E-Class (W211) to S Class (W221)

[Alex_225]

So, my daily driver is a 2003 E320 CDI. I'll be honest, it's an awesome car, I love the comfort and space inside it and for a car with over 100k on the clock it feels like it would go on and on. I've had it nearly a year and apart from a new battery, it's been pretty faultless.

Trouble is, like many of us I'm always looking at the next potential car and the S320 has really caught my eye. I only paid £4k for my E but for £10-12k you can pick up a lower mileage 06/07 S Class. I love the looks and obviously there's more space and creature comforts.

Has anyone on here made the change from E to S? Did you find it a big jump in running costs? Also, it's a big car and although I'm not one for parking up in the local supermarket it would be handy to know if it's reasonable to drive and park in normal places?

[st4]

I wouldn't - it's in all honestly not that big a step up (I had 2x 211s) and the old man has a 221.

Its barely any more refined, has a tad more room in it. The seats are admittably better but it's a complex thing with so much bork factor its unreal.

It's also a lot more ponderous to drive than a 211 or indeed a 212 E class.

[Monkeylegend]

I agree with st4

I had a colleague who ran a 2005 car as a chauffeur vehicle, and in the 2 years he had it, it needed 2 rear suspension struts at well over £1k each, the rear diff went, that was about £4.5k and apparently needs a special tool to set up via Mercedes, and he had quite a few electrical issues/gremlins.

The boot was no bigger than my E Class nor was the rear seat room. Had a very comfy ride and performed well considering it's size, but he struggled to get much over 35 mpg.

Lovely cars though.

[st4]

Rear diff fail sounds bad luck but the air suspension is pure bork. My old mans has had heaps under done to under warranty to it to the tunes of thousands. It eats rear tyres as no place can seem to align the unduly complex suspension. It goes through struts, sensors etc.

The front seats are good but the overall quality of the car isn't any higher than an E class and it really does lumber around unlike my car and it's just that slightly too big size to park. I wouldn't have one.

Better with a CLS or 212 E class which are fantastic cars.

Edited by st4 on Friday 17th February 10:04

Edited by st4 on Friday 17th February 10:09

[J4CKO]

I had heard that the S was a real cut above of anything E based ?

[st4]

J4CKO said:

I had heard that the S was a real cut above of anything E based ?

Not in my experience. Other than air suspension which has massive bork factor and slightly better front seats its no better really.

[XMT]

st4 said:

J4CKO said:

I had heard that the S was a real cut above of anything E based ?

Not in my experience. Other than air suspension which has massive bork factor and slightly better front seats its no better really.

I would say its 10-20% better than the E class but considerably more to run. I have had one for 2.5 years now and its thrown up around 5k worth of bills.

Nice experience to own one but wont have one again unless its a lot newer.

Brakes pads, discs, sensors, ball joints, sticky calipers. it all adds up to quite a sum

[Alex_225]

Thank you for all the feedback guys. I will admit I am surprised that it's not that cut above the E-Class in terms of comfort and all that.

That said I spent nearly 500 miles in the car over the weekend and it was excellent. The W211 sets the bar quite high it would seem.

I must admit with the S Class I don't want a car with ridiculous running costs. The E320 is obviously the 3.2 straight six but it returns 45mpg on a steady run so I'm ok with that dropping a little for a quick-ish diesel. I have a CLS63 though so don't want two cars with potentially high bills. That's also the only reason I've not given the CLS320 CDI a huge amount of though even though I admit it is extremely comfortable.