Buying a new E550 2011 or 2012.
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Newbie
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2008 GL450
Buying a new E550 2011 or 2012.
First time to this forum and your responses will be appreciated.
I was at the dealer today and drove both the 2011 and 2012. 2011 at $70,650 had P2 with airmatic. 2012 at $65,400 had P1 no airmatic. The 2011 ride quality seemed to be a step above the 2012 although I did not have an extended amount of time in either car. The 2011 engine also seemed to be much smoother. I have started negotiating and so far have gotten almost $6000 off on the 2011 and $2000 off on the 2012. My question is if I select the 2011 will there be any features missing that I may regret not having?
I was at the dealer today and drove both the 2011 and 2012. 2011 at $70,650 had P2 with airmatic. 2012 at $65,400 had P1 no airmatic. The 2011 ride quality seemed to be a step above the 2012 although I did not have an extended amount of time in either car. The 2011 engine also seemed to be much smoother. I have started negotiating and so far have gotten almost $6000 off on the 2011 and $2000 off on the 2012. My question is if I select the 2011 will there be any features missing that I may regret not having?
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From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
The only difference should be that the 2012 has the twin turbo engine and better brakes,but only comes in 4matic,no airmatic. The 2011 has the airmatic and is available in 2wd.
Super Member
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
First time to this forum and your responses will be appreciated.
I was at the dealer today and drove both the 2011 and 2012. 2011 at $70,650 had P2 with airmatic. 2012 at $65,400 had P1 no airmatic. The 2011 ride quality seemed to be a step above the 2012 although I did not have an extended amount of time in either car. The 2011 engine also seemed to be much smoother. I have started negotiating and so far have gotten almost $6000 off on the 2011 and $2000 off on the 2012. My question is if I select the 2011 will there be any features missing that I may regret not having?
I was at the dealer today and drove both the 2011 and 2012. 2011 at $70,650 had P2 with airmatic. 2012 at $65,400 had P1 no airmatic. The 2011 ride quality seemed to be a step above the 2012 although I did not have an extended amount of time in either car. The 2011 engine also seemed to be much smoother. I have started negotiating and so far have gotten almost $6000 off on the 2011 and $2000 off on the 2012. My question is if I select the 2011 will there be any features missing that I may regret not having?
(Not that the 350 is a bad engine, but it has a hell of a lot less reserve horse. Behaves like any other normally aspirated V6.)
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I bought a e550 in December of 2010 that had a sticker of $74,000 for $66,000. It had p2, driver dynamic seats and the distronic package. The prices that you are seeing from that dealership are not great, IMO. I live in N.J. with crappy roads and don't love the airmatic, I find it hard over small potholes and rough roads. Most people however seem to like the airmatic to be fair. I also prefer 17 inch rims to 18's for ride comfort and lower odds of blowouts. Either car would be great I'm sure. As a current Mercedes owner, I thought you would be entitled to further discounts as well. Only $2,000 off sticker for the 2012 is paltry and makes the discount on the 2011 seem better, but only in comparison. The 2011 should be no more than $61,000-$62,000 at most. You will find most people on this forum love the new e class, feel it's the best car that Mercedes ever made. I would generally agree with that assessment. Good luck. Ned.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Sounds like the 2011 is the better car. Especially with the better Options, I wouldn't even consider the 2012 between those cars, the extra power and MPG seems less important in the overall picture. However, it is a 1 year older car with a phased out motor, which means that you should press for a helluva better discount than you'd get with the 2012.
Overall, I'd take the 2011. You also get the more unique and dynamic "Hockey Stick" LED's.
Overall, I'd take the 2011. You also get the more unique and dynamic "Hockey Stick" LED's.
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From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
Overall, I'd take the 2011. You also get the more unique and dynamic "Hockey Stick" LED's.
Ka, I forgot about that, I like the hockey stick dtr also.
Ka, I forgot about that, I like the hockey stick dtr also.
