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2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Selling my baby (18' S560, 143k MSRP)...
Here it is folks, wife is pregnant so the S has to take the back seat. Looking at GLE replacements now. Let me know if anyone has any questions/references!
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by cfmistry
The S is my baby hauler and I find it perfect for the job!
No back pain? I've thought about this! Its my first kid so I have no clue what I'm in for. Wife and I are early 30's but I dont want her to struggle with the meatball...
There is back pain no matter what you get, as they get heavier. But in general, it is no worse than my wife's Honda Pilot. What I love about the S class is the interior room. I am 6' /175lbs and in any smaller car I cannot sit comfortable in front of an infant seat (they are huge and require the chain in front to be pushed forwards a lot). In the S class, I can almost be in my natural seating position. Even in my wife's Pilot the chair is so far comfortable that it is extremely tight.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by cfmistry
There is back pain no matter what you get, as they get heavier. But in general, it is no worse than my wife's Honda Pilot. What I love about the S class is the interior room. I am 6' /175lbs and in any smaller car I cannot sit comfortable in front of an infant seat (they are huge and require the chain in front to be pushed forwards a lot). In the S class, I can almost be in my natural seating position. Even in my wife's Pilot the chair is so far comfortable that it is extremely tight.
Haha, thanks man, this helps. I'll keep this in mind.
Didn't you just get it though?? I'd keep it. Getting a seat out isn't that big of a deal, I had mine whilst my son was little and it was a breeze. I will admit an SUV does sit higher obviously and is easy too But it's an S class!
I will probably be crucified for this but do yourself a huge favor and sell the S560 and get a Minivan. I had a Ford Explorer when my first came along in 1997 and it was a beautiful SUV, Eddie Bauer edition if I recall. Wife drove it for a few years and the doors are the biggest problem with kids and car seats. When Honda came out with the first real minivan in 2000 we paid a premium to get one as it was a game changer for them at the time. My wife cried the first time she saw the doors open on both sides from her key fob but I digress. You cannot beat a minivan for kid hauling and you can get a pretty nice one for around 40-50K. If you keep the S prepare for it to be destroyed, kids spill milk, juice, food and everything else you can imagine everywhere. My wife went through 2 Honda Minivans over the period of 15 years and we got every penny of value from them. Once the kids are older you can jump back into the luxury car space if you want but I would not want the stress of watching little kids absolutely destroy a really nice car and you don't want to be the dad that says no food or drink in the car, trust me.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by hyperion667
Didn't you just get it though?? I'd keep it. Getting a seat out isn't that big of a deal, I had mine whilst my son was little and it was a breeze. I will admit an SUV does sit higher obviously and is easy too But it's an S class!
I did! Like 8 months ago, after hunting down these options for almost 4 months... I'm all over the place with the decision but I already told myself if I can't get a good sale price, then I'll just deal with the baby seat hassle.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by superpop
I will probably be crucified for this but do yourself a huge favor and sell the S560 and get a Minivan. I had a Ford Explorer when my first came along in 1997 and it was a beautiful SUV, Eddie Bauer edition if I recall. Wife drove it for a few years and the doors are the biggest problem with kids and car seats. When Honda came out with the first real minivan in 2000 we paid a premium to get one as it was a game changer for them at the time. My wife cried the first time she saw the doors open on both sides from her key fob but I digress. You cannot beat a minivan for kid hauling and you can get a pretty nice one for around 40-50K. If you keep the S prepare for it to be destroyed, kids spill milk, juice, food and everything else you can imagine everywhere. My wife went through 2 Honda Minivans over the period of 15 years and we got every penny of value from them. Once the kids are older you can jump back into the luxury car space if you want but I would not want the stress of watching little kids absolutely destroy a really nice car and you don't want to be the dad that says no food or drink in the car, trust me.
This is great advice! As your name implies, you are the super pop and probably know a thing or two. This all makes sense and my mind is in a similar place, I'm not leaving the scene completely, just taking a luxury barge hiatus...
There is back pain no matter what you get, as they get heavier. But in general, it is no worse than my wife's Honda Pilot. What I love about the S class is the interior room. I am 6' /175lbs and in any smaller car I cannot sit comfortable in front of an infant seat (they are huge and require the chain in front to be pushed forwards a lot). In the S class, I can almost be in my natural seating position. Even in my wife's Pilot the chair is so far comfortable that it is extremely tight.
