bigbodybeeenz

I'm confused and don't know what car to get. Both cars are about $37k, but adding 2 years of CPO will add $5k to E55 tab. Here's what I'm looking at:

2009 E350 CPO
20k miles
fully loaded with Pano and AMG package

2006 E55 CPO
40k miles
fully loaded with Pano

If I pick the E55, 2 extra years of warranty will set me back an approximate $5k, but with this type of car it's 100% necessary. So the E55 will be 5k more with 3 years of warranty versus the E350 with 4 years of warranty.

Family and friends are telling me to get the newer car, but they don't really know anything about cars. I really want the E55, however the thought of driving a 5 year old car for the next 3-4 years turns me off. The E350 looks great, however the performance leaves lots to be desired.

Which one do you pick and why? Thanks for any info.

NorseWagon

I would go AMG in a flash.
The 350 will be boring long before the new smell wears off

Barry45RPM

You want a Gentleman's Hot Rod or do you want a Luxury Sport Sedan? The newer car will be rock solid and has more creature comforts/toys than the Monster. It is also far more dependable.

Depends on what you want as a daily driver. Depends on the speed limits/Speed Traps in your area. Horsepower you can't use and enjoy is a waste.

MyFirstAMG

Looks like you had an E92 M3 and a C63. The E350 will probably seem a little too subtle for you power wise.

EKG1

Get an E550 and you will have the best of both worlds. Really! The E550 will throw you back in your seat when you step on it and its cost of ownership will be more akin to that of an E350 versus an E55 AMG. You will get the best of both worlds if you take my advice. Also get a later model W211 (07-09). This way most of the kinks have been ironed out.

As consumer reports says, always get the last year model of any automobile, because by then most of the annoyances will have been corrected. For example, look at the W212, owners of this model are having problems with rims being bent too easily and seat adjustment knobs breaking off in their hands with normal use.

MasterMoparSB

Agreed, E550s are amazing.

chokaay

I agree with Barry... it all depends on what you're looking for.

I can tell you from experience that the 2009 E350 is a great car for a DD. The reliability/durability is significantly improved over the pre-2007 models, the V6 has enough power to get up-to-speed on SoCal freeways, and the style/design has a timeless classic look with a dash of modern flare (enough to avoid looking like it was being driven by a 60-year-old, but not too much that it looks like a Japanese car... or every other car on the road today). So far I have found the maintainence on the E350 to be reasonable, and if you calculate it out over time, it's not any more expensive than a Lexus.

The E55 I'd imagine would have significantly more HP and would be "more fun" to drive... but it also would cost more because of: maintainence & replacement components (both because it's a more expensive AMG-model vehicle, and that it's 3 years older), fuel (mpg), insurance premiums (self-explanitory), etc.

It all depends on what you're looking for (and what you can afford)...

nstanford99

yeah i agree with EKG, you should get an E550 which will give you alot of power and torque to play around with, but you dont have to worry about the maintainence of an AMG engine. you can find e550's for around 37-42k too, since thats what you would be spending on the CPO 55 AMG. Good luck with whatever you do

lkchris

Ask your insurance man the difference in insurance costs.

The '06 has a one generation obsolete engine and 2 generations obsolete styling.

LOVEMYBS

07-09 E550 or 05 or later E55 without question. I've owned six AMGs and many other non-AMG/high performance cars with and without warranties. IMHO there is too much "warranty scare talk" on this forum. If your car has been maintained and serviced regularly the cost of purchasing an extended warranty in most cases can't be justified with objective and reliable vehicle failure data. Most of the horror stories posted here are from owners with earlier cars that are not as reliable as the newer cars. If your warranty expires find a good after market service provider and pay as you go. In the long run you'll save money (JMHO). Think back to the time your car actually failed and left you stranded. Perhaps I've been lucky but, that has never happened to me because I maintain my cars and drive them responsibly.

chokaay

Many CPO cars are ones that have come off leases. IMHO, lease owners tend not to take as good care of their vehicles as one that purchase to keep... simply for the fact that they know in 2-3 years they'll be getting in another newer car and returning the one they have. Many lease owners use 87 octane in their vehicles, run their vehicles through the gas station "car wash" once in a while and never detail their vehicle, and drive their vehicles "like there's no tomorrow"... especially AMG ones. Why spend so much money on it (or be as reserved) if you don't have to live with the consequences that start showing up 4-5 years after purchase?

Of course MB's (at least 2007 and later) are "built to last" and can probably handle the abuse with grace... but I prefer knowing my vehicle hasn't been "mishandled" before I bought it. And there ARE lease owners who take exceptional care of their vehicles... but those are few and far in between IMHO.

charliele729

I agree with the E550, best of both worlds. I have a 350 and enjoying it very much, only because I am not my foot is hardly ever heavy. I just feel bad punching her sometimes. lolz

559EVO

E550 and dont pay 5k for a warranty.

Rennlaufer

I think the 550 would probably be a better investment (assuming you can find one at approximately the same price as the 55 w/ warranty – as was mentioned). The '06 is starting to get too far down the depreciation curve and old enough to the point that those annoying rattles and squeaks start nagging at your ‘buyer’s remorse” conscience….

SolidGranite

E550 all the way.