Just drove a E43...
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
You could buy a "loaded" (original MSPR of at least $76K, which is all options, except Distronic, Airmatic and Designo interior) '14 CPO E550 with under 20K miles for mid $40Ks +/-. Finding such a car is difficult, but not impossible as long as you're flexible on colors. With the tax savings included, its total price is about half of loaded E43 (assuming no, or very little, initial discount). (You are already driving a "used" E550, even thought it was bought new 5/6 years ago, and 2014 is much improved over 2011 in all regards and is very different from the outside with enough differential and technology on the inside from early W212).
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
I actually much prefer the look of my 2011 over he refresh. The technology in the refresh is not much different than that in 2011, minor stuff, same mediocre stereo, nav, etc. The price tradeoff is compelling but already owning the e550, looking for something different I guess, although the 2014 with beast engine is tempting. The NA 5.5 liter engine in the 2011 is great, no complaints, keeping that car as well, it would be tough to let it go. Regards. Ned.
More importantly, there were many (some not advertised) changes made to 2014 E550 (not only more powerful with lower RPM response engine) that made it drive much better than pre-facelift cars:
a. (almost) no throttle delay vs. significant one for 2010-13,
b. more precise steering (nowhere close to W213's great steering, but still),
c. better controls for multicontour driver's seat with much more precise
adjustments through the menu (instead of very limited seat's controls),
d. 360 view cameras (absolutely love it),
e. huge, fade and warp free (unlike previous E550s) brakes.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Well the front of the facelift W212 is not much different from the front of W213 (unlike pre-facelift W212) and like you prefer pre-facelift look, I like facelift look over W213 from all the angles (IMHO "new" MB shape works great on a large S class body as well as on smaller C class sport body, but not as much on W213).
More importantly, there were many (some not advertised) changes made to 2014 E550 (not only more powerful with lower RPM response engine) that made it drive much better than pre-facelift cars:
a. (almost) no throttle delay vs. significant one for 2010-13,
b. more precise steering (nowhere close to W213's great steering, but still),
c. better controls for multicontour driver's seat with much more precise
adjustments through the menu (instead of very limited seat's controls),
d. 360 view cameras (absolutely love it),
e. huge, fade and warp free (unlike previous E550s) brakes.
More importantly, there were many (some not advertised) changes made to 2014 E550 (not only more powerful with lower RPM response engine) that made it drive much better than pre-facelift cars:
a. (almost) no throttle delay vs. significant one for 2010-13,
b. more precise steering (nowhere close to W213's great steering, but still),
c. better controls for multicontour driver's seat with much more precise
adjustments through the menu (instead of very limited seat's controls),
d. 360 view cameras (absolutely love it),
e. huge, fade and warp free (unlike previous E550s) brakes.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Interesting your comments on the transmission. There is a first drive review of the e43 in Road and Track this month. They say the transmission shifts are accompanied by "thuggish thunks". That sounds pretty bad to me. Is their characterization an exaggeration? Thanks. Regards. Ned.
BTW I really loved the new transmission in both cars it is definte boon for the smaller engine and povides it the flexibility to punch much above what its supposed 241 hp should. I also think that Mercedes is underrating the engine on the E since the E300 feels noticeably faster than the C300. It could all be transmission but I doubt it.
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
The non amg 9G easily handles the 450+ hp/516+ lb ft of trq in the S class, so the E43 really wouldn't be maxing out anything. Actually RennTech dyno'd a bone stock 4.7 and it was putting out a whopping 474hp and 566 lb ft trq.
Last edited by RJC; Dec 16, 2016 at 02:46 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
You are correct, its also available in the S class. To my surprise its been around elsewhere since 2013. There is a thorough technical paper on the web from when it was introduced. I was misguided by the E class promotional literature, its new, for the E class sedan. Thanks
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