spilok

Hi all,
I'm usually on the SL forum...not here. I really enjoy my 500SL and my wife enjoys her Lexus LS430. I own the SL, and also own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi (5.7 liter) which I really enjoy here in sometimes "snowy" Pennsylvania. The Lexus is leased.
The lease for the Lexus is up in July, and I would like to convince my wife that the E-550 is a great replacement vehicle. We've had other E series Benzes in the past, including a 300 series 4Matic.
Our children are grown, but my wife always has 2 booster seats in the back seat of the Lexus for our Grandchildren. She does admit that the Lexus was useless on some really snowy, icy days that we had here in November and December.
Tell me...what do you think of the E-550 as a viable choice for my wife to drive? Of course, I too will enjoy driving the car when we travel together somewhere where we need more room than 2 seats.
Also, if I were to "load" the car up with Zenon lights, Nav, Roof, Heated Seats, Sirius Satellite, Wheels, Park sensors, etc., what should a car like that lease for.....fairly?
I currently lease the Lexus for about $1000.00/month. I don't put money down on a lease, and I usually lease for 3 years. I own my own business, and this works best for me.
When I go to my Dealer, I would like to strike a fair deal. The Lexus has only 25K on the odometer after 3 years, and I'm sure it has equity for the Lexus Dealer, and I want the Merc dealer to also acknowledge the equity it the car when considering the new lease.

Stan

NCE500

The E550 is a very nice machine, but unless your wife has a need for speed, I would suggest getting her an E350-4matic instead. While your SL is certainly no slouch, an E550 will outperform it by a pretty good margin.

You might want to have her test drive both the E550 and E350 and see which works better for you/her.

MBUSA.com and Edmunds.com routinely post lease/purchase specials on their web sites, lease deals are probably more common on the 350 than the 550.

spilok

Ah...I see you drive an SRT as well as the 500. Very nice indeed. Perhaps my wife doesn't have a need for speed, but I sure like having the power. Are there ANY other differences, other than the engine, between the E350 and the E550? I am not concerned about the difference in cost.
Thanks.
Stan

emilner

Most of the difference lies in the engine and suspension (the 550 has air bags instead of springs). I find the 550 the perfect everyday vehicle, it is very fast, handles/brakes great, it's comfortable, roomy (even with 2 car seats in the back), quiet etc. With the 4matic option it will do just as good as any other awd car, the air suspension will help in deeper snow as you can raise the vehicle an inch with a consol switch. Did I mention it is fast? You would find it closer in speed to the sl55 than the sl500 (I believe the e550 and sl55 are only 2-3 tenths of a second apart as per the mags). I had considered an ls460 before my car, get the 550, you wont ever look back...

Diesel Benz

Some other features like 4-zone AC standard on the E550 too? The 4-zone AC is useful at winter as the E does not have rear nozzles for the rear windows with the standard AC. I don't see the 4-zone control itself too useful.

spilok

So, you're saying that the E550 doesn't have anything really different, other than the 4 zone heating (2 front and 2 back), and of course the 5.5 liter as opposed to the 3.5 liter. Right?

Stan

Diesel Benz

Don't know who you referred to but emilner already posted Airmatic for one difference. Standard on an E550/E500, optional on an E350 (was it not available in the US?). We at least have different wheels for the two models and some minor interior (decoration) differences.

Wouldn't MBUSA tell accurately the differences for US models.

konigstiger

MBUSA E550:
382hp V8 engine
4-zone climate control
Leather interior
Airmatic suspension
Sports Package (no charge option)

spilok

Thanks everyone. That helps me a lot. Appreciate the information.

Stan

MB Fanatic

Get the E550. You will not be dissapointed one bit.

gnma

I bought my first Benz 3 months ago - '05 E500, and the engine is amazing! MB V8 motors put out so much torque at low rpms, its mind boggling. AND that's with my E500. The E500 has 340lbs of torque starting at 2,700 rpms. The car is quick, and what always gets me is the torque: The E550 you are considering has almost 400lbs torque @ 2,800 rpms. (Not to mention 382 hp compared to my 302). It must be one hell of a sedan.

The E350 has 258lbs of torque @ 2,400 rpms and 268 hp.

The above numbers are from the MB website.

Obviously u're into power, and u stated your indifference to price, so I think the decision is obvious. Besides an AMG, I would LOVE to have an E550. I hope you choose it, and good luck!

spilok

Yes..I'm leaning that way indeed. My Benz dealer wants my Lexus lease to be closer to termination (July) before quoting me a deal. He said he will call me in June. On the other hand, my Lexus dealer said I can have a new LS 460 as early as April for the same payment I'm making on the '05 LS 430. My equity is good in that car (only 25K miles), and obviously, the Lexus dealer has a tremendous advantage in getting rid of the first lease early. I am willing to wait until June.
Stan

MB Fanatic

Don't go for the LS460, you will come out very dissapointed to say the least. Get the E550-4Matic with the AMG package and P2 package. You will love it.

spilok

I would like to do a Mercedes; however, in July (when my lease is up), the 2008's will still be available.
Unfortunately, Mercedes is "re-designing" the E series in 2009. It will look closer to the S series.
Check it out.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercede...s-ar26512.html

and again...

http://www.egmcartech.com/2006/11/15...-benz-e-class/

Stan