E550 vs BMW 550i
#427
MBWorld Fanatic!
When I got my C63 with distronic I thought what a waste on a sports car. I was wrong I quickly saw it's utility. When I got my CPO 2012 E550 I made sure to get one with distronic b/c I really wanted it in a sedan. My 2016 E63 has distronic with steering assist. It literally drives itself for short periods of time. It's pretty cool.
Here is a video of a German fooling the system to self drive longer than the
10 minutes or so it allows today.
#428
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Mercedes E 200 CDI Elegance
I had a BMW 520i touring MY 2013 as a rental car for 4 days.
I found it a bit tight/small inside, not only in front, also in the backseat and trunk.
The car was pretty fast, good engine. It was a gasoline engine, not my cup of tea, to high fuel consumption and I miss the diesel noise from my 136 hp diesel in my E 200 cdi.
I found it a bit tight/small inside, not only in front, also in the backseat and trunk.
The car was pretty fast, good engine. It was a gasoline engine, not my cup of tea, to high fuel consumption and I miss the diesel noise from my 136 hp diesel in my E 200 cdi.
#429
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2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Distronic is one of the few features I don't have and now I wish I knew more about it. On the next re-up I think it'll be a must have.
#430
It's especially nice where I live as i'm constantly in traffic that varies from like 5-30mph... but never coming to a complete stop.
I can't wait to get a newer one that can turn the wheel as well!
#431
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2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
I forget how amazing it is until i'm using a rental car or driving someone else's car and I go to turn it on... then I realize how much I use it.
It's especially nice where I live as i'm constantly in traffic that varies from like 5-30mph... but never coming to a complete stop.
I can't wait to get a newer one that can turn the wheel as well!
It's especially nice where I live as i'm constantly in traffic that varies from like 5-30mph... but never coming to a complete stop.
I can't wait to get a newer one that can turn the wheel as well!
#432
MBWorld Fanatic!
I have distrinic plus, and although it keeps a distance well, steering isn't really good. It works only on low speeds, and car doesn't moving straight. although still keeps the line. Reading newspaper isn't really possible, but if you have a passenger, then you can communicate with her using two hands. It is hard to find a car with distronic plus in dealer's lot nowadays. It looks like dealers are trying to order cars with minimal configurations, or add some stupid options as panorama roof.
#434
MBWorld Fanatic!
People are lazy. I ordered what I want when got my 535i, but I was expecting I won't get problem just get what I want from a lot for E. I was very wrong and now ordering is too late. Perhaps it is my destiny to drive some other make for next 2-3 years.
#435
#437
MBWorld Fanatic!
I am a former 2-time W212 owner, If you go up to an used S-class, Distronic plus is much more common. My car is great at keeping distance and at least staying inside the lane, but it does not have the additional lane keeping software turned on and the additional cameras required. But it us very good at keeping the distance you set between you and car in front of you. I could definitely read a paper (carefully) in stop and go traffic, and using my knees to steer LOL! I am considering trading in my 2012 for a 2014 or 2015 in a few years. Those newer cars can keep the car in the middle of the lane at freeway speeds.
#438
Super Member
This thread is old, but ...
I would advise to read more about the 550i engine issues before making a decision.
Friend of mine, a huge BMW guy, decided to buy an Audi S8, after reading about issues with that engine. He was so upset, that he wanted the car so much, but didn't want to buy it before that engine was probably the worst engine that BMW had made in recent years.
I would advise to read more about the 550i engine issues before making a decision.
Friend of mine, a huge BMW guy, decided to buy an Audi S8, after reading about issues with that engine. He was so upset, that he wanted the car so much, but didn't want to buy it before that engine was probably the worst engine that BMW had made in recent years.
#439
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
This thread is old, but ...
I would advise to read more about the 550i engine issues before making a decision.
Friend of mine, a huge BMW guy, decided to buy an Audi S8, after reading about issues with that engine. He was so upset, that he wanted the car so much, but didn't want to buy it before that engine was probably the worst engine that BMW had made in recent years.
I would advise to read more about the 550i engine issues before making a decision.
