Changing my old S320 for a new E240 or a new S280
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E240 better than S280?: Changing my old S320 for a new E240 or a new S280
I live in Singapore and am having a S320 long wheel base (W220) manufactured in 2000. Bought it brand new at US$210,000 in 2000. If I continue to drive for another 5 yr, I need to budget about another US$25,000 for overhaul, servicing, repairs. And at the end of 5 yrs, this car can be sold for about US$40,000.
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
Last edited by Albert Shaw; Jul 15, 2005 at 12:25 PM. Reason: more details
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
The large majority of the people visiting this forum live in the USA, and neither the S280 nor the E240 is sold in the USA. So, not many people here can respond to your question based upon direct experience with those cars.
You have obviously done your financial homework very carefully, but I wonder about your US$25,000 projected cost for overhaul, servicing, and repairs on your S320 over the next five years. That seems high; if you're limiting your driving to Singapore you shouldn't need that much overhaul over the 10-year span, and while servicing costs can be roughly estimated, repair costs are anyone's guess. You could get lucky.
Are there any reasons other than purely financial calculations why you want to replace your S320 at this point? I assume not, since you are thinking of replacing it with another W220. If the calculation isn't purely financial, then you might want to wait until the new S-Class - the W221 - is available in Singapore, unless you've already decided that you don't like it.
Financial calculations aside, only you can decide whether an S-Class or an E-Class is more suited to you, based upon your needs and driving habits. Obviously, this is the place to come if you want to get votes in favor of the E-Class. For every person here who couldn't afford an S-Class even if they wanted one (like me) there is probably another person who could afford either but chose the E-Class.
You have obviously done your financial homework very carefully, but I wonder about your US$25,000 projected cost for overhaul, servicing, and repairs on your S320 over the next five years. That seems high; if you're limiting your driving to Singapore you shouldn't need that much overhaul over the 10-year span, and while servicing costs can be roughly estimated, repair costs are anyone's guess. You could get lucky.
Are there any reasons other than purely financial calculations why you want to replace your S320 at this point? I assume not, since you are thinking of replacing it with another W220. If the calculation isn't purely financial, then you might want to wait until the new S-Class - the W221 - is available in Singapore, unless you've already decided that you don't like it.
Financial calculations aside, only you can decide whether an S-Class or an E-Class is more suited to you, based upon your needs and driving habits. Obviously, this is the place to come if you want to get votes in favor of the E-Class. For every person here who couldn't afford an S-Class even if they wanted one (like me) there is probably another person who could afford either but chose the E-Class.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
I can't for the life of me understand the prices for those cars!! For the price of an S280 over there, I can get an S600 here! What is the problem with your tax system?
sorry, if that sounds like rant, but I just want to understand the prices.
Eitherway, I agree with DWP... I could have gotten an S class, but chose the E since I just don't want a car that large. The E handles nicely, looks great, and is statistically actually safer than the S class (IIHS Study).
sorry, if that sounds like rant, but I just want to understand the prices.
Eitherway, I agree with DWP... I could have gotten an S class, but chose the E since I just don't want a car that large. The E handles nicely, looks great, and is statistically actually safer than the S class (IIHS Study).
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Sunny S. California
03 E500
Originally Posted by Albert Shaw
I live in Singapore and am having a S320 long wheel base (W220) manufactured in 2000. Bought it brand new at US$210,000 in 2000. If I continue to drive for another 5 yr, I need to budget about another US$25,000 for overhaul, servicing, repairs. And at the end of 5 yrs, this car can be sold for about US$40,000.
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 171
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
Originally Posted by CE750
I can't for the life of me understand the prices for those cars!! For the price of an S280 over there, I can get an S600 here! What is the problem with your tax system?
sorry, if that sounds like rant, but I just want to understand the prices.
Eitherway, I agree with DWP... I could have gotten an S class, but chose the E since I just don't want a car that large. The E handles nicely, looks great, and is statistically actually safer than the S class (IIHS Study).
sorry, if that sounds like rant, but I just want to understand the prices.
