BenzE350

My 24 month lease is up on my E350 next month. After a rocky start, I have mostly enjoyed my experience, however, I was never totally in love with the car.

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has moved on from a E350, and what they got.

I have been looking at everything including the usual suspects (Audi A6, BMW 535, E550, etc.), going to an SUV (Porsche Cayenne), unconventional (Range Rover Evoque), going hybrid (Prius), cutting costs (Honda Accord), splurging (Panamera).

Obviously I am crossing all over the automotive landscape with no clear direction, but I have no absolute requirements other than 4 doors and a trunk (and an enjoyable ownership experience)

Your thoughts?

BM2BZ

i guess most of the members who have moved on are probably in other forums, not here . but by looking at your list, seems like price isn't a big deal for you. bmw 640i/650i gran coupe could be a very good choice. however, i know some members here will say bmw's reliability issues. my previous bmw's didn't give me any problems at all . anyway, one of my other top choices is c218 .

hyperion667

wow sounds like an exciting time to be you
the panamera sounds interesting

C280 Sport

Sounds like you are all over the board! RR, Accord, Prius, Porsche Panamera!! From the sounds of it you dont really know what you want? Are you looking for a simple A-B car like an Accord or Camry? Or can you buy something along the lines of a new S65?

brauhaus313

I like the Panamera interior, but if you're headed in that direction, the S class is within the same ball park. The S is a very nice ride.

hyperion667

LOL, that's true! haha, OP is all over the board.....
prius to panny?
you could buy a FLEET of prius or a panny 4s haha...
do you think you've had enough of the Benz?

BenzE350

Good point.

BenzE350

Agreed.

If I knew what I wanted I would be at the dealership and not here.

I also noted this in my original post...

Obviously I am crossing all over the automotive landscape with no clear direction, but I have no absolute requirements other than 4 doors and a trunk (and an enjoyable ownership experience).

BenzE350

Probably - but not sure.

raylee177

Well, everybody has different taste. Good and bad changes in car like we age. For me, I'll stay with 10 months old BlueTec. I love it more and more.

LaicepsYdobon

I'm in the same boat as you but a little ahead; I'm giving my E-Class back on Saturday. For the past 6 years there was always an E-Class parked in the garage but I'm breaking the trend for now. I have my eye on the 2013 Carrera 4S but I will wait until the spring/summer to get it. For the winter months two cars is enough for my family.

On a side note; while I was shopping for my Cayenne I was also cross shopping with the Panamera. The two are not in the same league and in all honesty I would have been happy with either one of them but I ended up going with the Cayenne because of one thing; the poor quality of roads in NJ. I had to replace two tires during the same winter because of potholes on the E-Class. After that I promised myself my next "winter car" will be an SUV or something with proper tires/rims.

Besides Porsche I did look at the 5 series (porky/reliability issues) and also the A6 (a little bland) and also the CLS and A7 (CLS tugged more on my heart strings because of the V8) but decided on getting an SUV instead. Range Rover vs. Porsche and in the end I felt more happier in the Cayenne (plus the RR reliability is getting better but still not stellar). I liked my E-Class but like you; I was not in love with it. I felt more "special" in the previous (W211) models that I've owned.

Good luck with your search; keep us posted...

ImInPA

I really like the Cayenne diesel offering. What a nice vehicle!!!

listerone

If a Panemera diesel reached these shores tomorrow I'd jump on it.Same with an E300 diesel hybrid.But it looks for all the world as if neither of these things will happen so my next car (perhaps 6 years from now when I'll be too old for "fancy" cars) will probably be a VW TDI...maybe the Passat...maybe a smaller one.

Arrie

Unless the change was to an E550 with Distronic, ventilated seats, leather... like I did. A lot better car than an E350.

brauhaus313

How about a Tesla Model S? I don't know what availability is like, but I saw one on the road just yesterday. Must say, it's quite a good looking car. The impression it leaves is very Maserati-ish. It's in your price range, unconventional, performance stats look good on paper, and can fill that green part of your heart that desires a prius.

amcguru

One of my friends is a Tesla tech...he says they are a rolling abomination.

amcguru

To the original poster...have you considered buying used?

hyperion667

amcguru

yea...I had a got a good laugh out of that too.

brauhaus313

any details as to why?

K-A

6 Series Gran Coupe. Nicest 4 Door on the market right now, IMO. It's one of my wants after I part with the E, but I really want a 2 Door now, so a 6 Coupe is almost better.

My real next step is hopefully a 991 Porsche 911.

K-A

.... And now I read this.... IHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOU.

Looks like I have somebody that I have to keep up with now.

Had 3 straight E's for over 4 years now myself, and I all of a sudden started craving a 2-Door or very sleek "non family oriented" 4-Door (that can fit my height in, which is very almost impossible to find) at least. I love the E, but lately the stately 4 Door Sedan thing that I love so much seems to have have met its fulfillments. Also, maybe it's because it's over 3 years on the market now, but seeing so many W212's around has officially hampered the honeymoon. I hope for something a bit more "exclusive" next time around.

LaicepsYdobon

Hahahahaha; thanks

When I ordered my Cayenne the dealer was kind enough to give me invitations to the Porsche World Roadshow (https://www.porscheworldroadshowusa.com/). I got to experience some amazing new cars before they rolled them out to the dealerships. Hot laps in the new Carrera 911 (a little subdued), the Carrera 911S (grin inducing) and the Panamera GTS (amazingly agile) and the new Boxters (good, but a letdown after all the other cars). If they have this next year definitely go and check it out. The instructors were awesome and the vibe was spot on. One of the better car events I had the pleasure of attending.

The new 911 is a stunner. They got a few into the dealership I go to and they look good in every color. A really nice and elegant machine. I'm 6"2' and I didn't have any issues inside the cabin. Getting in and out of one is not as graceful as an E-Class but one could definately get used to it with some practice. You'd look good in one

K-A

Ahhh, yes. The new 991 is a masterpiece IMO. I realized, the 911 is "me", it's what I always ask for: Timeless, non frivolous, not trendy, everlasting, and best yet, the design runs for over 10 years at a time, not to mention, is never drastically changed, so it's the ultimate in confident and careful iconicization, and can be kept "forever" if you want, without getting "old".

If this doe happen for me, it'll probably have to be the Base 911, as the CS is just sooo pricey. However, my Lease is up in 18 months, so by then.... who knows.

I drove the regular 911, and it was so much fun, and I really like the idea of getting a physically smaller car, as someone as **** as myself can keep it clean and detailed much easier a bigger Sedan like an E. It also has more headroom than the E, imagine that.

hyperion667

NON-FRIVOLOUS??