adam3

I have a W211 E220Cdi 03 model year. It has a year of warranty left and I'm thinking of changing in the next 12 months. I was thinking of a W210 but I'm not sure which model or year i should go for. I need around 30-40mpg if possible. I would be happy with around 150bhp. I thought of E200K or the E240. or the diesels.

My other options are the used LS430 or the new Lexus GS out next year.

If you had to change car for personal reasons which car would you opt for and why.

ruffrob

If I had to choose,it wouldn't be a Lexus,since I feel that thiose cars ,while nice,are Japanese marketing at it's best. Tak note of the obvious equation:

Toyota reliability + upscale persona and design = Lexus

Mercedes has always been first class luxury........

Maestro

Mercedes isn't what it used to be. In my opinion, there is no competition for the Lexus LS430 in terms of luxury, reliability, features, comfort, and price.

SpeedyE430

For what it is worth I just made this decision a few months ago & here is how I decided.

I have always driven Toyota Supras...my last car had 199,999 miles on it & I loved just about every mile (with the exceptions of blown headgaskets) I just KNEW, that my next car was going to be a Lexus GS (since Toyota decided not to make Supras anymore & I needed a 4-door w/guts)...well, my husband had me test drive a few other cars before I decided.
The GS400 was VERY appealing. Much sportier in the inside then the plain MB....but I was very surprised at how well the MB handled, accelerated, & had TONS more room inside. Oh sure, the GS has 4 doors...but my family is in the 6ft range & that car was just not going to cut it! (No leg room!)

So, while I can appreciate the Lexus & have always been a Toyota owner in the past (face it, they are very well made cars!) I am LOVING my new (to me!) W210. Beautiful, classy, responsive,respectible, & ROOMY!! & sure, they were probably made better in the past....but I think that applies to just about EVERYTHING in life...nothing was as it was.

You just have to choose what is most important to you...both cars hold their value very well & that is ultimately what speaks volumes.

Just my 2cents worth...

Good luck in your decision...

Maestro

The GS400 out-handles the the E-Class, stock to stock.

The MB costs much more, does not hold it's resale value nearly as well, is a ***** (financially) to repair upon the conclusion of the warranty, and doesn't touch the reliability. Even considering these facts, I would take a 2005 E500 over the GS400, if they were the same price for the luxury and aesthetics alone... but the price difference does change things. If we're looking at a 2005 GS400 vs a 2002 or so E430 so that they will be the same price, i'd take the Lexus as i'm not a fan of the old body-style, and MB reliability and repair costs scare me :P

BlownV8

I would find that hard to believe against the 210 E55.

Maestro

What's the point of comparing two vehicles if one costs more than twice as much as the other? The only E-Class cars within $10K-$20k of the price of the GS400 are the E320 and E500/E430. The GS400 outhandles both the E500 and E430.

Dema

What do you mean "outhandles"? Probably you've never driven them.

Maestro

I've driven them both, and the GS400 was more responsive and more agile than the E500.

EddieGTP

We've been down this thread over and over...
Search the archives.

adam3

Sorry if I've started a Lexus Vs Mbz debate iinadvertently, it wasn't my intention.

My prime question is the comparison between W211 AND W21O. i Have a W211 and have had some electrical problems which have been resolved. On requestiing a warranty work carried out report the car has had half a dozen issues including a replaced ECM and mass sensor, brake light unit, fuse box unit.

Since i have only a year for warranty left and a extended waranty is $1K/yr..come next year it will be decision time. How reliable is the W210 and would you consider it if reliability was you top priority . Personally i do like the w211 over the w210 as i have sat in the cabin of w210 and the seats are not the same quality and comfort. This is going to be the case in newer models..you say but when i saw the interior of the LS430 it reminded me of an airplane ****pit will all those dials...and the LS has been out for a while. Not sure how the new GS will be in terms of luxury but may match the W211.

I like everything about the W211, its design, style, luxury, handling, comfort and would rather buy a MBz even if it was more expensive. But when your over the warranty period of 3 yrs with the W211 it can get rather expensive since its an 03 model with known issues.

So the dilemma is buy an older w210 which may or may not be reliable...as i don''t know....only you guys are knowledgable on that...or change to a another used cheaper reliable luxury car..........

