2010 E350 vs. 2008 S550_What to do??
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 9
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From: Los Angeles Area
MB E350 2012
2010 E350 vs. 2008 S550_What to do??
Leasing will not work for me (addicted to ownership), so I decided to buy. However, in the last week I am chasing my tail with this dilemma...Both certified are quite the same price with S550 on the high. In both I'm looking for mileage up to 35,000. I am a computer savvy and Nav voice control (not Nav spelling), bluetooth, and music streaming via my iPhone are important.
Live in SoCal and right now renting a car, until I fulfill my long time dream, buying MB car for the 1st time. I can do it today if I had the answer...
Need your help, pro
Thx
Live in SoCal and right now renting a car, until I fulfill my long time dream, buying MB car for the 1st time. I can do it today if I had the answer...
Need your help, pro
Thx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,391
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W212 FL
W212 is for me and my most fave MB model ever made 
. This is why I prefer W212 over any other cars but this is all personal choice
However, S550 being a present S Class and flagship to the model is an upscale model , better built quality ,craftsmanship and more room , gadgets
. This is why I prefer W212 over any other cars but this is all personal choice However, S550 being a present S Class and flagship to the model is an upscale model , better built quality ,craftsmanship and more room , gadgets
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 3,917
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
if money isn't a huge concern go for the S, you'll be blown away......but if money is an issue try out the E class......even though you mentioned they're the same.....seems S would be more money to own.......just a hunch......
and plus, where do you go from S?? hehe!
good luck, post up when it's done
and plus, where do you go from S?? hehe!
good luck, post up when it's done
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
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From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
If you can swallow the look of an S and that halfway tickles your fancy then go for it. The 212 to me is a much better looking car though and the best looking car in the MB line-up.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
S CLASS FOR THE WIN!!!! It looks way more stately and much larger than the E. Whenever I park them side by side, the S class is much longer, taller, and looks more luxurious. THe E looks more sporty especially with the hockey stick LED's though; NOTE: The 2008 S class requires you to spell out your destination for the voice control and is much older than the new voice control systems on the E; however, on the S class, you get a cool little button that allows you to swivel the screen so that the screen is angled at the driver, the center, or the passenger (The E class navi screen is stationary). The control knob is much bigger too 
Last edited by newyorktoLA; May 4, 2012 at 06:06 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
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From: Paradise
w212 E550
it's really your call. e class still w/warranty but s class w/o. e class is smaller and slightly cheaper but doesn't mean it's not a good car. one other thing you have to consider is if this is your first mb, you might want to stick w/e class first. if you go w/s class, unless you can afford it, what would you change next? no matter what, you won't go wrong w/either.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles Area
MB E350 2012
Decision Time!!
First, I would like to thank you for the thoughts and insight. It was so helpful.
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
w212 E550
First, I would like to thank you for the thoughts and insight. It was so helpful.
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
! don't forget to post some pics later.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
O/P, I was in the same position before I bought my E. I had my heart set on a W221 CPO, and didn't even want an E (or so I thought) again. I test drove both, and put them side by side.... to me, the E took the S's design language, refined it, made it much more dynamic, as it's still stately and classic yet far more modern and sharp/cunning, not to mention a lot more sportily aggressive. That sold me on the E instantly.
The drive showed the S being a much more refined and luxurious environment, but the isolation and HUGE size made me feel almost like a chauffeur, or a liitle too "mature" (and that's saying a lot as the E is very mature in itself). I liked the slightly more "connected" and "tighter" feel of the E in comparison. Fit me better.
When it came time to make a decision, I did the same as you. Got a brand new E when I was looking at only used models. The W212 is a very special car to me because not only is it my first Brand New M-B, but my first Brand New car ever (I'm now on my second Brand New one
). I even payed more for the New W212 over the CPO W221, so that should say something.I love the S, but the E is usually more fit to me. Also, I feel they generally age better, if you look at the W210 VS W140, W220 VS W211, etc.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Smart move. You avoided the problems of a soft idler gear and AirMatic suspension on the S-Class and you probably avoided getting a 2010 E350 ex-lease car that the dealer bought at auction in Texas.
The new E350 has a 60 degree V6 that's inherently balanced and which gets much better fuel economy than the M272 V6 in the 2010.
Congratulations!
The new E350 has a 60 degree V6 that's inherently balanced and which gets much better fuel economy than the M272 V6 in the 2010.
Congratulations!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 3,917
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
First, I would like to thank you for the thoughts and insight. It was so helpful.
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
enjoy
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
First, I would like to thank you for the thoughts and insight. It was so helpful.
