Helmar

I've posted before, and you all have been much help, but I have a few additional issues.

I'll be purchasing a replacement for my 2008 Lexus LS600hL in September. It's too large for my current needs, which is one reason that I'm not considering an S series.

I've driven a 2012 E550 ALLMatic.

My items of concern are:

1. The E550 exhibited substantial throttle hesitation, which the dealer tried to explain away as "This vehicle hasn't been tuned yet". (My previous LS430 did this as well.) Is there a way around this, or is this just something I'd have to get used to. I've read that this isn't an A6 issue.

2. From what I've read, the tech in the A6 is a bit more advanced (ie HUD). Does anyone know what tech improvements will be available in the 2014 E550 AllMatic?

3. I plan on purchasing the vehicle near Minneapolis and then driving it home to Maine. Can anyone recommend a good dealer near Minneapolis (I can search, but recommendations are useful).

4. Anyone have any idea when a 2014 model will be configurable?

Thanks for any assistance.

HBH

oggie

Throttle hesitation can be resolved with SprintBooster. Audi is comfortable in the front but very tight in the back which the E-class would shine.

BM2BZ

the car will adapt your driving habit and you can reset the program to resolve the throttle issue. some members had tried and they said it worked.

K-A

These two cars drive and act so differently, I think driving each should give you and immediate likeness toward one over the other.

The A6 really goes for the sportiness crown in this segment, but in doing so it sacrifices certain other elements, i.e ultra solid luxury feel. I think if you want a true driver, and top notch tech, the A6 is the way to go, but if you want something that just feels a little more effortlessly expensive, i.e more solid and quiet and comforting, the other German alternatives are still ahead.

xolinlevh

Minneapolis based here having the same debate as you. I'm thinking of a A6 or S6 next as well, I'd recommend looking at carousel Audi.

BenzE350

Based on your comments it appears that you have not driven the A6. I recommend a test drive ASAP. This will help answer a lot of your questions.

I can tell you that the A6 3.0 uses a supercharged engine versus a turbo engine and there is absolutely no throttle tip in.

Please note that throttle tip in may or may not be caused by a turbo taking time to spool up - it can be caused by how the manufacturer programs the throttle and transmission.

It has been almost 3 years since I last drove a 550 so I can't provide any helpful information in regards to your "tuning" question.

SolidGranite

Was the 550 you drove in sport mode? If not this makes a huge difference in the character of how the car performs. Also as the other members have pointed out it does take a few hundred miles or so for the car to learn your driving style.

W210

Absolutely agree with the above, having owned the car for half a year, I enjoy the dual personality, same with the suspension settings.

RobbieRob

If you want a car with more gadgets and you don't mind some down time in between the car at the dealers for repairs, get a Audi or Bmw. If you want a nice reliable car with less gadgets but great overall(sport/luxury) ride, go for the Benz. I must admit, I would love to have a nicer nav/command system with a bigger screen, but I wasn't going to sacrifice reliability to have it so I stuck with Benz. Good luck on whatever you get.

BenzE350

OK, total BS.

I have owned several BMW's including a 535xi, X5, and a few 3 series, over the last decade or so. I never once went back to the dealer for anything other than standard maintenance (all included for no charge!). My Audi A7 is only 4 months old but so far not a single problem.

On the other hand, my Mercedes E350 was in the shop for a week within the first 6 months. Had to get it towed and wait for parts from Germany.

Where do you come up with such nonsense. Show us some facts to back up your statement?

SolidGranite

Some food for thought. Looks like BMW is getting much better but I will agree that their history in reliability is not the greatest.

http://pictures.dealer.com/jdpower/0...f2b64862b7.pdf

RobbieRob

There are your facts right there in the following post. Bmw is getting better, but for a while there were many issues with their new engines(twin turbos), maybe that has been worked out, I'm not sure.. Audi is way down on the list and has always been known to be a nightmare for problems. They are below the Industry Average.. Get back to us in a couple years with that A7 and let us know how well she held up. No nonsense, there's the report buddy.

BenzE350

1. If you are referencing the JD Power survey posted by SolidGranite it is the preceding post -not the following post.

2. So MB had a 96 score and BMW had a 97 score. OK, not significantly different - right?

4. The most recent Consumers Report owner satisfaction survey for 2010 to 2013 model years, the Audi A6, Audi A7 and Lexus GS came out on top in the luxury vehicle category.

3. I believe MB, BMW and Audi make great cars with associated pros and cons. I have owned all 3. Yes, there are certain models / years / engines that are sometimes more problematic than others. I just find it silly when I read hyperbole like yours - "If you want a car with more gadgets and you don't mind some down time in between the car at the dealers for repairs, get a Audi or Bmw."

