Purchase Advice
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2011 E350 Sport
Purchase Advice
Hello all, I currently run a small business but I am looking to expand it into luxury vehicles this time around so I am looking for input and recommendations as to what would be best suited for my use. My brother is I Like Soup and he mentioned this would be the best place to get any information that I would need so any feedback would be appreciated.
The current vehicle I am looking at is a 2011 E350 with around 30-40k miles. I have a few weeks to decide as I will be buying the car when I go to Dallas since the prices are usually around $2000-$3000 cheaper there compared to here in Phoenix. The problem I am currently trying to solve is whether to choose the E350 Luxury or the E350 4MATIC. My current fleet is all hybrid so this is new territory for me as far as the business aspect is concerned. Generally my vehicles are driving between 70,000-100,000 miles per year with multiple drivers. The E350 choice I make will be driven by me alone so those numbers will be cut in half probably.
My question is when I get a car for the purpose of heavy mileage use, which of the 2 cars would be better suited for this use and what are the pitfalls I should be aware of before I go and purchase one or the other. What are the differences and what are the common mechanical problems that arise with both cars? Luxury or 4MATIC, which would you go for in my position.
The current vehicle I am looking at is a 2011 E350 with around 30-40k miles. I have a few weeks to decide as I will be buying the car when I go to Dallas since the prices are usually around $2000-$3000 cheaper there compared to here in Phoenix. The problem I am currently trying to solve is whether to choose the E350 Luxury or the E350 4MATIC. My current fleet is all hybrid so this is new territory for me as far as the business aspect is concerned. Generally my vehicles are driving between 70,000-100,000 miles per year with multiple drivers. The E350 choice I make will be driven by me alone so those numbers will be cut in half probably.
My question is when I get a car for the purpose of heavy mileage use, which of the 2 cars would be better suited for this use and what are the pitfalls I should be aware of before I go and purchase one or the other. What are the differences and what are the common mechanical problems that arise with both cars? Luxury or 4MATIC, which would you go for in my position.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
You need long test drives in both. I prefer the Luxury version for ride comfort, but there are not as many around as the Sports version. Not sure about 4MATIC.
There are those who proslytise about the other "advantages" of 4MATIC, but basically it is just a 4 wheel drive vehicle, which is good for snow.
There are those who proslytise about the other "advantages" of 4MATIC, but basically it is just a 4 wheel drive vehicle, which is good for snow.
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
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2011 E350 Sport
I have considered it and I honestly have no interest in going the diesel route, there is nothing about it I find appealing. Better fuel economy is a nice bonus but I do not find a diesel to be something I would ever want to have permanently.
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
Diesel
Go drive one before you jump.
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'10 W212 4matic P2-Distronic / '14 Cayenne / '04 X5 3.0 / '13 Altima
with the miles you are going to be driving, you should really consider the CPO route, and also a 2012 or newer, the gas savings alone with the newer engine will be worth it.
A little more in upfront costs, will save you money down the line
A little more in upfront costs, will save you money down the line
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e550
You drive so many miles that permanently is a relative term..
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'24 Porsche Macan
IMO, the case for diesel is more compelling in Europe (e.g. Germany is my experience) where it can be found at any gas station and at a more attractive price than gas. If that were true in the US, I might consider it,.. with availability being a more important factor than cost for me.
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
Explain Please
IMO, the case for diesel is more compelling in Europe (e.g. Germany is my experience) where it can be found at any gas station and at a more attractive price than gas. If that were true in the US, I might consider it,.. with availability being a more important factor than cost for me.
Up here in the great white north MB Canada does not use this terminology as they offer many packages and pic and play stuff when ordering a car.
Would you be kind enough to explain the nomenclature of P1 and P2 for me?
Thanks.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
I keep seeing this reference in the US to P1 and P2 which I take it are packages MBUSA offers.
Up here in the great white north MB Canada does not use this terminology as they offer many packages and pic and play stuff when ordering a car.
Would you be kind enough to explain the nomenclature of P1 and P2 for me?
Thanks.
Up here in the great white north MB Canada does not use this terminology as they offer many packages and pic and play stuff when ordering a car.
Would you be kind enough to explain the nomenclature of P1 and P2 for me?
Thanks.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
IMO, the case for diesel is more compelling in Europe (e.g. Germany is my experience) where it can be found at any gas station and at a more attractive price than gas. If that were true in the US, I might consider it,.. with availability being a more important factor than cost for me.
The lack of diesel availability is one of the many 'truths' that Toyota has been using in their most recent deceptive advertising for the Prius, e.g. full page advertisement in National Geographic Magazine. It's a load of horse sh_t !! Diesel is widely available throughout North America !!!
