E300 or E250 ? Why?

[Guest sgdobermann]

Hi there

Im deciding between the new e300 or e250 CGI Avantgarde models. Its also my firstmercs in a long time [ used to drive a 230t many years back ]

I been deciding first between the new BMW 5 series, the Jaguar xf.. But ultimately still prefer Mercedes Benz - somehow it gives me feeling of reliability, efficiency and elegance too.

But I wonder if there are others out here who had made a choice between the e300 and e250, and which did you choose and why?

I understand e250 has more torque and feel, and the e300 has a 7sp gearbox thats great. Is there any difference in the chassis or legroom or space?

the car is mainly for commuting, general driving and occasional trips to KL, and to ferry my mum around in comfort.

Also, which PI would you recommend? I'd like to get mine soon, in matt black, sunroof and full audio system preferably.

Lastly, has anyone got the AMG package model? How different is it from the Avantgarde?

Thanking you so much for advise

Cheers

[Guest Mark_twain88]

I was contemplating between E250 and E300 as well, before making my mind on the E250CGI Avantgarde. Price difference is really small between E250 Avantgarde and E300 Elegance, and was comparing like what you are doing.

If you are getting from C&C, the E300 has slightly nicer centre console (left hand side resting area for your arms), as there is no gearshift knob - gearshift is done at near the steering wheel (on top of the "F1" style button for up/down shift, it has a separate full gearshift knob position at steering wheel side like the left/right signal gear). Looks nicer and cleaner.

E300 also comes with gearshift button for up/down shift, and a nice V6 engine + 7gsf.

Chasis, size, legroom are the same.

Decided on E250 for a few reasons:

V6 engine is nice, but it is an old engine used by S class.

E250CGI is newer engine and supposed to be more efficient

E250CGI is a smaller engine and thus roadtax lower

E300 is just slightly faster (less than 1 sec) than E250

E250CGI with Avantgarde (full feature model) still cheaper than E300 Elegance (based model)

They are both very nice, but it all comes to your preference.

Good luck!

Mark

[Guest mercaltec]

The things i like about E300 over E250 will be:

* 7 G-tronic

* center arm rest

* twin exhaust

But with mileage around <10k/yr. E250 is sufficient.

[Guest Mr. M]

The CGI engine is still relatively new so reliability and longevity is still unknown although it will probably last. The V6 has been around and being NA it'll probably have less problems in the long run.

If you can afford it I'd recommend to go for the V6, although there are rumours of a new V6 coming as the current one is really ageing especially when pitted against the competition. The 7G gearbox is, I would say, essential, and would be the main reason why I'd go for the E300.

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

The new V6 CGI is already out. But not in Singapore as they claim it cannot take the sulphur content in local gas.

[g8crasher]

VBlaster_W211 wrote:

The new V6 CGI is already out. But not in Singapore as they claim it cannot take the sulphur content in local gas.

Might be true. Pumped vpower the other day (2 consecutive tanks) and after pushing the car hard for a short stretch with the windows down, had to endure the stench of rotten eggs in the cabin for abit. I'm pretty sure my cat is still in working condition. :becky:

Thought vpower was a low sulphur fuel!! Apparently not.

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

Anyway, E300 or E250, I think would be a better deal than the 523.

The new 523 has a low 38-40K OMV, and yet is asking $215K.

I remember I got my E200 at $180K with a 54K OMV (COE 18K). The markup (even if we take away the higher COE), is ridiculously for the new 523.

[Guest Raskie]

There are brand-loyalist and they dun give a hoot at the low OMV ...

Just want to be seen first on the road with the new model ...

[g8crasher]

Raskie wrote:

There are brand-loyalist and they dun give a hoot at the low OMV ...

Just want to be seen first on the road with the new model ...

Hahaha true true. :becky:

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

True. But don't think we'll see many 523's on the road.

[Guest manualisbetter]

practically factor e250 is sufficient and yet as comfortable like e300.

but if considering e300 which would need to compare to 535 where the latter would outshine the earlier in term of power and prestige status.

personal opinion

[Guest Cerano]

manualisbetter wrote:

practically factor e250 is sufficient and yet as comfortable like e300.

but if considering e300 which would need to compare to 535 where the latter would outshine the earlier in term of power and prestige status.

personal opinion

how to compare E300 to 535i??

Need E500 to beat... or wait til E350 CGI comes in

[Guest lkh]

i regret not test driving the E300 with 7-g.

personally, i find E250 a little rough. maybe due to its 5 potty gears.

