MKW

As you know, the '03 S Classes will have some interior and mild ext changes , as well as more powerful AMG and V12 engines. MBUSA is giving $2500 cash incentive to dealers to help clear out '02s on the lot. I have heard of some dealers selling at invoice AND passing on the $2500 to the buyer. That puts a lightly optioned '02 S430 at the same price as loaded '03 E500 !

yipikaye

yup. for pricing, the 02 S class and 03 E500 does not have much difference but 02 S430 will be facelifted and if you buy it, you will drive an outdated car, while E500 is a "fresh car".

Beltfed

What are you looking for? A land yacht or a mid size car......the S430 has nothing on the E500 besides lots more rear leg room.

MKW

Yeah , that's a big deal to MBZ hyperenthusiasts here. But to a non car nut buyer walking into the showroom, the chance to be seen tooling around in the " flagship" class is probably more important. You think they care about cornering , handling at the limit ? They will never get close to redline ! Plus if handling feel is what you are after with a midsize German car, I'm sure the current BMW 540I will still be sportier and the next gen 5 will be a notch above that.
I have owned Bimmers and have two MBZs now and one kids oneself if you think any current MBZ is sportier in feel and handling than it's equiv BMW competitor. Both makes leave a lot to be desired in reliability.
I'll get to thrash the new E Classes at Golden Gate Fields near SF on Oct 12th.

Dema

Flagship is flagship even outdated. E500 will be outdated sooner or later too, but never will be flagship. If you can't afford to change a car each year then you fated to drive outdated car and It's better to drive flagship... Thank you for info. So, let's trash this crap on Oct, 12th!

ValueplusClass

Up to the 500 model, the new 2003 E (no 600) can be had with almost every option that the 2002 S-class has (incl. Nappa here) + the E has new electronic/pneumatic breaking system plus some others that the S does not now have (example Panoramic roof).

It seems to me that MB is introducing features whenever a new model uopgrade occurs instead of reserving it only for the "flagship" models. Or its policy seems to be (almost) "a flagship at every size!!!"

mikE55

My pick would be a used (low miles) 2001 S500 w/sport package over a new 2002 S430 or a 2003 E500. But I'm sticking with my E55!

amg55

MKW I have no idea what type of logic you're trying to employ.
You don't like MB's because they're not as sporty as BMW's, but you have 2 MB's;
you apparently want to be seen driving the flagship model, but don't care that the 430 is the wimpy version which feels like a 318i compared to the 540 or the E500;
if you're so concerned about appearances then why would you want to be seen in an outdated, watered down model which will have inferior resale potential vs the S500?

On every level your comments are conflicting.

What is it that you want?

rayscar

I think the E500 will be plenty sporty. Yes BMW might have a slight edge over MB but both companies target a slightly different market. I don't want a boat of a car but on the other hand if I want a sports car I'll buy a sports car. The E is a sedan that handles very well and will have plenty of power for the type of driving most of us do. We all know that MB is not a perfect company and does not sell perfect cars but neither does BMW or any other car company. No car can meet everyone expectations. They all have pros and cons. To me the E500 has many more pros than cons and will more than satisfy what I am looking for in my next car.

boltonblue

you guys make it sound like the S430 is some pig like a cadilac deville or something. Granted the S is a larger car with a lot more rear seat but it is still, in the grand scheme of things, a pretty quick car and relatively, dare I say nimble.
No it's not gonna beat out the E in an autocross but that's what two seaters are for. BTW the E would lose here too!

If the comparison were E500 4-matic and S430 4-matic, the leftovers would be very attractive. but alas we get to wait for both.

rayscar

If you are referring to my post about a "boat" of a car, I was speaking generically about cars with very soft rides not about the S430 or any other specific model.

amg55

I know I'm very biased toward AMG's boltonblue, but my wife and I test drove an S430 for her (she had a 540i at the time) and we both were amazed at how soft, sluggish and 'fat' it felt. We both looked at each other after only a few minutes and were equally put off.
S430 is for people who want the size and class of the S but who couldn't care less about driving/handling qualities other than highway touring capability.

Robert ...RAB

The last time I looked it was $2,200 not $2,500. ...RAB

ValueplusClass

Read a review recently in a car magazine (I forget which one). The conclusion: The new E class beats the BMW on every measure and was almost equal on performance to the reviewers; BMW has for the first time serious compitition in this size and will have to really revamp in their upgrade to the 5.

Abe

I heard the MB incentive on the remaining 02 S class cars have been increased to $3500.00.

boltonblue

amg55,

I know what you mean about wanting a car wired down but i've got my s2000 for that. They don't get much stiffer than that. Sure I'd love the newE55 amg but this is the family tourer so to speak. And that dictates the big back seat of the S and I'm a damn NE yankee so i'm cheap. and winter dictates 4matic.

Lender1

Abe:

Your second post and I am responding to it too. I read this weekend the factory to dealer cash has been raised to $3,500. Dealers around Chicago are loaded with 2002 S class. Most are good color combinations Silver, Black or O Black. My dealer is trying to entice me to take one over a new E 500 and the amount below invoice is substancial. When I make a choice it will be first how each car drives and projected depreciation over a two to three year period. The variable is at the end of three years the E will still be a current bodystyle but the S will be replaced by its redesign.

William Gardner