DECISIONS, Decisions!

[fatddyslam69]

Hey guys, a while back i was trying to get my mom to buy an FX45 TEC, but it didnt work out. We went and saw it and test drove and everything and althought she said the looks were OK and the inside was nice, it wasnt the car for her. She loved all the gadgets and all but we needed more room because apparently we wanted to trade in out van. So then, we went and looked at the LEXUS GX470, they were willing to give us a fully loaded version for a little about $50,000 before tax and license, so we test drove it and both parents ABSOLUTELY LOVED the interior and drive and front, but ABSOLUTELY HATED the styling of the rear of the car, so that didnt work. Now after a couple of months, my mom has decided we are going to keep out 1995 QUEST because trade in is only about $4000, which sucks ass, so we are back at looking at cars, but now my mom wants a sedan for herself, so we are looking at the MERCEDES BENZ E500 and the JAGUAR S-TYPE R! And since they are so expensive to buy new, we decided we would go slightly used, below 15,000 miles, well at least for the E500. So we go down to this luxury motors dealership after seeing the cars on the internet.

FIRST CAR: 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
OPTIONS:
parktronic controls 10,100 Miles
6-cd changer exterior: silver
heated seats interior: ash
panoramic roof
sports package
heated seats/lights
automatic start/stop

PICTURES:
http://autoparkway.web.aplus.net/1/007/MVC-001S.JPG

http://autoparkway.web.aplus.net/1/007/MVC-005S.JPG

http://autoparkway.web.aplus.net/1/007/MVC-030S.JPG

http://autoparkway.web.aplus.net/1/007/MVC-033S.JPG

PRICE: $54,500

SECOND CAR: 2003 Jaguar S-Type R
OPTIONS:
everything that comes on the S-TYPE R
includes heated seats 16,200 MILES
XENON lights exterior: Silver
Alpine 6-CD changer interior: charcoal
Parktronic rear controls
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
PICTURES:
http://carad0.ipixmedia.com/abc/carad/483x736424/736424-07022003170711-34_L.JPG

http://carad0.ipixmedia.com/abc/carad/483x736424/736424-07022003170711-30_L.JPG

http://carad0.ipixmedia.com/abc/carad/483x736424/736424-07022003170711-27_L.JPG

PRICE: $51,900

So my question to you guys: which is the better deal, which would you choose, would you go for a totally different car? THANKS FOR YOUR OPINIONS! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[6speeder]

Jaguar=Ford=JUNK

[NissT]

Jaguar=Ford=JUNK



I seconds that. Jaguar is not as nice as MB and not as prestigious. I would definitely go with MB E500 out of those two.
But why not get a slightly used BMW 540?? If I had to choose, I'd probably get a BMW, but it would be a hard decision. Let your parents test drive both, MB and BMW back to back, both cars are awesome.

[M_TYPE_X]

J-shifters are the work of the devil!!!

[FanaticZ]

i'd just let em drive and decide, both are nice cars but i think the stypeR has more stlye and what, 90 more hp? nice.

[fatddyslam69]

we have test driven both and the E500 is only slightly more refined, but the thing is my mom has ALWAYS been in love with jaguar, while my father shares the Jaguar=Ford=JUNK perception! As far as prestige. MB and Jaguar, in our book, is just as prestigous as each other. I like the design of the JAG a lil better, its more powerful, but the panoramic roof and auto start on the MB are just awesome

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The Jag makes good peak power on paper. But the tranny upshifts way below redline, so you never realize this power on the street.

While it is still a fast car, when you pay for performance you should get it. Check the "at speed" acceleration numbers the Jag puts up, especially at the 100mph+++ speeds (I know, one rarely drives at such speeds...). The cat gets clobbered by the competition.

European mags have similar results to these that were obtained by Car and Driver:

0-60 mph
Audi RS8 - 4.4
M-B E55 AMG - 4.9
BMW M5 - 4.3
Jag-S TypeR - 5.4
M-B E500 - 5.8

0-100 mph
Audi RS8 - 10.7
M-B E55 AMG - 9.9
BMW M5 - 11.5
Jag-S TypeR - 13.6
M-B E500 - 14.5

0-150 mph:
Audi RS8 - 30.9
M-B E55 AMG - 24.5
BMW M5 - 29.2
Jag-S TypeR - 42.0 (WHAT HEPPENED HERE???)
M-B E500 - governed at 130mph

1/4 mile:
Audi RS8 - 12.8 @ 108
M-B E55 AMG - 12.5 @ 116
BMW M5 - 13.4 @ 108
Jag-S TypeR - 13.8 @ 103
M-B E500 - 14.3 @ 99

So, the S-Type R is a bit faster than the E500. But doesn't deliver to it's performance potential.

Yes, it is fast.
No, people don't drive this fast anyways, so it may not even matter.

But such performance vehicles are all about what you COULD do. And the Jag is in last place amongst it's peers.

