Potential first time E-class owner...
04-10-2019, 09:33 AM
#26
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Congratulations. I am sure you will enjoy driving the beast
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87NATTY (04-10-2019)
04-10-2019, 10:00 AM
#27
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2014 E550-sold 😩
UPDATE:
I want to thank everyone for their input. Unfortunately, the M278 powered e550 sedans must just be a really hard to find piece.... I haven't seen one close to me to test drive/ purchase over the last several months.
The good news is, I was able to drive a 2011 E550 4matic sedan and I was left speechless. My girlfriend said, not 3 minutes into the test drive, "Clint, you have to buy this car.". It was a challenge to drive that car without smiling at the same time. I drove about a half dozen other cars prior to that E550, all newer than 2011 and all with less than the 80k miles reading on the Mercedes' odometer... yet, it felt the youngest. It felt like the lowest mileage car of the bunch. It was certainly the most solid and confident chassis, I was amazed at the absolute lack of speed indication. So quiet, so effortless, so comfortable that 60 mph feels like 20. What a great way to travel. It doesn't have everything I wanted... the aforementioned M278 makes more power with better economy, but the thrust from the M273 is more than adequate, while mileage should be "good'nuff". It lacks the driver assistance package that I was excited about living with. It has everything else I wanted, though, it's within 100 miles of me, and it's priced right. It is a 1 owner, non-smoker, extremely clean car. Iridium silver with black and gray, 2-tone interior and ash tree wood black trim. Multicontour seat, Harmon-Kardon audio, AMG styling pkg., keyless-go, etc. Too good a deal for me to pass up at this point, I can always continue looking for a '12-'13 after a year or two. It's a done deal now, and I should be taking delivery tonight. Excited to join this community and pick everyone's brain as I acclimate myself to my first Mercedes!
I want to thank everyone for their input. Unfortunately, the M278 powered e550 sedans must just be a really hard to find piece.... I haven't seen one close to me to test drive/ purchase over the last several months.
The good news is, I was able to drive a 2011 E550 4matic sedan and I was left speechless. My girlfriend said, not 3 minutes into the test drive, "Clint, you have to buy this car.". It was a challenge to drive that car without smiling at the same time. I drove about a half dozen other cars prior to that E550, all newer than 2011 and all with less than the 80k miles reading on the Mercedes' odometer... yet, it felt the youngest. It felt like the lowest mileage car of the bunch. It was certainly the most solid and confident chassis, I was amazed at the absolute lack of speed indication. So quiet, so effortless, so comfortable that 60 mph feels like 20. What a great way to travel. It doesn't have everything I wanted... the aforementioned M278 makes more power with better economy, but the thrust from the M273 is more than adequate, while mileage should be "good'nuff". It lacks the driver assistance package that I was excited about living with. It has everything else I wanted, though, it's within 100 miles of me, and it's priced right. It is a 1 owner, non-smoker, extremely clean car. Iridium silver with black and gray, 2-tone interior and ash tree wood black trim. Multicontour seat, Harmon-Kardon audio, AMG styling pkg., keyless-go, etc. Too good a deal for me to pass up at this point, I can always continue looking for a '12-'13 after a year or two. It's a done deal now, and I should be taking delivery tonight. Excited to join this community and pick everyone's brain as I acclimate myself to my first Mercedes!
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87NATTY (04-10-2019)
04-10-2019, 10:14 AM
#28
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Thread Starter
Thanks, folks. The engine accelerated smoothly, effortlessly, and quietly with just a hint of muscle music coming from the exhaust. Not sure who's to blame for how incredible this car feels when driving it, the chassis guys, the engine/ drivetrain guys, the acoustic guys, the seat guys, or... ? But, I suspect it's a team effort with engineers involved in every aspect working in unison to get it right. There's no perfect car for everyone, as everyone has different hot buttons. But for me, this car hits them all. I've never felt like a car cared about my comfort and driving experience quite like this one. I'm excited to get it.
