Help Wanted
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Help Wanted
Thought I would get the views of the unbiased denizens of this forum on the choice of my next vehicle. I am currently evaluating the following as possible replacement for my 2002 Acura TL Type-S:
MB E500
Acura RL
BMW 530 or 545
Audi A6
Each has pluses and minuses. Audi rides like a truck. BMW is unavailable with AWD. Acura is a great buy but lacks the excitement factor. Benz a little pricier and has had reliability issues.
Any persuasion from you all for (or against) the E500? Another question I have is what kind of fuel economy I could expect from an E500 4-matic? How much penalty as compared to the RWD version?
Thanks in advance!
MB E500
Acura RL
BMW 530 or 545
Audi A6
Each has pluses and minuses. Audi rides like a truck. BMW is unavailable with AWD. Acura is a great buy but lacks the excitement factor. Benz a little pricier and has had reliability issues.
Any persuasion from you all for (or against) the E500? Another question I have is what kind of fuel economy I could expect from an E500 4-matic? How much penalty as compared to the RWD version?
Thanks in advance!
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Originally Posted by MaxBuck
Thought I would get the views of the unbiased denizens of this forum on the choice of my next vehicle. I am currently evaluating the following as possible replacement for my 2002 Acura TL Type-S:
MB E500
Acura RL
BMW 530 or 545
Audi A6
Each has pluses and minuses. Audi rides like a truck. BMW is unavailable with AWD. Acura is a great buy but lacks the excitement factor. Benz a little pricier and has had reliability issues.
Any persuasion from you all for (or against) the E500? Another question I have is what kind of fuel economy I could expect from an E500 4-matic? How much penalty as compared to the RWD version?
Thanks in advance!
MB E500
Acura RL
BMW 530 or 545
Audi A6
Each has pluses and minuses. Audi rides like a truck. BMW is unavailable with AWD. Acura is a great buy but lacks the excitement factor. Benz a little pricier and has had reliability issues.
Any persuasion from you all for (or against) the E500? Another question I have is what kind of fuel economy I could expect from an E500 4-matic? How much penalty as compared to the RWD version?
Thanks in advance!
I looked at the same choices and here are my thoughts:
MB E500 - Love the luxury and sport mix. Highest prestige of the group in my opinion. I don't know if I could have anything but a Mercedes for my car now that I have had one.
Acura RL - New and will turn heads for this reason but it really looks like a grown up honda accord which I hate. Good value.
BMW 530 or 545 - Great sport (and I just owned two) but the inside bores me to death especially when compared to Mercedes. Plus I REALLY dislike i-drive.
Audi A6 - Kind of sleepy but nice. Kind of a practical german luxury car.
Anyway, the good thing is all are great and you won't go wrong with any of them but obviously I am a Benz fan... Good Luck!
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I have wondered aloud many times (even at an Audi dealership) "Who buys an Audi?
When comperably equipped, an MB & the corresponding Audi class are about 5 - 9 thousand apart in price.
They offer similar styling, ride, "feel", fit and finish, etc, but the Audi lacks ANY special prestige whatsoever. Its a nice car, nicely excecuted period. Sitting inside of one, you'd think you were in a Benz... Many of the electronics are made by the same people using the same engineering/logic, so its not like you are getting a German Luxury car with rock solid Japanese electronics. Isn't the monetary difference spread out over 4 -5 years worth driving the Benz? Its not like by buying the Audi, you are getting a "more dependable" Benz!!!??? If you are not getting dependability with your German car, arent you better off with a Lexus or Acura level of perfection AND their resale value than with the Audi?
When comperably equipped, an MB & the corresponding Audi class are about 5 - 9 thousand apart in price.
They offer similar styling, ride, "feel", fit and finish, etc, but the Audi lacks ANY special prestige whatsoever. Its a nice car, nicely excecuted period. Sitting inside of one, you'd think you were in a Benz... Many of the electronics are made by the same people using the same engineering/logic, so its not like you are getting a German Luxury car with rock solid Japanese electronics. Isn't the monetary difference spread out over 4 -5 years worth driving the Benz? Its not like by buying the Audi, you are getting a "more dependable" Benz!!!??? If you are not getting dependability with your German car, arent you better off with a Lexus or Acura level of perfection AND their resale value than with the Audi?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, UK
2019 Mercedes Benz S500L AMG Premium Plus
Thought I would get the views of the unbiased denizens of this forum ....
I'm afraid there is no one here fitting that description.