Eitherway, I agree with DWP... I could have gotten an S class, but chose the E since I just don't want a car that large. The E handles nicely, looks great, and is statistically actually safer than the S class (IIHS Study).
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Member
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
For you and I and most of the people here in the USA that may sound like a joke. But for people in the Asian countries its normal. It would be overkill to have such a large output engine. First off traffic pretty much in any south east Asian country is horrendous. There is never an opportunity for someone to let it all out on an open road. I guess they figure that since these large horsepower big engines wouldn't be worth the cost of maintenance when they would never get to fully utilize the engines ability. As I mentioned in the early thread, I travel alot to Asia for business. I have never seen a mercedes with the 500 or 600 series engines.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 50
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S320 CDI and SL320
Originally Posted by speedy888
that's a joke. put a 240 engine in an E and a 280 engine in a S? those cars weigh a ton! i could prob run faster.
In Europe, the majority of W220 S-classes is sold with the 320 CDI with 197-204pk and 470-500Nm. The E-class with the 500 and the C 320 are very rare over here
What makes me laugh is that in Europe, people can drive (obviously, the reason for that is that in Europe, getting a driver's license, is not that simple as in the States), in opposite to the Americans.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Sunny S. California
03 E500
Originally Posted by speedy888
that's a joke. put a 240 engine in an E and a 280 engine in a S? those cars weigh a ton! i could prob run faster.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
in answer to Albert: i think it's better to get the E-class, instead of the S. the E240 is considered quite "high-end" in Singapore -- most E's have even smaller engines, being the E200k variety. The S280 on the other hand is rock bottom of the S-class range. also the S is by now a pretty old design whereas the E is still relatively new. residuals would probably hold up better.
not to mention the E handles better, brakes better, and has generally nicer materials inside. so go for the E240 is my advice!
to the americans: the E240 and S280 are more than enough for most roads. and the reason the cars cost so much is because other forms of taxation are lower. the maximum band of income tax is just 22% in singapore i think, and 28% in malaysia. food is cheap, houses are cheap, daily expenses are cheap (5% goods & service tax) -- so it very much balances out. that's why so many ppl can still afford the cars despite the crazy taxes on them! singapore especially is practically over-run with Mercedes, BMW, etc etc :P
not to mention the E handles better, brakes better, and has generally nicer materials inside. so go for the E240 is my advice!
to the americans: the E240 and S280 are more than enough for most roads. and the reason the cars cost so much is because other forms of taxation are lower. the maximum band of income tax is just 22% in singapore i think, and 28% in malaysia. food is cheap, houses are cheap, daily expenses are cheap (5% goods & service tax) -- so it very much balances out. that's why so many ppl can still afford the cars despite the crazy taxes on them! singapore especially is practically over-run with Mercedes, BMW, etc etc :P
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 136
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From: HK
2010 BMW F10 535i
Originally Posted by ruykava
in answer to Albert: i think it's better to get the E-class, instead of the S. the E240 is considered quite "high-end" in Singapore -- most E's have even smaller engines, being the E200k variety. The S280 on the other hand is rock bottom of the S-class range. also the S is by now a pretty old design whereas the E is still relatively new. residuals would probably hold up better.
not to mention the E handles better, brakes better, and has generally nicer materials inside. so go for the E240 is my advice!
to the americans: the E240 and S280 are more than enough for most roads. and the reason the cars cost so much is because other forms of taxation are lower. the maximum band of income tax is just 22% in singapore i think, and 28% in malaysia. food is cheap, houses are cheap, daily expenses are cheap (5% goods & service tax) -- so it very much balances out. that's why so many ppl can still afford the cars despite the crazy taxes on them! singapore especially is practically over-run with Mercedes, BMW, etc etc :P
not to mention the E handles better, brakes better, and has generally nicer materials inside. so go for the E240 is my advice!
