ziggymarbles

If you would have to pick between the E320 and E500 which one would you pick and why. I'm kind of leaning towards the E500 because of the v8. But with the gas being as expensive as it is here in So Cal I'm a little skeptical. I'm currently driving a 99 Accord v4 and I'm speding about $45 on average a week..so I could only imagine whats it'll be like with a v8. I have until this friday night to decide as I'll be purchasing the car this sat. What MPG are you guys with the 500's getting. Any suggestions are welcomed.

CynCarvin32

The E55k gets about 16-17 mpg on a regular basis and the E500 gets about 17-19 mpg. Before people go crazy, I do drive hard and I am constantly driving on unlevel ground. So-Cal has expensive gas and many hills (in my part) so I never see good MPG figures. My C32 was the worst at 11-13 mpg. If you are worried about MPG, get a C230k for my sister has a 2004.5 C230k and it regularly gets 25-27 mpg. And it is equally as fast as an E320.

jprescott

I'm thinking that if the price of gas is even part of the decision process maybe you better just stick with the E320. If that's not a problem the E500 is more fun and the airmatic suspension sold me.

CynCarvin32

Good point. I have an E320 rental car because some nice person keyed my E55 and the W211 feels 200% better and "stronger" with the airmatic suspension. The standard car has a detached and wiggly feeling with coil springs and the rebound control is nowhere near a well set as with the AirMatic DC system. But the E320 can be ordered with the Sport pack (with AirMatic DC) so that should not be an issue.

When nearly fully speced out, an E320 is about 4k less than a equally speced out E500 and 4k is nothing when it comes to the increase in power IMHO.

Cant go wrong really but I like a car with some extra "guts"

Kain

E500.

alewifebp

In your case I voted for the E320, even though normally I would vote for the E500 with the extra power. I typically average about 14-16 mpg in my driving circuit (sometimes as low as 9, others as high as 25-26), while my friend in his E320 averages a little more. Either way, the gas consumption is going to get you coming from an Accord (I know, I've been there).

And too bad the CDI won't be available in Cali for a while, as that would be your perfect solution.

DWP

It's been over 2000 miles since the last reset of the multifunction display and, if you believe the MFD, over that distance our '03 E500 has gotten 18 MPG. That's for a mix of city-street and short freeway stretches, with sparing use of the loud pedal. On longer open-road trips at constant speeds, without urban stop-and-go, I've observed mileage up to 23-25 MPG. Only you can decide how much you want to spend on gas, of course, or whether the pleasure of driving a prestige car to and from work outweighs the increase in gas bills. I won't get into the broader issues arising from the country's general shift to lower-mileage vehicles in recent years; that would probably just trigger an argument (besides which, I'm part of the problem, not part of the solution).

I can't compare the power of the E500 and E320, never having driven the latter, but from what I've seen published (and from having owned a somewhat comparable BMW 528i) the E320 has all the power anyone needs. If you're talking "wants" instead of "needs", though, the E500 is the obvious choice.

lennylam

About the gas comsumption, it depends the way you drive and how often you drive on the freeway. For me, I also live in SoCal and I drive on freeway from/to work. My E500 can get about 20-22 mpg per tank. It is not too bad for V8. Compare to my previous car, the difference is not too big. I drove TL-S previously and get about 24 mpg. But if you want to compare with your Accord, you may not want to get E500.

LorinserCClass

No question about it E500. If you can REALLY afford either without flinching then gas prices are really not going to hurt you...

etenn

Sounds like all the posts so far are from E500 owners.

Haven't had any imput from E320 owners on gas mileage/power/satisfaction issues. It would be interesting to hear some imput from people who own and drive the E320 every day.
Most of us who drive E500s really don't have a frame of reference.

moa4r

IMO it really depends on driving style; for the life of me I couldn't get more than 16-18 mph in the city in my e320 and I don't think I'd be getting that much less in a 500. Highway mileage is awsome for both, so if you are worried about gas mileage but still want the v8 definately go for the 500. my .02
Good luck

Barry45RPM

Calculate the number of miles you drive a year, times the length of time you plan to keep the car. Even if you get 5 less miles a gallon, the difference in cost over the years you plan to keep the car will be the deciding factor. How many more gallons/tankfulls will you have to buy over the cars lifespan? In my case it doesn't amount to $1,000. over my projected car kepeping span of 3.5 years.
The E-500 is Exhilerating to have under your butt! So many little things are done to perfection that the overall experience is amazing. Not that the 6 is a shabby ride. I don't know anyone who doesn't like their E. The car is simply WELL DONE!