Definitely agree with this! I actually bought my W222 when my youngest was 6 months old because having him rear facing behind me caused me to have to sit very far forward. Not the case in the S!
Also had another car seat in passenger rear.
I keep my cars very clean but still allow the kids to have some food in the car. They havent destroyed mine yet after over 4 years.
Last edited by Detailingdoc; Feb 15, 2022 at 09:52 PM.
I did! Like 8 months ago, after hunting down these options for almost 4 months... I'm all over the place with the decision but I already told myself if I can't get a good sale price, then I'll just deal with the baby seat hassle.
Having lived through it myself I would not consider it to have been a hassle in the least. I sold mine because the warranty ended and I paid cash for it and I did not want to have two out of warranty MB's. My kids love the CLS, but luckily for me there are no car seats.....but there is one booster but my youngest is 6 and can navigate the seats just fine.
Please......don't buy a mini-van!
This is your first kid? Congratulations! I have twins who turned 7 today.
With that said, resist the urge to make all kinds of big life changes, they are largely unneccessary. MANY people have kids with a sedan, and they do just fine. Is the S Class the only car in your family. I'm the dad who doesnt allow food in the car, and I do fine. They destroy the van, but when they ride in Dad's car they don't eat or drink and they are fine. They love riding in the S560, love the ambient lighting, etc. It will also be a long time before they become "destructive" to a car.
There is nothing wrong with teaching kids to respect your home and your vehicles, in fact there is a lot right about it. Kids don't have to run ram-shod through their homes and cars. I didn't, and they don't.
A GLE won't be much easier than the S560. Its higher off the ground, but you still struggle with doors. Cargo capacity is better. If you want easier, you want a minivan...but you do not need an SUV or a minivan to drive a kid around. We have a minivan, and its a great tool, but I would never drive one as my primaru car. If I had to drive something that was also going to be the family car, it would absolutely not be a minivan. We take my sedan on trips often because its much more comfortable and I enjoy driving it much more, we do fine as long as its only a short trip and we don't have to pack much. Now we really need to take the van because we also have a dog.
This is your first kid? Congratulations! I have twins who turned 7 today.
With that said, resist the urge to make all kinds of big life changes, they are largely unneccessary. MANY people have kids with a sedan, and they do just fine. Is the S Class the only car in your family. I'm the dad who doesnt allow food in the car, and I do fine. They destroy the van, but when they ride in Dad's car they don't eat or drink and they are fine. They love riding in the S560, love the ambient lighting, etc. It will also be a long time before they become "destructive" to a car.
There is nothing wrong with teaching kids to respect your home and your vehicles, in fact there is a lot right about it. Kids don't have to run ram-shod through their homes and cars. I didn't, and they don't.
A GLE won't be much easier than the S560. Its higher off the ground, but you still struggle with doors. Cargo capacity is better. If you want easier, you want a minivan...but you do not need an SUV or a minivan to drive a kid around. We have a minivan, and its a great tool, but I would never drive one as my primaru car. If I had to drive something that was also going to be the family car, it would absolutely not be a minivan. We take my sedan on trips often because its much more comfortable and I enjoy driving it much more, we do fine as long as its only a short trip and we don't have to pack much. Now we really need to take the van because we also have a dog.
SW makes some good points, if you have two cars maybe one of them is a kid hauler and the other is a sedan or other type of car. If this is your only car I stand by my recommendation of getting a minivan, they just make your life so much easier. I agree with teaching your kids to respect things but that is pretty unrealistic when dealing with a 2 year old and they accidentally spill milk all over the back of the car on a two hour road trip. Accidents happen a lot with kids, especially small ones, that is why most used minivans and SUV's have a distinct smell to them after a few years of use. Just my personal experience, YMMV.
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
Hmm. As I understood OP wants to sell his car for a good price ( if it will be possible) to lower the cost of living for unknown future circumstances. He did not ask all of you for your opinion. The only desire he has is to get a good price for his car. You all trying to convince him to keep the car. Am I missing something ?
