m500

Should I go for the S350 or LS430? Need advise before 2pm today? I'm going down to meet up with my sales at Longo today. This question come up during my research in Cardirects.com. I found MB is giveing away S350 for 13k off msrp until 03/31/2006. Now its just $52k to start. I almost have a change of heart.

lnguyenh

Both of S class and LS430 are changing style so expect them to lose value tremendously in the near future. Being a big MB fan myself, and if these two are the only choices you have, I'd say go for the LS430.

S350 is too heavy for the V6 (and it is not even has the same V6 4valves which produces 268 HP like other MB - E, CLK, SLK ...). S350 is shorter than the regular S classes. It doesn't come with free AMG sport package (or 4matic) like the other S'es ... It does drive better than the LS430, IMO.

Check out the mbusa and lexus to compare them. Since you are asking this forum, I guess you pretty much know what the answer going to be like

rjm

Been there....done that! I had a Mercedes E-430 for 5 years. The transmission failed at 24,000 miles. The car spent more time in the shop during those 5 years than in my garage. JD Powers rates Mercedes 28th out of 38 cars rated in terms of quality and dependibility. The LS430 has been rated #1 for the past 11 years. My LS430 has been faultless. It has been back only 1 time and that for the periodic oil change. No problems or issues at all. Just my experience. Good luck with your decision.

JLAWS

Just the mere fact that Mercedes made a V6 version of their flagship makes the LS430 a no brainer choice. The LS is just a better car hands down in terms of quality and reliability.

PHX ATC

It's after 2pm, what'dya get?


Betwixt the S350 and LS...get the Lexus, no brainer, for a myriad of reasons. Don't be schmoozled by some bucks off MSRP, with a Benz (I love MB too) you will eventually pay it in repairs and little crap fixes.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

between v8 (ls430) and v6 (s350) that's a no brainer, ls430 for sure. that's completely different imho.

and as a side note, s350? they hav that car here in the US now?! i only see s550 on mb's website. i know they have e350 but never know about the s350

m500

I'm in SoCal, so its only 9L00am right now. But looks like I'm gonna still with my original plans.

MSMLexIS

Lexus has more room and is more refined and lets not forget about quality.

PHX ATC

Sorry, I thought you posted that yesterday.

We've sat, rode, and pondered the same thing, although it was a S430. My wife was to get the new S430 and I would get her 2002 E320. After thinking about it and pondering all the visits to the MB dealer (I've had $2000ish worth of warranty repairs on the 2002 this year) that I would be making with 2 MBs, I decided to go a different route. She wished to keep her E320, she loves it. I love it too, but with the amount of miles I put on a vehicle, I couldn't see having two MBs and the bills to go along with them. Hence, the LS430 for me. I bought it used, with 13,000 miles on it.

The S350 will be underpowered and lacking of some goodies that the LS has. I am a firm believer that you pay about $10-$15K for the MB nameplate on there. I'm not saying they suck, because they don't, but comparing those 2, LS430 wins hands down.

LexFather

S350? I would get an E350 before a S350.

LS 430>S350 and S430
LS 430=S500
S600/55/65>LS 430

LS 460> all the above

encore888

The LS 430 beat the S-class in the C&D comparo...whopping first vs. last finish.

Good choice.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

so my question still stands, they have s350 here in the US? i thought it's only in europe, if anything. i don't see s350 on mb's website

PHX ATC

Yes, they do.

MB-USA's website has the 2007 model already featured on it. In 2006, they did bring some S350s into the US. Short wheel base and lacking of some goodies.

lnguyenh

there is no such 2007 S350 here in the US (well, at least not yet) but they started them here at 2006 model, short wheel base, pretty standard. My friend's wife leased one for around 6 months and they hated it already. It's a 3.7L with 241 HP engine (3 valves SOHC)

lnguyenh

let's be fair ... LS430 = S430 (had they cost the same, I think S430 would win).