04-10-2019, 06:09 PM
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
As a 2011 E550 driver, I agree with your assessment. I thought about upgrading from my 2011 to a 2012 or 2013 TTV8 but other than the engine not much else seemed worth it and prices weren't cooperating. Besides, I rarely unleash the full power of this beast anyway. The 2014 TTV8 at least gave you the facelift but those seems to be fewer in number for some reason (at least when I looked). Years later I imagine they are harder to come by.
I think you'll settle in and forget about the M278 before long.
I think you'll settle in and forget about the M278 before long.
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
04-11-2019, 12:14 AM
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
Go find a biturbo version. I flew 1000mi to buy mine in TX. 4matic standard, lack of problematic air suspension,standard. 2014 E550 holy grail is ideal.
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
04-11-2019, 12:17 AM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
UPDATE:
...
The good news is, I was able to drive a 2011 E550 4matic sedan and I was left speechless. My girlfriend said, not 3 minutes into the test drive, "Clint, you have to buy this car.". It was a challenge to drive that car without smiling at the same time. I drove about a half dozen other cars ... all newer than 2011 ... less than 80k miles reading on the Mercedes' odometer... It was certainly the most solid and confident chassis, I was amazed at the absolute lack of speed indication. So quiet, so effortless, so comfortable that 60 mph feels like 20. What a great way to travel...
Iridium silver with black and gray, 2-tone interior and ash tree wood black trim. Multicontour seat, Harmon-Kardon audio, AMG styling pkg., keyless-go, etc. Too good a deal for me to pass up at this point, ... Excited to join this community and pick everyone's brain as I acclimate myself to my first Mercedes!
...
The good news is, I was able to drive a 2011 E550 4matic sedan and I was left speechless. My girlfriend said, not 3 minutes into the test drive, "Clint, you have to buy this car.". It was a challenge to drive that car without smiling at the same time. I drove about a half dozen other cars ... all newer than 2011 ... less than 80k miles reading on the Mercedes' odometer... It was certainly the most solid and confident chassis, I was amazed at the absolute lack of speed indication. So quiet, so effortless, so comfortable that 60 mph feels like 20. What a great way to travel...
Iridium silver with black and gray, 2-tone interior and ash tree wood black trim. Multicontour seat, Harmon-Kardon audio, AMG styling pkg., keyless-go, etc. Too good a deal for me to pass up at this point, ... Excited to join this community and pick everyone's brain as I acclimate myself to my first Mercedes!
Congratulations ... I think you are going to enjoy this first Mercedes a lot.
Post a picture or two.
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
04-11-2019, 08:15 AM
#32
Junior Member
Thread Starter
As a 2011 E550 driver, I agree with your assessment. I thought about upgrading from my 2011 to a 2012 or 2013 TTV8 but other than the engine not much else seemed worth it and prices weren't cooperating. Besides, I rarely unleash the full power of this beast anyway. The 2014 TTV8 at least gave you the facelift but those seems to be fewer in number for some reason (at least when I looked). Years later I imagine they are harder to come by.
I think you'll settle in and forget about the M278 before long.
I think you'll settle in and forget about the M278 before long.
04-11-2019, 08:31 AM
#33
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I sure will, we arrived home late last night, and I'm at work all day today, but I absolutely plan to. After resetting the average fuel economy in the trip computer, I've realized there's already at least one flaw with this car.... the computer has no idea what kind of mileage this car is getting. About 50 miles of highway driving with the a/c on, reported 27.8 mpg., a figure I assume must be no less than 5 mpg generous. I also found bluetooth connectivity equipped on this car before buying it, but I did not realize I couldn't stream audio from my phone. Oh, well. I absolutely love driving the car, regardless.
04-11-2019, 09:39 AM
#34
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2014 E550-sold 😩
You will find that gently cruising on the highway will provide some astounding mpg for such a beast.
