karrera4

As I narrow down my car search, I was originally considering 2006 E500's with low miles. Then, started thinking about 2007 E550's.

Now I can't decide if it is worth it to spend more and get the E550, based on what I want the car for - just looking for a solid, quick, quiet daily driver. I want bluetooth, nav, iphone/ipod integration, etc. Do both of these models have those capabilities?

Thanks,
Kent

155

Based on your requirements, both will do an admiral job. The 550 is nice as you get the updated look (07+ has newer design) and power (5.0 vs. 5.4L). If it's between a few grand I would definitely do the 550.

karrera4

Yeah, that is kind of the conclusion I am coming too. Do the E500's have ipod integration and sat. radio?

dvmak

For a few grand the 550 is the better choice but .. I doubt it will be just a few grand. Probably around 10K difference ..

The '06 models did not have ipod or bluetooth standard. If the car doesn't have it expect to pay about $1200 for OEM equipment .. less if you can do it yourself. (Not hard to do..)

Benz-O-Rama

Get the E550. MB didn't really get the W211 right until 2006. So any E550 will most likely be a better purchase than any E500.

Barry45RPM

Yup... he's right. I had 1 of each. The 07 550 is flat out perfect... a better car in every way.

NCE500

I've had both. I loved my 05 E500, my first Mercedes, but between the many 07 up refinements and improvements plus the upgraded engine, the 550 is a great all round car. While refined and docile in everyday traffic, the 550 is also substantially more powerful and faster, if you care about such things, which I personally do from time to time. The 550 gets about 1 mile less per gallon in suburban driving than my 500 did.

Unless budget is an issue, I would spend a little more and get the 550. Ultimately, what matters is what you want, drive both and go with what you like.

karrera4

Thanks for all the advice guys! I grew up driving fast cars, still race sports cars and love my Cayman S for the fun drives. I am thinking if I can find the right deal, the 550 is the way to go...it will come down to money though. I am graduating, and don't want to doll out a whole lot of cash right in the beginning - gotta plan for the DP on a house, and I want to keep as much money in my investments right now to try and win some of it back!

dvmak

Good thinking .. and if you're looking for best bang for the buck right now it would be the E500 ..

Then again .. I think my stocks are depreciating faster then the cars so maybe cars are the better investment!

karrera4

Are there articles pointing to 1) where to buy the OEM bluetooth and ipod integration units and 2) how to install them.

I do most of the work on our cars myself, so I would like to attempt this also if I ended up with the E500.

Benz-O-Rama

The 2003-2004 W211's can be retrofitted quite easily and relatively inexpensively. Many of us on here have done this. I did mine for $440.00 total.

Here is the document outlining the install

2003-2004 phone install


The first part of the install doc is for the compensator. Don't worry about this. This part allows for a docked phone in the cradle to use the car's antenna for better reception. You won't be docking your phone, you'll be docking the bluetooth puck instead. So skip that. The next part is installing (Q-6-82-0828) the cradle kit. You will be doing this so make sure you're comfortable doing it before you purchase. Then you install the puck (B67875856) into the cradle. The 3rd part is about installing the voice control module. This is completely optional.

After everything is installed you'll need to have your dealer set 'phone present' using SDS.


This document is for the 2005-2006 W211's. The process is much more involved and more expensive as these cars cannot take advantage of the Tele-Aid wiring, as the 2003-2004 cars can. I think total cost for this would be about 1100.00, assuming you do the install yourself.

2005-2006 phone kit

If you were to get an E550, just make sure to get one that has the phone pre-wired. That way, you purchase the bluetooth puck, and you're in business.

Hope this helps.

K-A

With the deals going on right now, if I were you I wouldn't go older than an '06 E500 as they seemed to really get it together in '06 and a lot of the interior and technical revisions started in '06.

Both pre and post face-lifts have their positives and negatives ('07+ don't come with DD Seats for one example). If the difference is under $5K I'd definitely go with the 550, you just can't beat that motor, amongst other things.

When I got my car I was choosing between an '07 Sport package or '06 AMG Sport Package. The '06 still saved me some money, and even though it's a pre-face lift I think it looks 1,00000+ times better since it has the AMG package, and liked some interior aspects over the '07+ actually.

I'd say, try and find an '06 500 with the AMG package, and any '07 550, and see which suits you better and weighs better in the $$ category.

Polar Bear

If the car is pre-wired for a phone (2005-2006) then all you need to do is purchase the MHI cradle from the classifieds, ebay, or MB dealer. Plug and play. If it is not pre-wired, it is a pretty in-depth job as you can see from the documents posted.

In regards to the iPod, it's fairly in-depth as well - especially if you are not familiar with Mercedes-Benz and how the cars are assembled, etc. A wire needs to be run from the driver side rear to the passenger side front, and the COMAND needs to be removed.

I think most E550s will be prewired for phone, and you would only need the Bluetooth puck. Also, a 2007+ will be much more likely to have factory iPod integration.

gnma

Based on your background with performance cars, let me say the E500 is amazing, BUT the E550 must be one hell of a motor:

E500 = 302hp, 339torque
E550 = 381hp, 391 torque

Its the next best thing to a 211 AMG. Absolutely insane!!

MJ50

don't forget CPO E55s out there...

karrera4

I belong to several forums, but I really appreciate the helpfulness and advice in this forum in particular. Thanks guys.

Barry45RPM

Actually, its an Engine as Motors run on electricity, while engines run on petro-fuels.

Clearly, I'm bored and nit-picking today.

gnma

U're just showin' off cuz you own a 550. Hope to meet you at the Westbury meet when things warm up.

Barry45RPM

Let me know when they resume.

ss3964spd

A little OT, but since it was mentioned in this thread - how does one tell if an '05 is pre-wired for phone?

My '05 has tele-aid and it is active. Mutes the radio, mic's in the rear view, sound from the cars speakers.

Dan

karrera4

I was wondering that myself. Every E500 I have looked at (2006's) has not had bluetooth or ipod integration. This is a little surprising....Im wondering if I can trust them to know if its pre-wired.

ss3964spd

Certainly the most obvious would be if the cradle is present in the console compartment. It's not there in my '05. Just wasn't sure if there was another obvious sign, aside from removing panels inside the trunk.

Dan