SW makes some good points, if you have two cars maybe one of them is a kid hauler and the other is a sedan or other type of car. If this is your only car I stand by my recommendation of getting a minivan, they just make your life so much easier. I agree with teaching your kids to respect things but that is pretty unrealistic when dealing with a 2 year old and they accidentally spill milk all over the back of the car on a two hour road trip. Accidents happen a lot with kids, especially small ones, that is why most used minivans and SUV's have a distinct smell to them after a few years of use. Just my personal experience, YMMV.
But, you still have to drive something you enjoy as a car enthusiast. I have had 3 minivans, they are excellent tools but for a car enthusiast they suck. So, to me if I only had one car it would be a balance, something that I can enjoy and also will be practical for my needs. I would think about a Mercedes GLS or a BMW X7 or an Audi Q7 or something like that, even if it has less utility than a minivan. I'm happy to have a Minivan in the family when I only have to drive it every once and a while:
As for milk, simply...no milk in the car. Even my wife who is not at all like me when it comes to cars doesn't allow milk in the van, because it spoils and leaves a terrible smell. Kids can drink milk when they get home, juice and water in the car, even sodas but no milk. Those things can be cleaned.
Now thats not to say kids don't screw up your car, even older kids they put feet on everything etc, but all of that can be cleaned and its no big deal. This is the back of my S560 after a 15 minute drive lol:
My point is...you DO NOT have to give up everything you love when you have a kid, in fact you should not. People think they need to run out and get minivans and SUVs and buy bigger homes and you don't need to do any of that immediately or at all.
Originally Posted by aeggroup
Hmm. As I understood OP wants to sell his car for a good price ( if it will be possible) to lower the cost of living for unknown future circumstances. He did not ask all of you for your opinion. The only desire he has is to get a good price for his car. You all trying to convince him to keep the car. Am I missing something ?
I didn't get the sense that was what his motivation was, especially if he is going to buy a GLE he's not going to save much if any money:
I'm all over the place with the decision but I already told myself if I can't get a good sale price, then I'll just deal with the baby seat hassle.
Hmm. As I understood OP wants to sell his car for a good price ( if it will be possible) to lower the cost of living for unknown future circumstances. He did not ask all of you for your opinion. The only desire he has is to get a good price for his car. You all trying to convince him to keep the car. Am I missing something ?
I'd keep your S class though I'm only 17 so my advice may not have any merit. From what I've seen, most people who have sold their S's end up missing them. I plan on keeping my S for many years to come.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
This is all good stuff folks, thank you all for chiming in with tips and advice (plus some pics!). After some time reflecting and reading all these comments...................... we're dumping the 14' e350 and getting an 18' gle43 to solve the SUV situation. The S class lives on for the time being unless I can indeed get top dollar for it. I love this thing, its my 2nd S class and has what I think is one of the best interiors on the planet. I know I'll kick myself if it goes. Pics of GLE43 incoming soon!
This is all good stuff folks, thank you all for chiming in with tips and advice (plus some pics!). After some time reflecting and reading all these comments...................... we're dumping the 14' e350 and getting an 18' gle43 to solve the SUV situation. The S class lives on for the time being unless I can indeed get top dollar for it. I love this thing, its my 2nd S class and has what I think is one of the best interiors on the planet. I know I'll kick myself if it goes. Pics of GLE43 incoming soon!
This is all good stuff folks, thank you all for chiming in with tips and advice (plus some pics!). After some time reflecting and reading all these comments...................... we're dumping the 14' e350 and getting an 18' gle43 to solve the SUV situation. The S class lives on for the time being unless I can indeed get top dollar for it. I love this thing, its my 2nd S class and has what I think is one of the best interiors on the planet. I know I'll kick myself if it goes. Pics of GLE43 incoming soon!
Thats a good move! I was at MB yesterday and sat in a GLE, and its great! Tons of legroom in the back, really not that different than the S Class in that regard, great for carseats. Lots of room in the cargo area too.
I bought my first flagship sedan (LS460) after my kids were born to replace my GS350, the additional legroom made it so my wife and I (we are both ~ 6', she's 5'10" could not even get into the front seats of the GS with their infant seats in the back. If you are tall you would have the same issue with the E Class. Important to be able to drive the kids in both cars even if you primarily use one.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by SW20S
Thats a good move! I was at MB yesterday and sat in a GLE, and its great! Tons of legroom in the back, really not that different than the S Class in that regard, great for carseats. Lots of room in the cargo area too.
