Mine is a 2014 350 4-Matic sport sedan, black/beige. I have the lighting package, pano roof (don’t have heated steering wheel, cruise radar, parking sensors or blind spot sensors).

I would absolutely recommend the lighting package over all other options, in my own opinion. One, they’re bright as snot. Two, they move with the steering wheel. Three, they make the front of the car look that much more menacing with their LED pattern. It’s my favorite feature on mine. The panoramic sunroof is also nice, but some have had issues with creaking noises towards the back (there is a fix though). I’ve not had any problems with mine, and my kids love it.

Check each stereo speaker when you look at one, make sure they all work with no static. Some issues with a couple of them that have gone bad on a few (had my sub replaced a couple of weeks ago by the dealer via CPO warranty - had bad static).

Mine has about 40k miles now. I’d like to have it for a long time, hit the 200k club someday if possible.

Two things really bugged me about mine, one an easy fix. First, the driver’s seat bottom was horribly uncomfortable after abojt 20 minutes of driving. That’s an easy DIY fix. The other is the bent wheels. Mine has the AMG 18’ wheels, and I’ve had to get bends fixed on them 4 times now. One was legit as it also took out the tire, but the others were suspect and surprising. So when you’re looking at one and notice a lot of new tires being put on it, you’d be foolish to not think the wheels aren’t bent by now as well. They’re common though that most shops know exactly how to bend them back in short order. They’re not forged rims, meaning they’ll bend easier on a bad pothole hit, but likely not break either. Cheaper to bend than replace.

I will say this, when the car is “right”, there is little out there than can compare to how enjoyable it is to cruise down the highway in. Are they perfect? No way (that whole best or nothing at all is completely BS), but do they make you feel great while cruising about in one? Yep, hands down no question about it. They have their quirks, and quirkier fixes (like resetting the throttle position sensor via holding the gas pedal down when car is off for a few seconds), but that’s part of the intrigue of a Mercedes Benz.

I will also say this - can they be expensive? Oh god yes. But, the E is the German taxi cab, so you can not expect them to be total crap. And you need to not let your mind go to the worst case scenario every time something feels off. Got a vibration? Don’t think it’s the German flux capacitor that’ll bankrupt you, because it’s probably a thrown wheel weight or a bent rim (which costs $150 at the stealership to fix).

I would find the car you like the most and seriously ready to buy it. Then I would tell the dealership that your own mechanic needs to inspect it. Find a Mercedes shop and have them do a “PPI” for like $100. Stands for prepurchase inspection. There, they will find most if not all of the flaws with the car, especially the wheels if they’re bent. My dealer sold mine to me with two bent wheels, wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what was wrong. Took it to an indi, bought the PPI, and sure as sunrise, he showed me with my own two eyes - two bent rims. The only problem the car had.

So for you, hindsight 20/20, I’d get a PPI before final negotiations on the price.

Thing that spooked me about the 550 was two turbos on a direct injection engine (carbon). I chickened out over that point, and figured I’d be happy with 300hp on the V6 for the way I wanted to drive the car, and was the right choice for me. I’ve got a VW for the sporty itch, and likely a $600 walnut blast for the carbon coming up soon. But have seen a few 550’s take off from the stop light, looks like a land missile taking off (and sounds awesome)!

I will also say, having had several AWD vehicles in the past, the 4-Matic setup is pretty darn spectacular in pouring down rain (I’ve not driven it in snow yet). Maybe it’s the weight or the tires or whatever, but I’ve had vehicles that say they do better in wet conditions (Subaru and Toyota), but actually never had one until this car. Drove back from NC to DC day after thanksgiving when we had like 3 inches of pouring down rain. Was completely comfortable and in total control at speeds that would’ve made my lawyer happy...

I can also feel it in the handling, when you’d think your about to understeer and the front just pulls itself around the corner, bringing the back with it.

I’m not sure what the setup is, but thought I read somewhere that it’s not one of these “floater” types where most to one end normally and moves when “detected”, but rather a 50/50 power distribution all the time regardless.