1st merc owner / S320CDI seats & park sensors / A class suspension

[socrates]

After 20+ years of company cars with limited choice I gave up paying Gordon Brown two years ago and decided to run my own - I bought a cheap Audi A6 while I looked for my ideal car - this took 2 years, but I finally bought a two year old S320 CDI two weeks ago - my first mercedes. It was a difficult choice, and being nearly 50 - a difficult age - it may not be too hard to understand that I almost bought an Audi RS6 - not much between them except for £15k price difference and the odd 20 mpg!

Anyway the merc is fantastic and obviously the right choice - my wife has an A class and I was nearly put off by her several run-ins with the local stealership over the notorious A-class suspension - it is now on its 4th front link arms, 3rd rears and second steering column after 60k miles, but after a lot of fuss she hasn't pasid for many of them!

The S320 was pretty well kitted out, and all I've added is rear parking sensors - £80 on the internet, and £99 for Andy from Cardiff to fit - excellent job.

The car is fantastic for a diesel, with plenty of oomph for overtaking on the back roads to work, and loads of mpg on long motorway runs. The front seats are the only concern with two metal bolts pressing into me through the base cusshions - saw the dealer today and says he'll check it out and probably relace them under warranty at beginning of September - will post report after.

Forums are very interesting - will keep in touch

 

[SGCW124]

Welcome to MB ownership in your on right as it were. keep us posted with how you get on with your S320, especially the seat repair by the dealers.


by the way what was the standard spec with your car when it was new?

Steve

 

[socrates]

Thanks, I will let you know how it goes next week.

As for the spec, I'm not sure about what is standard, and what is an option, but the car has a 'comfort pack' - a bit of irony there I guess - and COMAND with an integrated Nokia phone. Suspension is 'airmatic' and superb. I like the automatic lights / wipers and snazzy headlamp washers that jump out of the bumper, but I guess most of this is standard.

It is the best carphone - ease of use and sound quality I have ever had, and the satnav is great.

 

[Brian WH]

Welcome to the Forum, and the world of 320 CDI's.

ENJOY. :bannana: :bannana:

 

[RichardM]

I'm amazed someone ordered an S class from new without Parktronic!

 

[socrates]

I agree with the comment about no parktronic from new - a bit strange, but I suppose you could also question why it isn't standard on a car of this size and value.

Anyway - collected car from dealer yesterday - they had it three days in all and loaned me an A-class with no aircon - cue hottest three days for last four weeks. They have completely replaced the two front seat bases and leather covers and the seat feel great so far - can't feel the lumps anymore, but need to try a long journey. No charge as under warranty - car cleaned and spotless outside, and free tin of mercedes boiled sweets - so far so good.
When I got home however I noticed some nasty scrape marks on bottom nearside of front bumper I'm certain were not there before it went in - I checked around and found quite a few grease marks on and around the seats, but worst is small holes in fabric covering bottom of drivers side bc pillar and some bad scratches on drivers door scuff plate. Phoned to let them know straight away and got no real surprise, just a thanks for telling us and can you call next Wednesday to speak to the service manager when he's back form holiday - a bit strange. Also noticed that all the tyres have been 'blacked', and my son reckons the nearside front tyre next to the scraped bumber looks new (little rubber spikes protruding from edges of tyre that are worn off on all the others) - sounds weird but I'll keep you posted when I speak to them next week.

 

[RichardM]

Someone asked me the other day if I had new tyres as the spikes were protruding like yours, but no they are about 7000 miles old. The spikes don't seem to come off.

 

[socrates]

Thanks for that - I was just starting to get paranoid!! I did 400 miles at the weekend and your right - no sign of them wearing off.

Your E looks great - I actually budgeted on a used E320 but found the S320 privately for the same money and couldn't resist. Does the 2003 COMAND system in yours have a cassette player?

 

[RichardM]

I don't have command but I do have a cassette player!

Command wasn't available when the new E class was first launched (when I ordered mine). It was added as an option later. I don't think any command's have a cassette player though.