2010 E550 Versus 2012 E350?
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
1997 Mercedes E320
2010 E550 Versus 2012 E350?
Hi,
I'm debating between purchasing a 2010 E550 4MATIC luxury model or 2012 E350 4MATIC luxury.
I'm leaning towards E550 - better performance, less expensive, but my concern is airmatic suspension on E550. I've read quite a bit about reliability issues with airmatic as well as cost to repair. Is the airmatic suspension problematic in the E550?
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Jon
I'm debating between purchasing a 2010 E550 4MATIC luxury model or 2012 E350 4MATIC luxury.
I'm leaning towards E550 - better performance, less expensive, but my concern is airmatic suspension on E550. I've read quite a bit about reliability issues with airmatic as well as cost to repair. Is the airmatic suspension problematic in the E550?
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Jon
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2010 E550
I was debating the same thing, and went with the E550. The standard features, including "real leather", and some extras sweetned the deal for me. Either way the car is getting a mild refresh in the near future, so 2012 or 2010 it will be the "previous" generation. With that said, there is an update to the audio and gauge cluster display in 2012, but nothing i cared about too much. As far as the E550, i love it! I don't think you will regret it.
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From: Canada
W213, C238
The 2010 E550 will guzzle a lot more gas than the 2012 E350. The 2012 3.5 engine is direct injected, while the 2010 5.5 V8 is port injected and not the most efficient.
If you don't care about fuel costs, then you may as well go with the E550.
If you don't care about fuel costs, then you may as well go with the E550.
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From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
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From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
Of the two, I would rather have a new V6 than a used V8. I realize it costs more, but I'd prefer new car with new car warranty experience. Certainly, the V8 has more HP and is faster, but the V6 is more than adequate for real world daily driving.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
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2010 E550 4M p2
I had a similar dilemma and I chose the 2010 e550. I also had major concerns about the airmatic suspension so I extended the cpo warranty. I think the suspension is the most distinguishing feature between the two. The airmatic has one of the smoothest rides I've ever experienced. The extra power is nice but I rarely take advantage of it. For the daily driver the engine probably doesnt make a difference but you can experience the ride even on a milk run. I paid 2k to extend the 100k 1year warranty to 135k and 3 additional years after manufacturer and if nothing else I have peace of mind. I would test drive the two back to back and put the 550 in comfort mode and see what you think. You'll get a fantastic car either way but I can enthusiastically recommend the e550
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2015 GL450
I personally eschew any extended/add-on warranties, carry insurance at a minimum, deductibles at a maximum, etc. And yet if I had to compare dollars paid for insurance vs dollars covered by insurance, the difference would be staggering.
I've had zero problems with airmatic, as I suspect is true for the vast majority of E owners.
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
For any type of insurance, when properly priced, you should never figure or expect it to pay for itself. Looking forward, properly priced insurance is a money-loser. After the fact, you attach certain personal value to have wasted money (no or small claims) and to have a large claim paid off. It is up to the individual to weight these two to determine whether an extended warranty is worth purchasing.
I personally eschew any extended/add-on warranties, carry insurance at a minimum, deductibles at a maximum, etc. And yet if I had to compare dollars paid for insurance vs dollars covered by insurance, the difference would be staggering.
I've had zero problems with airmatic, as I suspect is true for the vast majority of E owners.
I personally eschew any extended/add-on warranties, carry insurance at a minimum, deductibles at a maximum, etc. And yet if I had to compare dollars paid for insurance vs dollars covered by insurance, the difference would be staggering.
I've had zero problems with airmatic, as I suspect is true for the vast majority of E owners.
This is also one of the reason I am not pulling the trigger to upgrade my R500 to an used E class because of airmatic. My dealer provides E350 as loaner and it is definitely a downgrade on power compared to my R500. E550 has airmatic and I am hesitated to get back to that.
Last edited by supernsx; Dec 13, 2012 at 10:27 AM.
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2017 W205 C43 AMG
E550 FTW. You'll love the larger displacement and smooth power curve of the E550. Plus it's a rarer car and you'll enjoy the added internal amenities and features
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
1997 Mercedes E320
Thanks for the input. One additional question. If I go with the E550, are the 18" wheels going to be more prone to bent rims? I've had two Mercedes with 17" wheels and never had a problem.
