njd6580

Hi Everyone, I've come here in search of direction and feedback.

Full Disclosure: I do not own a MB, nor have I ever. I love cars, but kids, mortgage and a 164 mile daily commute forced me to purchase a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. I love cars, especially fast ones and have owned a few in the past. I need reliability and do not have time/tools to wrench myself. While I hate driving this car, it never breaks, which I love.

So, given the fact that I drive roughly 40k miles per year for work, I'm concerned that the E-350 may not be right for me. While I'm not educated in the reliability of this car, I'm led to believe that it's more of a leasers car than buyers.

I love the MB E-Class and really want something nice to commute with. Spending 4-hours in a car per day should really be done in something nice! I'm additionally considering the Lexus GS 350 as well.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Nick

bob2011

Well if you want a fast car and want the midsize sedan comfort I suggest you go for a E550! A 2012 E550 would be perfect, no airmatic suspension, a twin turbo v8 making 402 hp. (It been proven that it's making more than 402 so more like 440) and it gets pretty good millage. And if you want more power you can tune it to AMG power numbers!

kash2014

A diesel version with that much driving might not be a bad idea

jahquan3

If you drive that much the E350 will be perfect for you. If your driving is all highway with a chance to drive 65+ mph consistently then go for the E550. The gas savings can be considerable between the two with the amount you drive. So the type of driving (City/Highway) will make a difference. Either way both will trump your current Honda good sir

njd6580

I avg roughly 80mph on my commute and my Honda is screaming the entire way.

E550 sounds like a dream, but may be a little too rich for my blood at this stage in my life. Maybe when the kids are out of the house.

I can live with the 350, but generally more concerned with the maintenance and reliability.

kash2014

If you are blowing through 40K a year, you've got a substantial maintenance costs every 10K oil change 200 at the dealer. Just on Oil Changes you could be looking at 800 dollars a year.

Some Maintenance intervals are just an oil change, others require a tranny, spark plug change etc if I was to be conservative and you wanted to change everything per "required maintenance schedule" I think it would be fair to say at a minimum you are looking at 2000 grand a year maintenance based on your driving, could go higher depending on your interval ie if you hit the 50K and 80K maintenance in a year you are looking at a little more.

It is a pretty reliable car, but when it isn't it can be costly, in your case, I would buy a CPO + unlimited mile warranty, but again this is costly but with the amount of driving you do the peace of mind would be worth it

Tires if you get the sport, look at about 900 dollars for some decent Michelins from Costco every 40 or 50K

KEY08

No....

killerE350AMG

honesty the LEXUS GS is bulletproof, but if you want the best selling luxury car, the E350 can't be beat... Numbers don't lie! There is a reason why the E350/550 is the best selling car over 45k.

Rank Vehicles With Base
Prices Above $45K July
2014 July
2013 %
Change 2014
YTD 2013
YTD %
Change
#1 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 6648 5605 18.6% 41,244 33,836 21.9%
#2 BMW 5-Series 5676 4857 16.9% 33,293 30,748 8.3%
#3 Chevrolet Suburban 5168 6181 -16.4% 28,739 27,844 3.2%
#4 GMC Yukon 4139 2790 48.4% 22,743 14,895 52.7%
#5 Cadillac Escalade 3894 1975 97.2% 14,349 12,638 13.5%
#6 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 3276 3092 6.0% 25,216 22,404 12.6%
#7 Chevrolet Corvette 3060 671 356% 20,804 6344 228%
#8 BMW X5 2688 2674 0.5% 25,126 24,133 4.1%
#9 Lexus GS 2001 1722 16.2% 12,123 10,790 12.4%
#10 Lexus GX460 1955 881 122% 12,231 5296 131%
#11 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1920 577 233% 13,151 6788 93.7%
#12 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 1640 2165 -24.2% 13,366 17,111 -21.9%
#13 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 1614 752 115% 11,420 7947 43.7%
#14 Porsche Cayenne 1546 1563 -1.1% 10,259 11,082 -7.4%
#15 Audi Q7 1446 1328 8.9% 9881 7908 24.9%

Arrie

Find, if you can, a 1-2 years used E with any diesel engine. That is what you need.

If you want a new one then build one with a diesel.

aquinob

Sounds like money is tight and 40K per year is a lot of miles. Benz's depreciate quite fast and even if you buy one that is several years old and has dropped down into the low 30's or high 20's, in two years of that driving, it will depreciate 15-20K or more. That is a serious hit in value for such a short amount of time.

And unlike your typical Toyota/Honda/Nissan that you can drive into the ground without maintenance, a Benz isn't that kind of beast. It needs to be maintained on time and if you aren't wrenching on it, it aint cheap. Other things like tires will also be very expensive (17 or 18 inch low profile) and you will probably go through a set each year or maybe even less time.

I hate to say it, but if you are driving that many miles and cost is an issue, go for the cheapest reliable and comfortable ride you can find. Much better to depreciate a 20K car down to nothing in 4 years than a 50K car. Do the math.

