benzlvr2500

sup guys, i was lookin into gettin into another MB since i got rid of my R class a while ago...and i was lookin at 05 E500 and 07-08 E350's and man...theyre goin fer cheap now only about 25k....but my question is that what do you guys think is better? A 05 E500 fully loaded w/appearance pkg. OR 07 E350 fully loaded too w/that no option sport pkg (which makes the car look alot better, imho)...my factors in makin a decision are:

1) V8 vs V6 gas mileage and performance (a biggie)

2) handling/steering: sport pkg on the E350=sport suspension=better handling?

3) stand out factor/prescence...which one will stand out more? (another biggie)

4) overall value...which one would be better in the long run?

plz comment

DerekACS

My suggestion would be that you look for a 07-08 E350. The technical advantages of the updated 07-09 E Class are numerous compared to the 05s and the resale of the E350 will be better down the road than any E500 or E550, given that the current US government is so keen to slap on extra carbon taxes.
I think it is a safe bet that the Obama Administration will soon do much to discourage consumption of fossil fuels with the imposition of additional fuel taxes, so I would think twice about the purchase of any car with a V8 engine.

benzlvr2500

i see...but performance wise is it a big difference b/w the V6 and the V8? i currently have an IS250 and boy...talk about anemic power...thats the only reason im worried about the difference b/w the 2...strangely tho i was reading reviews on both cars and the 500 has 17/25 and the 350 has 17/24 gas mileage...wtf??

dvmak

1. If you want the best gas mileage go for the E350 though really the MPG between a E350 and E500 is only about 3-4 MPG .. if it's performance then the E500.

2. The E500 has the airmatic with adjustable settings so you can run in comfort or sport mode. I've driven both and the airmatic IMHO is much better.

3. The sport package may stand out a bit more but overall differences are subtle .. keeping the car nicely detailed will make it stand out regardless .. as will changing the rims ..

4. In the long run they will both be worth about the same.

You should be able to find an '06 E500 in that price range which would be better. An '08 E350 would be several thousand more and defeats the purpose of buying at the best value. With an '07 E350 you get the face-lifted version. Not sure what other enhancements were made for '07. Mercedes claimed over 100 changes but I've never been able to find a list nor noticed anything significant ...

155

Man that's a toss up. The updated look of the 07+ really makes a big difference not to mention the improvement in quality. But the V8... decisions, decisions.

How about an E55?

benzlvr2500

E55 AMG ftw...i wish...anyways...looks like if they both have similar gas mileage and i upgrade the rims then the E500 sounds like a better choice...hmm...decisions, decisions

benzlvr2500

but does the 05-06 E500 have that SBC bullcrap?? i haven't heard many good things about that

Polar Bear

All 03-06 211s have SBC.

It's not as bad as people make it out to be.

However, I would get the 2007 E350 if it has P2 package.

erifly

www.fueleconomy.gov is best site to look up mpg(click on the "find and compare cars" banner on the left). From what I see the 350 has 17/24 and the 500(no matic) has 15/23. Not that big of a difference considering the extra power in the 500.

Polar Bear

E350 has the "new" ratings... however on the highway the E500 will do about as well as the E350. In the city the E350 will do a little better. The E500 will have more power for sure.

Barry45RPM

The 550 offers neck snapping acceleration. If performance is your thing look for a 550. Peformance between a 350 and a 500 is not as great a difference as between a 350 and a 550.

The current Administration will start to pass into history soon. You'll have this car longer.

mike vee

i bought an 05 E500 about a month back and i couldn't be happier. Search out one with super low miles and clean condition and you will feel as if you just got a new benz. the acceleration is impressive. I hardly ever see 500s in LA, always the 3xx so i'm glad i have the 500.

gaazmon

Ya, that 17/25 for the E500 is the old standard. The new for city is like 15. We have a 02 CL500 and in the city the thing isn't that good, like 14. The E350 will get you about 17-18 in the city. My 320 gets between 18-20 sometimes 21 in the city. Hwy wise, I think they are pretty close to each other.

