Drgolf131

Hey Campers,

I got an email from my MB salesman today ... My lease will be up in 8 months, but Mercedes will be coming to me in about 4 months to take me out and roll me into a new car. I've already been out looking at alternatives. So ...so far I've driven a BMW 535, a new Cadillac CTS, and the 2014 E350. Also on the list is the Audi A6. I'm curious what thoughts y'all might have, especially those of you who have gone through the same decision.

Thanks for any and all input ... Btw, I've thoroughly enjoyed my 2012 E350 ... Fully loaded, and has me spoiled. I've thought about buying it, but not sure the economics work. In addition, my car was hit on the left front corner ... Repairs well done, bit still a hit is a hit.

LasVegasMike

Before buying my E350 I also looked at the BMW 5 Series, the Audi, and CTS. The pop up nag screen in the Audi wasn't very classy, it reminded me of those old fold out video screens and not something a luxury car would have in it. The CTS had one minor thing going against it, it's an American made car meaning either the paint would eventually fade, or things would randomly fall off it. As for the BMW, a god friend had one and had nothing but problems.

In the end Mercedes had the styling that I liked out of all of the others.

BenzV12

I am biased but W212 is my choice regardless of other brands
Cadillac no longer makes appealing cars in my opinion ,F10 is the best 5 Series but interior sucks ,needs more buttons .Audi A6 is being a Teuton can't be a wrong choice but would be my choice followed by F10

hyperion667

Benz Benz Benz

DC-IT

Unless you want a Lexus (Most reliable vehicle), Mercedes is the next best choice!

Surprisingly Cadillac is next.
Audi falls below average while BMW is not even in the first 10.

I'd stay with M-B.

Arrie

I would search for a low mileage 2013 - 2014 model CPO. You said your car is a loaded one but does it have the Distronic?


Adding Distronic alone makes it a whole different car.


What comes to the other car brands if not Mercedes, I would go to Lincoln first. I think Lincoln is one of the best luxury car brands after MB. Well, I'm not talking about the high dollar vehicles here like RR...

USCGTO

Its very interesting how far up is Lexus.

I mean 68 issues / 100 vehicles and then the 2nd is 104, third is 107.

Infact the 2nd / 3rd / 4th are within couple percent of each other. But lexus is way way ahead. Hope I didn;t sound like a Lexus nut, cause I hate everything made by toyota/Lexus, but still an interesting statistic..

DBV

I like the E Class's, BMW 535 and Audi A6. All good choices. No desire for a Caddy. One thing to keep in mind is Mercedes maintenance is the most expensive out of the three.

justdonating

Recently purchased a 2014 E350. As you can see from my sig, I've been in Mercedes for a while. That being said, I also test other cars before I buy another Benz. I liked the BMW 535, loved the Audi A6 and A7. At the end of the day, neither appealed to me enough to switch from the E-Class. I love the E-Class and know what car I'm getting.

Right now there are some great deals on CPO vehicles if you're interested in staying in the E class.

drsaab

Mb maint is not too bad if you do prepaid. It's 699 for 2 services. So 4 yrs is 1400 and 5 can be 999 plus 699 = $1698.

This is vs spending. $1200 for just the 40k at the dealer.

It is much more than the $0 on a BMW. But there priced quite a bit higher anyways.

CPO deals are great till feb 28 right now.

Drgolf131

Thanks for the replies so far ... Please keep the coming.

The Lexus GS should've been on the list ... However, I don't like the interior on the F-Type.

One of my options is to just keep my car, but it seems like pricing makes getting a new car more attractive. And having kept my last two cars for 7 and 6 years respectively, it's nice to get a new ride and stay within the warranty coverage.

Btw ... Me car does have Distronic ... It is a must-have in a new car... Really like traveling on Texas interstates without having to constantly kick off the cruise control.

One question ... When will the 2015s start shipping? Any significant changes?

Thanks again!

Long3494Qut

If you really love the current one you could keep it, but I'd advise to upgrade. Not saying the cars are cheap, but these babies come pretty affordable with great deals compared to it's competitors!

E Classy

if you lease the vehicle, you probably don't need to worry as much about reliability. the lexus becomes moot. are you sport biased? then get the A6 3.0t or the 535i M-Sport. The Cadillac in V-Sport trim is another fine choice for a sport sedan.

Don't get the soon-to-be-obsolete E350 - wait until September when you can get the E400 twin-turbo V6, if you decide on Benz.

Drgolf131

Sounds like a good suggestion on the E400 ... I've been looking for info on what is coming down the pike with changes ... Not finding the kind of information I would like to have.

E Classy

the engine is derived from the current V6, but with forced induction added for greater power/torque and fuel efficiency when cruising. check out the new C-Class being released this fall for details.

i'd bet you can see an order guide sometime in May or June of this year. i ordered my car last May (finalized it on June 1st) and the car wasn't even released until mid-September. at the latest, you'd have to wait until July/August and your lease isn't up for another 8 months...

if you do decide you want an E350, you could negotiate a great deal knowing that all the inventory will need to move out for the E400 stock.