i cant decide if i want to buy a 2013 TL SH-AWD tech or a 2010 E350 4matic Premium1 package Benz. They both have basically the same features but the tl has xenon headlights and keyless entry. fuel economy is the same. i just had a 2013 TL loaner over the weekend and i loved it. i love the punch it has and the styling. now for the e350, i love how classy it looks but it doesnt have the pickup that the tl does. but its still decent. the e350 also has better build quality. they would both have about 30k miles and same price. what would you guys pick?

 

Maintenance will be much more expensive on the benz and it will be out of warranty soon, does that matter to you? If you had he TL for a weekend and really enjoyed it i'd go that route. The TL will hold its value much better too if that matters to you.

 

I know a local mercedes mechanic that does maintenance much cheaper. my dad has 2010 mercedes with 70k miles and has had like 2 really tiny fixes that are non-engine related. i think i need to take an e350 home for the weekend. i love the tl but i also love the e class. what would you buy?

 

Similar cars for different drivers. I'd compare the FWD to the E350 because it's not sporty at all. My parents have a 12' white/beige E350 4matic with the luxury or prestige package, it's beautiful. I love the ambient lighting, exterior styling and wood steering wheel. I'd still take my TL over it any day though; IMO its a ride for grandpa's.

 

Well I'm the owner of a 12' TL and I'm very happy with it so I think my decision would be pretty evident as would most others on a TL forum.

 

I always compared German vs Japanese. Repair and maintenance. Things like that I've always seen cost just way too much for German cars for me to justify it at this point... but I'm only 20 with a part time job so that's mainly why.

You really gotta consider luxury vs sport/luxury. The E class is a full on luxury vehicle. It's RWD or AWD system isn't comparable to Acura's AWD system. I have yet to drive a car that compares like it. My priority was a luxury vehicle, but I wanted a sport feel that gave a stiffness when flooring it or taking a turn, plus all the add-ons for the E350 seems like a lot more than the TL.

 

Atl7, how many other cars you have in mind ?

It is much better to combine them all in a single thread, such as '09-TL vs '12-TL vs E350.

 

I'm only considering a 2010 E350 and 2013 TL. The performance of the tl is awesome but I can't decide if I want that performance or the luxury of the E350. That's basically what it will come down to. Thanks for all the replies!

 

By luxury, what are you talking about? The ride? The Materials? or just because its a Benz?

 

As a former E Class M-B owner, unless you like $150 oil changes, and just stupid expensive repair bills, I'd stay away from a Benz. Myself and several colleagues of mine have each had the "pleasure" of owning a Benz, and all sold them due to ridiculous maintenance and repair costs, and yes they do break.


Need to come up with an a term for M-B similar to Bavarian Money Waster.


Stick with reliable and reasonable costs to own and get the TL

 

I know that the tl is luxurious. I've got an '04 and I love it. But as far as build quality and material I think that the e350 is more luxurious. And I like how smooth and comfortable the ride the benz has- not that the tl doesn't

I know- I've heard plenty of people say benz is unreliable. I previously owned a clk and in the 90 thousand miles I ran on it all I had to replace was the computer. My dad has a 2010 benz and in the 73 thousand miles it has, all he's had were two tiny under-warranty repairs so I've got faith in the brand. Id understand if someone didn't because they had to do a bunch of repairs. I have a friend that used to be a mercedes mechanic so he can do maintenance and oil changes if I don't want to pay that huge price. Thanks for the feedback though!

 

My wife drives a 2012 ML350 and the maintenance is crazy unless you purchase a prepaid maintenance plan. While the maintenance may still be on the high side the plan will save you money. And regardless of what the dealer says the plans are negotiable.

I would NEVER own an MB out of warranty.

 

Yeah I'd be getting a certified e350. Way too risky to own an out of warranty benz!

And I know acura is really reliable, but they can still have some expensive repairs. I just had to get the power steering pump replaced in my '04 tl and the total came to like $800 after parts and labor. Luckily I have this weird warranty and it covered about $500!

