this thread needs some pictures

fugly? I think not.



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I prefer the convertible, especially in this color.

 

Poll added

No brainer, S5, even with the old V-8. Coupes should look good and the E 550 coupe looks horrid in pics and in person. The S5 has tons of presence even if its familiar.

The E550 might actually be faster but the S5 has more useable AWD. Both have good size trunks. I much prefer the S5 interior.

Good luck.

 

S5 or CPO S5

 

Regarding the E550 - the front lights are nice. The side profile seems to have Korean overtones to me. And so do the rear lights and downsloping trunk lid.

Don't flame me. Aesthetics are all about perception. My perception is that the E550 design is borrowing from the Korean school.

 

the side lines and the crease that stretches from front to rear is typical mercedes, as seen in almost all of their models. This was taken by the "koreans" ie hyundai with the new sonata.

dustin, its interesting how your picture of the vert shows the E class with C class style side mirros while the coupe has the more rounded look of the SL. I knoe the E coupes are based on the C class platform though.

also does the S5 have ambient interior lighting? its hard to find a picture of the E class with it, but the interior lighting at night is gorgeous

 

Actually classic Mercedes is simple wedge shape in my opinion. Mercedes introduced this arc line with the 2nd gen clk, the last CL, the cls, the current S and E models. The older models were wedge with a simple downsloping line. More of an angular look. Hyundai has been doing the arc shape for years. The Elantra has had an arc shape line for years, and previous sonatas did to. The last sonata had a wedge profile which marked an attempt by Hyundai to westernize their appearance.

That said if we are strictly true to automotive design history, the arc shape originated in France before the Koreans borrowed it. It is the shape of classic Citroens.

 

the ONLY thing I'm going to point out is that the sun roof on the A/S5 doesn't slide open, only tilt.

 

can't go wrong with either, they are both nice. i'd go with the MB cause it's MB over Audi almost all day everyday... the only Audi I perfer over MB is probably R8 over CL and SL...

 

I didn't notice. It might be because the convertible I posted is a diesel and those get the "efficient-low drag" mirrors of the BlueTec or BlueEfficiency C classes, which I see around here quite often with those exact same mirrors. That's my best guess.


I believe it does since the current E class has ambient interior lighting.

 

These "which car should I buy" threads are always a good read.

 

Nice choices. Even though I love the Audi I probaly would still purchase the E550. It's just something about own a Benz in my neck of the woods. But if your looking for sport I suggest you purchase the Audi.

 

Let's add pics of the interiors...

 

I drove a Audi A5 V6 extensively yesterday, (owned by family friend). Very nice, but lacked the solid feel, RWD handling/steering of a Benz.

 

Unless the E550 had the 4Matic option (if available), the Quattro AWD would probably steer me towards the S5....that, and the S5's drop-dead-gorgeous styling.