golfster

At base, the S's are nicely equipped, but not "loaded," with more options to consider and even heated seats are extra. But the option list offers addional goodies as the OP mentioned liking, some of which aren't available on the E. Heads up display, 360* camera, night vision, Bang and Olufsen stereo, multi-contour seats, upgraded wheels and LED headlights kick the base price up another $17K. Coming from the LS600HL, the S8 is another worthy contender. Motor Trend just gave a very favorable review and achieved 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, which compares nicely even with the S63.

Good luck to the OP, whichever car he chooses.

Helmar

Thanks for all of the excellent and helpfull responses..........

No, still on the fence. I plan on waiting until I see what the 2014 E550 offers and drives like.

MB S series or Audi S8 isn't an option, as I'm looking to go down a size.

Did you say that the E550 doesn't offer HUD, 360 camera, or night vision?

At this point, being a bit concerned with the S6/7 being too harsh (I need to drive one), I'm thinking about a Stasis chipped A6/7 (I'm aware of the warrantee issue, but I enjoy the occasional green light rush) vs 2014 E550.

My wife's pushing to keep the Lexus. She LOVE'S it, but I'm looking to move to something a bit smaller, faster, with latest tech. Having said that, the LS is pretty quick (0-60 5.4), VERY smooth and quiet, and, for a 6 year old car, has much of the tech I crave (active cruise control, bluetooth, keyless go, LED headlights, softclose doors, heated/cooled front/back seats, automatic parking brake at red lights, etc.), as well as some that's just silly (parks itself, sometimes)

HBH

golfster

The E doesn't offer HUD, Bang and Olufsen, 360* camera or LED headlights, but offers some of the other options such as night vision. Who knows, this may change with the extensive MY2014 facelift.

threeMBs

Do not know which S's you refer to since both S6&S7 have front heated seats as standard. Its rear heated seats which are optional.

To the OP, the point of all above is mute IMHO. Coming from LS600, the only choice from all above given by you (due to downsize, but best available ride being the most important) is E550.

golfster

Correct, I meant cold weather package versus heated seats, but nice to have the heated rear as an option for cold climates.

Cold Weather package
Supplementing the heated front seats, the Cold Weather package provides additional heaters for the steering wheel and rear seats.
Package contents
- Seat heating for front and rear seats

alsyli

The 2014 studio shots (posted elsewhere) show a B&O sound system, 360 deg camera, and LED headlights. Not sure how much of that is coming to the US, though....

BenzE350

Totally disagree. I previously owned a 2010 E350 Sport and currently own an A7 (very similar to the A6).

The A6 is one of the quietest sedans on the market. The E350 sport has a rougher ride and is absolutely jarring over any road imperfections. The ride quality on the A6 is far superior.

C280 Sport

I agree on the quietnest of the Audi's interior however I feel the ride in the Auid's and BMW's to be hard vs the Mercedes. The W212 Luxury ride vs the Sport W212 is not too much different from what I can tell but it is noticable.

BenzE350

Well obviously the only way to know what car you prefer will be to test drive them both.

However, if you are looking for a traditional sedan, the A6/S6 may be a better option. The A7/S7 is striking, however, the closer MB match is the CLS.

If you prioritize smoothness and quietness, stay away from the 20" wheels or sport packages.

The navigation and tech on the Audi are great, but voice recognition is not a strong suit.

Good luck with your decision.

C280 Sport

One thing I do actually like about a Lexus is how smooth it is with the shifting and how easy to drive they are. I have driven a lady friends LS600HL and it is a very large car and the ride is pretty good(Better then most BMW's) but I would take a W221 S Class anyday. It seems like you want all the large car at a mid sized car. If you get a E350 or even a E550 get the airmatic and get it in a luxury trim. Run top quality tires made for soft rides as well.

C280 Sport

"If you prioritize smoothness and quietness, stay away from the 20" wheels or sport packages."

+1

BenzE350

I really think you are basing your comments on the historical attributes of MB, BMW and Audi versus actual current test drives. The A6 or 535 do not have a "hard" ride compared to the E350. I have driven all 3.

In regards to the W212 Luxury vs Sport, there is a considerable difference in ride quality - the Sport being very unsettled over rough pavement. I owned a E350 Sport and the harsh ride quality was one of my biggest disappointments in the car.

Helmar

I plan on test driving them both after the 2014 E550 is available.

True, I plan on getting 18" wheels, if available. Also important for snow driving.

While the Navigation system on my LS600hL is excellent, the voice recognition is terrible. Maybe some day some auto manufacturer will link Siri (who almost always understands what I say) to the navigation system.

That's exactly what I want.

When I order the car, don't I have to take the tires that it comes with? Can I special order different tires?

HBH

alsyli

+1, at least based on what I've read from multiple sources. And non-sport BMWs don't have particularly firm rides (at least the last-gen 3-series didn't; I thought the ride/handling combo was vastly superior to the last gen and current gen C-class and that even a base 3-series of the last gen handled and rode much better than the Sport model of the C-class....).

