05 320 with Premium Pkg vs. 2005 base 500
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
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05 320 with Premium Pkg vs. 2005 base 500
A good friend just bought a new 320 with the premium pkg he drove it from the dealership to his house tonight, about 3 miles. After speaking with me he thinks he should have bought a base 500 as I explained the price difference was only about $3k +/- and most of what he paid extra for on the 320 is stock on the 500 ie; 17" wheels and tires, which was the most important upgrade to him of the prem pkg on his 320. Plus with the 3.5 on the near horizon why not get the sweet 5.0
1) Am/did I give him bad advice?
2) Can he return the car first thing in AM and switch to the 500? The title work etc could not have possibly been procesed in a day and the car will only have about 11 miles on it upon return.
1) Am/did I give him bad advice?
2) Can he return the car first thing in AM and switch to the 500? The title work etc could not have possibly been procesed in a day and the car will only have about 11 miles on it upon return.
Last edited by RJC; Oct 15, 2004 at 08:31 PM.
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
Call the dealer...
They probably won't say no if the 500 is in stock.
He may want to offer to flat-tow it back to the dealer so no more miles go on someone else's new car.
Don't forget the extra $1000 gas guzzler tax so actually it would be $4k more but also if he ever wants to sell it, it will obviously have a higher resale value than an E320.
Plus, in my opinion, the E500 will inherently last longer (all other things equal) because the engine will not be working as hard at any given time, and a V8 engine is more naturally balanced, whereas a V6 has counter-rotating balance shafts.
If the oh-so-good CDI did not exist I too would go for the E500, but for all intents and purposes, in practical driving real-world situations, the E320 CDI is more powerful because it has more torque and that torque comes on at a lower RPM where it is useful in typical, real-world driving. Not to mention the perfectly inherently balanced I6 engine is bound to be very durable and is super fuel efficient.
I will get my 17" wheels and tires on EBAY as new take-offs from somebody who bought an E500 and wanted 20" spinning chrome.
KB
He may want to offer to flat-tow it back to the dealer so no more miles go on someone else's new car.
Don't forget the extra $1000 gas guzzler tax so actually it would be $4k more but also if he ever wants to sell it, it will obviously have a higher resale value than an E320.
Plus, in my opinion, the E500 will inherently last longer (all other things equal) because the engine will not be working as hard at any given time, and a V8 engine is more naturally balanced, whereas a V6 has counter-rotating balance shafts.
If the oh-so-good CDI did not exist I too would go for the E500, but for all intents and purposes, in practical driving real-world situations, the E320 CDI is more powerful because it has more torque and that torque comes on at a lower RPM where it is useful in typical, real-world driving. Not to mention the perfectly inherently balanced I6 engine is bound to be very durable and is super fuel efficient.
I will get my 17" wheels and tires on EBAY as new take-offs from somebody who bought an E500 and wanted 20" spinning chrome.
KB
Last edited by cdiken; Oct 15, 2004 at 09:56 PM.
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by cdiken
Plus, in my opinion, the E500 will inherently last longer (all other things equal) because the engine will not be working as hard at any given time, and a V8 engine is more naturally balanced, whereas a V6 has counter-rotating balance shafts.
I understand the technical aspect of your argument but I just don't buy it. Both engines will last a long time given proper maintenance. If your argument were true, shouldn't we see some sort of failure of the V6 models by now?
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by cdiken
They probably won't say no if the 500 is in stock.
He may want to offer to flat-tow it back to the dealer so no more miles go on someone else's new car.
Don't forget the extra $1000 gas guzzler tax so actually it would be $4k more but also if he ever wants to sell it, it will obviously have a higher resale value than an E320.
KB
He may want to offer to flat-tow it back to the dealer so no more miles go on someone else's new car.
Don't forget the extra $1000 gas guzzler tax so actually it would be $4k more but also if he ever wants to sell it, it will obviously have a higher resale value than an E320.
KB
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From: Orange County, CA
2005 E500
One reason the dealer may not want to do the deal is because there is marketing money direct to the dealer on the 320 that does not exist on the 500, so if you are comparing a similar prices as compared to invoice or MSRP, there will be more profit in the 320 than the 500. If you friend allows the dealer to make the same profit on either car, then they are less likely to care, assuming they have plenty of both in stock. Right now dealers are pushing to move the remaining 320's out of inventory. That is the reason for the factory to dealer incentives on the 320.
Good luck though, i agree that a base 500 may be a better choice for your friend. When i was looking a month ago, I didnt see too many base 500s on the dealer lots in my area.
Good luck though, i agree that a base 500 may be a better choice for your friend. When i was looking a month ago, I didnt see too many base 500s on the dealer lots in my area.
