MBLoyal

I am deciding to purchase an E350 vs. an E550. Besides the extra HP (which is considerable) are there any major advantages to the E550 model?

Assuming I purchase the car and drive it for 5-6 years then trade for the next generation E is the E550 worth the extra depreciation?

My current 2000 E430 Sport has 87,000 miles. I purchased the extended warranty with the car which has 5 months left on it. Despite my MINOR glitches with my E I really enjoy the car. If MB delivers on the promise of HIGH QUALITY on the next generation E I would like to trade the W-211 in about 5-6 years.
Is the E350 the logical choice? Or, does the joy of the extra HP of the E550 make the exta $$$ worth it?

Finally, I broke even on my last extended warranty from MB. Should I plan on buying one with the W-211?

Thanks,
MBLoyal

Underwhelmed

I went with the 550 for 2 reasons:

Power
Ventilated seats (I live in Texas)

The 550 is visciously fast in a way that sneaks up on you. It is a great Q ship.

There is no logical justification for choosing the 550 over the 350 - only visceral.

RobertM

i just went throught the EXACT issue. I currently have a 2003 E500 and use it as my daily driver. I live in south florida and my communte is ALL highway. 85 miles round trip. I really enjoy the E500 but hardly use the HP except on the on and off ramps. I am luckly enough to have a 360 in the garage, so when I have the need for speed, well enough said.

The E500 has 86,000 miles and I installed 20" wheels on it way back when. It is a lease and the 4 year term is up. I was thinking of getting an 04 E55 and use my wheels, but it is not an easy car to lease. Anyway I ended up with a 2008 E350 with the P1 and 321 AMG packages / flint grey with black interior. I installed my wheels and I love the car. I have had it since last tuesday. It has enough HP to use as the daily driver, I use the paddle shifters ALL the time. That really helps with the lack of HP vs the 550.

Back in 03, the 320 was WAY under powered and I had to get the E500. Now I feel the E350 is fine.

Just depends on how you plan on driving it. I also de-badged it and no-one would know if it was a 550 or a 350 by the body.

Drive one with the 321 AMG package, it is worth the $2,000. IMO

MBLoyal

I appreciate your post. I drive 50-60 miles per day and it is mostly highway as well. So, I rarely NEED the those extra HP because even a 350 can do 90MPH comfortably.

I tried building an E350 with the AMG package. The MB website would only let me add that package to the E550. What brand/style 20 inch wheel do you have?

The E550 plus AMG with your 20 inch wheels would be PLENTY of HP for me and I doubt the E63 would be needed for my commute.

RobertM

Building the 321 package has to do with the wood trim you select. Not sure why. Select a color and then go to options and you can select the 321 package.

I have the E350 with P1, 321 AMG packages. Then purchased the bluetooth modulator.

Wheels are from WheelPower in Cali, but they do not manufacture tham anymore. The manufactor is ZAUBER and the style is Gettin. 20" all the way around. Stripped the old tires and purchased new Just put new Toyo T1R on.

MBLoyal

How come no P2? Were you concerned about "glitches" in the electronic keyless go and start button? No desire for xenon lights?

My 2000 has xenon so I don't see how I can buy an '08 without them. But, my problems were ELECTRONIC related so the keyless go scares me a bit.

Did you buy a craddle for your phone ($200)?

lasvegas99

[QUOTE= Besides the extra HP (which is considerable) are there any major advantages to the E550 model?

l[/QUOTE]

If your already on the fence (seems so) The other advantage is not having to keep thinking, should I have bought the E550 if you buy the E350. I have rode in an E350 and there seems to be sufficient power. To me, you buy an MB so you can drive how you like to drive and arrive how you like to arrive. Now if power isn't that important, then great. But you get the pedal itches like most of us I wouldn't want to be bogged down thinking every time (should I have got the 550). That being said, next time I will have no excuse to get anything other than an AMG.

MBLoyal

My research shows the GAS GUZZLER tax for the '08 E550 is $1700-$2200.
There are delears on the web showing the tax on the '08 E550.

This means an E550 costs $10,000 more than an E350. Yes, you get more power but you spend a lot more up front and in fuel costs. If the gas guzzler tax didn't exist I would buy the E550. I am leaning towards the E350 because I have 275HP now in my 2000 E430 and that is enough power. So, I should be reasonably happy with 268HP with a better transmission.

This way I can justify getting another E in 2012 or so.

Should I get the PANO sunroof option? I almost never use my sunroof and it is SO hot here most of the year. What about the trunk closer? I use my trunk about once per week.

benzinok

I went through the same questions. The E350 has as much giddy-up as my 00 E430, which made me think about the V6, but once I drove the 550, it was all over.

Yes 90% of the time I do not use that power, but that other 10% has been worth every single damn penny. It is a quiet little monster that almost nobody knows about. A definate sleeper waiting to prounce.

Go for it!