Fast55

Personally prefer the W210 over 211. The new "E" looks to much like the "S" for my tastes. Even the W210's have some known issues as with every other car. Gas tank sending unit comes to mind since I already had that problem once, but the part would have been "only" about $90.00 had it not been warranty. The Lexus is a great car and will probably be more reliable than any year Benz, but that's not the reason to own a MB is it? Regardless, the W210's will be much cheaper to work on than the 211's. A pristine E430 will be in the 25-35K range.

Neo240

I Was yust in the market for a early 2k model E Class. The choice i faced financily was a late 210 with low milage and better engine or a high milage 211 with bad engine.

I Tried some 211s but i must say i actually liked the 210 most. I Think its more old school merc, and the 211 is more plasticly to me.

By the way i also did not like the std seats in the 210, so i found a car with comfort seats and they are great, they are also AC Vented, really much more nicer then the std ones.

The only negative with the 210 i think is the rust issue with the prone to come rust around the door frame. Here in Norway Mercedes has officialy told the customers all doors will be changed free of charges on models never than 8 years so to me its not a big deal. I Think the 210 is othervise a great car. The V6 engines are probably some of the best engines ever biult by Mercedes when it comes to reliablilty.

simlow

Well put it this way, i may not choose to buy w210, w211, or LS430 if my country would have the local VW or Audi dealers selling Phaeton W12, or A8.

Those cars are really nice.

(Sorry maybe be out of topic)

Regards,
Simon Low.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Neo240

(Sorry maybe be out of topic)

Wow no kidding. Hov about a S class or Maybach prehaps.

zam2000

I could speak to this w/ authority: I have a W210, W211, and a GS300 that I now passd to my dad. Out of the three car, the W210 is my favorite: upgrade wheels, suspension, and lot of other gadgets installed.

The GS has more horse power than the W210, but trust me, horse power is not that important, it's the HANDLING, something Lexus completely lack.

The W210 can take turn and run circle around the GS (except for the L-tuned). I've driven both the E430 Sport and GS430 sport. The GS feels like a Buick compared to the Mercedes. You can only slam the accelerator at the stop light everyonce in a while (especially in southern CA), which the Lexus beat the Bnz, but handling is what will be w/ every mile of the ride, and the Lexus doesn't have that.

If you just want 0-60 and quarter mile, the Honda Accord V6 can outrun the 6 cylinders Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW. It doesn't mean Accord V6 is a better car & more fun to drive

Drive the Lexus, then try the Benz, you'll understand.

adam3

I take your point Zam.

However it would not really compare the old GS with the W210 since it would not be in my choice list. I would include the used LS 430 or the new GS 05 as a choice. However my W211 has had issues which the 1st owner had rectified and is not a problem now...but knowing my luck when the last day of the warranty ends those elec gremlins will come back.

So the issue is more of which car can i keep which has the luxury and good reliablity and a good drive....i guess that is the perfect car...which doesn't exist.

I like the V6 accord and if it was avialable i would have that....only the H Legend will be available over here late next year. The other issue is brand kudos over here is more prevalent and Mbz(merc) BMW are more respected brands than Lexus. Honda and toyota are just cars....

Having owned a Mbz for nearly a year and only occasionally driven it..being seen more in the Honda i don't think brand kudos will affect me that much.

So basically which is the better car in terms of drive, luxury, reliability, and owner satisfaction.

diveguy

Maestro,

>> I have always driven Toyota Supras...my last car had 199,999 miles on it & I loved just about every mile (with the exceptions of blown headgaskets) <<

Ahh another Mark III-7M driver (the blown HG gave it away ).... mine has over 260k OOM (original owner miles). It still sits out front waiting for me to take it out to keep the battery charged from time-to-time ... still love the car.

Bob
Bethesda, Md.
1988 Toyota Supra
1997 MB E-420

MikeyE430

Go drive an Infiniti G35 sedan. You can get rear or all-wheel drive. Will outhandle an E-class and stay with an E430 V8. Super reliable and safe, better dealer/service than M-B and nice resale. If you can find a used one, all the better.

I was so impressed that I damn near traded my E430 for one but decided against it.