Hey gang,

I'm looking for a new daily driver for running errands, airport runs and the occasional customer. I have an 11' XKR as the toy and am about to replace wife's Series 1 Discovery with either a GL550 or Rover. I also plan to get rid of the Jag for a more focused toy as I miss shifting. Thinking GT3, Gallardo or the like in 6spd.

I find the daily driver choice somewhat depends on what I get as my toy and vice versa. I like to have 1 SUV, 1 Sedan and 1 pure toy. I am thinking:

Toy: GT3, Gallardo, Vantage
Wife: GL550
Sedan: 500E - Rare, have always loved them. Cheapest option compared to newer cars, yet more special.

2010 E550 for about $35k. How reliable are they? How do you lower them if they are on air suspension? Such a unique design not sure what wheels look best on this body? Also, what else did you look at/own and how does it compare?

04 E500 - Clean, simple, cheap - same price as 500E but not special. Put some Vossen CV3 and call it a day. This model wears the simple 5 spoke much better than 10+ IMO.

Audi A8 or S8 - 07 or so for about $35k

LS460 - Lexus is boring but I figured if I have a hardcore sportscar I might as well get uber refinement/isolation so and appreciate the contrast more.

 

Well the 500E is obviously the coolest, most Classic and special of the bunch.

The W212 E550 will be the most advanced and well built, therefore inherently and fundamentally best capable for any utilitarian use.

The '04 E500 I'd avoid because '03/'04 were terrible quality years for M-B, especially the V8 versions with Airmatic (and you have SBC Electronic Brakes, which are a no no, etc.).

I'd toss a different one in that that's kind of a bit of all of them: An '08-'09 E550. They've depreciated massively, have the revered last-of-the-N/A V8's, has IMO a timeless Classic body in the W211 which was lost when M-B started getting very angular, complex and intense with their designs, and is the fullest refinement of the base that is the '04 E500 (the W211 chassis was not one that M-B got right from the beginning, it had to really get "fixed" year after year until they really got it right, while the W212 was drum tight in terms of quality from its first year on).

 

You mentioned the 08-09 E550 was the last of the revered NA V8's what does that mean? Isn't the '10 a NA motor? Is it not as good?

 

a 2010 e550 for about $35k ? that's a heck of a deal !

so my picks are:

toy: gallardo (love the look )
wife: let her pick
sedan: 2010 e550. can't go wrong with this especially for $35k.

 

My bad, I meant that it's got the last engine that M-B's had before the TT 4.6L V8 took over its place. That same engine ran in the E line until 2011 E550's.

 

Toy: Gallardo or R8
Wife: Land Rover Discovery or X166 GL
Sedan: W212 hands down but I like Audi A8 o S8 but was disappointed in them for not using timing chain in such a high heeled car

 

Wife will definitely be picking SUV. She's leaning toward GL550. As much as I love the Gallardo, I'm not sure if I want the stigma. May go R8 or GT3.

Back to E550, how do you lower them with Air Suspension? Also, do I need to be concerned about it going out soon if I buy a 45k mile car?

 

Company's like Kleeman, Brabus, Carlsson make lowering modules for the Airmatic. Just find one with the features you like and go with it.

 

So you have to order a module of some sort? What do they run and is there labor involved?

 

2010 E550 owner here. I've got the Air suspension and no complaints here. I lowered the car via Renntech Lowering Module V3. Not the cheapest option out there, but the most adjustable and very reliable. The ride is smooth even when lowered

 

500E is to rare to DD IMO,
I'd go for the 550, but if you have the cash, get the 500 too and
take care of it amd maybe sell it in the future

 

2010 E550 for about $35k. How reliable are they? How do you lower them if they are on air suspension? Such a unique design not sure what wheels look best on this body? Also, what else did you look at/own and how does it compare?

04 E500 - Clean, simple, cheap - same price as 500E but not special. Put some Vossen CV3 and call it a day. This model wears the simple 5 spoke much better than 10+ IMO.

A 2010 E550 with air suspension is going to be A LOT more reliable than a 2004 E500 which also is equipped with, yep, (NOW TEN YEAR OLD) air suspension. Plus the E500 also comes with the potentially problematic SBC brake system.

The old 124 chassis 500E is a neat car and drives well even compared to today's cars, but do the math. 322HP and a 4 speed automatic vs. 380HP and 7 speeds. The E550 is quicker, more comfortable, and if you need it, much roomier.

