E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

E350 vs E550 vs S550

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Old 08-23-2007, 04:24 PM
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2003 S500
E350 vs E550 vs S550

These are my choices. I am leaning towards the E class given my age (20). I am in a professional job wearing a suit and tie daily to work. I have to drive to see clients often and need to be presentable.

What car would you recommend?

Any problems with any said car?

I prefer the S but I feel it will be too presumptuous to drive for a 20 y/o.

Thanks
Old 08-23-2007, 04:47 PM
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BMW X5, GL450, Saab 9-3, E550
It is not pretentious to drive whatever your budget allows. If others have a problem, it is their problem not yours.

That being said, now is the time in your life to get a completely impractical coupe. Why not an SL or SLK? Or better yet a Porsche? The S550 is a BIG car, save that for when the wife and kids dictate that you have a big car...

If you have to drive clients around for work you will have to consider if they will be offended by your prosperity - that is life. If so, get an E350 and a Porsche Cayman for about the price of a nicely loaded S550 and get the best of both worlds.

Geez it is fun spending other people's money...

Last edited by Underwhelmed; 08-23-2007 at 04:51 PM.
Old 08-23-2007, 05:54 PM
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Why ask us? We're just pixels on your display.

Actually, underwhelmed is overwhelmingly correct. An S just wouldn't be right for a 20-year-old. Unless you absolutely, positively, need a big back seat, now is your time for a sports car or GT, if you have that kind of money to spend.
Old 08-23-2007, 06:16 PM
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Why not just stick the S500 you have now?
Old 08-23-2007, 10:05 PM
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2003 S500
I don't want a coupe; I would like a sedan. And Porsche is a dime a dozen in the whole sports-car realm. I really don't want to carry two insurance premiums around since I'm still at the age where insurance premiums are sky-high.

Maybe you're right about the S550. I should probably go with that considering I love it.

It's really a tough decision; being so young, I like to invest as much as possible, and another 600 that I wouldn't pay on a S payment would be substantial in 45 years.

I don't want to keep my current car because I like the new styling much more.
Old 08-23-2007, 11:40 PM
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BMW X5, GL450, Saab 9-3, E550
I still vote against an s550. If you want a 4 door, get a maserati quattroporte - Or a new Porsche panamera. S55O'S are a dime-a-dozen. If you like cars and really can afford what you are looking at, $ 600 a month is nothing.

I stand behind my assertion that ay s550 is a family car - or is good for picking up moderately successful middle aged real estate agents. At 20 years-old for $100k, you can do better car-wise.

If you want a real set of wheels, get a V8 vantage for a little more and see what you can pick up...
Old 08-23-2007, 11:51 PM
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2003 S500
Checked out the maserati quattroporte, I don't really like the looks of it. Wasn't Maserati recently bought out?

The Porsche is hideous looking.

++ I really don't want a sports car (hence no mention of the AMG) because I know I'll get too many tickets that way.
Old 08-24-2007, 12:03 AM
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2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Ephesus,

I'm 27, so I'm in your general age group.

I vote for the E550. Very classy yet very sporty car. Get the 321 AMG Sports Package.

I considered the S550. Too damn big and bulky. The only way that car would look decent is with the AMG sports pkg or brabus pkg and heavy modding to make it look sportier. Also, like others said, S550 -> SL550 .. better conversion Drive the S550 .. its not as nimble as you'll want it to be.

The E550 has a lot of power, looks very classy, and sporty w/ the 321 pkg. Lastly, if the S550 which has a MSRP of $25k over the E550 is in your budget, why not just get the E63??
Old 08-24-2007, 12:10 AM
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BMW X5, GL450, Saab 9-3, E550
different strokes...

Maserati is no longer under Ferrari but soley under Fiat separately like Ferrari. Just out of curiosity, what do you like about the s550?

I'm 35 and I don't feel old enough for that car (and I have kids).

In 2-3 years when I'm tired of my e550, I'll be looking at the panamera or rapide.

PS : Speeding doesn't lead to tickets, getting caught does.

Last edited by Underwhelmed; 08-24-2007 at 12:14 AM.
Old 08-24-2007, 12:27 AM
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dude you're 20 and considering buying a foggiemobile S550??


get a E63 or M5 and be done w/ it

if u reaaaally wanna look old, get the S65 AMG w/ 20s



unless of course your parents dont wanna buy you a 'sportscar'
Old 08-24-2007, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ProV1
dude you're 20 and considering buying a foggiemobile S550??


get a E63 or M5 and be done w/ it

if u reaaaally wanna look old, get the S65 AMG w/ 20s



unless of course your parents dont wanna buy you a 'sportscar'

X2

Get a E63 when money is not an object but if you opt for Bimmer the M5 is not a bad choice either.

