DubVBenz

Some may have followed my questions about a dealer with title issues selling a CPO car. Well I pulled a VMI and it turned out the title issue was related to them selling it and it being returned a week later for a GLC. Given the lack of transparency with that whole process I'm reconsidering and stumbled upon an option that may make me reconsider...

2014 E550 4Matic - Special order according to the VIN
Current Miles: ~40K
Build date: 3/2014 (seems late for a MY2014)
Diamond Silver Metallic with Grey leather/black interior (option 258a)
Packages: P01, Keyless, Pano, Parktronic, Lane Tracking, Lighting
Missing compared to the 2015: Distronic Plus, split folding seats, folding mirrors
No Airmatic (good thing!)
CPO until 2/2020
Price: ~30K

2015 E400 4Matic
Current Miles: ~ 28K
Build Date: 11/2014
Designo Graphite with Black leather & Designo Curly Maple wood
Packages: P01, Keyless, Parktronic, Lane Tracking, Lighting, split folding seats, folding mirrors
Missing compared to the 2014: Pano
CPO until 8/2020
Price: ~34K
Carfax shows an accident but the claim from the dealer is that it was just a front bumper replacement and did not include another vehicle.

Both cars are from northern states. When my search started I wanted an E550, but the more I've learned about the M276 Turbo the more it sounds like a good in-between motor. Pano is no big deal, I don't care one way or another. The only concern on the E550 would be the additional age and mileage. I also figured the folding seats would be handy to have...

ygmn

I have E400.
I can get about 28mpg on interstate doing 80-85 using distronic.
If I wanted better mileage driving 70 I can get well over 30mpg but not a lot of fun driving.
Car accelerates very well and is quick enough to make wife mad and that is in Econonmy tranny mode.
set it to sport mode and she is quick and wil lmake you smile.

I do not race; I just drive to the airport and back.
I would check insurance rates on each that would be curious thing to compare

Either car is fine but I think some technology in 2015 might not be in 2014 as I know some stuff in 2016 is not in 2015.

KEY08

My 2014 E550 4M was a February 2014 build and my CPO is ending next month. $30K sounds like a very good price.
I could not live without the Distronic Plus, so that would be a no go. I also like having the Pano just because it opens up the feel of the cabin, but I could also live without it. I do use the fold down seat feature as well and it really opens up the versatility of these sedans. I have never driven an E400, but based on what you have laid out that seems to be the best of the two.
That sucks about the CPO car being sold and then returned. Very weird.

DubVBenz

Interestingly enough, insurance rates are almost identical between the two (a bit less for the E550, maybe because its KBB is currently lower?)

DubVBenz

I have pano on my current W211 and the constant pops and rattles have been a source of contention. I like the way it looks and functions but have heard the rattling issues are not necessarily resolved in the W212 or any Mercedes for that matter. Didn't realize Distronic would be a dealbreaker for anyone, I figured it was more of a gimmick. My only fear with Distronic in the future would be more additional sensors to fail and become unreliable. I know you could option up W220s with earlier iterations of it but I have not followed those forums to see how well it's aged. Thank you for the feedback.

KEY08

thefisch

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Just get the color and features you want. If a draw then go with newer cars with lower miles.

cetialpha5

The pano in my W211 doesn't really make that much noise, sqeaks a little over certain bumps, but that's about it. The pano on my W212 on the other hand makes lots of cracking noise. The bolts get loose and needs to be tighten. If you drive the car over a ramp at an angle, the body flexes and you can hear the pano roof pop if the bolts are loose. It's actually not a problem just for MB, many other makes with pano roofs report the same type of problem. Still it's a nice option to have and I'd rather have it than not.

ygmn

Fyi my PANO roof is awesome here in the south right now.
open it on every great day on medium to long drives.

Open shade on rainy days for the view.
close shade on hot summer sunny days.

DubVBenz

E550 sold, guess it was a good deal! I'm just going to wait out the E400 for now. I kinda like the idea of a lighter front-end and Distronic Plus now that a few people have chimed in.

KEY08

Yeah, that was a very good price range with those miles and being a rare car. Diamond Silver Metallic is also a fantastic color.

rustybear3

If only it would stop for red lights, it would be perfect. As it is now, it does rely on having a car in front of you. My fear of using Distroinic outside of the expressway, is that you'd be screwed if the car ahead of you runs a red light. My use is strictly expressway; it's darn near exacting.

rediesel

I was thinking about this decision and was leaning toward the E400 since it had distronic and folding seats. I use both of those options. The Pano I could live without, and might prefer the standard roof (mine pops everyday as I drive over irregular surfaces). The 4.7L ttV8 is an amazing engine. I've not driven the E400, but I suspect it splits the difference from the NA-V6 and ttV8. That Designo interior with the curly maple trim is something special in the E400.

davidjohnbamber

I'm currently driving a 2013 E550. It replaced a 2014 E350 4Matic that I felt lacked performance. I had a S400 loaner for 3 weeks, a really nice ride, IMO. That said, I still like the M278 tt V8. FWIW: Folding mirrors were not offered in 2014 for the E class in the USA.

cetialpha5

Have you tried the pano fix?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bstJ...ature=youtu.be