Hi,

I was shopping for a new E320 (pretty loaded with xenon/premium/rear seats/TPMS etc.) and now facing quite a decision:
Brand new E320 (loaded) costs about $7-$9K more than 3-year old (under 40k miles) S500 (which is quite loaded by default).
Calculating a feature expense (i.e. insurance difference, fuel economy, warranty pricing, etc.) its comes out that within 6-7 years ownership both cars (new E320 and 2001 S500) comes out to be pretty much the same in ownership cost.
I understand the newer features added to E-class vs. 2001 S500 (such as new Navi, Brake-by-Wire, etc.).

What would you buy considering the same $$$ spent for both cars?



Any suggestions?

Hi!

I dont have much expreience to back it up, but i would defenetly go for the s500... I dont have either, and i cant afford them. But i have driven (s) 220, and a (e) 211 and i did not like the E at all... Hope you get satisfied with your choice Whatever it may be

Ok well with the S I think you will turn more heads. I would go for the E just for the fact its brand new and its loaded anyways. But to be honest that is a really tough decision. But I like the 02 S500 much better, only because the star in the center of the wheels is chrome LOL. But the E is one Helluva nice car, especially black on black or Tectite on Stone. The way the dash looks is awesome, I love sitting in them and just staring at it all. But the S is really fun, really roomy, and the nappa leather is amazing. Go with what turns you on more when you drive it, and even park it in your driveway, look out the frontwindow and see which one looks better lol.

I'd also select S, since you compare to 320.

umm did you pick yet?

Leaning toward S500 - outdated interior / features, but damn I like the V8 and ride quality...
E320 is a very nice piece of wheels, with great new toys and better interior (design, not quality though).

Too bad I can't afford E500 cuz I need many options, so from E-Class the competitor is E320 (for me).

I probably will wait till the CDI shows up in a few weeks and then will decide

Actually, my intention was to go buy an '03 E500/'04 E320. But I was testing the E's when I saw the Blue S500. The price range was the same (48-52k after negotiations). But I chose S500 (only 20k miles) and extended the warranty till '07.

s is more elegant and sophisticated. Especially if it has the AMG kit it looks sweet as hell. But like my dad told me old is old and you will notice the 3-4 year difference. So I told my dad to keep his advice and I picked up the S.

Enjoy,
TB

If you/your (max. 4) passengers are all 5' 8" and weigh less than 170 lbs. the new E is not out of the question... although IMHO the S is still a step up!

The issue is that regardless of newer interior design of W211, I am 6'3" and it feels kinda not that "roomy" in W211 to compare to W220.
Don't really care to much about passanger comfort though, cuz most of the time I am alone in the car...

My kids used to be able to kick the back of the seats in my '99 E430.
Since I switced to W220, they now have to throw things at me if they want me to slow down :p

lol

ok so what car did you choose???? I decided I would probably pick a 01+ S before any E Class. The look of the S kills me.

Yeah, S look kills me as well...

Trying to find a 01 S in a acceptable condition...
Also testing '01 740i

smart

Nice, the previous 7 Series was a nice car.

Go for the S class.

Oh and the E38 750iL was soo nice!

yeah go for the S Class, I am checkin out a 02 S55 on ebay and man do I want it. Gotta wait a few months to find out if i can afford it myself though.

FYI...we were faced with the same decision last week...exact same decision...My dad, when it comes to cars, relies heavily on my advice, and thus we both drove a number of cars, including a few 03 and 04 E500s...all very well loaded. They were nice, and quite fast, feeling a bit lighter on their feet than an S-Class, but when we drove the 01 S500 and then the 03 S500 (that got sold before we could take it), the choice became much clearer...We walked away with the 01 last week and its been no regrets. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that even though it was an older car, the level of sophistication and comfort in the S-Class surpassed even the most well-equipped E-Class...from the navigation, to the airmatic, to the space, to every possible feature. The S took the cake all the way.

IMHO, anyway

YK

I would definitely go for the S430/500. I looked at the W211s and W220s today at the dealer while i was getting my extended warranty. The W220 has a nicer interior imo and is just a nicer more luxurious vehicle. The W211 is just too similar to the W203 for me to pay $67k for.

I wonder if the guy has made a decision yet!!!???

Found one W220 S-Class that I can't resist:
2001 48k miles
AMG Sport Package
Parktronic
Distronic
Wood Trim Package
Comfort Package (FT seats)
Rear Side-Windows Roller Blinds
Integrated Phone (the phone itself missing)
Factory Installed CD Changer

Still under warranty (for a little under 2k miles though).

I know that the milage is kinda high but the car is in great condition and looks like was carefully maintained by MB.

Any suggestions on what particular areas I should pay more attention?

Is it possible to Starmark it?

Thanks all for your input

I'd personally would go for the S, all cause of class. With that extra 7-9k you'll have, I'd spend it on updating your car to the current models(2004 xenons, tail-lights), and of course, if you have some left over, mods?

I was thinking to get MY04 xeadlights and tail lights along with CL type (or Lorinser) front grille.

Where to get those items at discount price?

Also on sport package the car equipped with - LED tail lights are installed (I believe), so would I need the complete MY04 tail-lights
assebmly or only lenses?

Is there any issues with installing MY04 xenons?

Is there any issues with installing CL (or Lorinser) type grille?

Thanks.