Regardless what you pick you will definitely impress your clients and or neighbors!
Old 08-24-2007, 12:47 AM
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2003 S500
Prov: My parents have absolutely nothing to do with my life. Keep your asinine comments the **** out of my thread(s).

@others I have always liked the size of the S (at least the 2003 S500 that I have now.

The E series just seems out of place for me. I don't know why I have that feeling; it's just how I feel.

The CLS is an option; but I don't know much about that car.

I don't want the AMG, because, as far as I know, it only increases speed, and honestly, I go too fast as it is, and the AMG models will only enable me to go faster and faster. ; -) It's fun - but getting caught is not.
Old 08-24-2007, 12:57 AM
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BMW X5, GL450, Saab 9-3, E550
Forgot about the CLS - it is nice...

And, to say you can go 'too' fast is like saying you can have too much money, fun, or luck.

Are you going to be transporting people, or is it just you? I like everyone else to keep a small carbon footprint so I can do whatever the hell I like and feel like someone is balancing me out. Maybe you should buy 4 priuses, chop them up, and make it into one roomy stretch (c'mon, it'd be b!tchin' in a pimp my ride way). You would not have to worry about others thiking you're pretentious, precocious, or presumptuous (though they might throw a few other 'P' words at you...)

That would impress some people and help prevent me from ruining the planet for your as-yet unconceived(as far as you know) children. That's my vote, anyway.

Last edited by Underwhelmed; 08-24-2007 at 01:00 AM.
Old 08-24-2007, 01:02 AM
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BMW X5, GL450, Saab 9-3, E550
is it Friday yet?
Old 08-24-2007, 01:25 AM
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[QUOTE=Ephesus;2381533]Prov: My parents have absolutely nothing to do with my life. Keep your asinine comments the **** out of my thread(s).

Hey Ephesus, I think its past your bedtime. You're getting kinda cranky!
Old 08-24-2007, 02:58 AM
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In reading all your responses, I'd say a loaded E550 with the AMG Pack fits nicely. You say you don't want a coupe so the CL550 with AMG Pack is out. A CLS550 is even better than the E550, but you have to carry folks and though the CLS has decent room, it can be hard for some folks to get in and out of.

M
Old 08-24-2007, 03:08 AM
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2003 S500
Can the CL accomodate a person who's 6'2"?

The car will be used 80% for business; and about 10% of that time someone else will be with me. I just thought it would be more professional to show up in a sedan than a coupe. And bigger = better, or does it? At least I think it does when you are talking C to E class...

When you say the "AMG" package: I was reading other threads on here about delearships putting AMG stickers on the car after it was upgraded; were you referring to that or the actual AMG model?

I actually wanted the E class deisel but it can't be registered in NYS.
Old 08-24-2007, 03:10 AM
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2003 S500
Underwhelmed: I think you know what I mean. If you give me an AMG car, it's like putting me in a room filled with hot hookers. I don't want that temptation to be there. I don't know how old you are, but you do realize the rates for people under 25 (or is 23)? (Whatever age it is insurance companies say you're an adult and we'll give you decent rates now)
Old 08-24-2007, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Ephesus
Can the CL accomodate a person who's 6'2"?

The car will be used 80% for business; and about 10% of that time someone else will be with me. I just thought it would be more professional to show up in a sedan than a coupe. And bigger = better, or does it? At least I think it does when you are talking C to E class...

When you say the "AMG" package: I was reading other threads on here about delearships putting AMG stickers on the car after it was upgraded; were you referring to that or the actual AMG model?

I actually wanted the E class deisel but it can't be registered in NYS.
The CL can accomodate a 6 foot 2 person in the front of course, not sure about the back. I think it can, but not for a long distance and certainly not for a business client.

No, I'm talking about a car with the AMG body kit, not an actual AMG model. This CL550 for instance has the AMG package, and don't ever have a dealer stick an AMG badge on it, you don't want to be a poser.





If you want an E go for the E550, IMO.

M
Old 08-24-2007, 09:44 AM
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could you tell us what your line of business is? this may better suit a car decision. Having a nicer car in some aspects is bad for business and sometimes it helps business... Also what area of the country are you from?

Im a big guy, if I could afford the ~1900 a month payment on an S class I would prolly do an E and another car. With one car listed as an occasional vehicle your insurance is SIGNIFICANTLY lower
Old 08-24-2007, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Underwhelmed
different strokes...
Yes it is. I'll be 16 soon and I have no problem driving a grandpa mobile. Heck, I might even drive a Lexus without a paper bag covering my face.

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