ricardovasco

Hi all. I asked the same question to Rudney but decide to ask you guys as well.

I've been thinking of changing my car. Its a really amazing car and like new condition! Everything works fine, interior..exterior.. look fantastic,etc but I think its time for another adventure. I've been searching for a E 350 coupe 2010..2011.. ( the E500 coupe would be my choice but its quite expensive here in Brazil). Do you guys know this car in person ? I know its a V6 ..272hp ( I think?!).. mine is 306hp... some people from Mercedes group of Brazil where Im a member too ( www.portalmercedes.com) asked me if I had driven a 350.. V6.. because I would miss the V8 kick down potency..etc..etc..etc.. anyway, I know there is a big difference from a V6 to a V8 but the E350 is a more modern engine so maybe I would not miss a lot. What do you think? Is it a real upgrade or its a downgrade ? What about the Jaguar XK8 2007 coupe? I also consider a Porsche Cayman S 2008... and a S500 2006 ( its totally different car from the others but S is always S.. what do you think? Too much electronic ? Can be a big problem?)

Here are the cars Im thinking about:

http://www.webmotors.com.br/C/786483...ampaign=mitula

http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/.../2010/13088888

http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/.../2008/14460046

http://www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/.../2006/15122345


Thank you so much for the help!

Best Regards
Ricardo

DanielFD

Well lets see your 500 is 300hp. yes it might be more potent then 272hp from a V6 but its not much of a difference. If i were in your position I'd strongly consider the XK8 but not the cayman. The problem with the cayman is its going to be a pretty harsh ride if your coming from a Merc. yes its amazing to drive and will put large smiles on your face, but it will put big frowns on your face when you take a look at part costs. XK8 are pretty robust. good engine and chassis. I'd say in the future i'd be torn between a 2006 (old model) XKR and an SL550.

abqhudson

The Cayman only if you are interested mostly in image or plan to track the car. I wouldn't trust the Jag for depreciation or reliability. S repairs will be very costly.

Can't do much better than your CLK. My CLK500 is one of the finest cars I have driven.

YMMV

gixxerboy

my wife has an 2012 e350 coupe, you will notice the less power, but it still gets out of its own way and doesnt feel under powered at all. It is a nice car, the interior is much nicer.

ricardovasco

Thanks Daniel. Actually I don't use my car every day. Its almost a weekend car. Thats why Im looking for a different and exotic one. E coupe would be the more racional purchase. Its the cheapest one of this list and comes with some upgrades that I consider (connection for my ipod..iphone.. newer dashboard...etc). However its the most common car on the list.

The Porsche would be more a image car. Porsche is always Porsche.. but..... not sure about the parts.. cost..etc.

The Jaguar is almost the same. I do like the combination color ( beige with black) and the car is soooo new. 17.000km . However Im not sure also about the costs..parts price..etc.

S500 is for the comfort . Its huge car and looks like a first class airplane lol. Good for traveling . Is it that expensive for repair? I mean, normal stuffs as brake pad, oil, filters, brake disc, etc.

Another 2 options are a C63 AMG 2008 and SLK55 2006-2009.

Anyway, Im looking for a "exclusive"car with a decent potency ( ok, can be a little less than my CLK500 but not a lot ). Coupe or cabrio are my fav ones.

ricardovasco

I do agree abqhudson! My CLK500 is by far , the most amazing car I've had in my life .

ricardovasco

Thanks gixxerboy! Good to hear someone who has driven the car. How to compare them? Sorry about my poor english but how is the "kick down"of the E coupe? Is it so lesser power? What about the transmission ? Do you feel any lag or its better than the CLK one? Does it have paddle shift ? Any lag as well?

gixxerboy

they use the exact transmission. Her's does not have a paddle shifter. Yes there is less power between the two cars. but hers still has enough power for average user but your not going to be racing sports cars in it. there definitely less torque

tw2

Wow unusual selection of cars! Check you can afford cayman upkeep. Depending on the model even tires are very expensive. Read up on IMS failures, affects 6-12% of engines and nothing you can do except place the engine.

As mentioned jags depreciate very quickly and parts/service is not cheap. S-class is the same.... Abc no thanks. I would find a nice E coupe or a clk550. Can't go wrong with an slk55. Early c63 can have head bolt issues so get an aftermarket warranty or replace them when you get the car.

beejAMG

if you can afford to maintain it. S500 hands down. you have the power, the comfort, the luxury and not to mention that curvy big body. the rest of your options, imo, are cars that you'll get tired of really quickly. dont get me wrong, im sure theyre nice cars but thats all they are...nice. goodluck mate!

DanielFD

the ABC system is not as scary as you guys think. proper maintenance and good driving habits (not driving through potholes) will keep your car performing in great form. Also ABC is ***** good. you really feel it working! it ain't expensive for no reason!

tw2

I would agree with new ones. The problem is the earlier ABC systems had parts that were not quite good enough. I think in regards to filtration and fittings- I am sure rodney can chime in on that. And of course looking at a 2006 model; the almost 10 years of maintenance is out of the new owners hands.

DanielFD

agreed, didn't think about that.

DanielFD

i'd say then best bet would be wait till next year and buy an e500, prices will eventually drop

Rudeney

ABC uses the power steering pump and fluid. It seems there are several problems. First, there were bad pumps, then bad regulators, then problems with the valves. Once those things were replaced with revised parts, the system became much more reliable, though periodic flushes seem to still be needed to prolong its life. This, and all the extra little motors, switches and vacuum assist functions of the S-Class do make it much more "needy" than maintaining a CLK.