matthewcassity

I know they are completely different cars!

Unfortunately my '14 BMW M235 was just totaled and I'd like to get back into a Mercedes. I loved the m235 for the sport qualities of it, but the feel of the interior was just cheap to be blunt.

I'm trying to find a happy median of Luxury but also the get up and go when I need it.

I know I'm not going to get the sport part from a c300 but I love the exterior & interior look so much, I am thinking about looking past it.

That being said, I just want some peoples opinions of both cars, I need to purchase one here in the next 7-10 days and I just cant decide for the life of me!

AkaSigFreak

I'd say 14 E550 (CPO if you can find it). I like the updated interior in the 2015 C-Class, but the engines don;t compare to the E550.

threeMBs

IMHO (as a '14 E550 owner), considering your requirements and where you are coming from, then its clearly '15 C400(not to be confused with C300) over '14 E550.

aquinob

You're right, completely different cars. If you dont mind my asking, what are they asking for each? Mind you I drive an E350, but given the choice, I'd jump on the 550. You like the sporty aspect, so you will appreciate the power and they 550's tend to come very well equipped too. Only downside would probably be the complexity and higher maintenance costs, but if you are looking at a Benz and coming from a Bimmer, you already know all that.

PeterUbers

Autotrader has some low mile 14 e550's right now if you're ok buying out of state

sleeperZ96BT

My 2013 E550 service costs are nearly the same as my wife's 2014 GLK, if that matters. And I was told the cost was only incrementally more than an E350 (more fluids in changes than the E350).


I have an E550, the C class is too small for my needs, plus you know, I'd rather a TT V8

threeMBs

I think, before recommending E550, responders should consider where OP is coming from and OP's requirements (not responders).

1. OP is coming from a small, but very sporty car
2. OP wants a more modern and luxurious interior than M235

IMHO '15 C400 will suit all OP's requirements better than '14 E550: C400 is both sportier (sportier does not always mean faster/quicker) with much more modern and pleasant interior.

matthewcassity

That's what I'm kind of leaning toward. I do like the space and room that the e550 has though, and the options that pretty much come with e550. I test drove a c class, and I must say, I think the H&K audio on my m235 was MUCH better than the Burmeister in the c-class. another notch for the e550

matthewcassity

I just got my insurance wrapped up on the m235. Paid 36k for it in April, put 22k miles on it and I came out ahead great buy imo

So I have just been searching around on true car, and other sites but I'm seeing them from 34-39k. A few of both according to car fax look like they have been sitting for sale, so hopefully be able to get some $$ off of which ever one.

matthewcassity

Thank you! I was thinking the same. My m235 had M-Performance exhaust, catless DP and JB4.. the sound was better than the new m3's and m2's. This kind of had me leaning toward the TTv8, the sound seems a bit better. I haven't looked into exhaust for the c400 or what the possibilities are to have a great sound.

thefisch

I agree with those others that the C400 would be more up your alley. But you'd be on another level with the E550. And if you get that ttv8 tuned you'll wonder why you ever asked this question.

Share some links on the two cars your considering if you want more specific input to features, etc.

Arrie

If money is not an obstacle then there should not be any question here. Hands down the choice should be the E550, ABSOLUTELY!!!


The difference between C and E is even bigger than between E and S, which is huge.

PeterUbers

2017 e550 coupe ...

c class chassis and ttv8

done.

Munich77

Drive both - I think the E550 provides the best of both worlds - luxurious when you want it and very fast when you need it. Of course it will not handle like an M sport BMW. Another alternative - what about a CLS?

IgorE350

Id go with E550.

Peachy

Most people on this forum are going to say the E550, I imagine most people on the C-class forums are going to say the C. Your best bet is to test drive both cars and just make the decision yourself. Obviously I am going to prefer the E550.

matthewcassity

Unfortunately, I'm not so sure there is a C400 in my area (st.louis), I drove just a c300 sport last weekend to just get a feel of the interior etc. As for the E550 I need to check if there is one near me.

I would love a '14 CLS 550 but the price on them hasn't come down to where I'd like them to be. I'm looking to stay under 40k..

I loved my m235, black sapphire metallic, with coral red interior. it had the M-Performance exhaust, catless DP and JB4. If I could find another black/coral one i'd probably just buy it again. Only issue I have with the car was the cheap interior. It's a drivers car so I realize the interior isn't as important, but I still get annoyed with some cheap plastics and part of the AC vent peeling off after 30k miles.

matthewcassity

Thanks! Yeah I'll share some links. Dealer ship in Ohio that has a c400 is being stupid. They have had it for 57 days on their lot and I made them an offer, and guy wouldn't even counter lol. Said he has no room to lower it.

BetterTomorrow

I get C300 for loaner time to time and for last service, I had pretty well equipped C300 for almost a week. At first glance, C300 interior was awesome. But after a few days of driving C300, I was getting tired of "can't quite put my finger on but the interior just looks and feels cheap". Perhaps it was a just personal preference thing, but there was just slight cheapness in the material and overall design. But the car did feel much lighter on its feet though.

garrettg

Passengers/car seats/adults, should be pretty easy choice just based on how your going to use the car. Are you big or small, do you drive by yourself or with others, if so how big are they and do this sit in car seats. What do you put in the trunk when you drive, etc.. I think most ppl will know in 3 mins if they need a C or E.

thefisch

The comand system on the 2017 C300 I just had seemed laggy with a noticable delay in response when turning the dial in certain functions. Almost like they updated the graphics but not the processor.