E500 vs 545i
#1
Member
Thread Starter
E500 vs 545i
It's now 2016. It's been 12 YEARS since these cars were new and I want to hear your opinion
Now that u have had your car for a while now would you trade it in for a 545? (Theoretically speaking)
Why would you keep/sell your 500?
Now that u have had your car for a while now would you trade it in for a 545? (Theoretically speaking)
Why would you keep/sell your 500?
#2
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My 2005 E500 (150,000 miles) is still serving our family well and its not getting replaced.
#4
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Typical comparison between the brands is "one is good as hot date, the other is good to marry"
I think aging hot date is less desirable, than well aging wife.
I think aging hot date is less desirable, than well aging wife.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think the 545i has a better gearbox and more power. I think they're faster but they don't sound nearly as good with a decent exhaust and the E60 interior is just lacking that special feeling. It's nice but cannot compete with the W211.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
the fact you can get the bimmer in a manual has me questioning, hmmmmm. idk tbh-i would need to drive a "older" version 211 to faithfully answer that. But more times then not i lean towards a manual vehicle.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think the 545i has a better gearbox and more power. I think they're faster but they don't sound nearly as good with a decent exhaust and the E60 interior is just lacking that special feeling. It's nice but cannot compete with the W211.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
6 inches longer is a s-class...
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#8
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Thread Starter
#9
Member
Thread Starter
I think the 545i has a better gearbox and more power. I think they're faster but they don't sound nearly as good with a decent exhaust and the E60 interior is just lacking that special feeling. It's nice but cannot compete with the W211.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
The W211 is getting a little dated now, even with the facelift. It's not the design that is to blame but the SIZE. If you look at the F10 and put a W211 next to it, it's like a large car next to a small car and remember, they're supposed to be in the same size category. Mercedes made a HUGE mistake making the W211 small and slim. It should have been 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider and fatter, same design (which is actually breathtaking and timeless) but just fatter and bigger.
Here in Aus, domestic cars DWARF the W211 and the great thing about them is, they never got bigger, they were big to begin with from the mid 90s to now, they maintained their size and size is important for a luxury car. Take a Bentley Mulsanne and shrink it, no one is gonna buy it and it's not gonna have that "WOW" and exotic factor anymore regardless of the design or quality or prestige.
The E60 isn't that much bigger on paper but it's certainly a bigger looking car in real life. It's not as beautiful in design though. The M5 is very sexy but the normal E60 is TERRIBLE, it's pretty ugly.
It handles better than the W211 but the W211 is more comfortable (with the Airmatic). The W211 feels nicer and has a better vibe, a warm vibe whereas the E60 is cold and clinical to me.
The Merc is more reliable hands down, I've owned a BMW 5 series, amazing car to drive but they are UNRELIABLE, they have alot of issues. Just look at the 7 series E65, they are a MONEY PIT, a giant hole you get rid of your cash in hence the hilarious depreciation which still won't make up for the headaches which are CHRONIC in that series. Even the M5, blows its SMG regularly and that high strung V10 is not a workhorse.
All in all I think the Merc is better but Mercedes screwed up with the size BIG TIME. It would have been timelessly SEXY if it had been WIDE and longer.
#10
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Thread Starter
It would be awesome if the w211 came in manual hell I wouldn't even care if it was a 5 speed manual lol
#11
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I understand manufactures are moving more towards triptronic transmission now, but gah-lee, what about us that what that sporty feeling of manual transmission in our luxurious car??? HUH!? what about us
#12
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
You guys either forgot, or are too young to remember how much hassle it is to replace clutch plate every 60,000 miles
Modern clutches also have hydraulic cylinders for activation, what is another higher maintenance item.
To top it you will have clutch safety switch and that one on my truck gave me wet back alone.
Modern clutches also have hydraulic cylinders for activation, what is another higher maintenance item.
To top it you will have clutch safety switch and that one on my truck gave me wet back alone.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Here's a car sold here called an HSV. This thing is HUGE! It's 3 inches wider than the W211 but alot fatter as well. It's also 4 inches longer but as you can see, it's a fat, full car. When a car is too slim it ages very badly. Look how new cars get bigger every generation. The Merc, being a Mercedes, should have been bigger than its rival E60 and A6 Audi but it's not and looks small next to them.
#15
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Thread Starter
Maybe an a6
I always wanted to catch a lonely 545i who wants to play but I can't find them. I'm guessing those horror stories are living up to its name.
I know it's a little but how would the a6 c6 4.2 compare to these 2 (well the 500)
#16
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Thread Starter
The S is 15-16 inches longer believe it or not. I think you mean C218 CLS size which is perfect IMO. The facelifted AMG front on the W211 is a very very very beautiful design, just perfect. It looks like an animal muscle car and that's what the body should support as well. It has such a perfect face but the problem is, it's too "skinny". It needed to "hit the gym" and bulk up. I guess that's the way I like cars.
Here's a car sold here called an HSV. This thing is HUGE! It's 3 inches wider than the W211 but alot fatter as well. It's also 4 inches longer but as you can see, it's a fat, full car. When a car is too slim it ages very badly. Look how new cars get bigger every generation. The Merc, being a Mercedes, should have been bigger than its rival E60 and A6 Audi but it's not and looks small next to them.
Here's a car sold here called an HSV. This thing is HUGE! It's 3 inches wider than the W211 but alot fatter as well. It's also 4 inches longer but as you can see, it's a fat, full car. When a car is too slim it ages very badly. Look how new cars get bigger every generation. The Merc, being a Mercedes, should have been bigger than its rival E60 and A6 Audi but it's not and looks small next to them.
To me it looks like the cls is almost as long as the s
#17
Member
Thread Starter
You guys either forgot, or are too young to remember how much hassle it is to replace clutch plate every 60,000 miles
Modern clutches also have hydraulic cylinders for activation, what is another higher maintenance item.
To top it you will have clutch safety switch and that one on my truck gave me wet back alone.
Modern clutches also have hydraulic cylinders for activation, what is another higher maintenance item.
To top it you will have clutch safety switch and that one on my truck gave me wet back alone.
#18
Member
Thread Starter
I couldn't agree more. I can't fathom why they don't just upgrade the 6sp's that come in the c300 2wd m/t cars. And i think the size of the 211 is perfect as well. It's a big body sedan and it isn't at the same time.
I understand manufactures are moving more towards triptronic transmission now, but gah-lee, what about us that what that sporty feeling of manual transmission in our luxurious car??? HUH!? what about us
I understand manufactures are moving more towards triptronic transmission now, but gah-lee, what about us that what that sporty feeling of manual transmission in our luxurious car??? HUH!? what about us
Dct is taking over. Don't get me wrong dct is great I just want a 3rd pedal
Tbh i rarely see a c300 with 6 speed I wonder why Mercedes even bothered
#20
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But no shop wanted just repair it and rebuild cost was quoted about $2000.
The MB 5-auto transmission seem to last forever with $10 pilot bushing replacement every 10 years and if they fail, you can buy used for $600.
Last edited by kajtek1; 01-08-2016 at 02:56 PM.