DubVBenz

Assuming the cars had similar mileage, the same options and were priced within a few K of one another, which would you choose? The only obvious technical advantage for any 16 vs 14 is a newer version of COMAND, but the engine choices are obviously very different. The 14 is sort a unicorn, as it's the only facelift model to have a V8 minus the AMG. The fact that the 14 550s are holding their value so well reflects their "unicorn" status, so I'd like to hear from current 212 owners to see if there's any reason to buy a 14 E550 when you can get the 16 E400 for a similar price.

abqhudson

2014.
My opinion is that the V-8 will be more reliable long-term. I admit my bias.

MaschioneCazzuto

Without comparison the W212 E550. The new w213 is soft looking. The inside designed for the nerd herd or people obsessed with porting around their technological life into the interior. I'll take 1 E550 over 2 Any new W213.

KEY08

kajtek1

Nah, none of them is diesel.
Flip the coin.

Johnny Rad

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but 2016 is still a W212. Both the 2014 and 2016 are facelift W212 models.

Both the E550 and E400 (gas) left the factory more highly optioned (more options were standard) than the E350. Both should therefore be similarly equipped.

Factory warranty is important to me though in the interest of transparency I haven't had to use mine for a couple of years (knock on wood).

I haven't driven a E400, but its power is clearly deficient to the E550 (assuming they're both piggy W212 models). The E400 can probably embarrass an E350 and the same is likely true of the E550 to the E400. You have to decide power how much is enough. I say never enough...

* E550 4Matic output - 402hp / 443tq; 18 / 24mpg (thought it was 17/26mpg, but...)
* E400 4Matic output - 329hp / 354tq; 20 / 28mpg
* Figure they both weigh about the same (~4200lbs) -

DubVBenz

Not talking about the W213, only 212s. The W213 wasn't released in the US until MY 2017.

thefisch

Is this a hypothetical question or have you found a 14 E550 and 16 E400 with similar options, mileage, etc. for a few k apart? I would feel sorry for the person having to make this decision in real life. I would drive both and decide which one I couldn't pass up.

MaschioneCazzuto

w212 E550 > w212 E400

Johnny Rad

ghlkal

I agree with the others - the V8 TT is superior.

DubVBenz

So the final year updates for the 2016 do not outweigh the engine choice? Do the benefits of the turbo M278 really make the turbo M276 feel like a huge let down? I know ECU tuning gives about 100HP to each.

cocobeex

Have you drove both ?

i know V8 TT has a lot potential if you want more powa

kajtek1

*E250 4Matic output 195hp/369 lb-ft 24 / 38 mpg.
What exactly we are comparing here?
I understand that some buyers are power-freaks, but what they are doing looking at E-class.?
Buy darn Porsche or Corvette.

MaschioneCazzuto

corvette, porsche should have kept going viper, charger, challenger, mustang, you're amusing

MaschioneCazzuto

beautiful E550

LemonSqueezy

Try both, both have smooth engines, but the v8 has way more potential. Especially if you put a tune on the v8, you'e close to stock amg power of the 6.2

dtsdig

I am finding myself in this exact scenario now. Since this thread fizzled out last year, have the opinions changed at all in this debate? The E400's have been on the road for a while longer now and the E550's have had a few more customers needing to replace airmatic suspension components I would imagine. I will be making the move from a W124 (1994 E320)!

KEY08

The later year 550's had Airmatic as an option. I do not have Airmatic. My 2014 has been solid as a rock and still fast as hell.

dtsdig

I did not know that it was only an option and not standard equipment on that year. Thanks for that. I wonder how hard it will be to find one that has everything else I want but not Airmatic.

DFWdude

Just my opinion, but I don't see the need for a V6TT in the W212. The 302hp in the E350 is plenty speedy, and more hp than any car I've ever owned. (Twice the HP of my Nissan 300ZX, and that car was no slouch). From a 94 E320, you will be delighted in the pep of an E400.

In addition, the fuel mileage with the smaller engine is a definite plus. We will soon see $5.00 gallon gas again, so put the heavy foot to rest and enjoy a more than competent ride. Why people expect supercar performance from a 2-ton sedan is beyond me to ponder.

mercedes.fan

Would go with the 550 if they are the same price. Non "sport" versions of luxury cars with v8s are getting rare so if given the choice I would have the v8. As they are both facelifted and similar price you are not missing out.

dtsdig

Full disclosure, my W124 blew a head gasket 2 summers ago and I picked up a 2010 Audi A6 3.0T (supercharged 300 hp) as an immediate "get me back on the road" car. It is an absolute rocket compared to my old E320 and it's what I have become used to in the last two years. I just got my old e-class back on the road after rebuilding it this spring. I've only been driving it for a couple of weeks and I don't think I can let go of the performance difference I've been spoiled with on the Audi. That is my dilemma. If I am going to sell two cars to upgrade, I would like to be at least where the Audi is spec'd but of course would welcome more! My commute is short and gas mileage in my Audi is just as bad as an E550 would be, so that won't change much.

KEY08

Mileage isn't as bad as you may think. I think it's 1mpg less than the E350 trim per the EPA.Gov. Heavy 4WD sedan with 430HP (the HP is underrated as most dyno at 365-370 at the wheels). Spend $2,400 on a Renntech OBD tune and get 530 HP.
Here is my recent R/T to Florida from Chicago.

KEY08

The 550 comes with good standard options, but full LED, HEAT/Cool seats, Pano Roof, Distronic and full driver assist package, 360 view camera, will be difficult to find. The OP of this thread looked for a very long time and ended up with the E400 because he found the right options in that model.