Ok guys, I'm posting this on both the W212 and W221 forums as I expect biased opinions from both sides. I've researched both and currently drive a 2011 W212 4matic. 4matic isn't a big deal or neccesity in the south but it's nice to have for resale I suppose. I'm leaning towards the W221 for more features but I like the facelift on the 14+ W212's. Budget is around 50-55k for a nicely equipped, low mileage, possibly CPO car. There are a few W212's to choose from in this range but only a handful of W221's with the sport package AND the nicer features....I would like to hear which vehicle you would opt for and why. I appreciate the feedback in advance and look forward to your responses.

 

Just bought a 2013 cpo with low miles sport package pano etc for 58k and absolutely love it! You will not be disappointed! Can't say enough good things about this car. Fun to drive.

 

Honestly I like both, however, the w212 u are interested in is slightly more updated with the newer generation looks that MB is offering in their models. That too is about to get yet a re-design, but the current 2014+ still offer the current fender flares, etc.

In regards to the w221's ur interested in, nothing beats that engine. Nicely equipped you will be happy with the purchase.

IMO, if I were you I would just wait for the new w212's to come out and then make a decision. I'm sure that the new model will be one sweet car. Imagine a larger current model C yet smaller current model S, plus add a sport package. If it's done correctly,MB could really be on to something huge!!

 

Thanks dpayne, CONGRATS!! Thanks Wil, BEAUTIFUL car BTW, I contemplated the idea of waiting for the 2017 W213 which is due out next year in 2016. I expect the W213 to have a starting price of 60-70k which would be a tad more than what I want to spend right now. The 2014+ W212 has the updated exterior and the interior is pretty much the same as it's been since the car debuted in 2009-10. With that being said, the interior of the W212 and W221 are a bit dated but I can live with them for another 2 or 3 years. I'm mainly looking for something to hold me over until the W222 values come down. They're still hovering in the high 70's to mid 80's for models with decent features and mileage....

 

This is the best front end of the w212 if you ask me. They should have never gone to the single headlight.



Save yourself $40k and grab a '13 w221. It doesn't age on the exterior.

 

Used S always > New E. Newness fades quickly.

 

Exactly! They ruined it with the facelift.

If I were you I would take the S. Like Mike said, the newness does indeed fade quickly especially when the new model is just around the corner.

 

The E is a strange beast. Where the S, C and SL in any given era share a design language, the E is always off doing its own thing. I hate the current E from a design standpoint in and out. Just trying too hard to look distinctive on the outside and too dull inside.

I'd like to see an E that splits the difference between the C and S in terms of luxury, performance and price. If the new E sedan does that, then the new E coupe might be really interesting.

 

Good point. I remember when the W211 E-Class came out it didn't really have much aspects of the W220 S and W203 C. While that might seem awkward it can be a good thing because it looks distinctive from the rest of the line kinda like if you compare the W221 and W204.

 

The facelift, and specially what it looks like from the teasers for the new generation, make the E-class look like a C or an S. I mean, they all look pretty much the same nowadays. Don't like it.

 

Ya I don't like it either and it's a trend nowadays with almost every manufacturer. I wonder if the new E will look more like the current W222 or the Facelift W222.

Back on topic, the W212 E is a great car but it's no S-Class. I said this before, nothing drives, looks, and especially rides like the S-Class.

 

Yea, I don't like where things are going. 3 years ago, I said I liked just about every Mercedes model. They all looked muscular and expensive. Now they look wimpy and less expensive. I'm talking about exteriors...

As far as midsize suv's go, I always thought the last gen Range Rover sport had a great exterior (balanced). Now they ruined it. Same thing.

 

Yeah. I believe this phenomena in which older models look better to us is known as "getting old". Too bad it doesn't work with wives, because I would be all set.

 

BMW has always been the master of the small, medium, and large versions of sedans that look almost identical inside and out, except for size, from the 70's up till now. Whereas the W221 always looked, felt, and drove distinctly different from everything else in the MB line-up, the 7 series didn't look or feel much different than a 3 series.

 

Dave when has a 7 series ever looked like a 3 series unless ur referring to the e65/66 facelift sport model and the e92/93 coupe. The only similarity with those is that they both look like bullets. However, even with that being said no 3 series has EVER felt like a 7 series. No BMW drives like a 7 and the only thing that comes close is a 6.

 

1977 3 series




1977 5 series




1977 7 series




1985 3 series




1985 5 series




1985 7 series




1997 3 series




1997 5 series




1997 7 series




2006 3 series




2006 5 series




2006 7 series




2013 3 series




2013 5 series




2013 7 series

 

I'm referring to the 3 series compared to the 7 series only. The 5 series is the mini me of the 7 as of late, but still it doesn't ride like a 7. The same way the other model mb's don't ride like an S.

