Is this the right car for me?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
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2003 W211
Is this the right car for me?
My first post and a little background. I have my own training company and provide CSI improvement, management and leadership training. I currently drive 40K a year. I travel in the midwest so winter weather can be rough at times and summer heat over 100 in July and August. I will be replacing the car every two years and do most of the maintenance myself. A v-6 vs. v8? Also, I love Adaptive cruise and other options as well as a high end audio for those 6-8 hour trips. I appreciate all of the help in advance. I am thinking a 04 with 30-40k and the right options. If you were me, what car you you buy and why. Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
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2003 W211
Wow. So many views and not one reply. Fair enough. Although my car is for work and my passion is motorcycling I am shocked by the lack of replies. I am on other forums and always try to help and I don't want to be judgemental. But if you can't help no problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 9
From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
I personally prefer the smoothness and power of my V8-powered E500, but I live in Atlanta and drive this car less than 5000 miles a year. The 2007+ models are more reliable, and with fuel mileage and winter weather concerns, a good car for you would be a 2007-09 E350 4-Matic. Decent performance and fuel economy, with all-wheel-drive.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
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2003 W211
Thanks for the reply! Beautiful car by the way. The research I am doing is pointing me the same as you. 2007 to 2009 4matic. My wife does taxes and we have a couple of ways of writing it off so to speak and spending the money for an 07 to 09 is quite a bit more but a way better car. It will be worth a quarter of that in 3 years though. I going to ask the wife what's the best way tax wise to go. I much prefer the look of the new car and all that I have read.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 33
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From: Indy, USA
2008 E350 4Matic
We have an 08 E350 4Matic. It's new to us and it replaced a 4x4 SUV so we weren't sure how it would handle snow. We live in central Indiana and some winters we don't have much snow and others we do. Seems like this is a "we do" winter. Now I wouldn't say it would go through a lot of deep snow since it's the Sport and it sits rather low to the ground but as far as handling it's been great. In fact it's been better than the POS SUV it replaced. I think that was the tires fault though.
Anyway I don't think you could go wrong with any of the E Class models but it is nice to have that all wheel drive when the unexpected comes up.
Anyway I don't think you could go wrong with any of the E Class models but it is nice to have that all wheel drive when the unexpected comes up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
2) Rear wheel drive
3) Front engine
4) 280+ hp
5) 4 pass min
6) 4 door
7) you have the engineering spec, so it should be easy to answer your question.
Asking which car without knowing the engineering specifications is an impossible question to answer.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
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Your signature says you drive a 2003 E-class. If that is correct I don't understand the questions. Certainly, these W211 cars can have their issues and some have more problems than others. My experience has been all good and I have an '04 E500 4Matic. After 80,000 miles it is still solid as a rock and I have no issue driving it on long trips or in any kind of nasty weather. I just changed out the plugs along with some other timely service and expect it to go for many more miles. Personally, I will only buy a V8, but that's just me.
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 72
From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
If it were me, at 40k a year, I'd stick with the 6. Gas is only getting pricier, and you should be able to get into a nice weekend 2 wheeler with the $ you save after 40,000 miles of gasoline savings.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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Mercedes E55 AMG (2006), Mercedes 560 SEL (1991)
I'm pretty much an AMG man myself but from your brief a v6 would seem ideal. I prefer petrols and would suggest an E350 (sweet & smooth) but the 320 CDI is an excellent alternative you may wish to consider as well - oodles of low-down torque with relatively decent fuel consumption.
Brgds
Brgds
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 308
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
i recommend considering the eclass bluetec diesel, better mileage than both
V8 and V6 about 700 miles a tank highway. Its no slouch in performance either, also has more torque than a 550...
V8 and V6 about 700 miles a tank highway. Its no slouch in performance either, also has more torque than a 550...