Friend of mine, a huge BMW guy, decided to buy an Audi S8, after reading about issues with that engine. He was so upset, that he wanted the car so much, but didn't want to buy it before that engine was probably the worst engine that BMW had made in recent years.
#440
Super Member
Is he happy with his s8 purchase? Very different kind of car. Interestingly enough, I just bought one as well after being a Mercedes customer for 30 years. I wasn't happy that my local dealer wouldn't discount a loaded e43 or that Mercedes didn't offer a standard v6 option, just the AMG lite. They pushed me to Audi and a class up! So it goes. Regards. Ned.
He says that he likes it, although I haven't driven his car myself yet. I like the interior better than that of the E class, but I think it should be compared against the S Class, which has the best interior in my mind.
But would I buy an S class? Only if they had short versions. I don't really need that long of a car. So S8 has an edge in that meaning.
Speaking about the latest E class (W213)... I have only driven E300: didn't like the engine; the interior build quality have gotten much better, but didn't like the plastic - feels like the white synthetic foam that you get in the box when you buy a new TV. Perhaps E43 with leather package would feel different.
#441
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Hi Ned,
He says that he likes it, although I haven't driven his car myself yet. I like the interior better than that of the E class, but I think it should be compared against the S Class, which has the best interior in my mind.
But would I buy an S class? Only if they had short versions. I don't really need that long of a car. So S8 has an edge in that meaning.
Speaking about the latest E class (W213)... I have only driven E300: didn't like the engine; the interior build quality have gotten much better, but didn't like the plastic - feels like the white synthetic foam that you get in the box when you buy a new TV. Perhaps E43 with leather package would feel different.
He says that he likes it, although I haven't driven his car myself yet. I like the interior better than that of the E class, but I think it should be compared against the S Class, which has the best interior in my mind.
But would I buy an S class? Only if they had short versions. I don't really need that long of a car. So S8 has an edge in that meaning.
Speaking about the latest E class (W213)... I have only driven E300: didn't like the engine; the interior build quality have gotten much better, but didn't like the plastic - feels like the white synthetic foam that you get in the box when you buy a new TV. Perhaps E43 with leather package would feel different.
#442
Super Member
I drove an s550 and didn't like the feel of the suspension, to floaty. The s8 is much more fun to drive, especially considering the size. The engine is an absolute beast. Very comfortable, the technology, while ok, could be a bit better. For example, they use Google maps but not their search engine for directions. Regards. Ned.
Currently I own almost fully loaded E550 and very like it. But considering that no V8s on E class from MB anymore, unless you get an AMG, I think my next car can be an Audi. Or perhaps I earn enough money to buy MB GTS
Also what I like about Audi and other cars made by VW is that there are so many buttons on the dash. I like it and don't understand people complaining about it. It really feels like an aircraft with so many buttons. And it is the fastest way of accomplishing things. In the new E class, it takes about 4-7 seconds to get from Radio to the Seat settings to turn on a massage. That is quite distracting when you drive fast on a highway.
But that video quality on S8 when backing up... Gosh, the video quality looks like you turned on VHS video cassette.
No car is perfect, but I am leaning towards Audi for my future car.
#443
I used to like Audis until I got a 2004 Audi A8 and it was a complete nightmare on maintenance and reliability. Ride was great but things just did not work when you need it (like rear defroster that turned on when it was warm+, not with ice).
I also do not like how Audi's drive train (quattro) is setup with nose heavy design (as much as 600 lb past its front wheel in some cases, that is almost like carrying a refrigerator on your front bumper area). This also leads to really long front over hang that looks longer than a lot of "front wheel" drive cars. Personal taste but I find cars with long overhang aesthetically challenged and not proportional.
I also do not like how Audi's drive train (quattro) is setup with nose heavy design (as much as 600 lb past its front wheel in some cases, that is almost like carrying a refrigerator on your front bumper area). This also leads to really long front over hang that looks longer than a lot of "front wheel" drive cars. Personal taste but I find cars with long overhang aesthetically challenged and not proportional.