E550 Rare - Why?
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
YES, it is very cheap! In fact it was the cheapest 2012 in the country listed on Autotrader. That's part of the reason I'm going 1000mi to get it. Has 65K miles, 1 owner, no accidents, and recorded dealer service every 10K miles. Traded in to a Porsche dealer. The next cheapest I found was asking $30K private seller, in a northern climate.
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From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
I might be late to the discussion and missed it, but is it possible the E550 was rare because it shared an engine with other models, like the ML, GL and S? So it was a constraint on supply?
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AMG GTS, Ford Raptor and Tesla Model 3 dual motor
Most people are perfectly happy with the performance of an E350 and for those who want more will jump into an E63 instead of an E550, eventhough the E350 market does not know what they are missing.
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
YES, it is very cheap! In fact it was the cheapest 2012 in the country listed on Autotrader. That's part of the reason I'm going 1000mi to get it. Has 65K miles, 1 owner, no accidents, and recorded dealer service every 10K miles. Traded in to a Porsche dealer. The next cheapest I found was asking $30K private seller, in a northern climate.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
I think it's true that the 350 would be plenty for most drivers. This 550 certainly packs a punch. I also agree that if I had $70K to spend when this was new, then I would likely have $100K to go ahead and get the AMG model, or many of the same buyers would go for the CLS. I personally don't like how the rear roof line of the CLS is very inconvenient for access to the rear seats, but I like pretty much everything else about it.
I had only driven the 2011 model 550 without 4matic before buying, and I'm glad I searched for the 2012, it feels much different from my short time in the 2011. The spring suspension feels much more sporty and confident than the Airmatic with none of the potential problems. AWD helps with stability a lot, although the power makes me want to do some burnouts, which is impossible. The Biturbo engine also feels considerably faster, especially off the line, and the brakes fell a lot better.
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I also agree that if I had $70K to spend when this was new, then I would likely have $100K to go ahead and get the AMG model, or many of the same buyers would go for the CLS. I personally don't like how the rear roof line of the CLS is very inconvenient for access to the rear seats, but I like pretty much everything else about it.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
The roof line is what makes the CLS so sexy, the profile of the CLS is mesmerizing. The CLS is a driver's car, who care about the rear passenger's comfort, it is not a people mover. If you constantly have a need to transport 4 people in your car, then the traditional sedan will be a better choice, or better yet a minivan
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The primary reason for getting 4 doors at all is a baby on the way. My friend had a VW CC (CLS copy anyone???) when they had their first baby, and said the roof line really makes it a pain to get kids in/out of child seat. I could agree when I went and test drove one. Also, the CLS is 4-seater, not 5. So there ya go, E-class over CLS. If I didn't need the rear seat on a regular basis, then I would have kept the old reliable CLK, or got the new equivalent, the E550 coupe. I like coupes with a seat big enough for a normal human adult to climb in the back if necessary. If I had no practical sense at all, I would have bought an SL a long time ago, soooo sexy.
Last edited by The G Man; Nov 10, 2015 at 11:15 AM.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Not necessarily
Not necessarily. It's all about choice. There are many, many people who want an MB in the E350 size and feature level, but do not want the V8 or AMG or amenities they offer.
We know what we are missing, but we didn't want it. And not just because we could not afford E550, AMG or even "S."
Which is really why the E550 and AMG's are so rare. They fill a niche for the limited number of people who want them and are willing to pay the price.
Happy Motoring!
We know what we are missing, but we didn't want it. And not just because we could not afford E550, AMG or even "S."
Which is really why the E550 and AMG's are so rare. They fill a niche for the limited number of people who want them and are willing to pay the price.
Happy Motoring!
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Jon, glad you're happy! I found the opposite to be true on the airmatic suspension vs springs. Love the performance in hard cornering with the airmatic. Feels glued to the road vs the roll I felt when I test drove a 2012. Night and day I thought. Good luck
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The primary reason for getting 4 doors at all is a baby on the way. My friend had a VW CC (CLS copy anyone???) when they had their first baby, and said the roof line really makes it a pain to get kids in/out of child seat. I could agree when I went and test drove one. Also, the CLS is 4-seater, not 5. So there ya go, E-class over CLS. If I didn't need the rear seat on a regular basis, then I would have kept the old reliable CLK, or got the new equivalent, the E550 coupe. I like coupes with a seat big enough for a normal human adult to climb in the back if necessary. If I had no practical sense at all, I would have bought an SL a long time ago, soooo sexy.
I have 3 kids and the E550 fits us perfectly, although my oldest (15) who wears a size 14 shoe has to be on the opposite side from me when he's in the back since it slightly cramped for him leg wise if he's behind me.
The E definitely gives you ample space to get in and out with car seats etc. Since my youngest is 2 1/2 I'm well versed on the in and out mechanics with the car seat and now booster seat. Enjoy the best of all worlds in your new ride
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Airmatic on 2011 E550 felt extremely soft to me, changing modes made no discernible difference to me. The springs on 2012 E550 model feel confident and stiffer. Maybe a spring car with the custom-order "comfort" springs and not the regular "sport" springs is being compared here, and feels different. The Airmatic felt like a lot of body roll, like it was cornering on marshmallows, all over the road. It could also be a combination of the AWD characteristics. Even if I liked the Airmatic ride better, it has a long history of expensive failure with no notice. I'll take the good old fashioned springs/shocks. It was really one of the deciding factors in this purchase. If I want to stiffen it even more, there are inexpensive after-market spring and shock options, but probably not.
