I’ve made a decision

[s5tuart]

Well, it’s home with me after a surreal trip to Norwich yesterday. I will post some pics later and do a little write up about the experience and my initial thoughts on the car itself, probably over the weekend.
In short, I’m ecstatic about the car and so pleased I bought it.
Thanks to everyone who made the comments and suggestions that helped me find the car I wanted.

 

[A.J.]

Well, it’s home with me after a surreal trip to Norwich yesterday. I will post some pics later and do a little write up about the experience and my initial thoughts on the car itself, probably over the weekend.
in short, I’m ecstatic about the car and so pleased I bought it.
Thanks to everyone who made the comments and suggestions that helped me find the car I wanted.

I take it that it was Robinsons in Norwich then ?

 

[s5tuart]

I take it that it was Robinsons in Norwich then ?

Tbh I didn’t see the name. The signs just said MB Norwich
It is in Barker Street.
(even though I told the taxi driver Baker Street! )

 

[V6Matty]

More pictures are required now

 

[s5tuart]

More pictures are required now

No problemo
I must be careful not to wear the paint out looking at it every 20 seconds!

 

[A.J.]

Tbh I didn’t see the name. The signs just said MB Norwich
It is in Barker Street.
(even though I told the taxi driver Baker Street! )

That's the one in Barker Street

 

[s5tuart]

More pictures are required now

 

[A.J.]

That is a great looking car Stuart, I've been trying to persuade my son in law into one of those but he seems intent on an E Class

 

[s5tuart]

That is a great looking car Stuart, I've been trying to persuade my son in law into one of those but he seems intent on an E Class

Thank you. I can highly recommend one.
You know when you’ve just bought a car you usually see hundreds?
I’ve had two sightings only since I decided I wanted one. One is local to me I think because I’ve seen it twice and the other was on the way up to collect it yesterday.

 

[s5tuart]

How close is the comparison between the old Astra and my car?

 

[McDonald]

How close is the comparison between the old Astra and my car?

The Astra's a different colour.

 

[grayb]

I'm only a little bit jealous.

Especially as I saw that one first...

 

[s5tuart]

I'm only a little bit jealous.

Especially as I saw that one first...

You did indeed and I’ll be eternally grateful for the link.
(unless all four suspension units go pop one day after the warranty expires! )

 

[grayb]

You did indeed and I’ll be eternally grateful for the link.
(unless all four suspension units go pop one day after the warranty expires! )

LOL. Don't even think that...

I am curious to know if the driving experience is that different from a W212, I must admit.

 

[s5tuart]

Well certainly I seem to sit low in the CLS but I still have visibility of the end of the bonnet.
Steering wise the CLS seems very sharp and precise. I presume fuel efficiency is better because of the more aerodynamic shape and the fact that the heavy parts of the car ( Frameless doors, bonnet, boot lid and wings) are predominantly aluminium
BUT, I’ve not driven or even been in any modern E class so I’m assuming.
I suppose the only real way to know is drive them back to back.
I tried a YouTube search on the topic but never found one.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’ve not seen many in black and it looks stunning really suits the shape and as you say the colour combo works well, I’d be very happy with that especially as it sits a bit lower than the 212 E Class. Keep it well waxed and happy motoring!

 

[s5tuart]

I’m afraid I’ve run out of time to do a proper write up of the whole day of 2nd, so will have to do a very much shortened version.
It all went wrong when I had to pay for it at the dealers.
My card was declined, twice! There were more than enough funds in there so I rang the bank.
They claimed they had authorised the payment and the dealership had to get in touch with their financiers for them to claim the money!
Of course, no one how to do that so back on the phone again, but the bank were adamant they had cleared the money and it needed claiming.
At this stage the sales manager became involved. What he did, while the bank guy was still on the phone, was to enter all the detail into the card machine manually, and hey presto, the payment went through!!!
Next...the journey home.

 

[s5tuart]

So, off I go in the car with the fuel light on and 23 miles range. However I’m a gentle driver usually so the range gradually increased.
I had decided I wanted to fill with V Power so on the A11 on the outskirts of Norwich there is a Shell station just off a large roundabout.
I pull in and fill to the brim, £99
I go in to pay and guess what? Card declined! FFS!!!!!!
Back on the phone to the soon-to-be-ex-bank and after 1/2 hour it still wasn’t sorted. The bank actually suggested I leave my card there and come back the next day! Yeah right. 150 mile round trip. I don’t think so.
In the end the station manager paid for fuel and I transferred him the money via PayPal!!!

 

[s5tuart]

Now fully fuelled and a bit calmer after many deep breaths I’m on my way again.
Oh what a car. Driven casually it’s an oasis of peace, quiet and calm so had me back to normal in no time.
I’m still not fully conversant with all the features but boy oh boy am I happy with it.
I can hardly hear the engine when driving like a Doris and the Airmatic just floats you along, even running on a 30mm tyre profile. I do find the P Zeros very noisy but that may be because there’s no other noise to listen to. No squeaks or rattles or engine noise, it really is quite surreal.
The 9 speed auto is imperceptible with its changes and responds well on the paddles.
The steering is very sharp, I believe it’s an electrical/mechanical system, and the car is well controlled on sharp bends.
I wasn’t originally looking for this colour combo but I’m so glad I have it. It just looks so sophisticated and everyone who has seen the car in person is genuinely blown away by the style and design.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Always annoying when dealers sell a car and you’re obliged to drive it off running on fumes. I point blank refused to do this when I bought the 212 and they ended up putting fuel in from a jerrycan. Ironic how modern technology involves those hold your breath moments when large sums change hands - hope the car is making up for the less than perfect pick-up day