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
BTW, I just returned few hrs ago from the Arcadia (CA)'s MB dealership.
Well, I became part of your family with not only 2010 E350, but a brand new 2012 E350! I could not help myself in the dealership! What a joy!
The S is amazing by any aspect, but it will need to wait...at this stage. I will earn it one day!
Thank you so much for the input!
Shetz
Best of luck with your new Benz.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles Area
MB E350 2012
Thanks guys!! You are great!!
I'll post some pictures shortly.
I'm posting a question on extended warranty, Prepaid maintenance and LoJack, since I need to provide my decision to the dealer when I'll pick the E350 today.
I'll post some pictures shortly.
I'm posting a question on extended warranty, Prepaid maintenance and LoJack, since I need to provide my decision to the dealer when I'll pick the E350 today.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
I think you made the best decision all around. I would just hate to step in a 4 y/o S series. Those things can become quite costly real quick out of warranty. Congrats and enjoy. Overall, I just don't think there is a better car on the market.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
That being said, Congrats on the choice of the E! I was looking at S-Classes myself, but didn't like the floaty handling. Also, the E550 had the same engine, and was a better balance of sport and luxury for me, personally. Great choice!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Just came across these pics on MBUSA. Pictures of cars in identical angles in identical settings at identical distances are great because you get to judge the designs purities against each other. This highlights how I feel the W212 takes the W221's design language, and adds some emphasis and dynamics into it (whilst losing some regality in the process, though purposefully done). That's a facelifted W221 btw.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Congrats to the OP!
I found it striking that at first glance both models look almost alike. Prefer it when Mercedes had more distinction between their models. I think this is going to get even worse with the redesigned E class as I heard we might lose the quad lights and the design might be made to look more homogenous with the rest of the lineup. I prefer the time when the C, E, and S were all distinct cars with separate identities.
I found it striking that at first glance both models look almost alike. Prefer it when Mercedes had more distinction between their models. I think this is going to get even worse with the redesigned E class as I heard we might lose the quad lights and the design might be made to look more homogenous with the rest of the lineup. I prefer the time when the C, E, and S were all distinct cars with separate identities.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Congrats to the OP!
I found it striking that at first glance both models look almost alike. Prefer it when Mercedes had more distinction between their models. I think this is going to get even worse with the redesigned E class as I heard we might lose the quad lights and the design might be made to look more homogenous with the rest of the lineup. I prefer the time when the C, E, and S were all distinct cars with separate identities.
I found it striking that at first glance both models look almost alike. Prefer it when Mercedes had more distinction between their models. I think this is going to get even worse with the redesigned E class as I heard we might lose the quad lights and the design might be made to look more homogenous with the rest of the lineup. I prefer the time when the C, E, and S were all distinct cars with separate identities.
Now, Audi and BMW, they've homogenized their lineups to the greatest extent, and it bores me of their designs much faster, as you feel like you really see one car everywhere, as they can blend into each other.
Also, the W203/W211/W220 era was probably the most homogenized of all time by M-B, while the W210/W140 were very unique from each other, however before that, M-B's always looked very similar to each other, more-so than the current Sedan lineup.
But yeah I agree with you about the facelit. Not only have the 2012's with their straight LED's started to look more "normalized to the lineup", but it seems with the facelift, M-B will eliminate all the unique-to-W212 elements, and homogenize it with the lineup more-so.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
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Tesla Model S P100D
My concern is that the C, E, and S designed are becoming Audised to a certain extent. There was a time when I had a really hard time differentiating an A6 from an A4 and I'm a car nut. Hopefully this will not come to that.
I have to say thought that more or less MB knows what they are doing with their designs. It's rare for them to screw up as badly as the bangled butt BMWs.
The biggest thing I would like to see with the E class is for the interior to look more organic, elegant and classy with some curves, like the S class.
I know I know about the whole Teutonic thing but this current design is not growing on me. Wish the interior experience was more upscale and closer towards the S than the C.
Having said that I LOVE what MB has done with the new C class -- both inside and out. That car is now a tremendous value for what you get.
I have to say thought that more or less MB knows what they are doing with their designs. It's rare for them to screw up as badly as the bangled butt BMWs.
The biggest thing I would like to see with the E class is for the interior to look more organic, elegant and classy with some curves, like the S class.
I know I know about the whole Teutonic thing but this current design is not growing on me. Wish the interior experience was more upscale and closer towards the S than the C.
Having said that I LOVE what MB has done with the new C class -- both inside and out. That car is now a tremendous value for what you get.
