IntoTheBlue

Hi all, so I currently drive a 2009 BMW 328i coupe and looking to upgrade to a 2014/15 E400/550 with Distronic (and sport bumpers if an E400).

Are there any notable differences between a 2014 and 2015 model year? Would an E400 with ECU tune and exhaust be comparable to an E550?

I'm torn between getting a CPO or a car under factory warranty and getting an extended warranty through MB or USAA. Does anyone have any insight or recommendations on that?

Alternatively, I'm considering a C450, but afraid I'll miss that open air feeling you can experience inside an E coupe.

Flash Gordon

Both the 400 and 550 can be tuned. The 400 can be tuned close to 400 hp via Renntec ECU. The 550 can be tuned to 500hp! As for the CPO or warranty plus extended one, you really have to see what's available in the market and then decide. Not likely you will find a CPO and warranty one to your liking simultaneously. You do know that tuning the car will void your warranty.

SnakeDoctor

I own the 550, and have taken a ride in a E400 (though sedan). The E400 certainly has some go, but it's just not the same as the 550. If you can choose the 550, go with that.

SD-14E550CAB

I think in-practice, you'll find that the majority of 14-15 will have very little factory warranty left because most of them have an in-service date from the calendar year prior and that they will be CPO regardless (if from a Merc dealer). In fact, I'd steer clear of any from a Mercedes dealer that wasn't CPO'ed. Also you can buy a warranty extension for two years on a Mercedes CPO that is not mileage-capped.

I'd agree with Snake on the E550 over the E400. The 207 is NOT a sports car, it's more of a GT and the 8-cylinder fits that persona more.

If you get the 2014 550, warped rotors are a frequent problem.

I don't know how much of a must-have the distronic is, but it will definitely limit your selection. I'd consider the full LED lighting package to be a must-have, both functionally and aesthetically. NOT having it is a source of buyer's remorse, from what I've read on this board, and it definitely impacts price as dealers have a harder time moving those without it.

mrmotoguzzi00

If you care about sound the V8 certainly has that

Have you driven them yet ?

RickInHouston

I guess I can help. I drove a 1999 BMW coupe (325, I think) for three years. Drove a 2014 Mercedes E350 sedan for about three years ater that, drove a 2017 E300 for three months, off-and-on (tee hee, tee hee) and now an E400 coupe. I did not test drive an E550.

I bet the E550 would be a blast to drive. Funny thing is, when I try and push my car in my neighborhood, there's always a really slow someone in front of me, traffic is awful, or the roads are sh*t. I just can't drive it hard, much. I prefer it to the BMW. My wife LOVES the car and she drives slow as a snail. One thing I NEVER thought about, though, was gas. I guess this one with a smaller tank and bigger engine... I go through a tank of gas noticably quicker with my usual driving over the sedans I've had. I can only imagine the E550 would be an even faster drain.

I get the part wanting Distronic. It's a 'second tier' option in the sedan and 'third tier' option in the coupe. You pay dearly for it. You can't get a closing trunk or foot activated opening / closing trunk in the coupe. Mercedes kind of strips features from the E coupe with my thought being it's a sports car and YOU should be driving it, not it driving you. I'm probably wrong with that one.

I have the uber-nice upgraded headlights and the salesman made a special note about them and went a little crazy. I'm seriously thinking about dumping $4K into an audio upgrade. It's not very good in this car, at all. I often just turn the music off (and gun the engine to put a smile back on my face). I do like the upgraded seats. I'm on the small side and can't imagine a much bigger guy fitting comfortably, but you should try it out yourself.

IntoTheBlue

Thanks for the note about ECU upgrade and the warranty. I'd consider an E400 to save money vs an E550, but currently with Distronic they appear to be the exact same price so I'd definitely go for the E550.

Lighting package is already a must-have for me, and I figure since I'll have this car for 5 years, that Distronic is a must-have to prevent buyer's remorse in a few years when I may lust after something more modern.

I've test driven a C300 and an E350 coupe, which on paper are just as fast as my 328i, and seat of the pants felt quick enough, but I'm dead set on the body kit of the E550.

The updated interior of the C class is a plus, and I have no idea if I'll have a family in 5 years so the 4-doors could be handy, but man, can't get over how good an E550 looks. It definitely looks more worth the money, even though a C450 with Distronic is exactly the same price currently.