jimm

I really don’t mean this as a joke. (Well, maybe a little.)

It’s been my intent to buy a new E350 in the next few weeks. I would be
trading in my beautiful “big” 2006 DTS with only 5,000 miles on it. Why?
Because, I‘ve just had a desire to go back to a MB again before I die. (At
76, I eat desert first.)

Years ago, I owned 3 Mercedes .. the big ones. Had much trouble like
window actuators, leaks, etc. But, in spite of that, I liked driving them.
And, I must admit (shamelessly) that I liked the MB “image.”

The “size mattering” thing:

On the road, I’ve been particularly noticing E350s. Kinda “how do they look
‘image’ wise.” One day they look fairly big; the next day a little small. I
looked at one yesterday, at a dealer’s, and thought it looked small. (I had
just driven my “big” DTS there to get it appraised for a trade.)

I absolutely don’t want an S550 because: (1) the price and (2) I couldn’t
stand that I-Drive.

My trepidation over whether the E350 looks too small probably just relates
back to my old “big boat” car days. (The big Fleetwoods, etc.)

I guess my questions to you “younger” guys are:

1. Being totally honest, do you “psychologically” relate car size to prestige?
2. Do you think the E350 looks a little small for a true prestige car?
3. Did any of you move from a Caddy or Town Car to smaller MB? If so, did
you have any “transition” problem? Were you sorry you traded?

From a practical view, since my wife recently died, I drive alone 99% of
the time. And, I have a C6 vette which is fairly small on the inside. I don’t
need a big interior. But, need isn’t the factor here.

So .. the bottom line .. is all this “size and prestige” psyco-babble just me?

jimm

Miguk_Saram

Jim,

I'm with you on this one: Size DOES matter (or at least that's what she keeps shouting at me!)

Seriously though, *I* chose an e500 because the "C" was too small, the "S" was too big, the "e55" was too much, and the "e350" was not enough -- from both a "size" and a "prestige" level.

Image is important to me and, in my circles, my w211 says exactly what I need it to say, nothing more, nothing less.

jimm

Thanks Miguk -

I’m sorry about your love life.

But, unless I’m not yet back up to speed on the latest MB models,
there’s nothing in-between the E Class and S Class is there?

jimm

lkchris

When I was in Germany last summer, the majority of taxicabs were E-class.

Did see one S-class taxi, however.

Barry45RPM

I went from a 2000 Base Deville to a 2002 Loaded DHS, looking for what you are looking for (emotionally). I used to look at the STS's and say "eh, its a Mustang for fat old guys" (No real, earned, snob appeal or sports car feel.)

I'm 57, 6Ft 2, 260 lbs... (An athlete, you can see...) Both my Kids have their own cars, and I wanted to drive something fast, high quality, and something with an earned reputation for "Quality, and Breeding" Caddys just don't have that anymore for a variety of reasons. When we have to go visit the Inlaws, or My Sister in NJ, we all go in the E. We've all gone from NY to Boston many times when the kids were in College. Its big enough, and comfortable enough for all. I've had NO transition problems.

My '07 E550 is very fast, sure footed, SPORTY, and unmistakeably a true "Luxury Car", that feels like it is made out of a solid block of Granite. My 2004 E 500 did give me trouble, and its gone, but the '07 so far is 100% rock solid. A totally different car.

Its not about "size". I too would never spend what is necessary to own a nicely equipped S Class... Thats just me. I could, but I won't. Its only a car.

Get an E 550, with the N/C Sports Package & Pkg2, if you can swing it. You'll NEVER look back. If you're more practical, get the 350 equipped as above.

The E will do for you what you want it to emotionally. Even college aged people have stopped me and admired the car, as well as my age friends. Your Caddy is pretty well optioned up standard, which is why I suggest you go with the equipment I listed. That way you also won't feel like you gave up your goodies in order to go to an E, otherwise, as good as it is, you might feel you stripped away too many goodies. The E IS more expensive than your Caddy, especially taking the trade in hit, as I did . Another thing about the MB. It will ride the same way when you get rid of it as it did on day 1. Theyre that overbuilt. That adds to long term enjoyment, too.

Miguk_Saram

Nope. However, IMHO, the different packages give the car a different "look" and feel.

The standard body on the w211 is a little docile for my taste; the sport package seems more aggresive and makes the car look a bit longer; and the AMG package just makes the car look like it's gonna eat up all the other cars on the road.

If you add to that some of the more common mods - rims, lowering, grille replacement - then the car tends to look much larger (wider, longer) than it actually is.

My $.02.

ProV1

Jimm, you only live once, buy a MB!! you won't regret your decision.

if you'll be driving by yourself, Eclass would suffice. no point in getting a S-class with all that room in the back if you never sit there.

If you want to be noticed, get a E350 and buy a set of 19" rims. That'll get you noticed.

Or better yet, test drive a 2007 E63 AMG. That car will leave you speechless. Once you drive a AMG, you can never drive anything else.

