Replaced the '04 TL...with waffles, butter, and bacon. Pics on post 49!
 

My '04 TL has done great through the years. Got it when it had 30k miles and now, 9 years later, it has 170k miles. But now it's all sorts of not good and needs $7.5k in repairs and is only worth ~$2k. Definitely time to move on.

So from the get go I was looking at a sports sedan. Also not buying brand new since I could get a year older with low miles for a much better price. I tried to do a lot of research ahead of time and after lots of test drives I weeded cars I didn't like out of the pack based on interior, power, looks, etc. And I've lost lots brain cells thinking over this so much but I've narrowed it down to the two finalists - '16 Audi S4 vs '16 Mercedes AMG C450. (I just weeded out the Q50 Red Sport today... feels just like the wife's G37 with a little more power... didn't stand out to me).

Both cars are very beautiful/sporty, a thrill to drive... very responsive when stepping on it and nice interiors. I will say the Mercedes interior is nicer though, a plus from the wife's POV.

Both are very similar in what the have to offer tech wise except the Mercedes has 2 USB ports but no parking sensors whereas the Audi has parking sensors but no USB port (SERIOUSLY?? NO USB??). The Mercedes did have a backup camera though.
The Audi has 24k miles. Warranty - 4 yr/50k miles + additional 2 yr/50k miles for being CPO = 6 yr/100k miles
The Mercedes has 8k miles. Warranty - 4 yr/50k miles + additional 1 yr/unlimited mi warranty for being CPO
The S4 price out the door is $6.5k cheaper than the C450.

The wife likes the Mercedes better, in fact she doesn't think much of the S4. But this is my car, and I'm super torn between the two. The ones I'm looking at are both white. If I got the Merc I'd probably powder coat the wheels black (oh and there is also a charcoal gray C450 available).


SO.. any input? People who have owned or driven these cars? Anything I should know? My wife has a G37 so obviously coming from Japanese cars to German is new to me.

You seem to be someone he keeps your car for a very long time and therefore I'm certain reliability is what you are after. In recent years Audi's have moved up quite a bit and I think possibly better than Mercedes. My vote goes to the S4.

^Yea, I do try to keep my cars as long as I can. At least I did with the TL.

I have heard of Audis moving up reliability wise the last few years but I've also heard that when they are out of warranty and need repairs, the cost is substantially more than others ie. Mercedes for the same repair.

Everywhere I seem to research says the water pump in the Audi is a problem and a big fix, still don't know if it is resolved yet.

I don't know that that is the case, from pesonal experience Mercedes are ridiculous to service here compared to Audi products (though Acuras are WAY cheaper to repair than either lol). The other thing is from experience Audi's are easier to work on than mercedes and there are many indy mechanics around for audi products. The one MAJOR bonus for audi products is vagcom (search it up if you are unaware). Vagcom is a tool like an OBD scanner than gives you dealer level of customization and code scanning for VAG products. You have the same tool they will use at the dealer at your fingertips. Don't think mercedes has that.

I'll admit, I still struggle to recommend Audi for reliability. Thank goodness there are some warranty options on your choices. The problem I would have with the Audi you mention is the lack of USB ports. I can't imagine not having them for a number of years.

Go for the S4.

Have you driven a DAS equipped Q50?

What are the prices for both cars you are interested in? Btw have you considered chatting on other forums that are pertaining to what your interests are like Audi or Mercedes forums? I'm just asking because you are most likely to get better answers from actual owners of those cars. All I can say is Good luck after the warranty runs out on either. lol. Unless you don't mind spending the money to up keep both I would just lease the damn car and get rid of it. You are stepping up from an 04 Acura TL to much more expensive brands. One of my friends are leasing a 2016 Audi S4
they had a BMW 3 series that broke down on them and the repairs where about $10,000. Another friend of mine had a Mercedes E Class that broke down and repairs where about $10,000 also he bought a new one last year again but he makes $350,000.00 a year in income so it doesn't matter to him.
If you can afford to keep up with any issues after the factory warranty and plus your extended warranty runs out then good but I'm sure by then you will be interested in getting some other newer car with better technology. All choices are yours

are car USB even the right amperage for newer-ish phones?
I would die if the car USB didnt charge the phone, especially with USB-C gaining traction...

unless new cars dont come with cigarette lighters any more..?
I have a super small USB-C car lighter charger

I did. It felt like I was driving my wife's G37.. with more hp available. But was more of a softer/comfy ride, not as sporty feeling as I was looking for. Just my opinion.

S4.

car USBs charge phones just fine...although I expect USB-C is going to be a royal pain in the ass in the near future.

S4, probably going to be my choice to replace the TL this year as well.

I've heard only good things about the S4 in multiple Audi boards. If anything, the turbos are having problems (according to Audi forums) than anything else. Drove a S4 last week, and I love it. If you can, find a Prestige model.

