E500 vs E320
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E500 vs E320
is there a substantial difference in performance between the e500 and e320 to justify the 7k extra ?
I am not a big fan of v8 because of the economy and I'll hardly use that much power,( I drive my ML500 like its got a v4) but at the same time, if its better handling and more performance oritented I don't mind going for the e500 and the difference in mpg is not that great.
Any opinions ?
I am not a big fan of v8 because of the economy and I'll hardly use that much power,( I drive my ML500 like its got a v4) but at the same time, if its better handling and more performance oritented I don't mind going for the e500 and the difference in mpg is not that great.
Any opinions ?
Last edited by sklasse; Apr 1, 2006 at 02:46 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
An E500 is maybe 1.0 - 1.5 seconds faster to 60 than an E320. It's not a huge difference but I expect that anyone driving both would be able to notice the difference at all speeds (I've never driven an E320). The E350 is closer to the E500 in acceleration but you asked about an E320. That said, an E320 has more than enough power for daily urban/suburban use; your point about not needing the extra power of an E500 is valid. Since not many people use their E500 to tow trailers, the extra power is (for me, anyway) a want, not a need. Like you said, the difference in fuel economy isn't all that much. Neither car is the ideal choice for optimum fuel economy, although even the E500 can return 25 mpg at legal highway speeds.
Like Barry said, the E500 comes with other bennies besides the extra cylinders. The three main ones are:
1. Standard Airmatic suspension (counterpoint: some think that the non-Airmatic suspension handles and rides just as well in daily use).
2. Standard full leather upholstery (counterpoint: most people can't tell the difference between the leather and the synthetic)
3. Standard four-zone climate control (counterpoint: how often do you have rear-seat passengers?) Actually, this minor point is what sold me on the E500 - I thought that the dials with the temperature degrees on them on the E320 looked kind of cheesy compared to the digital display on the E500 climate control.
Like Barry said, the E500 comes with other bennies besides the extra cylinders. The three main ones are:
1. Standard Airmatic suspension (counterpoint: some think that the non-Airmatic suspension handles and rides just as well in daily use).
2. Standard full leather upholstery (counterpoint: most people can't tell the difference between the leather and the synthetic)
3. Standard four-zone climate control (counterpoint: how often do you have rear-seat passengers?) Actually, this minor point is what sold me on the E500 - I thought that the dials with the temperature degrees on them on the E320 looked kind of cheesy compared to the digital display on the E500 climate control.
Senior Member
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From: Bay Area
03 E55
FWIW the standard suspension is night and day from the airmatic in terms of ride and adjustability...the E500 is worth the 7k if just for the suspension alone....unless you can find a 350 with it.
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2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Sorry for the dumb questions but what advantages does the Airmatic suspension have for handling and ride? Can you adjust the ride height to be lower than the standard suspension on an E350 (with Airmatic)?
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
Get the E500
If you can afford the gas, you'll have better resale and more features.
I hate V6 engines in general, the V6 configuration is not a balanced design.
Most V6 engines have balance shafts. More to go wrong, more working on the timing belt.
If you must get an E320, get a CDI. Better engine, better mileage, and more torque (read: practical power) than an E320 and E500.
I hate V6 engines in general, the V6 configuration is not a balanced design.
Most V6 engines have balance shafts. More to go wrong, more working on the timing belt.
If you must get an E320, get a CDI. Better engine, better mileage, and more torque (read: practical power) than an E320 and E500.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Bay Area
03 E55
Originally Posted by knifegun
Sorry for the dumb questions but what advantages does the Airmatic suspension have for handling and ride? Can you adjust the ride height to be lower than the standard suspension on an E350 (with Airmatic)?
It really makes the E ride much more like an S.
Only the 500 comes standard with Airmatic. It's optional on the 320 and 350.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
Definitely go for the E-500 if you can afford the 7K. One of my neighbors got his E-320 on the same day I got my first E-500. Every time he rides in mine, he says, "I wish I'd gotten the "500". I don't personally find the E55 AMG worth the extra money as I'm not interested in "a lot" more power, but am glad I bought the E-500.
My wife and I both drove the E-320 and E-500 at a pre releass MB driving event for the new W 211's here in Southern CA in 2002. At that time we had an older E-320. She said, she would support our getting a new E-500 but didn't think the E-320 was that much better than what we then had.
My wife and I both drove the E-320 and E-500 at a pre releass MB driving event for the new W 211's here in Southern CA in 2002. At that time we had an older E-320. She said, she would support our getting a new E-500 but didn't think the E-320 was that much better than what we then had.
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so all e500 come with full leather seating?
because i just got an 04 e500 (silver w/ ash interior) and after reading this forum i got a little nervous that a 64k (new sticker) benz comes without leather.
now the rear seat not folding was a total shocker !
because i just got an 04 e500 (silver w/ ash interior) and after reading this forum i got a little nervous that a 64k (new sticker) benz comes without leather.
now the rear seat not folding was a total shocker !
Almost a Member!
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The rear seat folding down was an special option I believe in 03. ( I have it, and although I havent used it yet, I am sure I will )
Someone can clariy this hopefully so I dont have to dig out the original sticker.
Someone can clariy this hopefully so I dont have to dig out the original sticker.
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From: Land down under
BMW E60 M5 - '08
Mark me down as one of those guys who 'wished they had gotten an E500 instead of the E320'. Airmatic is nice option, especially if you wanna get some sporty fun. 225kW is also a nice thing to have...not really practical...but nice to have and if it's only $7k more, why not!? 
