal. The V6 is almost a queit as petrol and the seven speed box silky smooth. Induim grey may not be the best shade for the car in my experience selling these cars its a real marmite colour and may affect resale value, I like you fancy the colour but honestly it is probably more resaleable in cubanite silver.
You have made a very good decision to rent a car to test it out, and i am sure as the miles peel away you will feel more and more at home in this excellent motor. The Bmw 520D se is a lovely car too but there is just no subsitute for a E Class.

 

[philayl]

hi phil , i really like the specification that you are going for but if you really want a luxury motor go for the E280 CDi its a real peach, far more civilised than the E220 and the differnce in running cost is marginal. The V6 is almost a queit as petrol and the seven speed box silky smooth. Induim grey may not be the best shade for the car in my experience selling these cars its a real marmite colour and may affect resale value, I like you fancy the colour but honestly it is probably more resaleable in cubanite silver.
You have made a very good decision to rent a car to test it out, and i am sure as the miles peel away you will feel more and more at home in this excellent motor. The Bmw 520D se is a lovely car too but there is just no subsitute for a E Class.

Hi jon, thanks for the input, the reason I am going for the 220CDI is that I will shortly be retiring and the 220 is cheaper to run and insure, service, road tax etc; The extra power is of no interest to me, although I like the idea of the 7 speed box. As to the colour, as I said I have not seen one yet and it is very hard to tell by looking on Mercedes website. I am not a fan of silver or black, so it looks like it will be one of the other greys or blue. As I will be keeping the car for some time, the colour affecting the resale value does not bother me. I managed to screw the rental company down to £55 a day for a brand new car (with unlimited mileage), well pleased with that as 8 months ago I rented a Renault Megane Auto and it cost me £58 a day!

 

[7years]

Hmmm, Indium Grey, I know its a personal choice, but it looks like a mixture of bronze/brown to me, we have a CLK in our showroom in that colour...

Wouldn't be my first choice....!!!

If you have the hire car, you could always come down to 'sunny' Nottingham and have a look at the colour in the 'flesh'....!!!!

I would go for the 280 myself, it's a much more refined engine.

 

[philayl]

If you have the hire car, you could always come down to 'sunny' Nottingham and have a look at the colour in the 'flesh'....!!!!

Hi 7years, thanks for the offer, unfortunately I am going the other way, to sunny Bodelwyddan, in North Wales. As I said, from the responses to the colour I think it will be one of the other greys or the blue, have never seen the red colour so can't comment on that one. I have a dark blue car now, so I really wanted a change, maybe Flint Grey instead.

 

[philayl]

Hi 7years, thanks for the offer, unfortunately I am going the other way, to sunny Bodelwyddan, in North Wales. As I said, from the responses to the colour I think it will be one of the other greys or the blue, have never seen the red colour so can't comment on that one. I have a dark blue car now, so I really wanted a change, maybe Flint Grey instead.

Hi, had a look at both the Flint Grey and the Tenorite Grey today, really can't make my mind up which one to go for, trying not to make a mistake as I will have to live with it for a long time, could end up with a headache trying to sort this one out

 

[jon cash]

could you tell me where you managed to get that kinda rate on the rental i am going to the uk soon to visit my partners family and i hate driving s**ty rentals i would gladly pay that rate for a E class, even if it was only a 220.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi jon, thanks for the input, the reason I am going for the 220CDI is that I will shortly be retiring and the 220 is cheaper to run and insure, service, road tax etc; The extra power is of no interest to me, although I like the idea of the 7 speed box. As to the colour, as I said I have not seen one yet and it is very hard to tell by looking on Mercedes website. I am not a fan of silver or black, so it looks like it will be one of the other greys or blue. As I will be keeping the car for some time, the colour affecting the resale value does not bother me. I managed to screw the rental company down to £55 a day for a brand new car (with unlimited mileage), well pleased with that as 8 months ago I rented a Renault Megane Auto and it cost me £58 a day!

I wouldn't worry about the 7 speed box it isn't all that great compared to the 5 speed. At times it can be quite clunky & doesn't always know which gear it wants to be in.
I also wouldn't worry about the AG suspension, I have it along with the sport suspension and 17" wheels and it is very comfortable indeed.

 

[Rory]

Hi 7years, thanks for the offer, unfortunately I am going the other way, to sunny Bodelwyddan, in North Wales.

If you don't already know, then mind how you go once in N Wales - there's very tough speed monitoring.

See a nice straight bit of road? - N Wales police see a revenue opportunity. They're also very fond of catching people as they accelerate just before leaving 30 limits into NSL's.

Lots of unmarked cars in use, and speed cameras in horse trailers.

 

[philayl]

could you tell me where you managed to get that kinda rate on the rental i am going to the uk soon to visit my partners family and i hate driving s**ty rentals i would gladly pay that rate for a E class, even if it was only a 220.

Hi jon, I am renting from Hertz. This is for the E 320CDI Avantgarde.

 

[Blobcat]

If you don't already know, then mind how you go once in N Wales - there's very tough speed monitoring.

See a nice straight bit of road? - N Wales police see a revenue opportunity. They're also very fond of catching people as they accelerate just before leaving 30 limits into NSL's.

Lots of unmarked cars in use, and speed cameras in horse trailers.

Parked off the road and handheld laser gun just outside Llangollen on Sunday morning. I was doing 26mph on the bike so should ask for a refund... No Police Fireblades on the horseshoe pass thankfully....

 

[philayl]

If you don't already know, then mind how you go once in N Wales - there's very tough speed monitoring.

See a nice straight bit of road? - N Wales police see a revenue opportunity. They're also very fond of catching people as they accelerate just before leaving 30 limits into NSL's.

Lots of unmarked cars in use, and speed cameras in horse trailers.

Thanks for the heads up on that Rory, I do a bit of driving in Wales but didn't know about the horse box one, obviously they are only sited for safety and not for increased revenue eh!

 

[jon cash]

Hi jon, I am renting from Hertz. This is for the E 320CDI Avantgarde.

yipee no more focus's for me. cheers for that enjoy your weekend of driving, also flint grey is available in the E class Tenorite grey is a C Class colour,