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In my case it was purely by luck. Due to the E550 rarity so to speak I never saw one prior to my purchase. I was adamant that I wanted something with power and enough space for my family. 1st I test drove a 2015 Charger R/T which was great but short on leg room in the back. It did fuel, my desire for some punch since it definetly had tons of it lol.
Next day or so I went to test drive a 09 and 10 Jaguar XF. Love the look and pump of the supercharged version of the engine but leg room still seemed to lack. Additional there is only 1 Jaguar dealership near me. Then I test drove a Cayenne but didn't love it at all.
As I was nearly leaving salesman says "We have something else that will fit all of your needs. It's off-site let's go to see it". Here comes my only time seeing and driving this car at that time. I loved it and even noticed I could fit in the back seating area myself @ 6'2. Def. not S class spacious but legit for a 2 hour trip type of space.
Long story even longer 😂😂😂 it was only by chance and luck I purchased this vehicle. Idk if there's any other vehicle that would fit my needs up to today.
For me I am all about the looks of something rather than the function. When I first saw a 14' E350 the sharp box like body, aggressive front end, the interior layout (I love the clean center console area with no shifter there) it all made my mouth water. As you can tell from my "I Found Atlantis, Knocked out BigFoot and Stole his Unicorn" post I went through hell and high water to find the E550 I am picking up in 10 days. Around here there are tons of BMW's and Audi's but very few Mercedes. If there are they are mostly 2010-2013's. Nobody has a 2014 or higher E Class, let alone an E550 so believe me I will be driving proud
Engine: Minimum 3.5L(I can rape the **** out of it, and there will be still life till the end; also, majority of the people buy those, so, they are engineered for perfection), also, can't go more than 4L, since, as you know, less people buy, so, less time put on engineering(I might be wrong, but that is just my experience).
Engine Type: even though BMW almost perfected Turbo, I still don't believe them and I hate the 1 second lag they have, when floored, my perspective. Also, high cost to maintain, repair etc. I believe in N/A engines, than turbocharged and Supercharged are an overkill for me.
Power: 300-350hp; enough to pull when needed, don't put me on the stand often (tickets). With my iron foot, if I get a 400+ HP, my tickets cost will be more than the monthly car payments, insurance and maintenance, combined..!
Also, enough to put me in a decent mpg range.
Sedan: I don't like body roll, I do tend to go fast in the corners, I hate the wobble of an SUV or CUV.
5-seater: more the merrier, in a sedan.
AWD/4Matic/SH-AWD: I'm a contractor software developer, bachelor for now, and I don't know where my next project will be, so, If I go north, I don't want to trade this vehicle for another(due to snow), wasting time and money. BTW, AWD are fun to drive. Also, IMHO AWD are more refined than 2wd*..!
Why Merc? MY other options were Porsche Panamera 4, 2011-2016 Acura TL SH-AWD.
Porsche didn't have much electronics like Merc.
Porsche's cost is atleast 40k, with no proper assists, and only 4 seat. I'm the only one who drives and goes around and I can't afford a chauffeur, lol.
TL was good, but I didn't had a good find at that time.
Mercedes Benz, was my childhood dream, and since 2009, I was a fan of Distronic Plus, I drooled over my laptop keyboard when watching those features.
I know, for my age (27), I should be getting the sporty looking one, but, I like the classic look of the front grill and emblem that stands out proud, reminds me of my goals that I need to keep up with.
* When it comes to AWD system,
1. BMW's XDrive is the top, then comes
2. SH-AWD, then
3. Volvo's Asymmetric AWD system
4. 4Matic~Quattro
and the rest, based on watching 10s of videos on comparisons and snow road tests.
It's just my opinion, and perspective.
Last edited by raja777m; May 10, 2017 at 10:13 PM.
Simple, the body style of the pre facelift w212 is beautiful and will stand the test of time. On top of that, it's a merc, its quiet, has enough power, good mileage, what else to ya need? Love my car.