But even more important is the fact that Mercedes-Benz builds the best diesels on the planet. Their diesel cars have reliable, powerful, torque-rich and fuel efficient engines !
And of course a bladder busting range of 800 miles or 1200 km on a tankful !!!
Last edited by DerekACS; Nov 29, 2014 at 08:17 PM.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
IMO, the case for diesel is more compelling in Europe (e.g. Germany is my experience) where it can be found at any gas station and at a more attractive price than gas. If that were true in the US, I might consider it,.. with availability being a more important factor than cost for me.
It also is that the modern diesel engines give so good mileage that if you for some reason would find a station without the correct diesel you can get to the next one unless you drive it dry before the first one.
These diesels also make your fuel 35-40% cheaper. For a gallon it is roughly the same as the premium our gasoline engines burn but the fuel mileage easily is 40% better. And comparing the performance to the E350 it is stronger from the line.
What comes to diesels in Germany, it is the whole Europe. Diesels have been developed to the top there and has been the main choice of engine for tens of years already. And yes, GM, Ford and Chrysler all have very nice diesel powered cars in European roads, have had for a long time. They just choose not to sell them here in the North American market, but they will be.
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From: Fort Lauderdale
2002 E320 Wagon Black/Tan
E350 vs E550
I'm happy with my 2009 E350 AMG Sport. Purchased off lease with 38k miles and have put 35k miles on it in 2 years. Have done service A and B as required.
It now has 74k miles and has been mechanically flawless. 6 Cylinder Mercedes have plenty of power for me and less expensive to maintain.
It now has 74k miles and has been mechanically flawless. 6 Cylinder Mercedes have plenty of power for me and less expensive to maintain.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Wierd diesel pricing in US
IMO, the case for diesel is more compelling in Europe (e.g. Germany is my experience) where it can be found at any gas station and at a more attractive price than gas. If that were true in the US, I might consider it,.. with availability being a more important factor than cost for me.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Lets say premium cost $3.10 a gallon and diesel $350 a gallon.
Gasoline engine gives you say 25 MPG and the diesel 40 MPG. These are very realistic numbers on highway driving.
With the gasoline engine fuel cost is $3.1 / 25 = $0.124/mile.
With the diesel engine fuel cost is $3.50 / 40 = $0.0875 / mile.
This means gasoline engine car fuel cost is 41.7% more expensive than the diesel while the fuel is $0.40 cheaper for a gallon.
In above I used 40 MPG for the E350 BlueTec but I think I have seen posts from people driving these with a lot higher MPG numbers.
For the gasoline E350 I know as I had one and the best I got was at around 27 MPG but this was on a trip when I really babied it and drove slower than normal. On highway it normally gave 24 - 25 MPG.
Gasoline engine gives you say 25 MPG and the diesel 40 MPG. These are very realistic numbers on highway driving.
With the gasoline engine fuel cost is $3.1 / 25 = $0.124/mile.
With the diesel engine fuel cost is $3.50 / 40 = $0.0875 / mile.
This means gasoline engine car fuel cost is 41.7% more expensive than the diesel while the fuel is $0.40 cheaper for a gallon.
In above I used 40 MPG for the E350 BlueTec but I think I have seen posts from people driving these with a lot higher MPG numbers.
For the gasoline E350 I know as I had one and the best I got was at around 27 MPG but this was on a trip when I really babied it and drove slower than normal. On highway it normally gave 24 - 25 MPG.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
ARRIE: I was just noting how much more diesel can be than premium. Just checked and per Gas Buddy for my area: Reg. 2.37, Prem. 2.67 and Diesel 3.07. BTW, I have gotten as high as 32 MPG with my 2010 "E" (before they improved MPG.) Usually it averages about 26 for routine, mixed driving.
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From: N. TX
2013 Lexus ES300h
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2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
Around Florida, diesel's usually the same price as Premium. Keep in mind for this comparison, all E-Class cars sold in the US will either require Diesel or Premium fuel, thus fuel costs roughly the same per gallon.
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
I had an E320 CDI for over 8 years it was a great car. I got an E550 to replace it, no way I was going for the new E250 4 cylinder, although I wasn't going for a gas E350 either. This is the first time in 15 years I have't had a diesel car. When ULSD mandate hit the BTU energy in the fuel went down (instead of cost increasing) as did my MPG combine that with the higher cost relative to gas currently, and my 1.3 mile commute and I went for a V8. If I were the OP I would consider an E350BT.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
+As I understand it, the diesels do NOT have a spare or a jack, if that is important. I have both MB Roadside Assistance and RA on my auto insurance, but I still want to be able to change a tire if necessary.
