06 S430 vs 06-07 E350

[sv7887]

Hi All,
I have both cars...Let me tell you both are excellent cars. The E Class is nimble, turns on a dime, and just a great car to drive..It's a luxury car that is just so practical. Everything is well thought out and it is a car that makes sense to own. I like mine alot.

Having said that..I leave the S in the garage and drive it every Friday...Every Friday morning I get this grin on my face when I take the keys to the S..The rumble of the V-8 starting, the magic ride of the Airmatic, and just the feeling you are driving THE S Class Mercedes is something I cannot describe. When people on the road see an S Class coming, they get the heck of my way!

A S Class is more than just a "big car" and it is SO much more than dull sounding Airmatic, Parktronic...It is an experience, an ambition, a thrill. I absolutely love the car.

A 2007 E is bound to give you less grief. Comparing the S Class to an E is like comparing a 737 to a 747. It's just a different class of car. The E is more basic and probably going to be easier on your wallet. Surprisingly my E has been more of a maintenance whore than the S, but that is not typical.

If you have the patience and the money, get the S. Sure it's an extravagance, but isn't that what you earn money for?

Drive them both and see what you think.

[nhdblfan]

I really would prefer the E and not quite sure I will even be comfortable with a S as I don't want a big car,but I will not buy a luxury car with vinyl (MB -Tex) so I have to give in.I do think the interior of the S is nicer and like the look of course.
I will say I have not driven a newer S but have driven the earlier ones.My wife would also prefer the E I think but she is leaving it up to me.
I had them do a search on the 08 leftovers (the dealers are really looking hard to get rid of them and he was ready to drop close to 10k without me even trying) and none where availble in New england with leather all MB Tex.

[Balance]

New E is coming soon. Looks quite sharp. 06-07 E will likely drop in resale value like a stone. Take this into consideration.

I like MBTex. Not all that different from leather yet much more durable. Leather is overrated.

[K-A]

When I Sold my S500 I was either gonna get an '03-'04 S500 (sorry, just can't do an S430 for some reason) or an '06 E350. The S is such a rewarding Car, but the AIRMATIC is what I wanted to avoid unless I got one CPO'd w/ M-B (not easy unless you want to spend alot of $$$$). I ended up going with the E-Class (AMG Package was mandatory for me) and couldn't be happier. I do miss the perks of the S, but the E is going to be more trouble free of the more serious problems (Airmatic) and I avoided Airmatic E's like a plague. Gas Mileage is also better on the E, especially in the City, if that matters to you.

It depends on what you want, but I will say, the E will be more worry free for the most part, but of course the S is the S, so it gives pleasure in some areas the E doesn't. If you like to drive sporty, then the E will be more fun, as especially with the Sport suspension, it handles great and nimbly, easier to stop, etc.

S wins in status, but the E is still a current running Body style so it hasn't been replaced with a new one yet, if that matters to you (it doesn't to me, a nice car is a nice car, I could care less if it is the "newest" version, other factors are more important IMO)

As far as the Leather thing, I personally like M-B Tex and it's more durable than real Leather, besides that the Leather in the 430 isn't as quality as it is in the 500. I wouldn't personally use that particular point as a make or breaker for the E (remember the middle inserts on the seats where you sit on are all real leather, even on M-B Tex Cars).

[nhdblfan]

[quote=K-A;3055049]When I Sold my S500 I was either gonna get an '03-'04 S500 (sorry, just can't do an S430 for some reason) or an '06 E350. The S is such a rewarding Car, but the AIRMATIC is what I wanted to avoid unless I got one CPO'd w/ M-B (not easy unless you want to spend alot of $$$$). I ended up going with the E-Class (AMG Package was mandatory for me) and couldn't be happier. I do miss the perks of the S, but the E is going to be more trouble free of the more serious problems (Airmatic) and I avoided Airmatic E's like a plague. Gas Mileage is also better on the E, especially in the City, if that matters to you.

It depends on what you want, but I will say, the E will be more worry free for the most part, but of course the S is the S, so it gives pleasure in some areas the E doesn't. If you like to drive sporty, then the E will be more fun, as especially with the Sport suspension, it handles great and nimbly, easier to stop, etc.

S wins in status, but the E is still a current running Body style so it hasn't been replaced with a new one yet, if that matters to you (it doesn't to me, a nice car is a nice car, I could care less if it is the "newest" version, other factors are more important IMO)

As far as the Leather thing, I personally like M-B Tex and it's more durable than real Leather, besides that the Leather in the 430 isn't as quality as it is in the 500. I wouldn't personally use that particular point as a make or breaker for the E (remember the middle inserts on the seats where you sit on are all real leather, even on M-B Tex Cars).[/QUOTE]

I emailed MB USA and was surprised that they called me from Montvale NJ Hq today.
The lady told me that all the 3E350's have all "MB Tex" (vinyl),unless there is a leather option which would only add those seat inserts nothing more.She also said the leather in the 430's was the same "nappa leather" in all the S's except AMG.
Too bad about the vinyl in the E's as that seemed like the car for me.I went and checked on a GS (all leather no vinyl) and will see about a Acura next weekend.
Thanks for all the response's