I feel that MB has almost "sold their soul" in the interest of tech and weight saving/cost cutting/parts sharing. While I could never go KIA or Hundai, I can easily keep what I have. MB is still better than BMW as they lost the 7 series 15 years ago with the early failed idrive which they never really recovered. Late nineties 7 series were great cars, I owned one and loved it. Solid as ever.

 

The tech features with the Benz keeps getting better though. The adaptive cruise in my 2019 e class is much better than my 2015 S550

 

Personally, I would never buy the S450 over the S560, and the gas mileage savings or $10k savings wouldn't have swayed me for 1 second. I'd rather wait and get a deal on an S560 at the end of the season or buy a 1 year old car/demo than get an S450 6 cylinder just because. Because to me, I'd ABSOLUTELY want an 8 cylinder in my S Class and like the rear badging of the S560. That's just me. We're all different. Oh, I drove an SL 63 on the Austin TX Circuit of America track for the AMG day we did 2 weeks and it was the least desirable car we drove all day, even compared to the CLA 45, the C43 and the other 8 cars we drove. It just wasn't... a great driving car on a track!

 

ONLY since you brought it up: Agonizing over which new convertible to buy, I drove many, higher end cars. I drove a 2019 Porsche Turbo S Cabriolet. The car drove like pretty much any other 911. Quiet, comfortable, good ride quality, etc. However, if you stomped on it, the car LITERALLY took your breath away with acceleration like I have never experienced before. I was stunned by the car and screaming like a kid on a rollercoaster, when the salesman floored it. Then, a few days ago, I drove a 2017 SL65 AMG. Beautiful, gorgeous car, but driving it was a very disappointing experience. It rode very heavy and harsh, with lots of tire noise and general discomfort. I could not imagine driving such a car for any length of time over typical, city streets. If Porsche can produce a car that can do 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds, while still being incredibly docile and comfortable in city driving, why can’t MB? My feeling is that the magnificent R231 SL was never originally designed to be an exceptionally fast car and that the 63 & 65 AMG variants offered nothing more than bragging rights, probably some impressive, straight line acceleration—and an uncomfortable ride. SL450 or SL550, great. If you want to go faster—with the top down—AMG GT or Porsche.

 

I agree, I noticed the difference when I test drove a 2018 model prior to getting my 2019. This is an old thread, and you obviously switched gears and got the E450 CAB and Wagon. These are both marvelous vehicles and just wondered what swayed you in getting them over what your originally planned on doing?

 

the 2015 S550 was going out of warrantee and I needed a wagon so traded that in for the e450. Did not need two wagons and traded in my e63 for the e450 cab plus 20 k which covered the other trade

 

Streamliner,

I believe MB has produced a car BETTER than the Porsche you referenced—it is the 2019 S63 AMG. I love my S63. It is as comfortable as my ‘16 S550 4matic in comfort mode but you put it into Sport Plus and my best 0-60mph time has been 3.29 seconds (a rocket ship). If one is looking for comfort and breathtaking speed, the 2018/2019 S63 is the ticket!

 

Having a v12 and having driven a v8 s class I am aware that the difference between the two driving in normal life circumstances is not that big a deal. I would suspect the v6 to be more than sufficient for most people. What I did notice when i built out a v6 s class was you loose some of the content that the v8 comes with so if you add that back in the price difference becomes less. Just a thought......

 

And, in so many cases, other features are diminished, or completely unavailable. There are many cars out there that when you order the smaller engine, the brakes are different, the transmission is different, wheels, various trim levels are unavailable, etc. At least with MB, in the case of the S450, you can configure it virtually identical to an S560. In the SL range, the SL450 is identical to the SL550, but costs $20K less! I believe this is MB’s way of nudging folks to buy the smaller engines in their non-AMG cars, so they can still produce the AMG cars, while meeting CAFE standards, but this is just my opinion.

 

Well, yes and no. I know we are in the W222 forum, but the subject of the SL was brought up, so I chimed in about SL’s & 911’s. By all accounts, the S63 is a magnificent car, but it isn’t a sporty, two-seat convertible. With my S560 sedan and my new SL450, I now feel I have the best of all worlds, for my driving needs and desires.

 

Oh yes streamliner if I had to get rid of the maybach and the gtc I would look seriously at an sl63 or sl65. Best of performance and luxury.

PS my 18 AMG GTC rides real nice. IT is NOT the Maybach but its still a great car for long rides. Crap we just got home from a 2000 miles ride up the Mississippi with it. One would not think your in a high performance car...

 

Well you certainly made a fine decision. Considering the demise of the S CAB, we probably have the best 4 seat convertible for the money that Mercedes makes. We've got luxury, comfort as well as performance in the E450 CAB that's the best in it's class. In addition, you have that wonderful E450 Wagon. I found it very interesting that you switched gears from what you originally intended to do. That's the beauty of choice,isn't it?

 

Yes I really was not enjoying the e63 wagon. I thought why continue on with the huge depreciation maintainence and all with a car I’m not actually enjoying. I really wanted a convertible too. No regrets at all with the power plant in both cars. It does everything I want. I heard the may stop making the e class cab in the next couple years too. It gives me motivation to keep both these cars in good shape.

 

It's all about the deal you can get. I was looking at the 2018 S560 but my dealer had a fully loaded 2018 S450 4Matic with AMG kit & Wheels, All the bells and whistles. MSRP was 115k. I was about to knock it down to 99k because it was the manager's demo car with 1,200 miles on it. That was steal if you ask me!

 

While that is certainly true for some folks, it is totally unacceptable to others. I would much rather pay a little more and get exactly what I want, than live with a vehicle I wasn’t thrilled with, because I saved a few bucks.

 

Absolutely, I can def understand the logic. For me the Engine was never a factor. I guess I should have stated that also. Im not crazy about speed. The S450 does have some power to it.

 

Ya that’s a great deal 15 percent off. Can’t go wrong. The V6 is a great engine and very capable and smooth.

 

Try that test drive again, but have them inflate the tires to 40 PSI first.

 

Thanks for the advice, but I took delivery of a new SL450 last week--a car I ordered--and could not be happier.

 

Absolutely agree with you 100% The E450 CAB is one of the best looking, luxurious, convertibles on the road with plenty of horsepower and get up and go. Just took my niece and nephew for a jaw dropping ride; the look on their faces tell the story. It's truly a treat to drive and experience the pleasure it gives it's riders. I agree, it's prudent to take care of these vehicles. These new, upcoming, ugly large single tablet inspired interiors are threatening to destroy the "look". If I want want an Ugly Tesla, then I would buy one. Why this incessant need to copy anothers car formula.