 

Good call.

 

In a meeting with a Benz manager here in Florida, the Benz dealership makes over 60% of it's total revenue from repairs. Citing how unreliable they can be.
I've personally witnessed several S class friends of mine had, that would break down, one of which in the middle of the street with his kids. Cause?Faulty computer which was changed twice before.

I have the '12 Sh-AWD and before that, a 2005 Tl w 164k and only repairs were basic maintenance.

Benz is nice but you'll be paying to be in it.

Choose reliable sport cruising in style or broke down on the freeway in luxury? Guess it'll be comfortable till the tow truck comes.

 

Benz are beautiful but if you're planning on keeping the car for the long run, get the TL. Less maintenance and cheaper when needed.
It's also 3 years newer and has keyless entry! I would only lease a German car.

 

My neighbor bought a 13' S550 in 2012 after having a 12' CTS-V sedan, which he traded in because it encouraged him to drive to fast. Initially he loved the S550. Towards the beginning of 2013 I noticed him driving the S550 less and less often and in other lesser Mercedes. Turns out the car was in the shop as often as it was in his garage lol. He sold it back to Mercedes and got a 13' E350 at the end of 2013; I don't understand the logic, but hey...

 

I had a mid 90's SL500, it was awesome, but the the repairs were killer. it was actually pretty stout until it got to about 100k miles, then things went downhill fast.

If you plan on owning it less than say 5 years I say go for it... If you plan to own it 5-10 years I'd go with the TL...

 

A friend of ours had two MBs, including a '13 SUV. She finally said she was finished with the brand because they were always in the shop and always costing money. But get this - she dumped the MB and got a Range Rover. Talk about out of the frying pan . . . .

 

Here's a list of vehicle brands based on reliability by JD Power for 2013 in the US. Acura is 8th on the list while Mercedes is 5th... hmm. Range Rover is last. LOL ^^

http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dep...ss-release.htm

 

yeah my '04 tl has been good to me- just a few repairs here and there. i bought a new clk430 back in '99 and in the 8 years and 110,000 miles that i ran on it, i had to replace the computer and that was basically the only repair that was ever done on the car. it will be a cpo so im really not worried about it and i am optimistic that the car will be reliable. and my local mb dealer just quoted me a '11 with 17,000 miles so i think ill be good haha!

lol e350 is still nice! but yeah thats a little weird to go from an s class to an e class. i think the e350's are more reliable though!

lol definitely not what i would switch to but hey..my neighbor just got a '14 sport hse and its nice! and i have faith in mercedes so im not very hesitant in getting an e350

 

With these two your are comparing luxury and performance. The TL will out perform the MB in all categories (Or I know I will out drive anyone with a E350). While the small things like prestigious name and interior styling will be won be the MB. So it comes to a personal opinion that you will have to make. I had to make the same choice and I choose the TL because most of my friends drive for performance other than styling. So just weight it out with your friends and yourself.

 

Fixed

 

More fixed.

 

exactly what i was thinking! im pretty sure im gonna go with the e350 because i love the styling and luxurious feel of it. i'll still have my other tl and mdx so im not completely betraying acura lol. dont get me wrong, i love good performance but i can sacrifice it for the e350

 

Sounds like you are favoring the MB, looking for reasons to NOT buy it, rather than reasons TO buy the Acura. Lots of variability in MBs depending on the year; for example most people would say the Chrysler-era cars are junk.

My father in law has a nice white Sclass and loves it, except for 'the two times the air suspension went out and cost me $2k a pop to fix' but you have a good MB mechanic so go for it...

 

Both great cars, but I would only lease a Benz or BMW. There are some good lease incentives on the e350 right now too. If you want more luxury there is always Lexus.

 

LOL. Ranger Rover and low maintenance do not seem to go together.

 

http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dep...ss-release.htm

Looks like Merc got there shit together, or just could be a outlier year for them.

 

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