Hello - would appreciate any help on deciding on purchase of the below. Looking at a new 2008 E320, MSRP around $57,600 and selling price is 43k. Also considering a 2006 E350 4matic with 14,000 miles, certified, which would sell for around 35k. With the 2.9% financing the new diesel is not too much more than the 06. I find the diesel intriguing because of the improved gas mileage and also the better torque at higher speeds. Not exactly sure how it would drive in the snow, but know I would have to get snow tires for it.

Any ideas and input on the prices that are being quoted are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Diesel would have much better resale. What is the mileage on the 2008?

 

The 2008 E320 is brand new - has not been driven yet.

 

Well, that sounds like an excellent buy on the E320 even if it is a stripped model. I would go with that one personally.

If you don't live in an area with a lot of hills, I am sure the diesel would do fine in the snow with the right tires.

 

Also figure in what is the usual price for Diesel fuel in your area. In NY as soon as it gets cold, the price of diesel umps & is much more expensive than Gasoline because so many people here heat with # 2 Fuel Oil which is the same fuel without the car's fuel taxes added on.

 

Well the cost of diesel doesn't matter so much when you see the kind of mileage those cars get; especially on the highway.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...est/index.html

Decent article. Even addresses a few of your questions.

I love my E500 although I'm kind of wishing I had the Panoramic roof and dual pipes on it now. Regardless, it is one hell of a car. The only thing that has disappointed me so far is the terrible Harmon Kardon Logic 7 system. If you can get past that or if Benz decided to sell their rights to a decent company then you will not have a single regret.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback. So, it sounds like 43,000 for a new 08 E320 is about as good as I can do. Seems like a great price, since it is about 14k of MSRP.

 

Just understand that if there's an option the car doesn't have that you really want it will cost up to four times the sticker price for that option to have it retrofitted by the dealer.

 

As a very satisfied owner of a 2008 E320 Bluetec, my advice might be biased.
However, let me say that the greater diesel efficiency (+30% to 40%) will more than make up for any additional diesel fuel cost (approx. 10% to 15%) over the price of premium gas.

For highway driving, the 400 lbs.ft. of torque is simply breathtaking. Push down your right foot and you will be pressed into your seat as you blast past anyone you choose to pass.

As far as winter performance is concerned, my Bluetec equipped with a set of winter tires (Michelin Pilot Alpins) performs extremely well in deep snow, slush and on ice. Last winter I drove from Vancouver up through the mountains on the Coquihalla highway to Kamloops and return; my car averaged 40.5 mpg in very cold (-15C) and snowy conditions over much of the route.

If you decide to go for the E350 4Matic, you would likely need snow tires as well if you drive in a snow belt area. All season tires just don't cut it, even if you have all wheel drive.

 

One thing that is making second guess buying the 08 E320, is the cost of diesel. Today, the price of premium fuel was $2.41 and the cost of diesel was $3.49. It seems like there has been a big spread between premium gas and diesel fuel for a while now. So, you save 1.09 per gallon by using premium, but then get higher gas mileage if you use diesel. I am just not sure if the better gas mileage is better enough to make up for the huge price difference. I typically drive about 20,000 to 25,000 miles a year. Thanks for the help.

 

no it doesn't and probably price fixed so there isn't a huge difference, only thing would be the "green" factor in driving the diesel.

 

Factor in the greater resale value for diesel too.

 

That will be true if the diesel offers an operational cost advantage. Everthing else being equal the gas engine is still more refined.

 

Diesel engines are built to rack on the miles.

But something that comes in handy in super cold climates is that you can leave the thing running all the time. When I used to live in subzero arctic Vermont, I remember diesel owners leaving their cars running when eating at a restaurant or even overnight. Always a warm and toasty car on a 20 below zero morning. And never a worry about the car not starting. Do people still do that?

 

It doesn't get near that cold here - but the Diesel does have a "Heater Booster" that quickly warms the car. On a 18°F morning with the car sitting out overnight I have gotten in my CDI and the heater is blowing warm air (not quite hot) in about two minutes. Shortly after that it is very warm.

Also, the glow plugs really don't do anything unless it is 32°F or below, so their is no wait at all for preglow unless it gets fairly cold. And even then, there is no need to plug in the modern Diesel engine as it starts fine in very cold weather.

 

Would you consider waiting for the new model?

 

Unfortunately, I can't. My lease is up next month. I wonder if the current incentives will run through the weekend. Seems like that is what other manufacturers are doing.