I initially liked the new E when it was introduced in 2009, then very quickly I grew to absolutely despise the boxy/geometrical looks of the pre-facelift E.
That is the kryptonite that kept me from the W212's for years...I loved the facelifted 2014 model (huge improvement), but still it wasn't enough to take me away from my facelifted W211. Next, the W213's were released, and I was very disappointed and equally revolted. Because of those reasons, I then knew the 2014-2016's were for me!
My best friend was actually interested in them, and I would joke with him about how long it was taking him to buy (it was still not even on my radar to purchase one). I then had this sudden urge...I searched and searched and searched until I came across a fully loaded Diamond White a few months ago, but it was quickly sold from under me. I was devastated in my procrastination; then God, in his infinite wisdom, brought an even more beautiful fully loaded Diamond White E to me (this one had the Porcelain interior, versus the plain black the other one had) when I least expected it. I went through the gates of fire to get my baby; acting quick this time. What a beauty she is; practically flawless with only 24k miles, and 15 months of factory warranty remaining. (Hats off to the previous owner for being so meticulous like me)
So that's my story. I couldn't be more happy!!!!!!
I was searching for cars with specific options, one of which was ventilated/cooled seats. When I saw my car, I thought well I never though about owning an MB but I should at least check it out. There was nothing as good close to that price in my area. The fact it came with a V8 was just a bonus.
I originally came to MB because of their concentration on safety. I had two young children at the time and safety was the number one reason. I have had 7 MB cars over several years. I enjoy the goldilocks fit of the E class specifically and the performance of the V8 for me and have owned 3 V8 E class now. My kids are out of the house, so it's all about the performance now and comfort. MB continues to fit the bill with classy machines that have all of the creature comforts, high safety records, and sub 5 second 0-60 performance that catch many other drivers off guard. The E class was built for the Autobahn and these things go down the highway like no other car I have ever driven. I just love them.
Oh yeah, and so far they don't burst into flames spontaneously like some BMW tinder boxes. Lol
MB continues to fit the bill with classy machines that have all of the creature comforts, high safety records, and sub 5 second 0-60 performance that catch many other drivers off guard. The E class was built for the Autobahn and these things go down the highway like no other car I have ever driven. I just love them.
Doing my research I read somewhere on the internet that the 2014 E550 4MATIC was considered quite possibly the "Best all around car in the world"
Quote from Autoguide.com- "These few misgivings are not enough to ruin an otherwise fantastic package. The E550 really does offer it all. Sure the S 550 is more luxurious and the E 63 AMG a better performer, but they are also much more expensive. The price chasm is far greater than the quantifiable differences compared to the E550 and those two cars truly become a purchasing exercise within the world of excess. If you want one of the best all-around packages the automotive world has to offer, the E550 4MATIC is tough to beat."
I would agree. I'm still going to squeeze more HP out of this thing, but need to settle into it first and make sure she is ready for more power. So far it is running like a top and wicked fast right from the factory. The last of the TTV8's
I would agree. I'm still going to squeeze more HP out of this thing, but need to settle into it first and make sure she is ready for more power. So far it is running like a top and wicked fast right from the factory. The last of the TTV8's
All great stories guys. It's always interesting to see how each of use stumble upon or go through the searching process of finding our MBs.
Yes always great to hear everyone's stories and motivations for purchasing.
It'd be also great to hear how many are MB first timers, and how many are vets, and how many are loyalists. Also, for the first timers, what prompted not only their decision for W212, but for the Mercedes brand as a whole.
For me: I am a half-breed, I am half Mercedes and half BMW...so loyal to both brands. Have had 4 Mercedes and 3 Bimmers. I don't think I'll ever switch from German cars. I love the elegance of MB, and the badboy feel of BMW.
It'd be also great to hear how many are MB first timers, and how many are vets, and how many are loyalists. Also, for the first timers, what prompted not only their decision for W212, but for the Mercedes brand as a whole.