James F. Cannon

If you are worried about fuel prices buy a hybrid, otherwise run with the big dogs and get a V8!!!

HELL ONA HARLEY

I originaly went into the dealership to purchese (order) an e320. but when I was there I decided to also drive a 500.... Well that test drive cost me $5,000. The difference in power and handling was like night and day... Another thing to consider is with the e500 your going to get a 7 speed trany.... B.T.W... I'm also averaging 18 to 19 M.P.G on our rural roads ....
Good luck with your decision.

EclassOzz

i have an 04 e320 and its gets really good mpg..my last car was an 03 madzda protege5 and they got the same mpg on the freeway.when i got my car,i wasnt even thinking about gas,didnt even cross my mind,like a few people said..if you want speed,go for the e500..i think the e320 is enough speed.but go with what you want..im in orange county..it cost me about 43 bux to fill up my car,how much for peeps who drive the e500 down here?
maybe you should get a toyota echo if your concern is gas..lol.jk..when getting a benz if your thinking about gas when buying a 50+ grand vechile,shouldnt be a problem IMO..anyway if gas,go with the 320,

michael10128

Gotta have the V8

IF fuel cost is a big concern for you, i dont think you will be happy with either choice...SO get the V8 and at least smile on your way to the poor house

E500 always

ElDiabloJoe

E500, here's why, IMHO:

V8
Airmatic suspension
Quad-digital climate control
Many more features available or standard

Don't forget, at least in my eyes, when I see an E320, the first thing I think is, they stretched to get that car, and can't really afford it. Probably a leased car.

Snotty as that may sound, and I apologize if so, that's what I think when I see them. Besides, I hate the split spoke wheels, so ya gotta do the Sport model in either trim.

FWIW,

EDJ

Barry45RPM

It does come off kind of snotty, but it somehow has a ring of truth to it... so I dunno. Did you know that MOST of M-B USA's dealers' "sales" in the USA are Leases? And what if the guy who is driving that E 320 is really driving his cheap car for the day just for a lark! What if he's got a stable of expensive iron...ya never know. Or maybe he knows the effect an MB has on people, & the crowds don't know the difference. Doesn't the 320 far outsell the 500?

As for the sport package I would have ordered it except for the black wood. It doesnt look like wood to me. Perhaps they should have used a different type of "brown" wood to differentiate the package in cars with the stone interior.

...But I do LOVE my E-5!... Wow, now I'm a philosopher...

lig

EDJ -

Now I understand why it's nicknamed the "University of Spoiled Children"

At least you realize you are snotty.

LorinserCClass

Book me EDJ, guilty as chaged I honestly only got the 320 fully loaded(I coulda leased a stripped E500 for the same price...)because I leased. Call it materialism or dumb but yup even though I couldnt afford a buy on it(Mortgage/kids/stay at home wife-student) I felt I NEEDED a car with that 'status'.

benzboy

17 to 19 on my 03 E500. I drive it hard and like to use all the toys as well. Love the 500 over four previous 320s. I continue to look for longer (and more fun) ways to get to work in the morning. Go for the 500 - you'll thank us all afterward!

lexusfan

Well, my mom drives an S500, and it takes up a lot of gas. My dad's LX takes up a lot of gas. But the way I see it and the way my parent's see it is that all that matters is that you can afford the car, Gas and Maintenance are minor things.

I would say get the E500. The difference in power and handling is just too much....Good LUCK!!!

Barry45RPM

Either version of the car delivers "Prestige & Status". Enjoy the car.

ctouhey

I wish I could get the gas mileage some quoted here. On the August 2002 build E500, I averaged 13.5 mi/gal over the 6,000 or so miles I put on until late July '03. On the current E500, I've averaged 12.5 mi/gal over the first 8500 miles.

BudC

The major costs of car ownership are depreciation and the cost of money. If you are leasing, then fuel costs are peanuts compared to that $20K or more you'll drop in depreciation in three years not to mention the interest you'll pay on the lease.

About the same thing applies to people who trade cars often.

Get an E500 and drive it into the ground (which won't take as long as it would with the older Mercs)