Hi guys, I have an option to trade my C for an 09 w211 E350 w/ P1 sport version (has amg kit). Would you guys keep the C or go for the bigger E? I am somewhat in a dillema, but not sure what to do yet. . Any suggestion would help.

Well depends on your age and needs, but personally i'd go with the C. Better looking and also better handling. However if you need a bit more space the E-Class does have an advantage...

I would say yes since the E class is more luxurious and you have a s2k (weekend car I assume).

I wouldn't get the 09 E as its a dated body given that MB had a major change for 2010.

I would be interested in the 2010 E350 2 door coupe. That's a nice looking car.

I wouldnt do it for two reasons:
- You are trading a new model for an old model -> depreciation is going to be higher on the E class. C-class's current model will not change for another 4 years or so
- W204 is better looking than w211

If this was the new E-class, then this discussion would be very different.

wrong and subjective.

depreciation hits any new car the same the first year. % are pretty much the same.

E-class > C-class any day of the week. better built and 2009 would be pretty problem free for the W211.

this is true: if he is trading a used w204 for a new w211, depreciation should be higher on the w211 (assuming market value of used w204 = retail price of w211)

but my point was regarding resale value of old models. In general, the resale value holds better for new models as opposed to old models.

As for the 2nd point, I simply said "W204 is better looking than w211". I never said the W211 is worse. E-class may be a better luxury car, but it all boils down to one's opinion.

We have one of each, side by side in the garage (OK, so the E is an end of year 08, but no changes for 09, and it has the same sport package). Here's the daily experience.

The E is great when we are 3 or 4 people, feel like being coddled, or just want to do a relaxed cruise. I always feel a bit older when driving this one. For daily use, this is my wife's car.

The C wins for being involved, having fun driving, when I feel like I might want to take a holeshot, even if I don't do it...the car just feels like it's ready and could. (The manual trans helps! ) I like this one for every day and when it's just the two of us.

They are both outstanding automobiles...just figure out what experience is most attractive to you and go for it...or do what we did and get one of each!

(P.S. A low mileage 08 E coming off a 24 month lease might be an even better deal, too!)

My brother has an 09 e350 with all the packages. It looks really good, it is very smooth. Definitely a big car inside. I like the car a lot but for me its a bit heavy. I like to speed so I like quick response. Besides that, the car is great. I would not trade my C for it but my brother traded an 08 R32 for it.

If you like the E get the E! If you like the C, stay with the C! Don't give your power away to people on this forum lol ... you know what you would love more than anyone else can tell you.

I love the new E class, I think it's a striking car. I wouldn't buy it because in my opinion, it's a 50+ car. Is that the truth? No it's just what I think, so I stay with the C for now. They also drive completely different if that is in your consideration of a new vehicle.

Whatever better suits your needs, go for it.

Personally, I would stick with my C instead trading it for a previous gen E350. If it was an E500 wagon or even an older AMG, I may consider it, but I like new technology, quality, engineering and features of the C and it will age better than the E.

I also like the more compact size of the C because it feels sportier and passenger space is not a concern for me.

^+1

just go check kbb.com. 09 E350 suggested retail is $43k trade-in is $35k. 09 C300 P2 suggested retail is $35k and trade-in is $27.7k. msrp for E350 is around $52k and the msrp for the C300 P2 is around $39k. % are not that different plus the fact he can get the 211 at a discount which would toss out the depreciation argument and as everyone else should know to begin with MB resale always sucked you don't buy it to care about the depreciation.

fair enough, if it's a good deal then it's worth considering. i guess it's all about personal preference then.

charlie go with your instinct.

word.

the only thing is if it's me and just got a 09 C. I don't see why I would feel like needing the change. I would wait for a year or two and maybe hunt for the used W212 instead.

old tech, old styling in the E. If it we were talking about the new E, then that would be a whole different story.

It's all about preference.


Assuming I just bought a 2009 C-Class, personally, I'd make the trade ONLY IF:

- The 2009 E-Class has ALL the features I need on it (and at least MOST of the features I want on it).

- The 2009 E-Class is in the color I want.

- The 2009 E-Class is a BRAND NEW vehicle with almost no miles on it (this is a personal preference, I'm picky).

- And I can bargain a fantastic price on it (or maybe just do a straight trade... dealerships must be pretty desperate to get rid of all their "new" W211's by now!).


That being said, I DO have a 2009 W211 (two to be exact), and they are wonderful cars. I am glad I traded up from my W203 when I did, because i really dislike the looks of the W212 (and I'm not even that old)! Seriously, if I wanted a car that looked like a Japanese/Korean car from the rear, I'd buy a Japanese or Korean car...

Not a 350.. .maybe a 550- MB usa gave me one for the weekend two months ago... Life changing....literally... Car it 110 on the highway... and the seats grasp you as you corner... I love it! V8 Vroom vroom!

I wouldn't even trade for a 2010 E350. Il kie the size and feel of the C better. Certainly not a W211. But it is a personal deal really.

Yea, it actually my bro in law car, has less mileage than I do because he doesnt commute to work like I do. I do understand that when I was driving both car, the E is a bigger car and doesnt really have that get up and go punch swing around type of driving. The price is not a big difference at all because we bought both cars the same time. The dealer are asking stupid prices for a used w211 right now, simply because they said that the w212 are not doing as well they though it should. I commute quite a bit, not sure if I want such a big car to commute with. I really like the interior of the E, comparing with our w204. Im only considering it because it is a quick and easy trade, my mother in law can take over my C. Thanks for the opinions everyone!

I would do the trade because if you do commute a lot, the E will be a much more comfortable ride. I'm in my 20's and I find the 09 E's a lot better looking than the 2010 E's. Think about it for a quick second...a 09 C300 for a 09 E350. You would make out like a bandit on that trade.

No way, not a chance. Keep the C.

I personally like the E a lot, especially the steering wheel lol, but just go for what you want.
C is sporty and younger, E has a lot more space and mature. Both are great.

I have to agree that the E AMG sport version has a very nice thick steering wheel that I do really like. How about comparing just the exterior looks, C or E (w211)

steering wheel is so important tho, its prob what you look at and touch the most of your car. W204's exterior looks great and basically all the 2010 models are based on it, at least some small parts are. But i gotta say driving an E is pretty fun too, its like a big ship flowing around but not like a S thats actually big big, just some thoughts haha