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How to identify "Sport" and "Luxury" models

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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 10:31 AM
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2014 E350 4Matic
How to identify "Sport" and "Luxury" models

I'm considering buying the sport model and preferably a 4Matic.

When I look at car ads, they don't mention which one it is and I cannot tell the difference between the two. Can you please list some ways to identify if it is a sport model?

Also, does sport model sit lower than luxury?
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 11:30 AM
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Sport has 18" wheels, extra ground flaring and rides about 10mm lower. Also interior is two tone with black accents and roof liner where luxury has almond. Sport is sportier from outside but luxury interior is much more classy IMHO.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 01:20 PM
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In most cases there isn't a very distinct difference between the two in outside appearance so it is hard to tell. I noticed that several cars marked as Luxury have side skirt and same looking bumpers as sport.
I'll keep the two tone interior in mind when looking out for Sport models.

On the other hand the difference is very clear in the new C class where the luxury model has a very different grill, bumpers and no side skirt.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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Sport has "twisty" side skirts and dont have chrome trim on front and rear bumpers. Bumpers between sport and luxury are different. Most prefer sport. I got the luxury and am very happy. Silky smooth ride on very rough roads and being 6'4" I like the more open feel of luxury interior due to almond head liner.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:18 PM
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I thought the lux also have the twin 'fog' lamps versus the hockey stick lights
that we love so much......I know I like mine....
I actually saw an E going the other way just a couple of night ago and was excited to
see it because they're not many of them around here yet....
the HS's are hard to notice at first, but when you do see them they're very nice, easy to spot the suv mb's too with the nice straight ones......have seen a few with them too....audi's and so on.....
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 03:25 PM
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I guess sport has different steering wheel (3 spoke) unless blind spot package is there.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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My lux ha the four round lights but that is because it's a P1. Wife wanted the round lights which I actually prefer as well. P2 has either hockey or straight DRL.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 03:29 PM
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Also, u can get wood steering wheel on luxury only. It really classes up the interior on the luxury.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 04:41 PM
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The Sport grille has 3 horizontal bars, the Luxury 4. The AMG wheels and 3 spoke AMG steering wheel are available only on the Sport for $750 list/$698 dealer cost. In 2010 Sports had trapezoidal shaped exhausts and the Luxury had oval shaped exhausts. This may have changed for 2011. As previously stated by others unfortunately the wood steering wheel is an option on only Luxury models. Sport has a Comfort/Sport selector for the transmission. I believe the black ash trim is only available on the Sport. Download the brochure from MB and you can sort through the options.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 06:26 PM
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The easiest way to tell the difference...

The Sport is the one in front of you. The Luxury is the one in the rear view mirror.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by golfster
The easiest way to tell the difference...

The Sport is the one in front of you. The Luxury is the one in the rear view mirror.
Luxury also has Economy/Sport mode for tranny. If anything, luxury would be faster - lighter wheels and less plastic clap trap molding weighing it down. Hahaha.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 08:04 PM
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Here's a pic of the two together. They're both 2010 models, so the Luxo doesn't have the 2011's straight-across LED's, and the Sport doesn't have the standard "hockey-stick" LED's.

Like other have said, front & rear bumpers, side skirts, 3 bar VS 4 bar grille, chrome trim on front & rear bumpers, exhaust tips, rims, suspension & height, interior color options & options, & speedo housing differences, amongst maybe some others.

How to identify "Sport" and "Luxury" models-img_8442c.jpg
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 08:06 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Am I the only one who might like the Luxo's grille better. It has an even statelier, S-Class look to it. I keep thinking about picking one up, painting the inner slats black (like on the sport), so all you see is the "floating" chrome stuff, and seeing how it looks on my Sport model.
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by golfster
The easiest way to tell the difference...

The Sport is the one in front of you. The Luxury is the one in the rear view mirror.
lol
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 07:23 AM
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got a price on a grill from the dealer......572 and some change......


fyi
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 08:55 AM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Originally Posted by hyperion667
got a price on a grill from the dealer......572 and some change......


fyi
Screw that, lol. I'll stick with my "sportier" 3-slat then, lol.

If I ever come across a dirt cheap Luxo one, maybe I'll pick it up, and do a quick swap to see how I like.

I actually think the 3-slat looks perfect, and incredibly awesome, but I think the only reason the 4-slat is alluring to me right now, aside from obviously being nice in its own right, is its slight "rarity" due to there being so little Luxury models out there.

Also, the facelifted W221 has one of the most dynamic, menacing, stately-luxurious front ends out there (along with the W212 of course ), and I love how the Luxo grille looks about identical to the S's, due to having 4-Slats.

To me, modern M-B grille's go 3 ways:

Star grille = Sport.

3-Slat W212 grille = Stately Luxo-Sport

4-Slat grille =Straight up Stately Luxo.


Last edited by K-A; Dec 12, 2010 at 08:59 AM.
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by K-A
Am I the only one who might like the Luxo's grille better. It has an even statelier, S-Class look to it. I keep thinking about picking one up, painting the inner slats black (like on the sport), so all you see is the "floating" chrome stuff, and seeing how it looks on my Sport model.
I looked long and hard at Sport vs. Luxury versions and even had to special order the Luxury from Germany to get it. The Luxury version also comes with the comfort suspension. Ths C/S or E/S switch on console is for the transmission shifting patterns.
To me the Lux just looks better from all angles, inside and outside. I especially like the Luxury grille. Also, the two lower parts of bumper cover angle in a straight line with the grille sides and the hood & front end lines of the car. Have no idea what these are called but if look close at picture of two, you can see it.
Also appreciate that wheels are same size so I can rotate my tires. BTW, I much prefer the four round lights rather than the LED's and the wood/leather steering wheel was a real plus as two previous cars had it.
Due to fact most dealers push the Sport and there is more call for it, the Luxury is fairly rare.
Agree with above comment that the Luxury is more stately in the traditional M-B sedan appearance.

Last edited by El Cid; Dec 12, 2010 at 11:56 AM.
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Old Mar 6, 2011 | 04:47 PM
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I am tossed up as well (considering odering a 2012 E350 Wagon) between Sport vs. Luxury. I like the how on the Luxury the chrome lower trim carries forward from the front spoiler to rear bumper (vs. the Sport version which covers only the doors). However, I do like the rear look of the Sport with its trapezoidal exhausts and diffuser--I think it finishes the car off much better than on the Luxury with it oval pipes and rounded lower panel. If only the Luxury suspension were offered as an option on the Sport look version. I also like the stronger wheel design of the Sport vs. Luxury.
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Old Mar 6, 2011 | 06:17 PM
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One other difference not mentioned above is that the Sport Models are also 1 inch lower. The other day I parked my Lux bluetec next to a Sport E. You would not think an inch would make much of a difference, but I find my Lux looks larger. Just an optical illusion due to the height. One other thing is unique to the Bluetecs: Both Sport and Lux get 17 inch, non-staggered wheels and tires.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by dbtk
I am tossed up as well (considering odering a 2012 E350 Wagon) between Sport vs. Luxury. I like the how on the Luxury the chrome lower trim carries forward from the front spoiler to rear bumper (vs. the Sport version which covers only the doors). However, I do like the rear look of the Sport with its trapezoidal exhausts and diffuser--I think it finishes the car off much better than on the Luxury with it oval pipes and rounded lower panel. If only the Luxury suspension were offered as an option on the Sport look version. I also like the stronger wheel design of the Sport vs. Luxury.
You can also get Linear LED lights (not hockey-stick shaped) on Luxury if you get Premium 2 package. This review: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sport Sedan vs. Luxury Sedan, should give you the detailed comparison.
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