Jon
Jon
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
I was looking at some CPO cars on line for another reason recently and I came across this:
http://www.mercedesbenzofnatick.com/...8eea8a0b58.htm
Its a 1 year old (service date of 10/2011) CPO 2011 E550 priced at $49,999 with 10k miles. Best price I've seen recently for the miles etc. These guys are sort of weird about price, they always start of waaaaay over priced for everything, then after the cars have been on the lot for a while (I wonder why) they lower the prices to be pretty competitive (but not always) and in this case better than competitive.
Since the 2012 e350s seem to be going for right about there depending on options this might address the money and warranty differential (most of the 2012s went in service around 10/2011). If you are up for a trip to Boston, there you go.
http://www.mercedesbenzofnatick.com/...8eea8a0b58.htm
Its a 1 year old (service date of 10/2011) CPO 2011 E550 priced at $49,999 with 10k miles. Best price I've seen recently for the miles etc. These guys are sort of weird about price, they always start of waaaaay over priced for everything, then after the cars have been on the lot for a while (I wonder why) they lower the prices to be pretty competitive (but not always) and in this case better than competitive.
Since the 2012 e350s seem to be going for right about there depending on options this might address the money and warranty differential (most of the 2012s went in service around 10/2011). If you are up for a trip to Boston, there you go.
Last edited by ddeliber; Dec 18, 2012 at 07:07 PM.
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2010 W212 E550 Grey CPO
I've driven the 2012 e350 and I own a 2010 e550. I would say - for me, no contest. Aircomfort and more power and leather?
I could not wait to return the 2012 e350 to the dealer (it was a loaner) to pick up my e550.
I could not wait to return the 2012 e350 to the dealer (it was a loaner) to pick up my e550.
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
There is no question that the e550 is more fun to drive from a drivetrain perspective. the v8 kills even the upgraded v6. However as opposed to what some others have said, I don't love the airmatic shocks. They are hard on rough roads and thud badly when you go into even a small pothole. I have had one replaced so far over two years of ownership. The new v6 also gets far better gas mileage if that's important to you. Mind you, the new v6 is a pretty nice engine, but don't kid yourself, it's not the v8!!! Regards. Ned.
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
PS. I had a double blowout on the right side of the car in February 2011 heading to the Lincoln Tunnel to NYC after hitting a bad pothole. The rims were fine but I still went to 17 inch rims to reduce it happening again. I'm firmly convinced that the airmatic shocks don't give enough when you hit a pothole thus putting much of the force on the rims and tires. This may not be a problem in an area with better roads than the generally bad NJ roads. Under normal driving conditions, the airmatic is fine. Regards. Ned.
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2012 CLS63
I see you're in the Chapel Hill area
fior driving around 'here', I'd say go for
the car with more power and stay away from
a better wrench
with that age is there any warranty?
get some extention on one if you can if you're worried about the airmatic you know?
good luck
fior driving around 'here', I'd say go for
the car with more power and stay away from
a better wrench
with that age is there any warranty?
get some extention on one if you can if you're worried about the airmatic you know?
good luck
Super Member
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From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
I am a diesel guy and buy new so I shouldn't weigh into this thread at all.
However if I were you and could warranty the cars relatively the same for your intended time/miles of use, I'd go for an older 550. 550 definitely has the perks on the interior and is a rarer vehicle which I like somehow. I am pretty stuck on the diesels but if I ever ditched them I think it'd be for a E-class V-8 variation.
However if I were you and could warranty the cars relatively the same for your intended time/miles of use, I'd go for an older 550. 550 definitely has the perks on the interior and is a rarer vehicle which I like somehow. I am pretty stuck on the diesels but if I ever ditched them I think it'd be for a E-class V-8 variation.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC
1997 Mercedes E320
I see you're in the Chapel Hill area
fior driving around 'here', I'd say go for
the car with more power and stay away from
a better wrench
with that age is there any warranty?
get some extention on one if you can if you're worried about the airmatic you know?
good luck
fior driving around 'here', I'd say go for
the car with more power and stay away from
a better wrench
with that age is there any warranty?
get some extention on one if you can if you're worried about the airmatic you know?
good luck
Jon
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
max is a very cool guy, but I cannot get past the woman.......a long as she's involved I will not go there.......ever.......even if service came with an SLS loaner.........
have not been there in about a year......why?
good luck with the choice!