I bought my first flagship sedan (LS460) after my kids were born to replace my GS350, the additional legroom made it so my wife and I (we are both ~ 6', she's 5'10" could not even get into the front seats of the GS with their infant seats in the back. If you are tall you would have the same issue with the E Class. Important to be able to drive the kids in both cars even if you primarily use one.
Yeah they're pretty sweet, I haven't even driven one yet. Doing that today to make sure the exhaust note isn't too much for my wife. The GLE350 we drove was sweet though, very room SUV and drove great. What I didn't like was the body roll and 7g transmission. I believe the GLE43 will solve both of these problems and potentially add a new one (exhaust noise). We've looked at 10+ different SUV options and my wife only wants a Benz despite me trying to persuade her to grab a Q7.
I can only speak from the perspective as a son as well from anecdotal evidence from my mom who was the one who raised me and drove me around.
Growing up in a garage with only MB's when my brother and I were younger, my mom initially traded in her C220 for an ML320 and kept the S430. The C didn't work space wise and according to her, neither the ML nor S were ever issues with strollers and dealing with young ones in the back. There weren't dealing with mess and grime but that can't be said for everyone. She kept this arrangement in the garage, swapping to newer generations every once in a while until our graduations from hs, when she opted for a CL and Range Rover after.
She once got a Honda Odyssey as a rental car from a body shop from a fender bender and from what she said, it's "drives terribly and is unnecessary; no one needs such a large vehicle". Somewhat contradictory but she really disliked the vehicle and never drove a minivan ever again
In our perspective, this was obviously a very comfortable way to go to school and after school activities; I don't recall making a mess even though the interiors were always specced in a lighter colour. I do recall being in the back of a classmate's 7 in light grey upholstery with pen scribbles on the seatback from his younger siblings however...
While this probably doesn't have much weight as I see most families still either preferring a minivan or a large, three row SUV for children duties, I just wanted to share our perspective which differs
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by 5634MG
I can only speak from the perspective as a son as well from anecdotal evidence from my mom who was the one who raised me and drove me around.
Growing up in a garage with only MB's when my brother and I were younger, my mom initially traded in her C220 for an ML320 and kept the S430. The C didn't work space wise and according to her, neither the ML nor S were ever issues with strollers and dealing with young ones in the back. There weren't dealing with mess and grime but that can't be said for everyone. She kept this arrangement in the garage, swapping to newer generations every once in a while until our graduations from hs, when she opted for a CL and Range Rover after.
She once got a Honda Odyssey as a rental car from a body shop from a fender bender and from what she said, it's "drives terribly and is unnecessary; no one needs such a large vehicle". Somewhat contradictory but she really disliked the vehicle and never drove a minivan ever again
In our perspective, this was obviously a very comfortable way to go to school and after school activities; I don't recall making a mess even though the interiors were always specced in a lighter colour. I do recall being in the back of a classmate's 7 in light grey upholstery with pen scribbles on the seatback from his younger siblings however...
While this probably doesn't have much weight as I see most families still either preferring a minivan or a large, three row SUV for children duties, I just wanted to share our perspective which differs
Thanks for sharing! My wife's best friend has a mini van and swears by it as a few members on this forum have. We have the GLE43 coming from 3000 miles away which was still more affordable with a $1800 shipping charge versus shopping the insane New England market.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
GLE43 is here! Picked it up in the morning and immediately drove 150 miles. Wow! What a sweet little rig! It was very fun, quiet (in comfort), and AGILE. I'm really impressed with what the sport suspension can do. Going around big highway bends at 80mph was effortless with zero body roll. It doesn't feel like there is anything behind you. The 9g transmission also did exactly what I wanted it to the whole drive with no fuss or rough shifting. For individual mode, I like sport suspension (sport+ is too rough, comfort is too soft), sport steering, and comfort "engine/power". That's for general driving, I threw it into Sport+ a bunch to go faster and have fun. It's no rocket ship especially compared to my S560 but my wife has a lead foot anyway so this is for the best. It gets up and go's just fine. Is the interior a bit dated? Yes. But that's cool. I'll trade that for all the pros. Gonna be a great baby hauler!
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
But it's an S class!