The performance difference isn't that big between the 350 and 500, that's why they came out with the 550. However, it's the torque in the 500 that makes the difference: 330 vs. the 350's 258. Hp wise: the 500 is 300 and the 350 is 268. But remember, the 350 comes with the newer engine build (i.e. 4 valves instead of 3 valves system), better intake system, etc. Also, I had a C350 loaner once and it was quite fast.

The looks of the 07 will stand out way more than the looks of the older 500.

Back to quality, the 07 350 will probably be better off than the 05 500.

Handling, the 350 is quite firm. My uncle has one and even complains about it. The 500 gives you the option of soft or sporty. Also, IMO, with the aimatic in sport mode, even sport II mode, the car is firm, but yet it is very comfortable. I really like the airmatic.

Honestly drive both. Another thing is, from my research when I was looking at cars, the 03 - 06 models where harder to find with options. With the 07+s, almost all of them have the sport package, some have the AMG sport sport package (09's only offer AMG sport package, not regular sport package). Also, a lot of the 07+ have the P1 package. Only thing is P2 (xenons, keyless go) are hard to find. Another thing: the 500 has leather. The 07+ 350's have leather as an option, another hard feature to come by, but no biggie.

vettdvr

I have the E500 and other than the sbc replaced under warranty the car at 83,000 miles still looks, feels and drives like a new car. MPH highway is 25 and about 18 in town for the grandparents driving.

One of the grandparents likes to drive on the track and gets the MPG down to about 8.

weinschela

Its a tough call. I had an 05 E500 before I drowned it (too long a story); now have a E550 (08). I also have an 04 E320 wagon. The E320 is underpowered but thatts a different engine and its a wagon and a 4matic. My personal choice would be the bigger engine. BUT, you are comparing apples and oranges with an 05 E500 vs an 07 E350. The 05 is probably already or very soon off warranty for example, while with an 07 unless its really high mileage you could get the balance of warranty. They also fixed some issues in the 04-06's and did a style refresh. One disadvantage of the 07-08's is they will not play mp3 DVD's --- just CD's while the 05 will play a DVD with 4G of music and easier access than an iPod. I'd definitely drive both and see what you like and what kind of warranty deal you can get. Likelihood is you won't want to keep either one until the end of the Obama administration, which notwithstanding Barry's comment, has at least a few years to go.

benzlvr2500

i see guys...so most of you do agree that the diff. in performance b/w a 500 and a 350 isnt that great mainly cuz in S. Cali we rarely find a long open stretch...but a couple things i wanna know is:

1) suspension/handling- alot of you guys are saying that the 500 rides better and handles as good as the 350 cuz of air suspension...but will it ever break?? ive heard some horror stories about the S500

2) what are the options differences b/w the 350 and 500? xenons, leather are kinda important considering this was once a 50k+ car (heck even my IS has lthr and xenons standard)

3) as far as looks go, the 500 does look a bit dated to me, so the 350 would look better (even better in AMG if only i could find one)

4) far as what im hearing most of you would agree that i should just opt for a 350? OR should i wait another year and buy the 550?

Polar Bear

Yes - airmatic does break

Base price is price for admission. The 500 will give you leather and ventilated/heated seats on most years, I think. Bi-Xenon lighting is an option and is difficult to locate at that. On the 2003-2006 models, Xenon can be identified by the presence of headlamp washer doors. This does not apply to 2007+

If I were searching for one I would get a 2007+ 350 or 550 or Bluetec Diesel, which is also great.

benzlvr2500

I see...looks like ive made my decision guys....07 350/550

thanks fer ur guys's input...this forum rocks

gaazmon

All suspension have the same problem. It's just the cost of the part that makes the difference.

K-A

'06 was when most Electronics and "under the skin" stuff was about on par with '07+ so reliability should be the same.

Pro's of the E500: More Luxurious options and interior standard, Xenon's standard I believe, smoother and more linear acceleration and engine.