German Cars - Consumer Reports: Depends on the model / year / engine.
All of the German luxury brands improved. Six of the seven Audis in CR's survey rated average or better, as did 10 of the 12 BMWs. But the high-end BMW 7-Series and the turbocharged six-cylinder version of the X3 SUV were much worse than average. Mercedes-Benz made a good showing, with the turbocharged, four-cylinder C250 sedan doing well in its first year and the V6 E-Class sedan moving from average to above average. But the redesigned M-Class came in below average in its first year.

RobbieRob

The post was following your original is what I meant, but thanks for trying to help. Congratulations on your information find, glad you could help me out. I'm not really game on getting into childish arguments that don't relate to me, I was just giving my .02. Enjoy all your 6 cylinder cars from all the German brands. Good Day

C63newdude

Skip the Audi A6 all together, there is no even a comparison specially engine wise..

GoBlando

Having owned a 2008 Audi S5 for many years before getting into my E550, I can tell you that Audi's Infotainment System is more refined, especially the newer versions found in the A6. The MB system isn't bad but it could be better. As a technology guy, i was shocked that it is based off of Windows CE 5.0.

I cross shopped the A6 with the E550. I ended up in the MB because I found the A6 seat driver seat to be uncomfortable, the standard audio system sound is just awful and they charge 6k for the upgrade to something decent. The E350 was too slow. The A6 felt quick thanks to the great 8SPD auto. But once I tried the E550 (which is faster in a straight line than the S5), I was sold. I do think the A6 is far more nimble in the corners.

SKYKING44

Minneapolis and St. Paul have three Mercedes dealerships and two Audi dealerships. Each Mercedes dealership is owned by a different owner and one person owns the Audi dealerships.

To make a long story short the best pricing is at Mercedes-Benz of Maplewood and their sister Audi Dealership. They also represent Porsche. Having purchased three Porsches and two Mercedes from them i can confirm they have the best pricing in the cities.
Once you decide on the vehicle with the specs you want. Contact Michael Culhane, Mercedes Sales Manager, at 651-483-2681. Great guy and very fair. I do not know the Audi sales manager.


Hope this helps.

csquared

I have a 2011 E550 and I test droved the new Audi A6. Initially, I expected the Audi A6 to be quite good considering the excellent reviews online, but it did not meet my expectations. First, the ride is no where as good as the air suspension setup on my E550 and there is far more wind and road noise. Second, the transmission is slow and a mess and throttle does not feel linear. Third, there's a lot of body roll and steering feels artificially light. Don't know what's this rave about driving Audis. The Audi A6 is boring car to drive, yet does not feel as solid as the E550. Did I tell you, it costs as much as a E550 here in Canada? I'm glad I chose the E550 over the Audi A6. I just can't justify the cost of the Audi!

SoCalCLK

Agreed. The E550 at the end of the day has a better ride quality, and true luxury feel on the highway and city streets.

The A6, can't shake the thought that it is an overdressed Volkswagen. Nothing wrong with VW, but can you justify the price of the A6? Overpriced is an understatement!

martinlarose

I have a 2014 e 550 with airmatic suspension and 4matic. Car has no hesitation and tons of smooth power..IMHO it handles beautifully

csquared

Put the suspension and transmission in sport mode, and the E550 feels quite similar to a Panamera 4S I test drove. Although the Panamera handled better, it lacked refinement and comfort compared to the E550. The ride is just too stiff even in comfort mode. I'm considering in getting the new 2014 E63 with 4matic, although the E550 is already a powerful car. I would not get anything that has a V6 and below 350HP.

strawberry

e550 but i havent driven any heading out to one tomorow. its a refresh always nice to ahve soemthing fresh whereas the a6's have been around.

drz

I thought I may be the only one, but I couldn't get comfortable in the drivers seat in both the A6 Prestige, and A6 Sports package.
Also,the standard stereo was very poor.

DR.Z

Arrie

For the car's built quality just listen it when you sit on the driver's seat and close the door. Do it like you normally do, i.e. with the other doors and windows closed. It tells lots of how the car is built and there is quite a difference between the cars.

I'll let you find out which one sounds better...

ngerstman

I realize that this is anecdotal and is certainly not statistically relevant, but I know three people with BMW's, one 3 series and two with 5 series, and all have had material issues within three years, engine, tranny, rear end. That has colored my perception of BMW reliability(I had a rental x5 a few months ago and thought it was great). I know many people with the recent(2010-present) Mercedes and all love them with no problems. I had a 2000 e class that had many problems over the 11 years I owned it. My 2011 e550 has been perfect. I also drove an Audi a6 and found it wanting compared to Mercedes, no where near the feeling of vault like quality of my e550. That's what makes it a ballgame!! Good luck. Regards. Ned.