Karl901

Audi has positioned themselves price vs market very shrewdly.
A6/7 lower then E350.
S6/7 higher priced, but not much more the MB with same trim level, then E/CLS 550 4matic. But closer to AMG level. Much more sporty. But not as hard core as AMG or as high priced.
RS6/7 direct competitors with AMG, hence 2014 AMG 4matics.

I think MB needs to offer a real sport package on the E/CLS 550, similar to Audi S.
The S stands for Sport for Audi.

threeMBs

That's what I basically stated above as well.

ddeliber

Alright, to summarize a few points:
MB E550 - night view avail, LED DRLs come standard,
360deg camera and B&O sound N/A in 2013 but I believe they will be avail with the 2014

Audi A6/S6 probably the best competitor for this model, S7 compares with CLS.
S6 is the real competitor - engine wise 4.0L engine.
S6 probably firmer ride but some had stated that the new ones are much smoother. Interestingly, you can only get either the 19" or 20" wheels (that will seriously firm things up) - I couldn't find an 18" option.

Based on displacement I think (just my opinion here) the E550 takes the S7 in the 1/4 mile with room to spare but I could be wrong :-)

My god I am having so much fun so I built a few of these guys (2013 models) on line at mbusa.com and audiusa.com. See below for details... I tried to stay with what the OP seems to want from earlier posts. I simply cut and pasted the text from the two web sites, there are better descriptions on the audi options but they weren't included in the summary page and I didn' t go back and grab the details there (please don't crucify me for this). I am sure this is not perfect, but feel free to let me know what I missed or shouldn't have included:

Your E550 4MATIC Sedan $74,805
**with B&O sound: $80,705

Base MSRP $60,400*
Options
Premium 2 Package $6,900
Includes all items in the Premium 1 Package, plus:
Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
LED front turn indicators
Headlamp washing system
Corner-illuminating front lamps
KEYLESS-GO
Electronic Trunk Closer

Heated steering wheel $490
Color: Steel Grey Metallic $720
Wheels: 18-inch AMG Twin 5-Spoke Wheels $0
Premium 1 Package Included with P2 package
Hard-drive-based navigation
10GB Music Register
harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround-sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1
Gracenote® media database
MP3 Media Interface
SiriusXM Radio, Traffic and Weather with 6-month trial
Enhanced Voice Control for audio, telephone and navigation
Power rear window sunshade
Rear view camera
Active Multicontour Driver Seat $660

Options
Driver Assistance Package $2,950
Active Blind Spot Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
DISTRONIC PLUS (with PRE-SAFE Brake)
- NOTE: B&O sound was not avail in the 2013 e550 config, but I believe it is avail in 2014 adding at Audi's price for comparison
**Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System $5,900
Night View Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection $1,780
Transportation Charge $905

Your 2013 S6
Total Price* $88,620

Engine
4.0TFSI®: Seven-speed S Tronic® transmission with quattro® all-wheel drive $71,900

Exterior
Phantom Black pearl $475
-no option for less than 19' wheelse that I could find.
Interior
Comfort Seating package
Black

Equipment
Cold Weather package $450
Comfort Seating package $1,950
Full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights $1,400
Innovation package (this includes stuff in MB drivers assist and night vision pkgs as well as the 360 camera) $5,650
Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System $5,900
Destination charge $895

Your 2013 A6
Total Price*$ 71,270

Engine
3.0 TFSI® Prestige: Eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission with quattro® all-wheel drive $56,950

Exterior
Phantom Black pearl $475

Interior
Eight-way power front seats
Leather seating surfaces
Black leather
-in order to get the $450 Cold weather package you must get the sport wheel packages with 19" or 20" wheels @ $1500 or $2300 so I didn't include it, but you can see that it is available and the costs

Equipment
Full LED headlights $1,400
Innovation package $5,650
Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System $5,900
Destination charge $895

golfster

From the MFR's websites for each:

• 0-60
• A6=5.3
• A7=5.4
• S6=4.5
• S7=4.5
• E550=5.2

This is usually met with rebuttal that the manufacturers state these specs conservatively, but this is what is published for each.

ddeliber

I noticed that and this is why I said the 1/4 mile and "I think".

Incidentally I do find it interesting that the A6 3.0T with ~80 fewer horses and ~100 less lb-ft or torque, at higher RPM while tipping the scales at a whopping 100 lb less, and a .01 better drag coefficient (.26 vs .27), comes in at a mere 0.1 s slower 0-60 (advertised). Was the E in Comfort/econ mode (if that is even an option on the 550) starting in 2nd gear when they tested this?

While this is indeed possible somehow, I'd call myself a bit skeptical. Is this marketing magic, and would this apply to the numbers for the S's? The issue is that I really thought it was hard to fudge these numbers as it is not too difficult to test them out. But what the hell do I know. As I am sure you can tell, apart from their styling which is exceptional, I am not a huge Audi fan so my bias may be getting the best of me here. Anyone race an Audi?

threeMBs

Same here. I drove A7 3.0T last year, and while the car was very smooth it never felt quick like E550 did. Never felt an adrenaline rush while in A7 as apposed to constant adrenaline feel while in E550 (yes, coupe is a bit quicker than sedan, but only a bit, so comparison is not apples and oranges).