[K-A]

Hey all, wanted to post some new and proper pics of my "new" Malibu. Still really happy with the car and the bang-for-the-buck value!

 

[K-A]

And for the heck of it, some of my E350::

 

[K-A]

One of my beloved Mustang I had years back:

More of the currents:

 

[KenM10759]

The Benz is especially nice because it's an AMG. So give us photos of the best two features, the bigass brakes and under the bonnet.

Not my style, but they're nice. In a "sport" model, I'll never understand why MB uses those huge steering wheels and no manual transmission option.

 

[KURLY]

Boy thse 08-09 Malibu's sure are a pretty car aren't they? I know I sure love mine.

 

[K-A]

Thanks guys!! Indeed, the Malibu is a great looking car. Sadly I have to park it outside, so it gets SO dirty. I took it and washed it today, and am so happy to have it nice and clean for now.

KenM: Thanks for the compliment. Actually it's a Factory "AMG Package", which still retains the 3.5L V6, but gets the AMG styling goodies, and a fully tuned AMG Sport suspension, which rides really great.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

My uncle's E350 has the same package...looks good.

 

[K-A]

Thanks man

Yeah, I hunted that thing down and had to pay a bit of a premium for the package, as it's pretty rare for pre-'09 E-Classes ('09+ they're just basically throwing them on as standard, or charging very little, before then it was a $4-5K Option), but I refused to own an E-Class without it!

 

[KenM10759]

Just out of curiosity, does your Malibu have OnStar and if so waht are your impressions of it vs. the stock on-board navigation of the MB? I have factory nav in my BMW, and hate the OnStar by comparison.

I totally understand looking for the sport package. My BMW has theirs and it's night & day different than a standard suspension. The MB's are especially soft on their standard suspension.

 

[K-A]

Agreed! With M-B or BMW you gotta go with the Sport Packages.

I actually don't have OnStar with the Malibu (I don't think??), and no Nav. The M-B Roadside Assistance is supposed to be great, I haven't had to use it yet (fortunately), but I will say the Navigation is pretty much a let-down for what you'd expect from an M-B. Just pretty basic stuff, no real-time Traffic, etc. The '09+ E-Classes got a new hard-drive based unit that is much better. My Mom has an '08 525i which has a muuch better Nav system than what's in my Benz.

Love the E39 5-Series' BTW, especially the 530's. I can't stand the look of the newer E60's. Good news is, by the looks of the Spy Pics, the next gen (2011) F10 5-Series is going to look superb. They're toning down the gimmicks, etc. and giving it a more cohesive, traditional, and elegant look, yet still Sporty and aggressive, it actually seems very influenced by the E39.

 

[ucantcme]

Agreed! With M-B or BMW you gotta go with the Sport Packages.

I actually don't have OnStar with the Malibu (I don't think??), and no Nav. The M-B Roadside Assistance is supposed to be great, I haven't had to use it yet (fortunately), but I will say the Navigation is pretty much a let-down for what you'd expect from an M-B. Just pretty basic stuff, no real-time Traffic, etc. The '09+ E-Classes got a new hard-drive based unit that is much better. My Mom has an '08 525i which has a muuch better Nav system than what's in my Benz.

Love the E39 5-Series' BTW, especially the 530's. I can't stand the look of the newer E60's. Good news is, by the looks of the Spy Pics, the next gen (2011) F10 5-Series is going to look superb. They're toning down the gimmicks, etc. and giving it a more cohesive, traditional, and elegant look, yet still Sporty and aggressive, it actually seems very influenced by the E39.

I'm pretty sure the new Malibu's come standard with OnStar. Is there a blue button on the rear view mirror? If so, you have OnStar.

 

[K-A]

I'm pretty sure the new Malibu's come standard with OnStar. Is there a blue button on the rear view mirror? If so, you have OnStar.

Really?! The '08's? I know mine is a base-model that was originally designed for Rental Services. How long does the OnStar last? Is it like a time-period or Mileage thing?

 

[ucantcme]

Really?! The '08's? I know mine is a base-model that was originally designed for Rental Services. How long does the OnStar last? Is it like a time-period or Mileage thing?

On brand-new vehicles you get it for 12 months. You purchase your Malibu, used?

 

[K-A]

Yeah got it Used.

 

[ucantcme]

Yeah - I'm not too for sure how transferring OnStar goes, but after the 12 months since the activation date (I would assume) it expires and you'd have to pay to use OnStar.

 

[K-A]

Hmm. Maybe I'll go and check for that Button, and give it a little "test push".

 

[ucantcme]

Hmm. Maybe I'll go and check for that Button, and give it a little "test push".

Go for it....I'm curious to know what happens as well. If you decide to press it, let me know what happens!

 

[KURLY]

K-A are you in the LA area?

 

[jonzon13]

I have an aftermarket Pioneer GPS deck in the Malibu and it is sooooooo much better than OnStar. At least I get a map to look at lol

 

[ucantcme]

I have an aftermarket Pioneer GPS deck in the Malibu and it is sooooooo much better than OnStar. At least I get a map to look at lol

So you can't use OnStar with an aftermarket radio?