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2011 E550 4M, 2008 SLK350
That discount on the 2011 is too little. I purchased a 2011 E550 with P2 a few months back and they offered a $10,000 discount right away. I ended up at $10,500 off. From what I've read $10,000-ish off has been typical on 2011s as the 2012 started coming out.
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E350
Start with $15K off sticker for 2011 and don't pay more than $11,000 off sticker. They need to move that car and they know it. Go 2011 and don't give it a 2nd thought. Also the 2011 is NA and not direct injected turbo clackety clack clap trap. Big displacement and that engine will run long after you are in the ground.
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
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From: Los Angeles
2012 Mercedes E350 RWD, 1999 Olds Alero
If it was me, I would wait and negotiate a better deal on the 2012. There is a popular forum that lists what people paid for their cars. Do a search, what did you pay for ...
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From: Bergen Co,NJ
14' CLS550
The discounts they are offering on both cars are crap! Like most people said, if i were you id be aiming for the 2011 and trying to get 10-12K off msrp.. NO LESS! 2012's been out for a good 3 months already.. they need to get rid of there 11's.. go in there with confidence and let them know your serious.
Last edited by bigigg; Jan 28, 2012 at 08:24 AM.
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From: Nashville
2017 S550 Iridium / Black Nappa, 2015 GL 550 Paladium Silver
You can certainly get a deeper discount on the 2011...$10k sounds reasonable. More importantly I wouldn't settle for any car without P2. Find the car you want and drive a hard bargain.
Last edited by Pntblnk; Jan 28, 2012 at 11:40 AM. Reason: damn apple spell check...
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From: Saskatchewan
1969 280S, 1991 300E
I own both.
The 2012 is more car.
If i were you, i'd find the right options and buy the 2012.
Some minor changes for 2012: Artico covered dashboard, full colour display on the cluster, LED license plate lights, Straight LED's.
PM me if you wanna talk about it.
The 2012 is more car.
If i were you, i'd find the right options and buy the 2012.
Some minor changes for 2012: Artico covered dashboard, full colour display on the cluster, LED license plate lights, Straight LED's.
PM me if you wanna talk about it.
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From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
2012
I love the new twin turbo V8 and the upgrades to the 7 speed tranny so 2012 all the way.
I'm shopping E wagons and won't consider 2011 as 2012 V6 gasser is much improved and so is the 2012 tranny.
Now I wish they offered a E 550 wagon with the twin turbo-----
I'm shopping E wagons and won't consider 2011 as 2012 V6 gasser is much improved and so is the 2012 tranny.
Now I wish they offered a E 550 wagon with the twin turbo-----
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
The 2012 also has a more updated COMMAND system with Internet like features to display weather, etc. Oh, and it also has an improved transmission over the 2011. While the 2011 7-speed is good the 2012 is more efficient and shifts quicker. I believe everyone else has nailed down the rest of the differences. Good luck.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
I would get a p2 2012. Don't buy that 2011 unless they practically give it away with huge discounts.
#1 Buy the car you WANT!
Not the car they want to sell you!
BTW only the 2012 AMG has Start Stop.
#1 Buy the car you WANT!
Not the car they want to sell you!
BTW only the 2012 AMG has Start Stop.
Last edited by Tjdehya; Jan 28, 2012 at 05:12 PM.
Super Member
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E350
The 2012 is a great car. Only 'bad' thing I have heard is the DI engine (which long term reliability DI engines with our sh*t gas is still questionable) is that they 'can' tick like a diesel. Most don't mind but just wanted to point it out. We all know the 5.5 is a freaking tank.
Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The Artico covered dashboard is Canada only.
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From: California
i535
I agree with others, take 2012 only. I checked it out at a dealer last week and was impressed, certainly it looks better than previous year, and as people already stated it is also better inside. I just curious where you can see 2011? No one dealer in my area (SFBA) didn’t have any 2011 already back in November.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Isn't it the same identical car as the previous year? How does it look better, lol?
Unless you're talking about liking the different DRL's more. They even have those terrible "BlueEfficiency" badges on the sides as well.
Unless you're talking about liking the different DRL's more. They even have those terrible "BlueEfficiency" badges on the sides as well.