[Guest manualisbetter]

Cerano wrote:

how to compare E300 to 535i??

Need E500 to beat... or wait til E350 CGI comes in

in term of engine capacity.. e300 should belong to 535 territory. If 535 is too strong contender (personally is not except that gem engine), let's use BM 530 which is available thru PI.. i would still vote for 530.

again my personal opinion

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

You can't compare cc. You need to compare depreciation per year. The 5 series is simply overpriced with their low OMV. Basically, with selling price and OMV, we can calculate the depreciation per year.

So would you pay $14K a year for an E200, or $16K a year for an E250, or $19K a year for a 523? If depreciation a year for a 523 is similar to an E300, I'll choose the E300 for sure.

The 535 is another different price bracket and annual depreciation.

[Guest manualisbetter]

Ok if by depreciation then merc wins by default.. But dun discount PI BMW now.. They have a higher omv and yet lower price tag not 2 far from a merc now..

For lifestyle usage.. Most buyer has no regards to omv but only what the car can showcase to public

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

Same thing - there is Merc PI with even better depreciation value.

Actually, I have to disagree on lifestyle usage. There may be some who don't care about how much depreciation, but most of the people I know who owns Merc/BMW/Audi are astute about the amount the money they spend. They don't throw money away just to showcase how much they can afford.

They get to where they are now because they know the math and how to spend to their benefits.

[Guest manualisbetter]

not disagree... different people different mentalities different liking... that's what make the world goes round each day

For the TS, it will be again back to what he as an individual prefers... practically, least depreciation rule, technology advancement or utlimate lifestyle showcase...

[Guest Mr. M]

lkh wrote:

i regret not test driving the E300 with 7-g.

personally, i find E250 a little rough. maybe due to its 5 potty gears.

My sentiments as well. The gearbox is a irritating thing dragging gears and slurring shifts. Killing the FC too. Strange that for a BlueEfficiency model like the E250 they left it with the less efficient gearbox.

[Guest VBlaster_W211]

5 gear transmission costs less than the 7-G Tronic. Probably used for E250 as the engine makes good torque from low rpms due to TC.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

How I wish my car has the versatility like the previous Q5, so easy loading things, seat high and eat up humps @ mscp and off course so easy to up the power and again the quick changing 7 spd g/b.

How I wish my car has the handling & speed of my previous A4 and also the 7spd quick shifting g/b and again so easy to mod!

Now I am resigned to the "comfort & refinement" of my current Merc

How I wish they can put all the good points I like into 1 car - ONLY IN MY SWEET DREAM!:becky:

When I had the FL W211 E200k - I asked myself why I didn't considered

the E230! Maybe I rushed the buy! I still dunno the answer!

When I was in MBC - looking at the E250, I asked myself should I buy the E300 avantgarde. It's only $10+k more that the E250 avantgarde. I had even asked & willing to fork out the extra $$$ for the E250 amg sport package + pana roof option. Told no pana roof or amg sport package stock - has to wait many months. Got pana roof show room car E250 elegance - I dun want cos me and my CO luv the ash wood, bi-xenon & the "other extras"

Eventually after talking to CO, we decided on the E250!

Now after 2 months has passed, I asked myself again

why I didn't buy the E300 avantgarde - I dunno how to answer my own Q....muhahahaha!

My Rp2 worth - never end in comparing - buy what rocks your boat.

After buying, think made mistake? live with it or sell.....hahahaha!

Buy high - sell low.....hahaha sound like short selling.....heheheh!

Enjoy you ride lah guys!

[Guest Mr. M]

Yep just enjoy and don't look back. Every purchase is an experience.

No excuses for MB not including the 7 cogs in the E250 though except for maybe cost-cutting. Actually, the E200 CDI and E220 CDI models will get 7G come next year in Europe, hopefully that'll filter down to the petrols as well.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Mr. M wrote:

Yep just enjoy and don't look back. Every purchase is an experience.

No excuses for MB not including the 7 cogs in the E250 though except for maybe cost-cutting. Actually, the E200 CDI and E220 CDI models will get 7G come next year in Europe, hopefully that'll filter down to the petrols as well.

Hopefully Unker see got tio beh pio later change FL E250 7G-tronics and I heard also got Long wheel base cumming too!

[Guest Mr. M]

kepiting1sg wrote:

Hopefully Unker see got tio beh pio later change FL E250 7G-tronics and I heard also got Long wheel base cumming too!

Haha really? Thought long wheelbase models are exclusively for China market only.