to the americans: the E240 and S280 are more than enough for most roads. and the reason the cars cost so much is because other forms of taxation are lower. the maximum band of income tax is just 22% in singapore i think, and 28% in malaysia. food is cheap, houses are cheap, daily expenses are cheap (5% goods & service tax) -- so it very much balances out. that's why so many ppl can still afford the cars despite the crazy taxes on them! singapore especially is practically over-run with Mercedes, BMW, etc etc :P
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 46
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From: NJ
2005 E500 4matic, 2003 SL500
Originally Posted by jameson75
For you and I and most of the people here in the USA that may sound like a joke. But for people in the Asian countries its normal. It would be overkill to have such a large output engine. First off traffic pretty much in any south east Asian country is horrendous. There is never an opportunity for someone to let it all out on an open road. I guess they figure that since these large horsepower big engines wouldn't be worth the cost of maintenance when they would never get to fully utilize the engines ability. As I mentioned in the early thread, I travel alot to Asia for business. I have never seen a mercedes with the 500 or 600 series engines.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 40
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W211, W212
Originally Posted by Albert Shaw
I live in Singapore and am having a S320 long wheel base (W220) manufactured in 2000. Bought it brand new at US$210,000 in 2000. If I continue to drive for another 5 yr, I need to budget about another US$25,000 for overhaul, servicing, repairs. And at the end of 5 yrs, this car can be sold for about US$40,000.
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
I am considering to sell off my S320 (I can get US$81,000 when I sell it) and change to either a new S280 (W220) costing US$145,000 or a new E240 (Elegance, W211) costing US$113,000. At the end of 5 yrs, the S280 can be sold off for US$55,000 and the E240 can be sold off for US$40,000.
Considering the prices and residual value and the trade in value of my old car, any advice if it is worth to change to a new S280 or new E240, OR to keep the 5 yr old S320 car?
If choice is to change, Any advice which is a better car to change to - S280 or E240?
Finally, value for money, is E240 at US113,000 or S280 at US145,000 a better buy?
Albert Shaw
I am actually quite dissapointed with the E240 Avantgarde. The ride is very hard and very choppy, and the steering is very heavy. It could be due to the 245 tires and Avantgarde suspensions. The ride is harder than the new BMW 5 series. Not a comfortable car to drive everyday, at least in the Avantgarde trim. But the E240 does come with Keyless Go, Bi Xenon and many cool stuffs.I have test drove a S280 previously, and I feel the acceleration is about the same as the E240. The ride is much, much better than E240 Avantgarde. What I can recommend is if you are looking for "presence", especially in Singapore, go for the S. If you are looking for a younger, more aggressive look, then go for the E.
I think the depreciation of a new S280 would be definitely more than a new E240, especially with the New S just been launched. But then, money is not the measure of everything
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
rides harder then the 5-series? i think, andrew, there's something strange with your tires :P or perhaps the previous owner had done something to the suspension?
the Avantgarde suspension is only lower by 3mm compared to the Elegance -- and i've one and it rides much, much better than the new 5. although the S definitely rides better -- body lean is much higher on the S, though.
if you're after a relaxed drive the S is fine. i realised one thing after 2 years of ownership: the 240 engine just gets stronger and stronger every month -- nowadays a prod on the accelerator and it revs to 5000rpm without hesitation! almost scary
the Avantgarde suspension is only lower by 3mm compared to the Elegance -- and i've one and it rides much, much better than the new 5. although the S definitely rides better -- body lean is much higher on the S, though.
if you're after a relaxed drive the S is fine. i realised one thing after 2 years of ownership: the 240 engine just gets stronger and stronger every month -- nowadays a prod on the accelerator and it revs to 5000rpm without hesitation! almost scary
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,744
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
So which trim of e class is sent here to the united states. Since they dont give us the option of Avantgarde or Elegance I assume there is one standard one sent here that they do not name?