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
04-11-2019, 09:45 AM
#35
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04-11-2019, 10:07 AM
#36
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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2014 E550-sold 😩
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
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87NATTY (04-11-2019)
04-11-2019, 04:41 PM
#40
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87NATTY (04-13-2019)
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87NATTY (04-13-2019)
04-13-2019, 06:18 AM
#44
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you. I really like it. I'm the same way... I can't have light carpet, too hard to keep clean. But the light seats and door inserts add a nice touch, without getting dingy from shoes. I love the black/ beige, but I had excluded black from my search, since my other 2 cars are both black and I didn't want a fleet of "FBI cars". Lol. Black is beautiful, but I'd have to spend a lot of time keeping it clean. Cheers!
04-13-2019, 06:27 AM
#45
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04-13-2019, 07:10 PM
#46
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2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
I'm not sure how far away from me you are, but my original plan was to go ahead and jump on this car, while I continue to keep my eyes open for a '12-'13. That's what I originally wanted, M278 engine with adaptive cruise. Just too hard to find, but I'll keep my eyes peeled, and if I find one in the next year or 2, locally, I'll likely get it and sell this one. Problem is, I'm really enjoying this car and I'm starting to care a little less about the other engine and features that I wanted.
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87NATTY (04-14-2019)
04-15-2019, 09:37 AM
#47
Coming from a Audi and BMW I am impressed with the 2011 E350.I have had it for around 4500 miles and runs great. Yes some normal high mileage wear (replaced tires at about 98K) Staggered rear wheels weren't my first choice but they seem to work. I got it at 96K and the only issue I have is the seat heaters, in my defense it was in the 70's when I test drove and took delivery but still my bad for not checking them out. Off season now so I have more time to remove and replace before the cold sets in again. I have all the items for a 100K ish overhaul just a matter of finding time to install. Power and performance is great, smooth ride and luxury inside.
I personally like the darker interior and lighter outside, but that's just me.!!
So far in about three months...Today is three months I have changed the Cabin Air Filter, Engine Air Filters, Spark Plugs and got a new set of sneakers (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+) plus the requisite four wheel alignment. Items for the 100K phased overhaul on property are the Water Pump, Coolant temp sensor, serpentine belt, tensioners, idler pulley, Transmission service, Shocks, Struts, brakes etc... Purchasing used and no previous documentation of replacement I am trying to get a good starting point for wear. Some items may be early some may be late but trying to phase the repairs. The Water Pump, Temp Sensor, tensioner, idler pulley, serpentine belt will all be done at the same time due to them being in same area. You have to remove most components to get to the water pump so might as well replace with new and avoid having to go back in later.
I personally like the darker interior and lighter outside, but that's just me.!!
So far in about three months...Today is three months I have changed the Cabin Air Filter, Engine Air Filters, Spark Plugs and got a new set of sneakers (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+) plus the requisite four wheel alignment. Items for the 100K phased overhaul on property are the Water Pump, Coolant temp sensor, serpentine belt, tensioners, idler pulley, Transmission service, Shocks, Struts, brakes etc... Purchasing used and no previous documentation of replacement I am trying to get a good starting point for wear. Some items may be early some may be late but trying to phase the repairs. The Water Pump, Temp Sensor, tensioner, idler pulley, serpentine belt will all be done at the same time due to them being in same area. You have to remove most components to get to the water pump so might as well replace with new and avoid having to go back in later.
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87NATTY (04-15-2019)
04-15-2019, 12:16 PM
#48
Junior Member
Congrats on the pickup 87NATTY! Funny enough I pulled this thread up a couple weeks ago wondering if you had found anything. Looks like I was a couple days early. Glad to hear that you're enjoying it thus far.
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87NATTY (04-15-2019)
04-15-2019, 12:26 PM
#49
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You bet I am! I still had a little time to spare, but I was worried that if I didn't jump on this one, and waited for "the one", if you will... I'd end up with nothing locally and I'd have to travel a great distance for one. I'm glad I "settled", though it doesn't feel like it at all! I love this car. It feels like I'm driving around in a bank vault.