MBLoyal

Yeah, I know you are right. Tough decision. Logic vs. Emotion. Damn Tax.
What about those other options?


I will be getting '08 E in Sienna Black, Sahara Beige, P1 plus P2, Parktronic,
AMG package and bluetooth modulator. Any other "must have" options?


Damn Gas Guzzler Tax.

irishstout

The Power of the V8, Air Cooled seats, adjustable suspension (E550 sits a little lower) were our main factors in buying the E550. The gas guzzler tax was painful but we have no regrets at all in our choice.

It obviously does depend on your own personal choice but I don't think you would regret the E550...

MBLoyal

What about those suspension differences? Is the Base suspension on the E350 adequate? Will I notice a big improvement on the E550 suspension?

Believe it or not the suspension issue is the DECIDING factor for me. I can live with 268HP and non-ventilated seats in order to save $10,000. After all, the E350 and E550 LOOK exactly the same. So, it all comes down to the opinions on the suspension.

SEEG

I drove the 350 and 550 back to back, both were 4 MATICS. No comparision in my opinion. I went with the 550 and haven't regreted it one bit. Interestingly, the gas guzzler tax on my new '07 550 was only $1300 (I can't believe I just said that) rather than the $1700 or more referenced here.If you include the $5000 trunk money a new '07 is the way to go. I really would like the AMG package. Oh well.

pmb600

I think that the increase in gas guzzler is probably because the EPA made new regulations on measuring fuel economy for 2008 MY. If you compare the stated fuel economy on a 2007 model to a 2008 with the exact same car, you will see it went lower for 2008 meaning it guzzels more gas.

nantucketsleigh

If you like cars - the 550. Among many upgrades vs a 350 the airmatic suspension is key.

Dema

I'd also rather for 550. V8 is a big difference. Regarding fuel consumption MB is really good, for example my V6 BMW has worse MPG than V8 MB at the same driving conditions. An explanation is very simple, V8 has mostly flat consumption curve in speed range 50-90.

Dema

Is Command with navigation standard?

Kar don

I would get it for the airmatic suspension. So much better riding and more advanced. Plus the 550 motor is so strong and beautiful sounding.

pmb600

Believe it or not navigation is not standard on any E-Class including the E63 AMG. The COMAND head unit comes standard on all E-Class, but does not have nav capabilities unless Premium 1 is ordered. Bi-xenon lights are not standard on any E-Class either. I think this is appaling for an AMG model not to have all this standard. For the "flagship" of the E-Class range, these items should be on all AMGs.

jimm

I can’t add anything “substantive” to what has “already” been well said.
But, just to echo what most of us E buyers went through ... I concluded
that the 550 negatives for “ME” were:

1. About 9,000 extra cost. (That’s not small to me.)
2. More fuel expense.
3. More nuisance stops to fill up.
4. Poorer resale.
5. I definately didn’t need the power. (The E-350 has plenty.)

I DO believe that the 550 is an absolutely wonderful car! And I wanted
the air suspension. BUT, for reasons cited, not the overall best for ME.

Now, after driving my Sport with standard suspension I’m thrilled with
the way it rides and handles!

The above were MY considerations. However as I've said on here, I’ve
bought a LOT of things just because I wanted them! And I could! So, if
that parallels your thinking .. screw logic!

jimm

==========

‘08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black, Parktronic,
Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut, Split rear seat,
Wood/leather steering wheel

Vik888

FYI, gas guzzler is $1300 on the E550. Its not $1700+ like someone else has mentioned here.

I went w/ the E550 for many of the reasons people quoted here. I also don't drive a lot, so the cost in extra gas by the end of the year will be very little for me. Actually, if you're able to afford an E550, the difference in gas savings for driving 10,000 - 15,000 miles per year is trivial.

I plan to keep my car 4 years or longer, so resale isn't really an issue for me.

MBLoyal

The gas guzzler tax went up for the E550 this year. It is no longer $1300 but more like $1700-$2000. I will get the exact number from a dealer today.

RJF

My Gas Guzzler tax on my e550 4matic two weeks ago was $1700

irishstout

To be honest we didn't drive the E350 enough to notice a difference on the suspension between the two but have tried the various options on ours and can feel a difference.

My wife actually wanted the E550 after feeling the power of the V8 which totally surprised me since she doesn't like to go 'fast'. I definitely liked it much better myself and the sound of it is a bit nicer the E350.

Just comes down to what you want to spend though the $5k incentive we were able to get helped offset some of the difference as I think it was only $3k on the E350.

I don't think you will be disappointed either way but I would always rather have something that had more options than I needed vs. something missing that I wished I would have had...

Vik888

to MBLoyal & RJF ..

Thats interesting because I have a screenshot of Netstar sent to me by my salesman who answered the gas guzzeler tax question with proof. He told me its $1300 and his MSRP page for an 08 on his lot is $1300.

Go figure??