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Airmatic on 2011 E550 felt extremely soft to me, changing modes made no discernible difference to me. The springs on 2012 E550 model feel confident and stiffer. Maybe a spring car with the custom-order "comfort" springs and not the regular "sport" springs is being compared here, and feels different. The Airmatic felt like a lot of body roll, like it was cornering on marshmallows, all over the road. It could also be a combination of the AWD characteristics. Even if I liked the Airmatic ride better, it has a long history of expensive failure with no notice. I'll take the good old fashioned springs/shocks. It was really one of the deciding factors in this purchase. If I want to stiffen it even more, there are inexpensive after-market spring and shock options, but probably not.
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Airmatic on 2011 E550 felt extremely soft to me, changing modes made no discernible difference to me. The springs on 2012 E550 model feel confident and stiffer. Maybe a spring car with the custom-order "comfort" springs and not the regular "sport" springs is being compared here, and feels different. The Airmatic felt like a lot of body roll, like it was cornering on marshmallows, all over the road. It could also be a combination of the AWD characteristics. Even if I liked the Airmatic ride better, it has a long history of expensive failure with no notice. I'll take the good old fashioned springs/shocks. It was really one of the deciding factors in this purchase. If I want to stiffen it even more, there are inexpensive after-market spring and shock options, but probably not.
The airmatic in comfort will be a bit softer than the fix sport suspension, but it should as good if not better than the fix spring in sport mode. The beauty of the airmatic system is the comfortable ride and the active spring suspension in corners. I like handling as much as the next guy, but I am not willing to give up that comfortable ride Mercedes is known for, with the airmatic, I can have both.
Last edited by The G Man; Nov 10, 2015 at 03:01 PM.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
I got limited seat time in the 2010 E550, but I disliked the handling so much I almost bought a new Dodge Charger R/T track pack instead. I have a feeling the springs in the revised 2012 E550 are different from the E350. The other deciding factor for the 2012 over the older airmatic W212 was of course MORE POWER from that TT engine, you will definitely feel that difference in the seat of your pants. The fact that I don't have to worry about airmatic, and there are future tuning options is a bit of a bonus to me. As I said, there may be more difference in AWD vs. RWD. than in the suspension.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
The steering setup in 2012 update is also quite a bit different I think. That could be another factor.
It was just around-town test drive, I'm not "tracking" any of these. Just the feeling I got when trying to take some corners, like big left turns when the light was about to change. It could also be that I drove the 2011 just after the 2015 Charger with track pack, it handled really well for a big sedan, but... it's built like you would expect from a Dodge, and I didn't want to spend $38K on a new Dodge.
It was just around-town test drive, I'm not "tracking" any of these. Just the feeling I got when trying to take some corners, like big left turns when the light was about to change. It could also be that I drove the 2011 just after the 2015 Charger with track pack, it handled really well for a big sedan, but... it's built like you would expect from a Dodge, and I didn't want to spend $38K on a new Dodge.
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2019 E300
My guess is that there was something wrong with the 2010 E550 he test drove. Maybe he push the wrong button and had the air suspension on high mode.
I thought you test drove a 2010 E550, not 2011, which is it?
I thought you test drove a 2010 E550, not 2011, which is it?
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Either way, it just didn't feel as good as the 2012 in the handling dept. If it was messed up, then that just reinforces my thoughts that I don't want to worry about Airmatic. That car had only 44K miles on it, very clean, and good history, sitting at a Porsche dealer.
I'm not sure how different the CLS chassis or suspension actually is, but I drove a 2012 CLS550 directly after the 2011 E550 and it had much more sporty handling. As soon as I felt the new TT engine in the CLS I knew I could not settle for the 2011 model 550 engine anyway.
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Sorry, it was a 2011, I think I mis-spoke somewhere, but they are the same.
Either way, it just didn't feel as good as the 2012 in the handling dept. If it was messed up, then that just reinforces my thoughts that I don't want to worry about Airmatic. That car had only 44K miles on it, very clean, and good history, sitting at a Porsche dealer.
I'm not sure how different the CLS chassis or suspension actually is, but I drove a 2012 CLS550 directly after the 2011 E550 and it had much more sporty handling. As soon as I felt the new TT engine in the CLS I knew I could not settle for the 2011 model 550 engine anyway.
Either way, it just didn't feel as good as the 2012 in the handling dept. If it was messed up, then that just reinforces my thoughts that I don't want to worry about Airmatic. That car had only 44K miles on it, very clean, and good history, sitting at a Porsche dealer.
I'm not sure how different the CLS chassis or suspension actually is, but I drove a 2012 CLS550 directly after the 2011 E550 and it had much more sporty handling. As soon as I felt the new TT engine in the CLS I knew I could not settle for the 2011 model 550 engine anyway.
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Airmatic like any other complex technology does have its share of problems, but so does the rest of the car. If you think about the modern day Mercedes, its a computer farm on wheels. personally, I would never own a German car without a warranty. I test drove the E550 after the CLS550, the CLS is a bit flatter on corners and steering a bit stiffer, but the E550 with airmatic handled better than the E550 without and it was softer on rough road. I do agree that the TT engine is additive.
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2019 E300
Your opinion on warranties is exactly why a 3 year old car just out of warranty that cost near $70K new, is now only worth $25K in great shape. People who buy $70K cars want to snuggle with their warranties, but if you know what you're looking for in a used vehicle, then warranty is not necessary. The only hang up on that theory for me was the Airmatic, which has a solid track record for frequent problems with no notice, that must be repaired immediately and cost thousands to repair. Many of the W212 Airmatic cars I looked at already had more than one instance of suspension system repairs noted on the Carfax, with less than 50K miles on them. The problems are real!
