....and anyone else who may have some experience with Mercedes Benz.

I may be either inheriting or buying my recently deceased grandpa-in-law's 2000 E320. No real options, I don't think, beyond HIDs. It's even got just an AM/FM radio.

Anything good or bad to say about them?

 

that year chassis is pretty much bulletproof...i dont think there were too many issues with that body style- but then i never researched it too much either...i got to use my aunty's E430 (2003, same body style) extensively, and it's a nice car...

it is what it is, a large luxury sedan...VERY comfortable to ride in, and a very quiet interior...handles like a boat, but it wasnt designed to be nimble...you pretty much have to take it to the dealer for maintenance...mercedes is not keen on letting it's owners do DIY stuff...there's no dipstick (computer readout on the dash to check your oil level- and it'll only tell you if it's "good" or "bad"- doesnt say if you need to add any or not)...also, no oil drain bolt- dealer uses a suction thing to suck oil out...all this is from memory, so i may be a little off...

mercedes part are expensive, so keep that in mind...they dont resurface rotors/rebuild calipers,etc...they just put new ones on...

it's the little details that you dont notice that make the car...there's a dual firewall, to protect the cabin from fire; the 4 door strikers can support the weight of the car when it's hung from chains, the doors have a slight outward gap (not perfectly flush with the body), so in a collision, the doors will move outward, so you have a chance to get out of the car instead of the doors moving straight back trapping you in...the SOS system (if you car has it) will automatically notify police in your area if the air bags are deployed...and so on, and so on...

anyway, checkout:
http://www.mercedesforum.com/
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/index.php

pat, i think it'd make a great family car for you...

 

Thanks muchos.

That absolutely rocks! USAA told me it'd only be $600/yr for insurance. I'd imagine it would hold it's resale pretty well.

Of course we would no longer have as much ability to haul around strollers and shopping and such, but I imagine we'll figure something out.

Thanks again.

 

Getting rid of the RS soon? LOL

 

Cliffy,

I don't want to make you any promises I can't keep.

The 2 obstacles that I have to overcome first are, 1) Will I be able to purchase the MB? I won't have any idea until I'm able to figure out what are the particulars of the probate of grandpa's estate and will I be able to finance it (ie. get out from underneath the Explorer...and of course the RS.) and 2) I will have to have my WRX up and running. The 320 would be her car, so I'll still need some transpo.

This isn't yet a foregone conclusion, but like I told you earlier, when it's time to put it up for sale I'll be contacting you before I post any ads.

What do you think the odds of you being able to borrow someone's DC8 are so you can personally come and get it? That would be ****.

 

You're not thinking of growing up (automotively) are you, Pat? I did it, and I look back wistfully to my Suby days!
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Nah. I'll keep the wagon....for now (I don't really have a choice), but this just seems like a deal too good to pass up.

Who knows? Maybe in a few years when her attachment to the car and the pristinity have both diminished, I can opt for a supercharger and such.

 

E55AMG Wagon!
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Richard, the only way I can see being able to buy this 320 is if I get a major sympathy discount.

The only thing that I could afford with the letters AMG in it would be the AMC Gremlin.

 

Hey Rich, I'm about to craft a semi-lenghty PM and distribute it in your general direction....kinda like the fart you probably just smelt and wondered of where it originated.

Stand by, please.

 

Sure.
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