CB CruzzR

Hi all,

First post to this forum. I'm down to selecting between the e350 Cab and an Audi S5 Cab, and I'm really worried about what I'm reading (and hearing) about MB quality decline over the past decade. Would really like to hear from you all. I need the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I work for a living (i.e. not independently wealthy), and plan to keep this purchase for a good long time, so it needs to be reliable. I will still keep my 'man-e-van' (Dodge Durango) for sloppy weather, but the car I purchase will unfortunately have to live outdoors (I live in the Mid-Atlantic region).

Any and all input is most welcome. I've never spent this much $$ on a car before, and can't afford to make a bad decision.

Thanks in advance!!

Steve

mis3

I can share my personal opinions.

My daily commute is a 2004 CLK320 so my opinions are probably biased. This car is more than 8 years old and the exterior styling is still fresh and elegant. It helps that my car has been well-maintained by Meguiares products all these years. On the other hand, A5/S5 are great looking cars now but I am not sure if its exterior styling will still be "in fashion" a few years down the road. This is important to consider for someone who plans to keep the car for many years.

Mechanically, I always follow the service schedule and the car is serviced by the dealership. After more than 150k miles, the ride and the feel of the car are no different than its first year. Not sure if an Audi can do the same after 150k miles.

BTW. I may have to buy a new car soon and A5 is certainly one of the cars that I consider. E Coupe is great but I am concerned that the drive and feel are too similar to my CLK. I don't drive aggressively, so the extra power of the new engines is not important to me.

listerone

I'm 11K miles into this,my first Mercedes.Apart from a recall (they replaced the fuel filter) all's been OK so far.

CB CruzzR

MIS3 - Good input. Thanks! I hear you on the body style re: the passage of time. Benz seems to be timeless. It's nice to hear that you've gone 150K miles without much of a problem. Your comments on taking care of it are spot on... take care of it, and it should stay nice for much longer. I have a friend that hates her C class, but can't afford to get rid of it. Says it makes all kind of noises (rattles, squeaks, etc) that nobody can find/fix.

Listerone - Thanks. I would hope that there are no issues after only 11,000 miles. So you're happy with the decision you made?

Any others out there?

Thanks,

Steve

ronsc1985

2011 Powers ratings

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...um-sporty-car/

CB CruzzR

Thanks, Ron. I assume you're very happy with yours?

I'm thinking the 550 may be the better between the two...

~Steve

ronsc1985

So far so good. Decent performance, solid quiet ride and really good fuel economy on highway (about 29-30 mpg at 70-75 mph cruise). That said I only have about 2K miles on it so the long term reliability is an unknown.

CB CruzzR

That's far better cruising mileage that I expected. Thanks for that info. I assume you keep it on the default Economy mode...(?)

I drove the 350 yesterday... looks like I need to go back and try the 550 to get a feel.

Does everyone go through this agonizing before pulling the trigger on one of these?

~Steve

ronsc1985

I usually keep in in the E mode. The reality is that all the E mode does is get into the higher gears at lower rpm's. If you are riding down the highway in E and switch to S all that happens is the transmission downshifts to the next lower overdrive gear. The result is about a 200 rpm drop.

I was a very experienced race car driver in past years and I really don't notice much if any difference when you floor the accelerator pedal between E and S. The up shift difference comes mostly at part throttle as in normal every day driving.

It is unclear from the MB literature what if any change is made to the suspension in a 550 model from E to S. If there is any change it is hardly noticeable when driving around. Maybe on a road course it may be more noticable but I didn't buy the car to race it.

On a 350 there is a added cost option to make the suspension change from E to S. As I said above if there is a similar mode of operation on a E550 Coupe is sure isn't any night and day difference.

If you don't care about performance a 350 is probably a better option. In my case I was coming from a C6 Z06 Corvette and a 350 felt like a Prius with a run down battery.

CB CruzzR

That's priceless, and I totally get it. I think my next step is to take the 550 out and see if that's the performance level I was looking for. I'm not looking at racing it, but I want something that gets my blood moving, day after day. The looks of the 350 did it, and I did enjoy the drive. I wonder how long I would be satisfied...

Thanks again for your time.

~Steve

mis3

I would not say that the styling of all MB models are timeless; just some of them. The E-Coupes certainly will still look good after many years.

For daily commute, I would prefer the smaller engine for better gas mileage. In fact, I wish they make an E-Coupe with even smaller engine. I will be fine with 200-250 HP.