My past has been an 81 Honda Prelude, 85 Mustang GT, 89 Ford Ranger, 87 Buick Grand National, 99 Hyundai Elantra, 03 Elantra, and 07 Elantra. So do you think I will be spoiled with my E550
My past has been an 81 Honda Prelude, 85 Mustang GT, 89 Ford Ranger, 87 Buick Grand National, 99 Hyundai Elantra, 03 Elantra, and 07 Elantra. So do you think I will be spoiled with my E550
Yes, it's gonna ruin you for life. You'll never ever want to drive anything else (with the exception of BMW or Porsche).
Yes, it's gonna ruin you for life. You'll never ever want to drive anything else (with the exception of BMW or Porsche).
Totally concur with that. If you work on it, you will also find out that the German manufacturers make a damn nice product. and yeah, Porsche! I would love to own another 911, but the two-seater thing kind of ran it's course with me many years ago.
My dad is a Mercedes technician so I wanted to get a Mercedes since maintenance and repairs would be super cheap for me, contrary to most people buying a Benz. The only cars I've ever had were all Mercedes, a 1985 190E, 1995 C280 and a 1997 E420. I decided to buy a 2010 E550 because I liked everything about my 97 E420 except that it was slow (for me). So I basically bought the newer version of my old car.
Every car I've owned minus my first couple of throw away cars in college, have all been Ford before this car (The Murano I bought for my wife). My dream cars are still a Ford GT and a Mustang S302 Saleen. Of course those don't work for my lifestyle so I've went through almost every segment of Fords. From Escape, Edge, Fusion, and Explorer. I refused to get a Taurus SHO so I moved on to look at cars like the Charger etc.
I've always told my friends if I did get a luxury car it would not be a BMW since I have at least 6 family and friends with the brand and I'm not a huge fan. I've always looked at Mercedes as the top luxury brand. I remember when I was young and my dad was alive although he was a Ford guy, he always said Mercedes is the way to go if you have it like that lol.
VW bought my TDI back for good money, and I was going to use those funds to stay in VAG until I realized the A6's seats were very uncomfortable. I drove by the MB dealer and stopped in to take a look at the CPOs. Once we started talking numbers and I drove the car, I pulled the trigger. I thought it delivered a lot of value for $31k and 26k miles. It was in great shape.
My only complaint is that the sloped nose and low ground clearance without parking assist make parking near curbs a bit tricky. Leather and folding rear seats would have been nice, too.
Car is nimble/agile around town, smooth, and eats up the highway. The Steel Grey on Black with 50% tint looks good, too.
Before we purchased the W212 we had the 2002 E320 Special Edition nearly loaded. After 170,000 miles we looked into a 2009 E550 or E350 but there was not all that much different other then looks and a little newer interior. Our 2002 E had Navigation, wood steering wheel and most of the stuff the 2009's came with. When the 2010 E came out we test drove it but we never buy a first year model just to see how they hold up for a little bit. So since the W212 was so different then any of the past E Classes with looks, design, space and tech we took the plunge. So far pretty happy. I like the W211 more for the interior design and materials but the exterior and comfort of the W212 is hard to beat in its class.
I always viewed MB as something special and a little bit of a reach. With our daughter about to become a driver I figured my 8-year-old Volvo S80 would be a good, safe car for her and it was time to look for something different. After some research and being pleasantly surprised by the pricing on a two- or three-year-old Mercedes, I made the leap and have no regrets. The car is supper solid, handles great and has nice power.
I had a '04 CLK 500 that I loaned my step son for a few weeks; loved that car. It only had 120K miles and never a problem It was a bullet and I had no intention of selling it. Long story short. He disappeared with the car for two months and only by chance I was able to find and retrieve it. It was a mess; check engine light on; 2000 miles past service due; bald tires; engine oil leak. I have to stop here as I will just start to curse.
Looked at Audi; BMW and a found a '14 E250 with 19K and all options was the perfect fit. Hate a car payment after all those years but best choice ever. Going to keep it for another 13 years
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
