Considering the E43- Need some advice
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Mazda 3 HB
Considering the E43- Need some advice
Hi Everyone,
Short time lurker, first time poster here.
I'm almost ready to upgrade from my current daily driver- a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
I know I'm posting in a Mercedes-Benz forum, but as I'm considering a few different models from a few different companies (including Mercedes-Benz) I was hoping you all could share some opinions, especially if anyone has experience with any of the other models I'm looking at.
My requirements:
1. Comfort- the new car will replace the Mazda 3 as my daily driver, which involves a 60 minute commute each way to work, mostly on highways.
2. Fun-factor- the new car has to have some get-up-and-go, and needs to be fun when on winding mountain roads.
3. Aesthetics- Opinions on the interior and exterior of a car are obviously very personal. For me, I strongly dislike the look of wood paneling on a car- so the E300 is out. But I love the dual widescreen displays on the E-class.
- I'm willing to sacrifice a little comfort for increased fun-factor.
The current candidates:
1. E43 AMG- Yes, I know many folks feel this is a "pseudo-AMG". But you know what? I'm coming from a Mazda 3.
2. Lexus GS F
3. Audi S6 or S7
- I won't drive any car from BMW. Personal reasons- I just won't.
So, any thoughts on my choices? All opinions, positive or negative will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Short time lurker, first time poster here.
I'm almost ready to upgrade from my current daily driver- a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
I know I'm posting in a Mercedes-Benz forum, but as I'm considering a few different models from a few different companies (including Mercedes-Benz) I was hoping you all could share some opinions, especially if anyone has experience with any of the other models I'm looking at.
My requirements:
1. Comfort- the new car will replace the Mazda 3 as my daily driver, which involves a 60 minute commute each way to work, mostly on highways.
2. Fun-factor- the new car has to have some get-up-and-go, and needs to be fun when on winding mountain roads.
3. Aesthetics- Opinions on the interior and exterior of a car are obviously very personal. For me, I strongly dislike the look of wood paneling on a car- so the E300 is out. But I love the dual widescreen displays on the E-class.
- I'm willing to sacrifice a little comfort for increased fun-factor.
The current candidates:
1. E43 AMG- Yes, I know many folks feel this is a "pseudo-AMG". But you know what? I'm coming from a Mazda 3.
2. Lexus GS F
3. Audi S6 or S7
- I won't drive any car from BMW. Personal reasons- I just won't.
So, any thoughts on my choices? All opinions, positive or negative will be appreciated.
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,757
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From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
Out of that lot the S6/S7 is the best car, and the E43 is the most up to date car. The Lexus is the most reliable.
Depends on what you are optimizing for. Personally I would find all 3 of these dissatisfying:
- E43 because engine is not good enough at this price level and rumors are it will be phased out with E55 within a year
- GSF - no turbos and ugly dated styling
- S6/S7 - cheap plasticky dashboard, getting long in tooth
Quite frankly if you're dead set on Mercedes, spend a bit more and buy the upcoming E63.
Depends on what you are optimizing for. Personally I would find all 3 of these dissatisfying:
- E43 because engine is not good enough at this price level and rumors are it will be phased out with E55 within a year
- GSF - no turbos and ugly dated styling
- S6/S7 - cheap plasticky dashboard, getting long in tooth
Quite frankly if you're dead set on Mercedes, spend a bit more and buy the upcoming E63.
Last edited by stealth.pilot; Nov 21, 2016 at 11:03 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2016
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Mazda 3 HB
Definitely not dead-set on Mercedes- the reputation for comfort along with the tech updates on the E-class made it appealing.
The only thing I'm dead-set on is not BMW.
As you would find all 3 of those options dissatisfying, I'm interested in hearing what you would find satisfying? Pricing out the cars I listed, with options almost all maxed out came out to an average of about $90k. I think the E63 might be a bit too pricey and once I get in the $110k range I'd probably end up with a Tesla (sacrificing some ride comfort and a lot of cabin comfort in the process).
Truly trying to gather as much information here from people, so as before, opinions (agree or not) are welcome!
The only thing I'm dead-set on is not BMW.
As you would find all 3 of those options dissatisfying, I'm interested in hearing what you would find satisfying? Pricing out the cars I listed, with options almost all maxed out came out to an average of about $90k. I think the E63 might be a bit too pricey and once I get in the $110k range I'd probably end up with a Tesla (sacrificing some ride comfort and a lot of cabin comfort in the process).
