kyle3481

hi guys
i am thinking about getting the e350 w212 or the w211 E550 as used.
how does these 2 compare? since i have not driven or riden on neither , i can not really decide..how is the handling of the w212 compare to the w211? how about navigation? or electronic stuffs in the car?
both will have the sport package. i have about $50000 to spend.
thanks a lot in advance!

K-A

You're really gonna have to drive 'em to figure it out. Besides subjective things like your opinion on which's looks, interior, refinement, etc. are superior, the 212 is a newer chassis, more rigid, more advanced Tech, etc. It's even a step safer (although NHTSA Frontal Crash Ratings are a bit lower than the 211's, most people don't put much stock in the NHTSA Frontal wall Tests).

I can't say for the E550's, but the E350's drive similarly, just feels like the 212 is a smidge tighter, handles a bit better (although track numbers show these cars perform and handle identically when pushed to limits, the 212 does have a more confident and dialed in feel), and just feels like the same car, with some screws "extra" tightened, if you get what I'm saying.

Again, you'll have to drive them both and see which outweighs which. Tech wise, the 212 is superior, although it shares the same basic Nav from the '09 W211. I personally would probably go 211 E550 possibly, but that would be due to my being partial to its styling and interior quality.

Most objective Reviews and comparisons will state the obvious, in being the engineering on the newer model, as it should, will be better, however Consumer Reports seemed to favor the old model in most regards:

x-tian-230k

Go with the E350... your going to regret have the older body style a few years down the line when these W212s get more popular....If you want the power, just wait a lil longer and get a used W212 E550..... never go backwards in time...ull for sure regret it..

blazeone

I test drove a brand new left over 2009 E550 today. I was very disapointed compared to my 2010 E350. The power was good and thats it. The 2009 interior is dated and smaller. The nav screen is smaller and too low to read as easily as the 2010's. The ride and transmission was not as refined. The car had a basic feeling of being dis-jointed. The steering was very heavy and not in a good way compared to my E350.

The best option would be a 2010 E550

Drive them both and see what you think.

YYZ-E55

Posting Consumer Reports feedback? Really?

Get the 212. Loved my 211, it was a great design in 2002, but it is rreeeaaalllyyy long in the tooth today. Also, your resale on the 211 (especially with the V8) will be garbage.

Kamen

I would buy the W212 myself because if I were going to buy myself a new car I would want the latest tech and comforts.

Also if you are going to keep the car for a long time then it's fine, but if not prepare to take the full hit on the first few years depreciation on the W212.

That being said, go test drive them both and buy whichever one you like better!! No regrets

220S

fwiw, resale on any MB is "garbage." The W212s will depreciate like a rock in only 1 year, just like all models before them. (Plus any new model is still too close to MSRP now.) Buying a MB for any monetary value is an absolutely fruitless endeavor. They are great cars to own, keep and drive, but never for resale. The only "value" comes in buying used, when you can at least pick them up for cheap (or maybe a new "left-over" model year when the discount will help cover depreciation.)

Drive them for a while and get some fun out of them, then sell them for even cheaper. That's the way it's always been with MBs. Try buying a CL or S and then selling it

The OP should buy what they like, what fits their budget, and what they enjoy driving. Forget its resale value as part of the equation.

K-A

LOL, what's wrong with posting C.R, I don't listen to any of those things, but they are a major publication which tons of people flock to. Of course you obviously don't agree with their perspective.

ReSale on the 212 will be garbage too, in all actuality, the 211 is a better value, depreciation has already hit, and you can get a lot of car for a bargain.

212's on the other hand, although significantly cheaper than the 211 were, are going to drop like rocks in the next couple of years. I'm already finding some on the Used Market as CPO models for mid $40's, and even some in the lower mid-$40's.

Considering the awkward designs coming out today, I find the 211's design to be aging extremely gracefully. I've never once heard someone outside of the Message Board refer to it looking "dated", M-B did a good job executing a timeless design IMO. But of course, everyone has a different perspective and opinion on what "dates" a car.

K-A

Yup. Used Car Prices have actually gone UP in the last year, or at least have stayed steady, but since mid '09 you could grab a CPO '07 S550 with under 40K Miles for under (in some cases WELL under, especially with a smidge more miles) $50K. That's like half it's value in 2-3 years! On a car that is a hit on top of that.

I was/have been considering a 221 for so long, but every time I tell myself I'm ready to go for it, reality sets in, and I figure if I don't have that "need to have it" over my E, I'm gonna watch almost $20K disappear in a not so distant future.

Dema

I would take 550 over new 350. Body style of new E class is questionable. Older E is very recognizable, when new one is completely bland. New E feels unstable on high speed at turns. I tested car without sport and noticed significant body roll comparing to my older 350 with sport. E550 has completely different suspension, (airmatic) so it is very stable and pleasure to drive. I can agree only that older E is lacking in interior with which you can get use to.