Ok need some more opinions.
ML350 vs. E350

I purchased in Nov 2011 a 2010 CPO ML350. 6,900 mi at delivery 11,200 now.SInce then I have had the following:
Replace Auto Light Sensor
Replace Pully(s) and belt
Replace Front Transmission Pump
In the shop for 2 weeks for a groan/vibration at 80-84 mph. Turned out the brand new Conti tires were bad they replaced with Michelin
Auto Light Sensor still now working correctly
Replace Rear View Camera
MBRACE not working correclty had to be re flashed
I have not visited the shop for the following
When Radio is on mute if u hit a bump it un mutes
Excessive clatter on start up
When cold ambient temps I hear a ticking sound from the engine

They are willing to swap me out into a CPO 2011 E 350 with 14,200 mi, any opinions?

I like the quiet nature and ride of the ML but I am gun shy.
The E feels like a MB with heavy weight but seems to have a lot more road noise and firmer ride. It has the sport pky is the lux pkg any softer riding?

HELP I need to make a decision

 

Definitely get the E350. I like the ML, however, the new one is so much more refined, as is the E-class W212. I think you like how smoothly the E drives and rides versus the older ML.

 

The old ML's suuuuuck IMO. The new one is the first M-B SUV I've actually found to be acceptable for the brand in a long time. It's more of a large E-Wagon now. However, the E is still a Class above, and a more aesthetically pleasing and Luxury-Car feeling choice.

 

you are asking this question in this forum and you'll get pretty much the same response from all of us. not that a w212 is not good but if you need extra space, you probably want them to swap you a wagon at least.

 

I would go for W212 E Class if I was in your situation . I don't think you will be disappointed at all . Not to mention new E Class also gives you a better A/C system than that of monolog old fashioned ML's

W212 is the best E ever made and may be the best MB in same ways and this is why I ordered a one

 

YES! The E Class you mentioned should be light years better than the ML. I have owned 8 MB. They were all magnfiicent automobiles, except one. It was an '06 ML350. It was an OK vehicle with no major issues, but tons of small annoying issues such as you listed above. It was by far the worst MB we ever owned. The '11 E350 Sport, I purchased in September of 2011 is a fantastic automobile. Although I haven't owned it very long, there is no comparison to the M-Class we had previously. Get the E-Class, you will definitely be trading up! IMHO!

 

Yes, the luxury rides smoother than the sport....but check the tire pressure in that e350 they are offering....if the tire pressure is high, that will make the ride much harder.

 

I'd call it a no-brainer. Get the E! (with extreme bias)

 

That looks like a lot of fixing for a new vehicle. I have 30K miles on my 2011 Bluetec E, all virtually trouble free.

 

Have a 2010 E Luxury version. It does ride better than the Sports version, but it is still a German "sports" sedan. With only 10,000 miles have had the tilt mechanism in steering wheel replaced. Took them two days to do it. Test to see if tilt/telescope works and if easy exit/entry works. Also one of my Homelink buttons has failed.
There is a 10 second "clatter" on cold start up if car has been sitting for a few days. Dealer kept it overnight and checked it out. No problem found - thinks it is just that all the oil has drained down.
The "E" does have two tire pressures - one for normal driving and one for driving in excess of 100 MPH. The low, or normal, setting gives a much better ride.
For what it is worth, the "E" class is the highest rated M-B for reliability. In fact, used to have an above average from Consumer Reports, but think it has slipped to average. Still pretty good for a CR rating for a German car.

 

I've owned both and in my opinion they are both beautiful machines. My 2006 ML 350 was my first MB and I loved it. Had absolutely nothing bad to say about it. Maybe I was lucky but I had NO problems. Beautiful ride, luxurious but rugged as well.

It depends on what you need/use it for. My kids were smaller at the time so throwing gear in the back for Baseball or soccer games was great! The weekly trips to Cosco were also a pleasure with all that space. The new ML are even nicer: I think it's the Best looking RV on the market and very versitile. You can park it outside a country club or wedding reception and hand the guy your keys with no shame. Or you can go to Home Depot and fill it up with wood pellets on a snowy day in January feeling just as comfortable.

That being said the E class I currently own is a beautiful luxury car. I got the Lux model. You will get a much rougher ride in the sport model due to the larger wheels and low profile tires.

The interior of the E is plenty roomy but If you're tall and you have the seat way up, you may hit your head on the ceiling at times. There is much more head room in the ML.

Think about how and when/what you are using it for. Who will be in it?

Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

 

I agree with what Pauly says. We have an '09 ML 320 and '12 E350. For just adults driving the E350 is of course much nicer. We have luxury and ride is better than the ML.

Doesn't sound like you really need the room of the ML otherwise you wouldn't be considering?

Also, sounds like you are trying to get out of troubled car you are not happy with?

If the answers to the above are both "yes" I'd go for it.

 

Is it just me or does it seem like the dealer is giving u a raw deal?

Yes they have been working on your car to correct the problems and yes they have offered you a trade to yet another CPO w212...

But you bought a relatively new car with 6k miles and it is supposedly a MB CPO "certified" car. Supposedly the car has gone thru a rigorous inspection to qualify as CPO.

I too bought a CPO MB w211 and had to lemon the piece of **** because it had a major overheating issue. After that, I don't put much value in CPOs.

It may be a fair exchange trading into another CPO car, but it sounds like the dealer is trying to avoid the main issue of why the relatively brand new CPO certified car is even having that many issues in the first place.

IMO, the dealer really should reimburse you for all of the money spent in the car to purchase and repair and then offer you the replacement CPO at a substantially bigger mark down for your time and hassle to make up for the BS.