Pro's of the E350: Updated exterior, Better MPG's (especially in the city), higher-tech newer motor.

Personally, unless I have a nice and long Warranty available, I would stay away from an Airmatic car.

Also, M-B did away with some great options in '07, and did some little changes and cost-savings in the interior, I personally prefer the pre face-lifts interior and options.

IMO, exterior styling-wise, in bone stock or even Appearance package form, the pre face-lifts look a bit bland IMO, the '07's look a bit more aggressive and defined out of the box. However, when it comes to AMG Packages it's a different story IMO, I personally think the pre face-lift AMG package is the nicest (at least on par with the face-lift AMG package) looking W211 example.

My advice to you, try and find an '06 E500 WITH AMG Package and a good CPO Warranty, I guarantee if you do, and drive it back to back with a regular Sport ''07 E350, you will be cutting a check for the E500.

I found some Photo's of both examples, keep in mind one is an E55 as the pre face-lift example, but it looks almost identical to any AMG package pre face-lift save for different wheels and side-skirts, and double exhaust tips instead of single (these are the only two of this particular kind of picture I was able to find, also the face-lift car's picture quality aren't as sharp for some reason)::

benzlvr2500

hmmm....you've once again changed my mind...so what you're basically saying is that

1) E500 w/AMG pkg

and if not

2) 08 E350 w/AMG pkg

but is the airmatic basically the only downfall to the 500? honestly how expensive is it to repair it? and also DOES ANYONE KNOW THE 0-60 TIMES ON BOTH CARS?? that would help alot cuz if the 350 can make it in the low 6's then ill be fine...otherwise i have no choice but to opt fer the V-8 b/c of my ego

K-A

Yeah, I'd say either AMG package E500 for the major win, or if not, a regular Sport '07-'08 E350 (if you find an AMG package jump on it, but I think they're pretty rare on models before '09).

Yeah, the major downfall to your pocketbook would be the Airmatic if you've not a Warranty. However it obviously does provide a great ride. I love the way my E rides and sits, a bit lower than an Airmatic car too. However nothing matches the smoothness of Airmatic.

Also, the City MPG will be a good 2-3 lower than a 350, I wouldn't call it a deal breaker but it'll be there.

I dunno about 0-60, but I know the E350 is supposed to be a mid-high 14 second car in the 1/4 mile, and E500's can be anywhere from high high 13's to mid 14's from what I've seen. The torque is where the big difference lies.

benzlvr2500

i see...well what are your experiences with the 350? since you live in LA your roads are similar to mine, so do you think the 350's V6 is good enough (keep in mind i rarely drive above 80mph on the freeway) and the V8 is overkill? I just looked at autotrader and cars.com and I DIDNT FIND A SINGLE E500 W/AMG...so basically its lookin at an E500 w/appearence pkg or E350 w/AMG...what would you pick if u were me??

K-A

Yeah, it's hard to find 'em with AMG Package, when I found mine I hit the Dealership first thing the next day.

Yeah, my racing days are long gone, so I drive like a grandpa now. I drove my moms old W211 E320 before and it felt WAY too sluggish for me however, which proved that I needed at least some ***** to come with my cars still.

I personally thought the E350 was perfect, more power than I need, more than enough torque to get you around town and not have you feeling like "where are this cars *****"? And I still get impressed when I step on it, it moves well and has a nice and aggressive 4V wail to it.

I think having the E500 would mainly give you the extra luxury of the smoothness that comes with that torque. However I went with the E350 over the E500 because I didn't need the extra power (can't use it anyway in L.A), wanted the extra Gas Mileage, and didn't want Airmatic (although I have a 4 year, 100K CPO Warranty so Airmatic wouldn't have been a problem for me to have).

I'd say, before making a decision, go and drive and thoroughly look through any E500 and '07+ E350, that should give you a better idea toward which will suit you better.

benzlvr2500

i see...thanks man fer all your help...ill keep u updated