 

Also note, on this forum, it has been stated that the struts for the E550 are very expensive to replace. I think I have seen a price of $1200+ for the parts alone. Not too, too, bad when you only have to replace one. That being said, I would find out all the information I could on the Airmatic suspensions and its operation, known issues/causes, to try to get an idea of my risk based on my typical driving and terrain. I also would hunt for the cheapest price on the parts (strut w/ airmatic) before I would buy it straight from the dealer. i hope this helps.

Hmmm, I did a quick search, and I found them for a 2010 E550 and they range from $1000 - 1100ea for the front struts w/4matic from this site

http://mercedespartssuperstore.com/p...agramCallOut=3


[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut W/4-MATIC, W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, from 3/19/10 Left

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$1,390.00 $0.00 $278.00 $1,112.00



[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut W/4-MATIC, W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, from 3/19/10 Right

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$1,250.00 $0.00 $250.00 $1,000.00



[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut W/4-MATIC, W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, to 3/19/10 Left

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$1,390.00 $0.00 $278.00 $1,112.00


[ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STRUTS & COMPONENTS / Strut
strut W/4-MATIC, W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, to 3/19/10 Right

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$1,250.00 $0.00 $250.00 $1,000.00

Rear Shocks Airmatic
[ 4 ] REAR SUSPENSION / REAR SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / SHOCK ABSORBER
shock absorber E550; Left W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$560.00 $0.00 $112.00 $448.00


[ 4 ] REAR SUSPENSION / REAR SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / SHOCK ABSORBER
shock absorber E550; Left W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$560.00 $0.00 $112.00 $448.00


[ 4 ] REAR SUSPENSION / REAR SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / SHOCK ABSORBER
shock absorber E550; Right W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$560.00 $0.00 $112.00 $448.00


[ 4 ] REAR SUSPENSION / REAR SUSPENSION / SUSPENSION COMPONENTS / SHOCK ABSORBER
shock absorber E550; Right W/AIRMATIC SUSPENSION

MSRP Core ? Save Online Price
$560.00 $0.00 $112.00 $448.00

 

The best balance of quality, features, and performance would probably be the 2004 E500. Not as fast as the E550 but still a solid performer, and a much better (and faster) car than the W124 500E/E500. That said, TAANSTAFL applies - the 2004 is well out of warranty, and Airmatic suspension and electronic doodads can be expensive to fix.

I've owned both a 2004 E500 and a 2011 E550. The 2011 E550 has better performance and the infotainment system is miles better, but (IMO) Mercedes-Benz cut a lot of corners to keep the cost down on the W212 cars - my 2004 E500 felt like a better car.

BTW, both the 2004 E500 and the 2011 E550 have a variant of the M113 engine. In the U.S. 2012 was the first year for the twin turbo 4.6L in the E class.

 

IMO the W211 felt like a "richer" car indeed, but as an appliance the W212 feels like a more durable car. I think the W211 felt more like a quintessential luxury car, right down to being kind of frail in areas.

I still do a double take for a nice W211. IMO a 2009 E550 with AMG Sport pack is probably the perfect modern E-Class, and timeless to boot. The best part about said AMG Sport Package on the W211 is that it's a pretty rare look, giving the car when equipped as such an even more "modern classic" appeal. I've said this since day 1 of the W212: MBUSA messed up the lasting power of this car by making every single one look identical with the AMG Package.... which is supposed to be an interesting and aggressive look, which it is.... until every Joe and Jane in the world with an E-Class has the same look. It's become the standard, common look of the car and therefore lost its visual punch. It appears non-enthusiast driven by way of MBUSA practically forcing the W212 to have a "fleet car" presence, where every single one looks the exact same. In Europe this isn't the case, and you see lots of different W212's driving around with different packages. Therefore when you DO see an AMG Sport Package within the bunch, you take notice.

 

I'll miss the hockey stick DRL's on my 550, but when I have heated door panels I'll probably forget all about them

 

Truth be told the early 211 E's are can be a bit of a mess. Not just the already mentioned Airmatic on the V8's (6 cyls models can be equipped with rear self leveling - Airmatic 0.5) and the overcomplicated SBC brake system. The early 722.9 7 speed transmissions are now having speed sensor issues that are repairable only by a dealer, Mercedes will not allow the repair kit to be installed outside their organization. And lets not forget early 272-273 V6 & V8 timing chain-gear issues, a mere 30 hour+ job. When asked about 211's, I can't in good conscious recommend purchasing a 211 below 2007. This based on real life experiences by several of our customers.