PeteH66
New Member
Hi all,
After much procrastination I've finally taken the plunge and got my first Mercedes. I'd been after a V8 engined car for a while, then saw this 2004 W211 E500 that had been hanging around on ebay. Not knowing anything about E500s I did a bit of googling and thought, sod it, what's the worst that could happen? (apart from bankrupting me!).
Anyway, went to see it, it looked lovely, lots of recent bills, enthusiastic owner, drove beautifully, so money was exchanged and I'm now the proud owner of my first MB.
It's a very different car to drive compared to my previous Saab 9-5 Aero; the Saab feels much nimbler driving in normal traffic, more feedback and responsive, the E500 feels like there's a lot of mass moving about (although surprisingly it's only 30KG heavier) - you're much more isolated from the outside and the throttle response take a bit of getting used to, I'm finding it a bit difficult to modulate at slow speed. However, when the seller took me for a (very!) spirited test drive I was mightily impressed with how secure and planted it feels at (very high!) speed.
I've got to say though, the build quality is of another order compared to the Saab, it really feels like the car is hewn from solid rock!
It seems to have electric everything (headrest and steering wheel adjustment! - Really?!!) - which is lovely but a bit of a worry if it goes wrong!
Only issues it has (1st world problems!) - couple of small dents on the N/S front wing and O/S roof rail, N/S mirror doesn't fold and the headrest adjustment buttons have broken off - other that that it's a super motor.
Will try to get some pictures up in the gallery area, but so far very impressed.
Pete.
After much procrastination I've finally taken the plunge and got my first Mercedes. I'd been after a V8 engined car for a while, then saw this 2004 W211 E500 that had been hanging around on ebay. Not knowing anything about E500s I did a bit of googling and thought, sod it, what's the worst that could happen? (apart from bankrupting me!).
Anyway, went to see it, it looked lovely, lots of recent bills, enthusiastic owner, drove beautifully, so money was exchanged and I'm now the proud owner of my first MB.
It's a very different car to drive compared to my previous Saab 9-5 Aero; the Saab feels much nimbler driving in normal traffic, more feedback and responsive, the E500 feels like there's a lot of mass moving about (although surprisingly it's only 30KG heavier) - you're much more isolated from the outside and the throttle response take a bit of getting used to, I'm finding it a bit difficult to modulate at slow speed. However, when the seller took me for a (very!) spirited test drive I was mightily impressed with how secure and planted it feels at (very high!) speed.
I've got to say though, the build quality is of another order compared to the Saab, it really feels like the car is hewn from solid rock!
It seems to have electric everything (headrest and steering wheel adjustment! - Really?!!) - which is lovely but a bit of a worry if it goes wrong!
Only issues it has (1st world problems!) - couple of small dents on the N/S front wing and O/S roof rail, N/S mirror doesn't fold and the headrest adjustment buttons have broken off - other that that it's a super motor.
Will try to get some pictures up in the gallery area, but so far very impressed.
Pete.