Now the upcoming E550 which I think will have 275kW..well that's a different story 
Now the upcoming E550 which I think will have 275kW..well that's a different story
Senior Member
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From: Atlanta suburbs
2008 Aspen, 1970 Corvette, 2000 Corvette and 2009 Legacy Limited
FORGET the air ride. P-O-W-E-R. My new 06 E350 pulls much more than my 02 E320. At 30mph, the 350 seems to pull a lot more. I like the E500, but could get the lease deal on that car.
Now anyone who has the means, may I suggest the E55. "Do you need a car like this... well ... no one needs a car like this..." "Do you want a car like this... HELL YEAH." If the CLK500 I drove pulled hard with only 302 hp and 330+ tq.... I wonder what 469/515 feels like. WOW!
My 70 Vette is scary fast b/c basically it is a big GO KART with 400 HP... the new E55 will leave me sitting at the light... for days...
Now anyone who has the means, may I suggest the E55. "Do you need a car like this... well ... no one needs a car like this..." "Do you want a car like this... HELL YEAH." If the CLK500 I drove pulled hard with only 302 hp and 330+ tq.... I wonder what 469/515 feels like. WOW!
My 70 Vette is scary fast b/c basically it is a big GO KART with 400 HP... the new E55 will leave me sitting at the light... for days...
Almost a Member!
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I had the same choice to make - E320 or E500. I went for the E320. I felt the 320 had more than enough power for my driving needs and I got a healthy discount on the car - cash is king! If I want to experience power and handling, I take out one of my motorcycles 
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2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Pick up an S2000 for fun in the curves and enjoy your MB I know a lot of people have negative opinions about the S2000. However, until you have driven one on the track, you cannot know how well balanced the car is and how much fun it is. With that said, I am looking forward to driving my E350 wagon with the appearance package coming this week.
I know a lot of people have negative opinions about the S2000. However, until you have driven one on the track, you cannot know how well balanced the car is and how much fun it is. With that said, I am looking forward to driving my E350 wagon with the appearance package coming this week.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Get a new E350, there are used 2006's available rarely ... with almost the power if the E500 and better economy than an E320.. The are always going for good leases..
This is all if you are set against diesel, as the CDI has more torque than the E500 and is only 1 sec slower 0-60, with 37mpg.
This is all if you are set against diesel, as the CDI has more torque than the E500 and is only 1 sec slower 0-60, with 37mpg.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Originally Posted by Benz4Bill
The rear seat folding down was an special option I believe in 03. ( I have it, and although I havent used it yet, I am sure I will )
Someone can clariy this hopefully so I dont have to dig out the original sticker.
Someone can clariy this hopefully so I dont have to dig out the original sticker.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
I also have an '03 E500 with the folding rear seat. Although not used often, the fact that it's there is very useful when needed!
I would go for the E500. The extra torque sure does make driving that much more fun! You can get where you want to go in regards to daily driving (on-ramps, passing, etc)
In regards to the 7K difference between an E500 and E320, if you factor in all the optional stuff (which is standard on an E500), the price difference is much smaller (about 3-4K when I purchased my car), and I felt that small price difference was "worth" the extra power/torque...and like you said, the gas mileage is not much different. I average about 22-24 mpg on the freeway, and 20 mpg combined...not bad for a V8, IMO.
If you're concerned with price, try and located a used E500. My coworker just bought a used '04 E500, pretty well optioned (including NAV), with low mileage (16K) for 33.5K.
Good Luck with your search.
I would go for the E500. The extra torque sure does make driving that much more fun! You can get where you want to go in regards to daily driving (on-ramps, passing, etc)
In regards to the 7K difference between an E500 and E320, if you factor in all the optional stuff (which is standard on an E500), the price difference is much smaller (about 3-4K when I purchased my car), and I felt that small price difference was "worth" the extra power/torque...and like you said, the gas mileage is not much different. I average about 22-24 mpg on the freeway, and 20 mpg combined...not bad for a V8, IMO.
If you're concerned with price, try and located a used E500. My coworker just bought a used '04 E500, pretty well optioned (including NAV), with low mileage (16K) for 33.5K.
Good Luck with your search.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 583
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Originally Posted by sklasse
is there a substantial difference in performance between the e500 and e320 to justify the 7k extra ?
I am not a big fan of v8 because of the economy and I'll hardly use that much power,( I drive my ML500 like its got a v4) but at the same time, if its better handling and more performance oritented I don't mind going for the e500 and the difference in mpg is not that great.
Any opinions ?
I am not a big fan of v8 because of the economy and I'll hardly use that much power,( I drive my ML500 like its got a v4) but at the same time, if its better handling and more performance oritented I don't mind going for the e500 and the difference in mpg is not that great.
Any opinions ?
Regardless, I went with a loaded 320 (appearance, premium, rear seat fold down, spoiler, etc.). I don't do many sprints to 60 and was perfectly content with the V6. I also drive 40-50k a year and wanted the better economy. That said, I did a poll like this before and on this forum most people love the V8 and use it. Having just bought a boxster there is something to be said for the excitement of putting the hammer down. Someone on this forum compared it to sex and while I don't know if it is that great, it is fun.
If you care about luxury then load a 350 but if you care about power, go for the 500. If you care about both then load the 500. Based on your comment about how you drive now I think that a 350 would suit you just fine.
Good luck...
