Aggressive

I wanted to get your guys opinion of if you would select a 2010 E350 over gettting an Audi S5. I like the idea and "fun" factor/ moddability of the S5. I have a C-Class now and really enjoy owning a Mercedes but something is missing, HP and fun. The bottom line is that I need an all wheel drive car.

Tjdehya

So let me get this straight?!?
You are asking a bunch of guys who own Mercedes E's...
Which means they selected the E over any other car that they could buy...
You are asking them if they would select an E350 over an Audi S5...
Hmm I wonder what the answers could be...

lol, j/k If you are looking for HP and fun the E350 is not for you. An E550 will give you the HP but not the fun
Get the Audi S5.

BPhillyBenz

ImInPA

You do not specify option packages. The S5 starts at 53K (premium) and rises to 59K (prestige). The E350 starts at 49K. The E350 is probbly not going to be any more "fun" than the C you have. It seems you have already answered your own question.

chrisvr6

This was my same dilema for months. Could not find a 2010 s5 for under $51k that i liked. Just got the e350 instead and will be modding it instead.

x-tian-230k

I own both cars and if i had to make a decision, I'd go with the S5 hands down...

PGT

I went in to buy an S5 and came out (next door at the MB dealer) with an E550 Coupe. Reason? The S5 was nice but they wouldn't budge off price and the Benz was a better deal. What I gave up in handling sharpness (not much) is more than offset by TORQUE. The S5 has none which combined with the AWD makes it feel slower than it is.

The E550 Coupe is FAST as its similar weight to the S5 but has more power and torque. And, I got a great deal on it...which sealed the deal.

I had planned for three months to buy an S5....drove the manual, Tiptronic and the new 3.0T with Steptronic dual-clutch (Cabrio only). Bought the E550C without doing any research...just went and drove it and came home with it (the same day I walked out of the Audi dealer, disappointed after not pulling the trigger on what I'd wanted for so many months).

A year later, I made the right choice.

Aggressive

Thanks for the honest replies guys! Some of you may be right, I sort of made up my own decision. I just wanted to run it by others who may have had to make the same decisions. Before my C-Class I came from owning a modded 93' RX-7 and a highly modded G35 Coupe. I guess I am just stuck on HP.

BenzE350

There is always someone like x-tian-230K who happens to own both...

threeMBs

Apple to apple comparison would be S5 vs. E550 coupe (not E350 sedan). But since you need awd, there is no choice for you realy. MB will not put awd into E coupe.

asm777

Why not an S4? =)

x-tian-230k

He was asking between the S5 or E350 I think. It would be a much harder choice I think if he was going to get into a E550. Also he is talking about the 2009 S5 which still had the 4.2 litre V8. I dont like the V6 turbos much but my V8 has plenty of torque and I am extremely happy with it. With that being said, my E 350 is a great car but just totally different ride. If I had to choose 1, E350 (2010) or S5 (2009), then i would go with S5 every time.

Thanks

steelgrey

How about a C63 AMG Coupe and an old Jeep for 4 wheel drive days.

K-A

It's all about your priorities and what you seek from a car, both objectively and subjectively.

The A5/S5 is very nice, but wasn't even on my radar in a "I will part with my own money with it" factor, so the E wins easily.

.... I actually prefer the M3 to the S5, and was cross shopping that with my E, but being that I have a slightly "different" way in judging what cars are worthy of my dollar, and HP/performance not really too high on that list, I found myself feeling that it would be foolish to buy a 3-Series Coupe over an E-Class Sedan, plus the M3 had too many cons to me.

ImInPA

The M3 and 3's in general are very nice compact cars. It dumbfounds me that an optioned out 3 (forget the M) can run damn near as high as an E. There has to be a lot of profit in the 3 for BMW. While it may be a benchmark for handling, I have never seen the 3 series as worth it's price in any iteration. My local BMW dealer is also notorious for ineptitude in resolving issues, so, I will probably never own one as long as I live where I live.

RJC

You do mean S5 to E Coupe, right?

The S5 is a very sweet looking design but it is a heavy platform that is due to go on substantial diet next calendar year. The S5 V8 engine is also quite thirsty even with DFI. I think you'd be better off if you can swing it, to get a 12 E 350 coupe with the new power train; but as mentioned above if you need AWD then there's no point even looking at the E coupe or in this entire thread.

medic

so an E550 is not fun to drive? I have not driven one, but I cannot see that being true..!

rhampar

An E550 is a blast to drive. Especially in Cabrio trim and in sport mode