CB CruzzR

That's a good point... this new E series just has 'the look'.

As for me... I like the feeling of getting pressed into the back of my seat. Not all the time, but now and then... there's just no replacement for the feeling of raw power.

C280 Sport

Either car Audi or MB will cost you more then your average car. That being said I would choose the E I am bias but I love the car. The quality issues you are referring to were awhile back and MB has become MUCH better over the years. Of all the MB's we have had(See sig) we only had 1 Lemon(00 C Class). Was in the shop all the time. Your E350 Cab you can buy as a CPO Car and then extend the warranty. Some say do it others do not. Buying one thats CPO is like buying health inscurance. Its a saftey net God forbid something goes wrong...being any car things do happen. Either a 350 or 550 if you choose I would get a CPO. It could pay off. If you dont mind me asking how much is this car your looking at?

PS: The C Class comment- They do tend to have annoying interior rattles. My DD is a 05 C Class and I spend alot of time fixing the interior noises. 100% Reliable and upkeep free little car but a 60mile commute with rattles and ticks will drive you crazy.

steelgrey

It is my understanding that most of the quality issues occurred during the infamous Damiler Chrysler days. Quality has significantly improved since the split. I'm sorry but I personally am not into Audis' gapping mouth grill. I also find them to be boxy looking. The E cab is low slung and the body lines are elegant. As for Mercedes tradition here is the E cabs grandaddy...notice the pontoon fenders. I wouldn't say the E550 is better than the E350 they are basically mechanically the same. It boils down to V8 versus V6.

mis3

How about C350 Coupe and E350 Coupe? Are they mechanically similar or the same as well?

These 2 cars share the same engine, same transmission, same platform (C class platform). How about suspension, cooling systems, alternator, etc?

steelgrey

Beats me but, who cares. If you want a C buy a C. If you want an E buy an E. E vs C is more about styling and amenities (available options). Many of the E options are not available on the C. My E350 is a 2010 and the C350 wasn't available but, I would still buy the E. I love the pillarless sweeping roof line and the pontoon fenders.

C280 Sport

Correct. I would say that 95% of the issues Mercedes had where due to the chrysler merger. Mercedes admitted to it being a huge mistake. Only thing thats different between a E350 and E550 is the V6 vs. V8. The air suspension on the 550's and that is pretty much it as far as options but build quality and parts excluding the engine are the same.

cmcbenz

i have had a number of electrical problems with both of my benzes. c230 had stereo problems a few times where it simply didn't work. my E550 coupe has been in the shop several times for airbag problems, the screen ripped for some reason and the battery died. my friend had problems with his e55 AMG with some shock absorbers.
i think the problems will always be there, remember the maintenance cost is pricey too.

CB CruzzR

Thanks, everybody... this has been really helpful!

profofacct

I bought a 2012 E 350 last October. It only has 2100 miles on it, so I can't comment on L-T reliability. However, I love the car. The Cab has the same engine. I get 19 mpg around town and 29 mpg on the road. I came out of a Lexus GS 350. The ride in the MB is smoother and quieter. I'm not quite used to the stiff leather yet.

ronsc1985

The premium leather is a lot softer but pricey. I pretty much by accident compared the two since one trial car had it and one car didn't. I think the extra cost was worth it.

If it stays stiff you might try some Lexol leather conditioner. It helped a lot in my Vette whose leather must have come from a really stiff cow.

profofacct

Thanks. I ordered some a couple of weeks ago. I saw several posts that said it was great stuff. I'll keep using it and see if it helps.

Ian McGillivray

Traded in my 93 lexus SC400 on a new CLK500 in 2003.The CLK was well built and I had it for 7 years with NO problems,just regular maintenance...Traded the CLK in on an 2010 E550 coupe...That was the first time I stayed with the same manufacturer in all the years that i've bought cars...The MBs are expensive,but they are built to last and i find that the styling stays fresh over the years,Benz doesn't go with the "flavor of the month" when it comes to styling...

mis3

I was impressed of the new body style of the C sedans. The new ones look completely different than the older ones. They look more aggressive but still elegant and classy.

On the other hand, I am not impressed with the new Bimmer 3-series. At least from far, I do not see much difference.

dsayed

I am currently driving a 2012 C-class sedan as a loaner while the dealer preps my CPO E550. I'm really enjoying the C-class I have to say.