Goodluck!

sosh

The car I had before I had my first MB in 1998 (had an SL in 74) was a Cadillac STS, 1994. Quite frankly that car was the one that swore me off of GM cars for the rest of my life. I have had 5 MB's since and enjoyed all of them. I used to think that size mattered but no longer.

02S430

e550 with sport package

AsianML

Sorry to hear about your wife.

I think why they cars "change" in size has to do with the color, body package, and wheels. For instance, I think a black, sport package (or AMG), with the sport package wheels looks big, whereas a silver, 'normal' body kit, with the standard (or used to be, I think) 16" wheels make it look extremely small.

no_clue

1. YES. (remember back on early 90 when Lexus introduce its first LS400 at price of $35K? Every single magazine compare LS with the "E". By late 90s, Auto Magazines compare LS w/ the "S" class... simply because the "size")

2. YES. Just too many on the road, SERIOUSLY, nothing "prestigious" about the E. Doesn't really matter which package you put on, it is still an E. (even E-AMG is no longer presitgious, as so many "wanna be" on the road )
Specially been constantly compare w/ Lexus GS, Infiniti M, Acura TL..........

3. NOPE! Been through E all the way from W124 300CE, W210 E420, and W211 E320.

p.s. sell your C6, get a CL, SL, or S, I am sure you deserve it!!!!

jimm

I would like that. But, some questions:

1. You mention lowering. Do MB dealers do this and doesn’t that adversely
affect the ride? It would seem to me that if I lowered anything, it would be
just the back. As I mentioned elsewhere, I don’t like the “nose-dive” look on
any car. Lowering the rear might give it a little more “balanced” look.

2. If you go to 19” rims, doesn’t that make the car higher off the ground
and give it a little bit of a “spindly” look? Just the opposite of lowering?

3. Grille replacement: I’d love to see a pic of the one you’re talking about.
But, I’d have the “seriously” think about that.

Some vette owners have replaced the C6’s grille, but frankly I don’t like the
replacement. I think it diminishes the integrity of the C6’s appearance. But,
since I haven’t seen the replacement you mention, I can’t pre-judge.

However, I think the E’s factory grille - in fact the E Sport’s whole front end
is the most beautiful front end on the road .. with the hood star setting it off!
(I would never buy a MB model that didn’t have the hood star. Just a big
star in the front grille does nothing for me.)

Back to the mods: I’m always open - and appreciative - of new ideas.

jimm

Tree

Try out the CLS. The CLS550 is in between the E and S classes in terms of price. It's described as a four-door coupe. Though it is a bit smaller than the E, it's considerably rarer than the E, and in my opinion, a true prestige vehicle. Living in Midlothian, Virginia, a reasonably but not excessively affluent town, I see tons of Es, but I do a head-turn when I see a CLS or a new S.

gqmagic

I would get rid of the caddy and the vette and get a '07 cl550. I had a 500sec several years ago and there i nothing like the feel of a big coupe. The last version didn't sing to me like this latest one, some angles it looks like a honda, some a camaro. Even the 220 sclass doesn't look like a Mercedes to me. But this new one, you of course would have to get used to the BIG STAR,lol. Oh and the seats are more comfortable in an S,CL,CLS or SL than an E, as it is the top of the line. just my .02

jimm

Thanks for the thought gqmagic.

But, no hood star means no MB for me. (I mean it. I love that thing.)

jimm

P.S. The caddy gets traded in on the MB. Not the vette, tho.

jimbo1mcm

E550. Adjust your mirrors to see the cars behind you.

LIONHEAD

I would keep the C6.

Do you have an Arctic White C6?

jimm

YES!! With cashmere interior and ZO6 crome wheels!

jimm

D.Schlichting

Made, uh, an INVOLUNTARY, change from a 2000 Seville to a 2006 E350W4 after my wife totaled the Seville.
No issues with the Seville, totally comfortable and the Northstar engine was great, and dealer service was excellent. Handling was probably as good as it gets with a 4000 pound FWD platform.
I am 6'2" 225 pounds and could not sit in the new STS without hitting my head on the ceiling --and that was without sunroof, which was mandatory if you wanted AWD.
So there we were at the MB dealer. The W211 does seem small next to a Seville or a DTS. The body is a bit narrower, but I think that the front-to-back issues such as legroom and the like are similar. The car is far more nimble and has much better visibility than the Cadillac vehicles.
IMHO, you NEED a V8 in the DTS and Seville because of the weight and I went on that assumption when shopping for a W211. In fact, the W211 is a few hundred pounds lighter than the either of these 2 cars, and the engine in the E350 is so much better performing than what we are used to in similar sized American engines, that I came to the conclusion that an E500 was overkill.
We now have 25,000 miles in 2 years and no issues whatever. If you're like me, the first time you drive your new W211 on a twisty road, that Cadillac will be erased from your memory.

ProV1

bottom line imo:

you want a great luxury car that's fun & satisfying to drive: buy a E-class

you want a wolf in sheep's clothing, and want to blow doors off of Porsche 911s and BMW M cars: buy a E-class AMG

you want a car to be seen in, a head-turner that makes women come to you and screams "look at me I'm rich!": Buy a CLS550, SL550 or CL550.