It's amazing how helpful this board is!

Long story short: My company's car allowance requires that the car be a certain number of years old or newer and my 2003 E500 will not comply with the car allowance on 01/01/08.

I am considering a 2007 E550 (hoping to get a better deal than an 08) but here's what I'm afraid of: One of the neatest parts of buying a new car (a completely different model than you had before) is that everything is new. It's like the first 6 months dating a new girl. My concern is that I will pull the trigger on the E550 and be paying a fat new car note, but *FEEL* like not much has changed. I've read on here that the 7sp tranny is sweet and it's got some better 0-60 times but can some of you (who've experienced both) shed some more specific light in regards to:
Acceleration and raciness
Handling
Reliability?
Any other differences you'd like to point out?

ALSO: Can you guys give me some idea of how much a 2007E550 would go for? What would be a "good deal". One guy emailed me an offer of $56,000 today (it only had P1). Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

Expect an informative reply from Barry45RPM in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

 

Sorry it too so long...

The difference between your E 500 & the '07 E 550 is like night and day. (I went from an '04 to an '07).

Everything feels better, faster, sharper, tighter, more perfected, better thought out, and works correctly than in the car you're replacing. (Except for the butt ugly '07/08 tail lights... and no, I don't want to swap. I keep my cars stock.) The 03-06 tail lights were much more refined looking, but I understand they had to refresh the rear too, and leaving out the red divider between the upper & lower white lens portions was the quickest & cheapest fix.

As much as I love this car I sometimes wish it was... a complete change... for the reasons you are citing. It will now be 3 years with the '04 and 3-4 years with the '07... a total of 6-7 years in essentially the same car. I ordered a different color combo on the '07, but I really loved my '04s Pewter/Stone... my car really popped, so any other color combo is a 2nd choice to me.

However, the car really has been perfected, and will not let you down in any way. Whenever you drive it you will be thrilled by it. Everything about it comes together beautifully. My '04 was a non Sport model, but my '07 IS a Sport Optioned car & I like it. An added benefit of the Sport Option is that the instrument cluster is different (colors reversed, white to black) and you spend a lot of time looking at the cluster. Not to mention nice wheels, & Chrome trim around the Fog Lights.

I couldn't find another car that would "Float my Boat" the way an MB E Class did it for me, so the "sameness" factor is a moot point.

If you feel you really need a body change, and can get away with a little less room, take a look at a "New Body" loaded C Class... they're really sharp, and in a couple of years go back to a new bodied (W212?) E Class in its 2nd year of release.

 

If you can live with 2+2 seating, how about the CLS?

 

I'm sold baby. I might consider other color combos, as I've been a silver ext/black int guy. Thanks so much for the response, I'm excited. Haven't driven the 550 yet.

Benzo, The CLS IS one of my dream cars and I have considered it. But the rear roof line, which is part of what makes the car damn sexy, also makes it hard for customers to get into and out of.

I am not a fan of the C class having had them as loaners.

Thanks guys!
Mike

 

agh...i am in love with a 7 speed tranny. (amg pkg gives you the shifters, which are fun to use)

acceleration is much better than 500, the amg cars dont seem to disappear in the to horizon.

handling ratio has been improved by i think 10%, so it seems more agile.

did i mention the breaks? if not, then its done right this time.

I have sport & amg pkg, for some reason i did have a good amount of body roll that i didnt like, so i lowered it by just a bit, a world of difference. (still comfortable)

I was considering the bmw 550. and i dont regret buying e550 a bit. very happy with the car.

 

Get a BMW 550i, and it will be like a new girl friend for the first 6 months...

 

ALSO: Can you guys give me some idea of how much a 2007E550 would go for? What would be a "good deal". One guy emailed me an offer of $56,000 today (it only had P1). Thoughts?

Mike, I am surprised that you are able still able to find an 07. I did about $3K better than your quote for my 07 P2 car last August. There was however $5K in trunk money available then.

You might want to check Edmunds.com to see what is currently available on remaining 07's; I would think you should be able to get a P1 car in the very low $50K range.

Good luck and post some pics when you get it.