scfishnman

I just purchased a 2012 Mustang Premium Convertible as a fun 2d car for running around town. I was surprised to discover that Ford's new V6 and V8 engines that came out this year have comparable horsepower to the 2012 Mercedes V6 and V8 engines. However, the Ford engines do not need turbos to get that horsepower. To me a normally aspirated motor is far more desirable than a turbo charged one. Also, the Ford Sync system understands what I say much better than the Command system in my 2011 E550 does, my cell phone links to bluetooth almost instantly rather than the delays that often occur in the Mercedes, the Sync system with turn-by-turn directions, automatic 911 crash notification, etc. is standard with 3 years of service, leather seats are standard. All of this in a car that costs 1/2 that of an E550 convertible. BTW, it also has much better reliability ratings.

02Drunkenup

The ford V6 is larger than the Mercedes V6 at 3.7 liters vs 3.5, ratings are similar. The 5.5 liter in your car is somewhat outdated and is going to be replaced with the TT V8 like you mentioned, and I assume that you are comparing it to the 5.0. Thing is that the V8 next year is going to produce more hp and significantly more torque than the N/A 5.0 while being more efficient.
Its a German car, option for option its always going to be more expensive than a domestic offering, besides ford fit & finish isn't exactly stellar. I had a Mustang V6 rental and the panel gaps around the hood were huge.

But you do have a point about Ford Sync being superior to Mercedes-Benz COMAND. I'm aware that its falling behind competitors like iDrive and MMI. I've had alot of time with Audi's MMI in my mom's new Q5 and it is by far the best interface to use out of the three. (Have not tried latest iDrive)

golfster

Congrats, SC! That is a car that proves performance and enjoyment can be derrived from a variety of vehicles on the road today. And from the shoulders up, all convertibles are about fun in the sun and breeze.

Post pics!!

hyperion667

understandable......but don't you love your benz WAY more? lol......
guess part of the difference is obviously the import aspect.....
and while I have seen some nice looking Fords out there......Mustang included...
to me the style and statement one makes with a MB isn't the same as Ford....

have any mods planned for the newbie?

220S

The Ford Sync system is pretty nice. Congrats on the new ride.

Mercedes is a very conservative manufacturer that tends to rest on its laurels and has an attitude that it knows better than anybody else, including its own customers.

hyperion667

hehe,there are some laurel leaves in that crest of theirs huh? (jk)

K-A

I guess it can be a valid expectation to expect Mercedes to out-do absolutely everything the Mustang does, however, being someone who has owned, and knows Mustangs extremely well, sitting in a Mustang then afterward sitting in an E-Class validates the large price difference right there IMO. One feels like a $20K car and one feels like a $60+K car.

Don't forget that the Mustang is a performance car while the E is not. With the Mustang, most of what you're paying for is HP, while most buyers of the E-Class could care less (yours truly included), so like I always say, if HP is your biggest worry, you're wasting your money by buying an E, and that includes the 2012+'s.

I want a Mustang as a DD too, love them.

ngerstman

Sounds like a fun purchase!! Congratulations. I wish that I had more room than my three car garage. There are some great muscle cars that are coming out of Detroit from Ford, GM and Chrysler and at fabulous price points. I can't seem to cut loose my 2001 e55 with full Kleeman mods and over the top after market stereo, which I would need to do to make room for another purchase. So it goes. I will have to live vicariously through you!! Keep us posted. Regards. Ned.