Truly trying to gather as much information here from people, so as before, opinions (agree or not) are welcome!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 957
From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
Definitely not dead-set on Mercedes- the reputation for comfort along with the tech updates on the E-class made it appealing.
The only thing I'm dead-set on is not BMW.
As you would find all 3 of those options dissatisfying, I'm interested in hearing what you would find satisfying? Pricing out the cars I listed, with options almost all maxed out came out to an average of about $90k. I think the E63 might be a bit too pricey and once I get in the $110k range I'd probably end up with a Tesla (sacrificing some ride comfort and a lot of cabin comfort in the process).
Truly trying to gather as much information here from people, so as before, opinions (agree or not) are welcome!
The only thing I'm dead-set on is not BMW.
As you would find all 3 of those options dissatisfying, I'm interested in hearing what you would find satisfying? Pricing out the cars I listed, with options almost all maxed out came out to an average of about $90k. I think the E63 might be a bit too pricey and once I get in the $110k range I'd probably end up with a Tesla (sacrificing some ride comfort and a lot of cabin comfort in the process).
Truly trying to gather as much information here from people, so as before, opinions (agree or not) are welcome!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
This sounds like a residency to attending transition, doctors on this forum frequently like to use MD in their screen names
some advice ... keep the Mazda if you can to kick around ... it's reliable and you know it well
I like the S6 over the E63 and the gs-f, but consider the cls550 and s550
CPO out of the question?
if not
- 2014-2016 e63S
- rs4, s6, rs7
fun times for sure! Good luck
some advice ... keep the Mazda if you can to kick around ... it's reliable and you know it well
I like the S6 over the E63 and the gs-f, but consider the cls550 and s550
CPO out of the question?
if not
- 2014-2016 e63S
- rs4, s6, rs7
fun times for sure! Good luck
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Mazda 3 HB
This sounds like a residency to attending transition, doctors on this forum frequently like to use MD in their screen names
some advice ... keep the Mazda if you can to kick around ... it's reliable and you know it well
I like the S6 over the E63 and the gs-f, but consider the cls550 and s550
CPO out of the question?
if not
- 2014-2016 e63S
- rs4, s6, rs7
fun times for sure! Good luck
some advice ... keep the Mazda if you can to kick around ... it's reliable and you know it well
I like the S6 over the E63 and the gs-f, but consider the cls550 and s550
CPO out of the question?
if not
- 2014-2016 e63S
- rs4, s6, rs7
fun times for sure! Good luck
The Mazda is going to stay for sure- it's a great little car.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2016
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Mazda 3 HB
Thanks for your thoughts- I'll keep an open mind.
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Good suggestions from everyone here. I'm not sure what you mean by comfort, but the likes of the e63, s6, s7 all have low profile tires and sport tuned suspensions, which could result in hard ride if your roads aren't great. I have an order in on an e43 but exploring some of the options discussed above in cpo. The Audi option is great but new model due next year or so. You might consider an a6 cpo with the six, fast, great handling car with nice interior and a more user friendly interface than Mercedes. It could be a bridge for two years till more updated models and options are available, we are early in the transition period in models in the full size luxury class. Another comfortable highway rocket to consider is a cpo 2014-2015 Audi s8, 500+ hp, although may not fit the winding mountain road criteria but for it's size handles really well. If I was doing a lot of highway driving, I might go with the s8. A cpo would cost less than e43. Regards. Ned.
Last edited by ngerstman; Nov 22, 2016 at 11:06 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
Good suggestions from everyone here. I'm not sure what you mean by comfort, but the likes of the e63, s6, s7 all have low profile tires and sport tuned suspensions, which could result in hard ride if your roads aren't great. I have an order in on an e43 but exploring some of the options discussed above in cpo. The Audi option is great but new model due next year or so. You might consider an a6 cpo with the six, fast, great handling car with nice interior and a more user friendly interface than Mercedes. It could be a bridge for two years till more updated models and options are available, we are early in the transition period in models in the full size luxury class. Another comfortable highway rocket to consider is a cpo 2014-2015 Audi s8, 500+ hp, although may not fit the winding mountain road criteria but for it's size handles really well. If I was doing a lot of highway driving, I might go with the s8. A cpo would cost less than e43. Regards. Ned.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 663
Likes: 6
Maybe also consider the forthcoming E400 wagon model. Assuming it is available in sport trim, this might be a nice car for you. All-wheel drive, very good acceleration and performance and a "hatch" of sorts which is super practical. Last I heard it's supposed to be out in another month or so.
