Need help deciding on 2011 E550 Luxury 4matic vs 2014 E550 sport 4matic
 

The 2011 550 4matic is luxury with AMG appearance package from CarMax with extended warranty 5yr/125k and 2014 E550 4matic sport from MB CPO for about $7k more with two year unlimited mileage warranty. Mileage is about 7k less on 2014

Ive driven the 2011 but have not driven 2014.

Thoughts concerning 5.5l vs 4.7tt, luxury vs sport, changes from 2011 vs 2014, recall airbags on 2011 and not on 2014. Educate me please.

Also , the extended warranty is about $4200 for 5 years 80,000 miles. Is it worth it cause if took that off it be about $11k difference in the two.

TIA. Looking to pull trigger tomorrow or day after.

If putting down the extra money for the 2014 isn't really a problem, I'd go with that one. The engine has more HP and torque. Most people prefer the facelifted look. As you said, no airbag recalls. The interior was facelifted too. The technology is probably better. Navigation is more up to date, less buggy bluetooth, usb ports, etc. MB CPO is definitely a plus. Hopefully it has the colors and trims you like.

There's nothing particularly wrong with the 2011 though. Still has plenty of power. Naturally aspirated engines are supposedly more reliable. Gas mileage is crap though. Check the VIN to see if it actually has a recall though. Not all of them do. I don't even think a dealer can sell it if it does.

Both cars are good, just go with what you know in your heart to be right :B

Thank you for taking time to reply. The 2011 is under recall they notified me and it was on Carfax.

Do you think the $4200 is fair for 80,000 that will get me to 125k miles and 5 years?

I'm kinda on fence 2011 is beige interior that I prefer over black interior in 2014. I don't know if the air suspension is better on 2011or sport on 2014. It be easier to pay off 2011 faster but feel in long run the 2014 may not end up as upside down in it etc. I've read brakes were updated as well.

Just want to make best buy. The 2011 is $28,995 + $4200 warranty or $33k the 2014 is $40,975 CPO with two years unlimited miles

Thanks again. :)

Those prices seem high for both those cars. I don't know if you can talk down on carmax, but the 2011 should be around $24k and the 2014 should be around $33k. If I read your posts correctly, the 2014 has like 73k miles? $41k is pretty steep for 73k miles.

Also make sure you do your research on that warranty, I bought a warranty for my car and it turned out to be a really poorly rated company, fortunately I was able to cancel and get a full refund.

Edit: These prices are assuming you're in murica :B

The 2011 has 80,000 miles? Did I read that right? The price is insanely high.

I looked into this and apparently a dealer can't sell a new car with an outstanding safety recall but used cars can be sold. I know that some dealers choose not to sell cars with an unresolved recalls but legally they can. If I was a dealer, I'd be concerned about liability if something went wrong. The dealer would be another throat to choke for the plaintiff in a law suit.

I was close to pulling the trigger on a 2011 E350 and learned about the recall on this board. The dealer provided a free Carfax but there was no mention of the recall. How does that happen; page missing?

The article I read discusses how a dealer can advertise a 130 point inspection on a CPO but not disclose a pending safety recall.

Sorry , I left out mileage. The 2011 has 44k miles which is very low for its age and the 2014 has 35k miles on it.

I was just saying that gives me 80k miles of warranty on 2011 to get to 125k miles of coverage.

Phew, okay that's better. You did not indicate the options, but I assume it has P2 and maybe Dynamic seat with heat/cool, Pano roof, self opening closing trunk, Bi-Xenon active curve, and maybe Parktronic? Any driver assist package?
Price is a little high, but not bad. The warranty coverage is only as good as the paper it is written on and don't figure it will cover the most important and expensive repairs. These NA V8's are indestructable and the 2010-11 cars are very reliable. I would buy the NA over the turbo, but that is me. They sound like a V8 when pushed, the turbo is too quiet.

Thanks Key. I'm still learning the lingo but the 2011 is a luxury with AMG appearance package wheels and applied. It has the air ride which I understand allows me more options to change suspension. It also has the continental tires but I hear the suspension allows me to use snow chains if needed or have to go up steep driveway. I live in mtns in VA at ski resort so snow is real. I have an LR3 if it gets real bad here but this is still important in a pinch.

