S CLASS VS. E CLASS 4 matic
05-03-2002, 08:53 PM
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S CLASS VS. E CLASS 4 matic
I have a question for you guys.
By the time I get the options I want on my E class (i.e. comand, teleaid, stereo upgrade, cd changer, etc...) the cost of the E class would be just $9000.00 CDN less than an S Class 430. Am I better off with an S Class?
By the time I get the options I want on my E class (i.e. comand, teleaid, stereo upgrade, cd changer, etc...) the cost of the E class would be just $9000.00 CDN less than an S Class 430. Am I better off with an S Class?
05-03-2002, 10:58 PM
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Apples and oranges, Sean.
Those are two very different cars.
Also depends heavily on your priorities.
Resale: S430 will not hold up as well as any of the E's (percentage-wise). Most people who buy an S aren't going to skimp on the engine, scaling down to 430 to save a couple bucks. S500 will command much better resale. Plus, being a heavy vehicle, the S430 really lacks punch IMO.
Durability of Style: the new W211 is just now debuting, meaning it will look current for several years to come. The S is getting a facelift this year, and the S will be completely redesigned in another 3-4 years, which will accelerate the decline in value of the exiting body style.
Prestige: the S430 will still pack more cache than a W211 E500 or E320.
Style/Beauty: eye of the beholder on this one. To me, the S is designed to be a bit more elegant and stylish than the 'bread and butter' E. More eye catching overall. (But it doesn't always work out that way....the W140 (early 1990's S) was bloated, boring and unappealing to me, while the outgoing W210 made a very nice, though not loud, statement).
Driving Pleasure: for touring, the S430 is still much more comfortable and pleasurable than a current E320 or E430. Of course it's a newer design. The W211 E may be nearly as comfortable as a tourer (but I doubt superior). But the W211 E500 will be more fun to drive than the S430, of course. Punchier, much more nimble. Can't say at this point about the new E320, though.
No simple answer to this question. Depends on what you value most. Curb cache/appeal? S430. Driving pleasure, W211 E500. Resale W211. Durability of design? W211.
My 2 cents.
Those are two very different cars.
Also depends heavily on your priorities.
Resale: S430 will not hold up as well as any of the E's (percentage-wise). Most people who buy an S aren't going to skimp on the engine, scaling down to 430 to save a couple bucks. S500 will command much better resale. Plus, being a heavy vehicle, the S430 really lacks punch IMO.
Durability of Style: the new W211 is just now debuting, meaning it will look current for several years to come. The S is getting a facelift this year, and the S will be completely redesigned in another 3-4 years, which will accelerate the decline in value of the exiting body style.
Prestige: the S430 will still pack more cache than a W211 E500 or E320.
Style/Beauty: eye of the beholder on this one. To me, the S is designed to be a bit more elegant and stylish than the 'bread and butter' E. More eye catching overall. (But it doesn't always work out that way....the W140 (early 1990's S) was bloated, boring and unappealing to me, while the outgoing W210 made a very nice, though not loud, statement).
Driving Pleasure: for touring, the S430 is still much more comfortable and pleasurable than a current E320 or E430. Of course it's a newer design. The W211 E may be nearly as comfortable as a tourer (but I doubt superior). But the W211 E500 will be more fun to drive than the S430, of course. Punchier, much more nimble. Can't say at this point about the new E320, though.
No simple answer to this question. Depends on what you value most. Curb cache/appeal? S430. Driving pleasure, W211 E500. Resale W211. Durability of design? W211.
My 2 cents.
05-04-2002, 05:13 PM
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Sean:
AMG55's analysis is excellent. For myself, I would go with the new E w/command option for two reasons:
1. E is a brand new design, and it's an aesthetic triumph. It'll be years before it even starts to look outdated. (S has been around a couple of years already.)
2. The E is lighter, more economical and sportier than the S.
I know that you pay more for gas in Canada because of your high taxes than we do in the US.
AMG55's analysis is excellent. For myself, I would go with the new E w/command option for two reasons:
1. E is a brand new design, and it's an aesthetic triumph. It'll be years before it even starts to look outdated. (S has been around a couple of years already.)
2. The E is lighter, more economical and sportier than the S.
I know that you pay more for gas in Canada because of your high taxes than we do in the US.
05-04-2002, 06:08 PM
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Assuming your talking the E500, now that it has Airmatic as standard (which is like the coolest thing about the S class, plus a few other features)......why spend the extra cash on a slower S class, unless you truly need the room. Plus as others have said, the E class will definitely be more entertaining to drive.
Frankly, the E class is big enough to carry plenty of cache in its new form....I personally think its showier than an S class.
Frankly, the E class is big enough to carry plenty of cache in its new form....I personally think its showier than an S class.
05-04-2002, 06:18 PM
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Re: S CLASS VS. E CLASS 4 matic
Originally posted by Sean
I have a question for you guys.
By the time I get the options I want on my E class (i.e. comand, teleaid, stereo upgrade, cd changer, etc...) the cost of the E class would be just $9000.00 CDN less than an S Class 430. Am I better off with an S Class?
I have a question for you guys.
By the time I get the options I want on my E class (i.e. comand, teleaid, stereo upgrade, cd changer, etc...) the cost of the E class would be just $9000.00 CDN less than an S Class 430. Am I better off with an S Class?
