Your Advice Please
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Your Advice Please
I am fan of MB and actually own a 190E 2.6 1991 model (which I love and cherish). However, I am now looking forward to buy a bigger sedan (second-hand) and the qualities that I like most (and looking for) are supreme confort, quiet cabin (as quiet as possible - no road and wind noise or vibration from front wheels while driving over bumps and so on), effortless operation (of everything). I have not crazy about sportiness nor drag time capability.
My heart is bouncing between a Lexus LS430 and MB S350 (V-6 3.7 W220 version). I know that Lexus is dead quiet and supremely confortable. I love MB and somewhat bias toward S350 but do not know much about S350 and its qualities (or whether it would fit with my likings and so on).
Anyone out there who could kindly advice me based on your own experience or knowledge please? Thanks.
My heart is bouncing between a Lexus LS430 and MB S350 (V-6 3.7 W220 version). I know that Lexus is dead quiet and supremely confortable. I love MB and somewhat bias toward S350 but do not know much about S350 and its qualities (or whether it would fit with my likings and so on).
Anyone out there who could kindly advice me based on your own experience or knowledge please? Thanks.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
If you are a Mercedes man you're always a Mercedes man. Probably the objective comparison may not make it simple to decide, but there is the subjective side to it too. The brand recognition, the image, the longevity....for me the most important reason. I'm normally buying young used cars and keep them for quite some time. And it appears you do this too. I had 2 W124 260E for over 15 years and 220.000 mls each, and sold both in one weekend last year ('86 for $1.100 and the '90 for $ 3.000), because they were clean, no rattles, no worn out seats, no cracked panels, just great condition.
Just compare the normally kept Jap car of any brand after 15 years and a MB after 15 years. And on top most people pamper their MB's much better than Jap cars. I think for the first 5 years it still may be par, but after????
I bought the predecessor of the 3.7 ltr engine the 3.2 ltr, which was not sold in the USA as far as I know, but test drove the 3.7ltr, It's a dream, but my money did not reach, so I took the S 320 W220. I'm driving it for just a year and I love to go up in the moring ( and I'm not a morning guy) just to drive to work in my W220. It is the same feeling still when I picked it up at the dealership last year. And the drive is so pleasant, I never get speeding tickets, since I dont want to leave the car earlier then ever necessary. :-)
Just compare the normally kept Jap car of any brand after 15 years and a MB after 15 years. And on top most people pamper their MB's much better than Jap cars. I think for the first 5 years it still may be par, but after????
I bought the predecessor of the 3.7 ltr engine the 3.2 ltr, which was not sold in the USA as far as I know, but test drove the 3.7ltr, It's a dream, but my money did not reach, so I took the S 320 W220. I'm driving it for just a year and I love to go up in the moring ( and I'm not a morning guy) just to drive to work in my W220. It is the same feeling still when I picked it up at the dealership last year. And the drive is so pleasant, I never get speeding tickets, since I dont want to leave the car earlier then ever necessary. :-)
Last edited by bamberger_1; Mar 22, 2006 at 07:33 AM.
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From: Orange County, California
'06 S430 Sport, '05 C 55 AMG, '06 BMW 330i, '06 VW Beetle Convertible
The 190E 2.6, that was my first one, a 1993. It was my wife's and she loved it. I too thought it was a wonderful car. If you want a used W220 there should be a large selection at reasonable prices given the hugh discounts being given on new 2006's. You didn't say where you live but in the large cities (LA, Chicago, etc.) you can find a lot of prospects. Don't be scared by the dealer asking prices, most put a large "pack" in them to boost the offer for the trade in.
Stay away from the Lexus. I always felt they were like dating a pretty girl without a personality. A Mercedes has a heritage, a pedegree and is a world brand. Lexus is the name for the US market. In other parts of the world the car is a Toyota LS 430.
Stay away from the Lexus. I always felt they were like dating a pretty girl without a personality. A Mercedes has a heritage, a pedegree and is a world brand. Lexus is the name for the US market. In other parts of the world the car is a Toyota LS 430.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
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From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
I always felt they were like dating a pretty girl without a personality. A Mercedes has a heritage, a pedegree and is a world brand. Lexus is the name for the US market. In other parts of the world the car is a Toyota LS 430.
VERY WELL TAKEN!!!! And look how some of those pretty girls w/o personality look like a some years ;-)
VERY WELL TAKEN!!!! And look how some of those pretty girls w/o personality look like a some years ;-)
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Many thanks for your comprehensive advices!!!! Appreciate it.
By the way, I am from Switzerland so W220s with 3.7 V-6 engine are available over here since late 2002/2003. I have always love the shape and design of W220 (even much more than the new one,i.e. W221) which I believe is destined to become a classic one day. For my own needs, I do not need more that a V-6 so I was thinking about S350.
What really brought Lexus LS into my consideration is its lengendary quietness, smoothness, and reliability (I have never drove one but rode in one once and was impressed). Other than that, there is not much I fancy about the car. Once the other hand, S-Classes are much much more common over here and servicing and buying parts for W220 are cheaper and easier.
After all your comments, I am leaning more towards W220 S350 and will arrange to get a test drive to see how it feels. Otherwise, I am already in love with the car's shape. As you said, in the long run, MB may be better because of its image, longevity and classic design (and I intend to keep it for a long time so MB is indeed a better choice for me).
By the way, I am from Switzerland so W220s with 3.7 V-6 engine are available over here since late 2002/2003. I have always love the shape and design of W220 (even much more than the new one,i.e. W221) which I believe is destined to become a classic one day. For my own needs, I do not need more that a V-6 so I was thinking about S350.
What really brought Lexus LS into my consideration is its lengendary quietness, smoothness, and reliability (I have never drove one but rode in one once and was impressed). Other than that, there is not much I fancy about the car. Once the other hand, S-Classes are much much more common over here and servicing and buying parts for W220 are cheaper and easier.
After all your comments, I am leaning more towards W220 S350 and will arrange to get a test drive to see how it feels. Otherwise, I am already in love with the car's shape. As you said, in the long run, MB may be better because of its image, longevity and classic design (and I intend to keep it for a long time so MB is indeed a better choice for me).