For example just to be a little more technical, you will never mistake a 3 for a 7 but you will definitely mistake a 5 for a 7. Also now, I mistake the C for the S all the time, smh.

Bro, u went back to the 70's on me, lol gotta love that. I'll admit those 70's bimmers were all clones

 

No matter how similar the C looks like the S on pics, it's difficult to mistake the two in real life. This will be bit more difficult with the W213 E class as the car will grow in size.

The interior and ride of course will be e-class cheap.
The new G30 5 series will be pretty much like the G12 7 series. The same with the next 3
Series.

 

PROmatic, I had a 2010 E, a 2012 E, and now I have a 2012 S. I would recommend a 2012-13 S vs a 2014 E for your enjoyment. Once you drive an S you will realize how much of a different car that a W221 actually is. If you get a W221, make sure it is low miles as you can and still be a CPO car. Purchase the Extended warranty to get another 2 years before your CPO warranty expires. Nothing in the MB line rides and feels lie an S-class. And yes, I also have had a 2002 W203, a 2004 W203, and a 2008 W204 too. If you happen to get the 2014 E, make sure you get it loaded as a loaded version may overcome that garish/gaudy facelift front end Good luck.

 

All I was doing was proving my original point that BMW sedans all looked alike going back to the 70's. I didn't take the time to grab interior shots, but those too have always looked like small, medium, and large examples of the same layout. Although the new C looks very similar to the S on the outide (very feminine), no one will ever confuse the interiors. The ride in all 3 series going back to the 70's up until now is much closer to the 7 series than any C class has ever been compared to an S class. All true.

 

WOW!! Thank you guys for ALL of your insight, comments and feedback...


Now here's another decidig factor, 2012 CPO would give you warranty until 2017 and unlimited mileage, 2013 non-CPO gives you warranty until 2017-MAYBE 2018 depending on when it was purchased or 50k. I have quotes on ELW from Jason Mayes at International Autos Milwaukee and I can get coverage until 100k/2019 for a reasonable amount. Now I can add ELW to a CPO car but they tend to be more expensive, naturally. I can save a few bucks going wih a non-CPO, low mileage 2013.




For example, car A is a 2012 CPO with 30k miles, asking $49k. The warranty would be valid until 2017 and unlimited miles which leaves me with MAYBE 24 months of coverage, give or take a few months depeding on when it was actually sold.


Car B is 2013 non-CPO car with 30k miles that is less than 49k BUT once you add ELW I can have coverage until 2018 or 2019 and 100k. THIS option gives me less miles but more time, 70k miles of coverage but with an additional 12-24 months of coverage.


The car would be driven less than 15k miles per year, more than likely, and I plan to keep it 36 months or less depending on circumstances. I would need to be covered for at LEAST the amount of time that I have possession of it.


CPO warranty gives you one additional year and unlimited miles. correct?


Adding ELW to CPO won't give me anymore mileage but buys me more time and is ultimately the most expensive option for basically the same amount of coverage. It appears that the BEST case scenario would be 2013,non-CPO, less than 40k miles, with ELW 6/75k I'd be covered until 2019 or 60k miles. Next best thing would be a 2012 non-CPO with less than 50k that would give me coverage until 2018 ir 50k miles with ELW 6/75k.


TOUGH choice to say the LEAST! The ONLY MUST HAVE options are black or white exterior, black or tan interior, sport and pano. I located a black on black ,2013 non-CPO for 49,999 with 32k miles, 4matic, pano, sport AND rear seat package. I'm leaning towards that one as it has the most options but I don't think it will be around long. I think black is the MOST common but it's also very "presedential" and stately. I don't see many white examples, for some reason the white S550's appear to look "newer" whereas black looks a little aged sometimes.

 

I have a '11 S class, '10 E class, '14 E class coupe, among others. The S class is the better car. Better drive and nicer design in my opinion. The only thing I worry about is the airmatic springs and the replacement cost, but I don't particularly care because I have a certified warranty for the next three years.

 

What is the cost of that ELW and is it a MB extended warranty?

 

Yes, MB ELW, 6/75 is $2600, 6/100 is $3250, 7/75 is $3400 and 7/100 is $4150, 3 year PPM is $1550, all prices are out the door with no additional taxes or fees, I'm leaning towards 6/75 and 3 year PPM for $4,150. Ideally I'd like to find a unicorn...2013 sport with decent options, less than 40k miles for 45k OTD plus ELW and PPM...YEAH RIGHT LOL!

 

I would go fully loaded less miles CPO 2012-13, S Class if possible especially if you are purchasing from a reputable dealer. Then get the extended warranty from one of the sellers here and enjoy. Either way, you have uatleast until 2017 to buy the warranty depending on what year vehicle you decide to purchase. Win-win situation.