dpayne7571

I test drove a '08 S550 a few months ago. I loved the size of the car and my E320 just feels too small for me now. I would love to have the S350 diesel, but they haven't been out long enough for depreciation to bring price down to low 60k range. I have made my mind up that my next car is going to be a S-class and found a 2010 CPO S550 for 59,999 with 43k miles.

Here are my thoughts. Sell my E320, buy the S550 and drive for 2 years and buy a 2012 S350 when I can purchase one in the low 60k range. I wonder how much more depreciation this 2010 S550 will take in the next two years compared to my 2009 E320......

Cpt.Joe1983

I dunno about ur deprecating question. ..but a heads up..the just routine maintenance on a sclass is pretty high.. the littlest of things are gona run u at least 1k

dpayne7571

I didn't think the service A,B, & C's would be much higher than what I am paying now.... I do understand that the small things cost a lot more, that's why I always buy the extra warranty!

titanle

Yup, maintenance is a bish! And parts are $$$, so far the biggest expenditures i had were the air compressor for airmatic and damn power window motor. But whatever, it comes with the territory, its still a fantastic car to drive and own.

ImInPA

I just traded y 2011 E350 Bluetec for a 2012 CPO S350 Bluetec. I was thinking much like the OP about waiting a year or two for the S350s to start coming off of leases, etc. Luckily for me, my sales rep alerted me to a 6 month old 2012 S350 bluetec that a Doc had bought for his wife. She apparently did not like the diesel. Her loss. My gain. I am loving the S. I am actually surprised by how much more solid and quiet the S is Vs. the E. I am finding that between the extra half ton of weight and the 4Matic, my S is getting about 3 mpg less than the E. Truly remarkable.

dpayne7571

I read your article awhile back, congrats on your new car! I want the diesel so bad, but just more than I can afford at the time. My comfort level is in the low 60's. I love my E320, but the S class spoiled me 2 months ago!!

ImInPA

I got mine in the mid 70's, but, I will also be receiving a full refund from MB for the extended warranty I had on my E. So the final damages will end up being in the very low 70's. I so understand where you are coming from. Once you drive the S, it is hard to not want one. I had let my sales rep know that I wanted one. I was not expecting to hear from him, as I thought there would probably not be any available for a year or two. I spent more than I wanted too, but, I really wanted it, and, I really think I got a great deal. Call some dealerships and tell them what you are looking for. You just never know. I never thought I would be in a 6 month old S-Class that has a 4.5 year/100k warranty. Based on my experience so far, I would not hesitate to get one that was a couple years old. Just a remarkably well made car.

dpayne7571

Again, great deal! I am going to have to settle for a S550 until the prices come down more on the S350! Most dealers are quoting me high 50's for the 2010 with decent mileage and great options and I know I can do better with the 2014 due for its debut later this year.

ImInPA

If you consider getting an S550 "settling". I have driven the S550 and I can tell you it is a lot faster the my Bluetec. Both have close to the sam initial grunt, but, the E550 just keeps it coming on. The thrust from the V8 is just incredible to me. I can imagine what the AMG variants and the S600 must be like. Keep in mind that an all new S will be out soon. That will bring the prices of the W221 down even more. I sure wish you the best of luck. There are lots of S550s out there, so you should have a pretty good selection. Keep us posted.

xrayaz

And just my 2 cents. I traded my 2004 E320 wagon for my 2008 S550 and have never looked back. The difference is night and day! The S550 is the best cruiser I have ever driven and so far the maintenance has not been too far out of line (nothing major broken) Just comparing the interiors is a study in contrasts. The S is just a much richer, up level interior compared to my old E. I say fo for the S550 and enjoy to the fullest.
Michael in Arizona

dpayne7571

I should of not used the word "settling". I feel very fortunate to be even able to afford a luxury sedan.

dpayne7571

I spend a lot of time on the open highway, that's what I am switching up to the S class!

dpayne7571

After thinking about depreciation value if I jumped into a '10 S550 and waited 2 years for the '12 S350 to come down more in value, I might as pay extra now and buy the S350 because either way both are going to depreciate and it will cost me more jumping from the S550 to S350. So I'm looking around for used '12 S350 models, but tough to find. I am sure I'll have better luck towards the end of the year when some people are turning their lease cars back in.

ImInPA

That was my thinking too. Iloved my E Bluetec. No problems at all with it. But, when this opportunity presented itself, I used the same/similar logic. A bit more than I wanted to spend now, but, the jump up model, with more than 30% depreciation already absorbed by the original owner, I just didn't see where I could go wrong. Hopefully the S will prove as reliable and trouble free as my E.