The warranty is through CarMax and it's seems very comprehensive.

Does the 2011 or 2014 have same size tires wheels that can be rotated easier?

Paste the VIN into this link and you'll see all the equipment and possibly learn about issues reported by prior owners

http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz

Continental is one of the preferred brands for the E Class. I have always had the best luck and performance from Conti, so I stick with that brand. I live in Chicago and also have the AMG wheels and 4Matic. The wheels are not staggered on the 4Matic cars, so you can rotate front to back easily. These 4Matics go like stink in the snow, slush and crud. They are unreal; very responsive and safe. I have never been stuck in the deepest of snow storms here. I am a fan of the Airmatic ride and have had minimal issues with it through two MB's so equipped.. No issues on my 2010 so far and I am at 57K miles.

I would get that 2014 with the m278 engine ... Biturbo bliss

Ok, after talking to my mechanic here that only works on German cars I have decided on the 2011 5.5l with air suspension. He can do most of the work on 5.5l. It will be cheaper to maintain service and repair and so will the air ride vs the hydraulics on the sport.

Now just have to decide on the extended warranty.

I thank you all for your assistance. I can't wait to get it and post some pics. It's my dream car. Absolutely love it

Good luck OP. I have a 2011 E550 luxury 4matic and would gladly pay $7k more for the 2014 E550 biturbo. Doesn't mean I don't like my car. But that 2014 E550 is the last of its kind and has the updated look. Sign me up.

But the updated look is mainly on the inside correct. Seems to be very minor. The maintenance worries me more as the closest MB dealer is an hour away

in 2014 there was an entire facelift to the front. you should be able to tell pretty easily. And it is different on the inside. comand system is updated and turn signal moved up among other details. Not as major as the new 2017 model but that's a whole other story.

maintenance should be the same. in fact I think tranny service on the 2014 has longer intervals than the 2011. airmatic is costly to repair compared to the normal suspension. It's neat until it breaks down on you.

Post some links to the cars if you want more input.

No, the updated look is mainly (if not totally) on the outside (as a matter of opinion, IMHO 2014-16 W212 Es still look better from some angles outside than a brand new W213 E). Also, any 2014 on E drives better than comparable pre-facelift 2010-13. MB must have updated some hardware - better handling and almost no throttle delay are felt immediately.

You guys are killing me. Lol, I thought I had my mind made up.

Ugh, I don't know what to do now

I would just drive them both and decide. If you are happy with the 2011 then you'll enjoy the extra cash in your pocket. It's a great car and I like mine just fine.

And I got mine from CarMax and the warranty has been great so far. I went with the $300 deductible to save on the upfront cost. The breakeven was about 4-5 repairs IIRC. I used it for the first time a few months ago to replace the headlight and comand control knob. All was covered and I just paid my deductible.

CPO coverage is a good option also. on the 2014 you would have about 2 years of factory left and then 1 year of CPO after factory 4 years in service passes. You can extend CPO for another 1 or 2 years. You can get a good price on extensions from certain dealers if you shop around - see extended warranty forum.

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I'll take the one on the left, please.
Ha! poor guy is ready to ditch all of us.....

2014 is the way to go. Air antics can fail costing big money to repair. The turbo engine is a dream and very reliable. The new cars look better inside and out. It's also three years newer. There is no question in my opinion.

lets say you are single in your mid 20's, has a choice between a beautiful 40 yr old brunette or a mid 20's blonde. both are gorgeous, both have nice personalities, both are responsible, etc etc... i can keep goin but i reckon you have an idea where im headed.

Get the 2014. It's better in so many ways., the motor being the biggest one of them Make sure you drive it before deciding if you haven't!

Ok, I do like the look of the 2011 better to some degree. Thanks Peachy for the pics that helped a lot. I recalled the mechanic shop and got the owner. His guy had misunderstood me and was thinking the hydraulic suspension that was more than the air, but the sport isnt hydraulic. Its coils and springs. He knows how I like to drive and is saying go turbo.

I will run it all by the wife and try and go drive the 2014 cpo sport. I really appreciate all the help. Its a big decision I plan on keeping a long time so want it perfect. Thank you all