S4

Mercedes
[/MBfanboi]

The non DAS equipped Q50 felt like a regular to me so I went with a fully loaded sport hybrid. I was in a similar position to you as in looking for a TL replacement that I could keep long term that was reliable and low maintenance. I stayed away from German/European vehicles as it was going to be a daily driver. Good luck with your search but if I had to choose between the two options you posted I'd go with the merc

I say C450.

The S4 is already an old body style. The next gen are already at the port ready to go to the dealers.

At least with the C450 you'll have a current body style until 2019/2020.

The C450 makes all the right noises too.
I was in the same position except I was buying new. I didn't like the S4 because it is showing it's age as an old platform already.

If you do go with the S4 make sure it has the sport differential and etc otherwise it understeers like crazy. Steering has no feel as typical with Audi.

If you are planning on keeping your car for the long haul, I'd recommend not getting either. If you're only going to keep it for the remainder of the warranty and then dump it, I'd recommend just leasing a new one instead as that'll be cheaper. While both cars are really fun...they aren't so fun when the warranty ends. Audi may have moved up in recent years for NEW cars for the first few years of ownership, there isn't much data on how the post warranty experience is because there aren't many who have hit that yet.

IMO, look into Lexus instead of either if you want some better reliability.

Too many people on forums and in general fall into this stereotype that Japanese cars are so reliable and German cars aren't.

That might be true for economy cars like a Corolla vs Jetta but once you get into luxury cars all bets are off.

My Q50 (Japan built) was a nightmare reliability wise. My previous IS350 was a money pit as well. Mind as well go with what makes you happy because either way you're going to run into issues because these cars have a lot of electronics and tech that are new.

FWIW I'm with the "lease a German luxury car" camp. I've owned a BMW and have friends and neighbors that have owned Mercedes and BMWs. We loved our cars but the repair frequency and costs are no joke. I've also owned Acuras and my current Infiniti. Japanese car quality is no Internet feeble.

Like you, I keep cars well after I pay them off. I just can't imagine keeping up the maintenance on a 7 to 10 year old Audi or Mercdes. However, if you must pick between the two I'd say research what others say about the service experiences of your local dealerships and pick the car with best Service department. Afterall, that is part of the ownership experience and (I hope not, but) you might be spending more time there than you anticipate.

Good luck!

Look into how much it may be for the USB jack. That was a dealbreaker for me when looking for a new vehicle as I needed to have the easy connectivity, no more fumbling with 2-3 cords and then messing with the bluetooth for HFL and unplugging the headphones, etc.

The 6.5K savings is enticing but it comes down to how you feel when you drive the car. For example if you get the audi and in day to day life are troubled by the fact that it doesn't have the USB, the backup camera, the sensors, etc, you'll be wishing you got the MB or another car! Might as well go with the car that has the features! Have you tried expanding your search with an Audi dealer or MB dealer to see if they can find a car that meets your criteria and can possibly be sent over?

Also what are you doing with the TL?

I have been thinking about it long and hard, especially last night. To the point where I woke up at 1:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep. I decided to go with the C450 because although it was the more expensive one, it was the most fun to drive and was much more updated/nicer inside and knew I would be happiest with that car. Integra was red, TL was silver, so went with white for a nice change. Should be picking it up later this week. :)


I'm either doing to trade in the TL to a local dealer (depending what they give me) or maybe sell it to another member on here who is interested.

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll really enjoy the C450.

:woot: MB-zine!
Congrats

Congrats!

In for pics!

Congrats on the new ride!

In for the pics.

I think the C is great! Congratulations. Can't wait to see and hear about it.

Pics or it didn't happen. Congrats!

Right on! We're gonna have to meet for a beer so I can check it out

Congrats! Recently sold our Merc; probably one of the best purchases we've ever made... miss that thing!

Although I'm certain you did, but I'll say it anyway.... extended warranty!

I can certainly attest to 5k - 7k service bills where we walked away only paying the deductible of $100 every time.

Now, where are the pics!? :smile:

I have a 2010 Audi S5 which I bought used in 2012 with 15k miles. Right now it has $60k miles and the only thing that was wrong with was a CEL that kept on coming on. They actually kept it for 2 weeks and couldn't find anything wrong with it. It came back on and I had to drive 4 hours for a business trip so I said screw it. About 2 hours into the trip the CEL went off and it has never gone back on .....and it's been about 3 years. Mine has the V8 and it is now 2017 and the power is still there and no one rattled in the interior (and I live in NJ where the roads are crap).

I see you've made up your mind already, but just in case you aren't fully convinced yet. Either way, you can't lose.....

:pics:

In for pics! I was going to suggest the MB as well. :)

Surprised you didn't just go for the full AMG.... C63 :drag:

Congratulations! :cheers:

I actually had to look up the C450, as I didn't know what it is. :doh:

serms to to lay down some impressive performance numbers. Congrats!

:nod: I imagine it'll make a great DD.

congratulations on the new car, I hope it lasts you a long time

Picked it up last night :love:. Will try to post pics today or tomorrow.

^ Yes!! Can't wait to see pics :D