Back in the saddle again
 

So after almost a year of driving a Japanese car, I just purchased a 2006 E 350 as my daily driver. Taking delivery tonight after work (fortunately it's only a couple steps to the sales department). I'll get pics up in the near future. Just wanted to share :D

Congrats!

Congrats on the new ride! :)

Yeah Ted, I just don't hold onto cars very long. Sold the blower on Ebay for a decent price and dropped her off in the front of the dealer. I missed the feeling of a German car. No matter how fast you get a Japanese car to go, it's still a Japanese car. Souless appliances. I ripped the ever living hell out of it last weekend before removing the go fast goodies. Went for some drifting runs in the rain we had last night and drove it up to the office. Almost out of gas, no washer fluid and some newly abused Comp T/A's. I'm off to look at this E right now. It was on the truck coming to my dealer when I bought it, so I have yet to even see the car in person (you've seen one, you've, well you know). I did load the thing up nicely, Nav, heated power seats, sunroof, xenons, all the good stuff. I'll be driving it home tonight barring the unforseen.

Thanks much for your kind support, all.

Yeah, I've got the Harmon-Kardon upgrade which is really quite good. The G had the stock Bose system with an aftermarket sub integrated.

Congratulations! So....how was day 1 with the new beauty??

I absolutely loved it. This thing is so very smooth. Put on almost a hundred miles yesterday just driving around playing with all the toys. The girlfriend (actually soon to be the wife, another story though) is digging it as well. She appreciates the ride, especially coming from a G35 on coilovers. The word "cute" did come out of her mouth once, but that was quickly corrected. The only problem is now she wants a new car, so I'm thinking a C350 might be in the cards in the next month or so. MB's got a killer employee plan and I aim to take full advantage. I took it home last night but didn't get it detailed, just a cursory cleaning. It's in my detail shop right now, so I will have some pics soon enough.

As a side note, I had heard mixed reviews on the 7 speed trans in these cars. In the short time I've been driving it, it has really impressed me. Very quick, smooth shifting; almost telepathic downshifts. Maybe I got a ringer. The six with the 7 speed is quicker than the 8 with the 5 speed, and fuel economy is much better. Averaging 22 mpg in "spirited" highway driving, I'm sure that'll increase as the motor starts to loosen up. So far so good.

Wow! Just noticed this was my 420th post! :beatnik:

Congrats! :huepfenic

Many thanks. Lots brewing up here in the Windy City.