Last edited by Fastbuck; Dec 31, 2004 at 01:25 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
Two years ago I looked at all the cars you are considering and ended up buying the E-500. I also looked at the BMW 745(hated the iDrive system) and the Lexus 430. The Lexus is, in my opinion, the next best car to the E-500 and both my sister and brother have one. However, I found the Lexus a bit stodgy in styling and not as good a performer. I was unimpressed by the Acura and Audi. I was one of the lucky early buyers who had their cars replaced for free since I'd ordered the Nav and they decided in May 2004 to replace our cars instead of retrofitting them with the NAv as they'd hoped to do.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Michigan, USA
'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3
Could you accept something a bit smaller? The current (E46) three-series BMWs are wonderful cars and have a 4WD option that's been around long enough to work the bugs out. This is the last year for the E46, however, and the next model will be afflicted with the hideous Bangle styling and i-drive, which, IMO, have ruined the 7 and 5 series.
I strongly suspect that any German car these days will be considerably less reliable than comparable Japanese models, alas. The Japanese cars are certainly better values, if one doesn't weigh prestige or sportiness highly.
Good luck.
I strongly suspect that any German car these days will be considerably less reliable than comparable Japanese models, alas. The Japanese cars are certainly better values, if one doesn't weigh prestige or sportiness highly.
Good luck.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
none
Buy the E500, once you own a Benz NOTHING will be as good. I tried Infiniti, and a luxury american SUV (Denali) and they didnt satisfy me. Yes Acura probably makes a more reliable car, but no matter what its a jacked up Honda. The new 5 series is flat out ugly and Idrive is IGAY. I drove a new 7 series and almost wrecked it trying to set the A/C. The Audi is cool, but no one knows what the heck it is, and if you told them how much it cost they would think you were crazy for not getting a Benz or BMW.
Get the E500, you WONT regret it.
Get the E500, you WONT regret it.
Last edited by lorinserbenz; Dec 31, 2004 at 02:12 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 820
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From: Chicago Western Burbs
'06 SL65
I was dead set on getting a BMW 545I with SMG when it first came out. Some don't like the Bangle look but it wasn't too hideous to me. After 3 visits to the BMW dealer, I just couldn't warm up to the interior and the materials used was not up to par for a $60K plus vehicle IMO.
I like Audis. After someone I know bought a S4, I have changed my perception on them. With their racebred R8 racecar, their technology is now trickling down to the consumers. I've heard you can upgrade the ECU on the RS6 and boost the turbos to around 800-1,000HP. I haven't seen the redesign A6 but my buddy's 2002 is nice. Overall styling, I still like the E Class inside and out.
The 2005 Acura RL is a great buy. If it came out a year ago, I probably would have purchase it over the E500 and save the additional $$$ for a sports car. The performance is up to par with the E500 and using only a V6. With NAV and AWD standard, you can probably purchase one nicely equipped in the low $50K.
I like Audis. After someone I know bought a S4, I have changed my perception on them. With their racebred R8 racecar, their technology is now trickling down to the consumers. I've heard you can upgrade the ECU on the RS6 and boost the turbos to around 800-1,000HP. I haven't seen the redesign A6 but my buddy's 2002 is nice. Overall styling, I still like the E Class inside and out.
The 2005 Acura RL is a great buy. If it came out a year ago, I probably would have purchase it over the E500 and save the additional $$$ for a sports car. The performance is up to par with the E500 and using only a V6. With NAV and AWD standard, you can probably purchase one nicely equipped in the low $50K.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2004 E320 4matic, 2007 530xiT
Dont know about the new RL but the TL is a terrible car
I test drove the Acura TL before buying an E320 4matic. The Acura drove and handled like crap, the 61/39 weight distrib really shows....Hopefully the new RL is a better car, the old RL had a plastic-feeling interior.....
Last edited by guru; Dec 31, 2004 at 02:21 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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I was in the same boat as you 2 years ago. I used to own TL Type S. But the tranmission failed twice, so I decided to check out MB E-class, BMW 5- series. Finally I picked E-class because of the new style. I don't want to put any negative image to MB but I need to say - the car is un-reliable. I have visited the dealer for 7 times (1 time is for service - 1 time for service and repair - 5 times for repair). Based on the calculation, my car needs to be in the dealer every 3 months.
Actually if you can wait for 6 more months, you can check out Infiniti M35 or M45. It is nice car. You can check out M concept in Infiniti web site. I think this car is available in Japan now so I think once the M arrived in US, all the first year glitches should be addressed. I am planning to get rid of my E once the warranty is up.
Actually if you can wait for 6 more months, you can check out Infiniti M35 or M45. It is nice car. You can check out M concept in Infiniti web site. I think this car is available in Japan now so I think once the M arrived in US, all the first year glitches should be addressed. I am planning to get rid of my E once the warranty is up.