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From: Upstate NY
58 Vette, 03 Toyota LC, 05 E3204Matic "cancelled purchase"
I just bought a E320 4matic for my wife(actually have not received it yet.)
From what I can see from my exhausting research is if there is only $ 3,000 difference then it is a given. Go for it (unless like me your wife does not need or want the extra power)......but if it is only $ 3,000 it means he paid a premium for the E320. I got mine at about $ 8,000 off the best price I could find on an E500. The E320's are everywhere (I live in NY and bought mine out of California for a significant discount compared to local and it will be delivered to my door step all included) and it is much harder to find a real good deal on the E500. This is just from my research YMMV.
From what I can see from my exhausting research is if there is only $ 3,000 difference then it is a given. Go for it (unless like me your wife does not need or want the extra power)......but if it is only $ 3,000 it means he paid a premium for the E320. I got mine at about $ 8,000 off the best price I could find on an E500. The E320's are everywhere (I live in NY and bought mine out of California for a significant discount compared to local and it will be delivered to my door step all included) and it is much harder to find a real good deal on the E500. This is just from my research YMMV.
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From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
I opted for the 320 with more options. I could have gotten a good deal on a base 500 for less than I got my 320 for but I really wanted every option I got and I just wouldn't have been able to afford it on the 500.
Gas-wise I'm really glad I got the smaller engine. It has enough power for bumper-to-bumper traffic anyway.
Gas-wise I'm really glad I got the smaller engine. It has enough power for bumper-to-bumper traffic anyway.
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From: In the shadow of D.C. (No.Va.)
'05 E320CDI, 1987 300E, Vanagon Syncro, Turbo Arrow III
Originally Posted by cdiken
...Don't forget the extra $1000 gas guzzler tax so actually it would be $4k more but also if he ever wants to sell it, it will obviously have a higher resale value than an E320...
Ken probably knows this, but for the non-oil burners out there:
Another point in favor of the CDI is that fact that the gas guzzler tax doesn't apply. (Nor do emissions inspections in Virginia - one less thing to have to remember every 2 years.)
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11 W212 E350 Sport, sold 06 W211 E350
By the way there is no gas guzzler tax on the 05 E500, only on the 04 E500. The 7 speed transmission on the 05 increased the gas mileage just enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax that was on the 04 E500 with 5 speed transmission.
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
the E500 is obviously a better choice, however I would also have to agree that when I bought my 05 E500 there weren't too many "base" models available. Most of the 500's had some package or option that put the MSRP upwards of 60 grand. BTW, the 05 E500's don't have a gas guzzler tax, well at least not in California.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by sacguy
By the way there is no gas guzzler tax on the 05 E500, only on the 04 E500. The 7 speed transmission on the 05 increased the gas mileage just enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax that was on the 04 E500 with 5 speed transmission.
B.T.W.... 03 was the last year of the 5 speed.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
B.T.W.... 03 was the last year of the 5 speed.
I am still laughing at your Volvo picture
Steve
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by rusnakmb
The E500 4-matics werer really nice. Who cares about 5 speed. In snow, 4-matics rock!
Also, I think that the 4 Matic has benefits in other conditions than just snow.
Steve
Und viele Gruesse an die Bremer Stadtmusikanten. HB = Hansestadt Bremen? Ist das dein Wagen in dem Bild? Du sprichst doch Deutsch oder? Mein Deutsch ist eingerostet.
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From: Long Island, NY USA
05 C320 sport coupe
For me, its all about the engine and drive experience. The throttle response, off the line power and high speed downshifts are what make my experience enjoyable. The extra options are nice in the beginning, but after a year the novelty wears off and you are left with the "feeling" and drive qualities of a car. I say go with the base 500. You will be happier down the road.
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From: New Hampshire
2005 E500
Originally Posted by sacguy
By the way there is no gas guzzler tax on the 05 E500, only on the 04 E500. The 7 speed transmission on the 05 increased the gas mileage just enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax that was on the 04 E500 with 5 speed transmission.
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
simple question of what the guy wants the car for- or if he would appreciate the extra power, or the extra goodies. Personally, I have to have both.. I hate buying cars without options. Especially a car like this. An E with Pano, wood wheel, vent seats, navi, appearance pckg, airmatic, DD seats, V8 etc is a completely different experience than an E without.
I'd say there is a better value in the E500, but its subjective and again is based upon tastses and preferences with your friend.
I'd say there is a better value in the E500, but its subjective and again is based upon tastses and preferences with your friend.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by Brav
Personally, I have to have both.. I hate buying cars without options. but its subjective and again is based upon tastses and preferences with your friend.
I personally like the E320 a lot, the 500 will cause me to exercise more self-control and restraint. When I drove the E500, it was as if it was begging to be driven harder, but maybe that was just me.
Steve