Diamond White W212

For the kind of miles you are driving, I agree go diesel or not at all.
I would recommend buying used, preferably something that has below average miles to begin with.
An E class can soak up interstate miles effortlessly like nothing else I have owned although I still prefer my 335i for sporty driving. But if I were driving coast to coast I would take the E class.

I highly recommend getting the 7/100 MB extended warranty from one of the forum vendors at a substantial discount.
I love my wifes E350 but it has been in the dealer for 60 of the 90 days we have had it and is currently getting the transmission replaced under warranty at 45000 miles. (it was fine when we bought it) If I hadn't already purchased the extended warranty, I would dump it when I get it back or at least when the original warranty runs out. I've never purchased a warranty on any car before but glad I have it on this one.

aaacsdai

Arrie is on point-cost effect-diesel is the way to go-most trucks use diesel-and a lot of them do not turn them off when stopping for an hour or more-it prevents engine wear. With the miles you drive on a daily basis SAFETY is logically a priority to ensure you get to and from home on time and in one piece. Comfort is also a priority if you drive over 200 miles a day-this takes a toll on the arms, legs, and your lower back. Scheduled maintenance is key with any vehicle driven over 50K a year, but their is a positive side to that, German made vehicles (MB, VW=Porsche) were made to run all day, not stop and go. MB parts have superior endurance because of the arduous testing and enhancements in metallurgy, rubber, and plastics that MB has made for decades. Seriously look at a 2010-2012 low mileage Diesel MB with a unlimited warranty mentioned, you get durability, comfort, and to include your family-safety, superior handling, and speed, just the basics that make the drive go from tedious to fun and enjoyable every day with the benefit of relieving stress, physical and mental.

JSch

I would get a E350/E550 and leave it in the garage, and get a used Jetta TDi for commuting. You can get a used TDi at decent prices, and mine gave me between 47 and 53 mpg on the highway. The Jetta also drives like a German car.

I think the MB can do what you want to do, but it will come at a price.

Just my 2c..

El Cid

With your particular needs, I would avoid anything made in Europe. Period. All MB's are expensive maintenance vehicles. It also takes the dealership quite some time to just perform routine, every 10,000 miles maintenance.
Can you give up your vehicle for a full day or two or a week or so? At the minimum, sit around the dealership or indy for a few hours?
As for economy, check out fuel efficiency measured by reliable sites. MB's are not fuel efficient.
The E350 is a great car, but it is definitely not a commuter car.
There are lots of high end Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, etc. that are very nicely equipped and cost far less to lease/purchase and to maintain.

CarolinaBluetec

I used to do a 125 round trip commute in NY/NJ traffic. After a few years the car will be beaten to death. Keep buying lightly used Japanese cars and driving them accordingly for the commute.

rediesel

164 miles a day. . . it better be in a nice car. Any E will coast along at 80 MPH easily they are absolutely awesome on the highway. If you live in a warmer climate I'd recommend the E350 RWD diesel for economy, but a gas 350 will give decent mileage too. The maintenance shouldn't cost too much more - you're getting your oil changed regularly now I assume.

njd6580

Guys, really appreciate all the feedback. Definitely helped.

El Cid

BTW, MB gas engines require Premium fuel.

killerE350AMG

honestly the best for for what you are using the car for is the lexus ES300h. 40mpg with super low cost of ownership. uses reg fuel.

killerE350AMG

http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html

calculates cost of ownership...

Barry Glover

+1 I'd find it hard to believe anyone can justify a MB from a financial viewpoint. Coming from Lexus ES350, my wife found it uncomfortable in commuting. She now has an E350 and finds the seating/ride fits her better. But I'm certain this car will cost at least twice as much to maintain even doing regular maintenance myself.

El Cid

If looking at Lexus ES, check out Toyota Camry XLE V6 and Avalons. They share platforms and lots of equipment with Lexus ES - for a lot less money.
However, the comfort level is not what it used to be from all the reviews I have read. You also have to get past that huge hole in the front they call a grille.

sloanbj

You have a commute problem, first and foremost. I would strongly consider moving closer to work or finding work closer to home. Ideally, bike or walk to work. Life is too short to spend 4 hours per day (1000 per year!) sitting on your *** (or worse fuming at other motorists) in traffic, wasting gas, money and spewing poison into the air.

In the mean time, you want a comfy reliable car that will not unduly depreciate from all the miles you will put on it. MB are among the fastest depreciating cars you can buy and are far from reliable. If you want comfort and luxury, I would look at 2007-9 Lexus LS460 with over 75K miles. Should be reliable and you can run it up to 200K easy. Other options would be Infiniti and Acura.

jahquan3

Lol screaming....

I use to have an extra car my mother in laws 2006 Corolla. I use to push it 80-90 as much as I push my E550. Lil booger had solid acceleration but I could tell it was working it heart out to push 90ish. I totally didn't feel safe in it though. Even a slight accident feels like it would tear into pieces. I still wish I had it just to switch off every now and then plus 30 bucks in gas would last 7 days easy.

homeofstone

I honestly think you may want to look at a 2013 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec. Less expensive, great power, lots of room, extremely reliable, low cost maintenance as compared to a Merc. or Bmw.