[fatddyslam69]

damn dude thanks for all the info. You see, this is for the MOM, and she doesnt drive fast. The only reason we are even considering the STYPE R is because she likes the smoked out front and rear lights, coupled with the rear spoiler, mesh grill, and rims...hhaah, if we can couple a 6 cylinder model with all that stuff, we would go for that...haha. So anyways, i dont know. I prefer the E500 for the name, the keyless go, and the panoramic roof. The only reason i like the jag is that its got looks to kill and the rims are awesome. My mother prefer's Jaguars from when she was born, so we will see what they do.... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[NISSANSPDR]

E500...just a more balanced and refined package

[limits_at_infiniti]

go benz
less milage, better overall car

[RUPZ]

i would get the benz also. for that price, i would consider a brand new E320 (isnt it the same as the E500, except for the engine?)

[fatddyslam69]

we would actually prefer the E320 over the E500, but a brand new E320 with all that comes on this E500, will cost just a tad over $60,000 and although i heard that they have really great deals on the cars going on now, with huge discounts, i really dont believe that the dealership will give us a $6000-$8000 discount! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[RUPZ]

but a brand new E320 with all that comes on this E500, will cost just a tad over $60,000

http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/ooo.gif sorry, i didnt know that http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[OpenWheelRacing]

I'd go with E320 or E500.

[222Max]

Uh, you guys are aware that MB is ranked well below the industry average for quality don't you. It's not a fluke but a trend that has taken hold for quite a while now. My boss had a last generation E-class and the thing was CONSTANTLY in the shop. 2 transmissions. One of which had to be shipped from Germany. What a lemon.

The Jag may have Ford bits in it but it just probably will stay on the road more of the time. When you're spending that kind of money you just aren't supposed to have the problems MB owners report.

[Zed]

Benz hands down. Or you can wait for the new 5.

[limits_at_infiniti]

check this out.

10 years down the line the more solid e500 will be more likely to pull the same numbers or better

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Uh, you guys are aware that MB is ranked well below the industry average for quality don't you. It's not a fluke but a trend that has taken hold for quite a while now. My boss had a last generation E-class and the thing was CONSTANTLY in the shop. 2 transmissions. One of which had to be shipped from Germany. What a lemon.

The Jag may have Ford bits in it but it just probably will stay on the road more of the time. When you're spending that kind of money you just aren't supposed to have the problems MB owners report.





Electrical gremlins are a huge problem for M-B. I have a buddy who's brother (or bro-in-law, can't remember) is the service manager at at large M-B dealership in SoCal. At any rate, he said that EVERY S-Class that they sell comes back within two weeks for service.

I think of reliability and durability as separate issues:
Durability - car will last a long time, but will require maintenance to get there

Reliability - car starts ever day, has few problems, but may not last forever

I think the German makes have DURABILITY down pat. It's the day-to-day RELIABILITY that they have a problem with, IMHO.

The Japanese generally have both in equal measure, while the domestics struggle with both.

I am surprised at your E-Class' mechanical failures, like the bad tranny, tho...

I think it's funny that Jaguar's reliability problems were pretty much fixed when Ford bought them and Ford wiring harnesses were put into every Jaguar. So now we have Jaguar - a Brithish luxury hallmark that offers the improved reliability of a FORD! Just think, you improve to FORD levels of quality - sorta tells you where they were before Ford bought them...in the crapper, reliability-wise.

[fatddyslam69]

ok this changes a lot. Yeah, the jaguar line has gone up past anyones expectations in JD POWER quality....i dont know about reliability however....or is it vise versa. We are all confused about what to do. I mean with $56,000 we can buy an Infiniti G35, and then trade in our Quest for a new one..haha....so thats a lot of money, but it all depends on my mother's needs... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif but the MB reliability and quality problems are seriously a turn off...ill have to talk to her AGAIN.... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

At least with M-B, you get an M-B loaner car!

Sounds like you guys are in the position to afford most any car your mom wants. There are really no *bad* choices, only some choices that *may be* better than others.

[wei240]

I'd opt for the benz..
I seriously doubt either cars are ever going on the tracks and the numbers are somewhat close, so it comes down to whether they like the feel of one car to another, basically lots of seat time/test drive...

[limits_at_infiniti]

you can pioc up more chicks in a mb

lol

j/k

[WingsNThangs]

Benz.

But be very aware that dealing with the car is a whole different ball park compared to Nissan/Infinitis. Don't expect to get cheap deals on parts and maintenance when it comes to fixing problems. Either car will be expensive to maintain because that just comes with owning a luxury car.

Chances are, in buying these luxury cars, the average consumer does not give a rats ass about performance or cheap maintenance. It's all about the bling and comfort. Benz has a solid reputation in German engineering and MUCH more prestigious in my opinion and experience. Very smooth and quiet at high speeds as well. These are cars in considerable demand no matter how old they are.

And yes, it is more appealing to chicks.