CPO Lexus ES 350 vs MB E Class
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CPO Lexus ES 350 vs MB E Class
Currently debating between Lexus and MB Sedan CPO or used 3 years 50k miles. Looking for something nicer than a Camry but not wanting to take out a second mortgage for repairs and maintenance.
From my anecdotal experience Mercedes is more luxurious, better materials, and more technology. Lexus is more reliable and lower cost to own. I could care less about the badge on the car, just want a nice car that is quality that I can drive for 10 years with few problems.
I am aware that the MB is a more expensive car new, but at 3 years 50k they are about the same price.
From my anecdotal experience Mercedes is more luxurious, better materials, and more technology. Lexus is more reliable and lower cost to own. I could care less about the badge on the car, just want a nice car that is quality that I can drive for 10 years with few problems.
I am aware that the MB is a more expensive car new, but at 3 years 50k they are about the same price.
Last edited by martin545; May 30, 2017 at 09:19 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
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imho they are not in the same category...E Class is a very sweet mid-sized car. ES is a Camry i.e. FWD.....if it were me I would jump on a E class forum to see what the issues are on a particular year....
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
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agreed -- you are comparing apples to oranges here. the e class is in a class above the es. you should be comparing the gs to the e class and then you should choose the gs if you aren't looking to spend a lot in repairs unless you have an extensive extended warranty on the e class.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: Tx
ES is based on an Avalon platform (at least for the 2013 year +) so it is larger than a Camry. However ES is the entry-level Lexus sedan, which in MB's case is the C-class I think. CPO MB's come with 1 year unlimited mile warranties, and you can pay to get it extended to 3 years. The fact that MB caps the CPO warranty to 3 years unlimited miles is a worrisome sign to me that they are cautious as to repair-needs past the 3 year mark. Personally if you want to drive over the next 10 years worry-free, I'm not sure there is a MB model I would recommend that would meet that criteria. So ES would be the better way to go (even a non-CPO unit).
Lexus Champion
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ES is based on an Avalon platform (at least for the 2013 year +) so it is larger than a Camry. However ES is the entry-level Lexus sedan, which in MB's case is the C-class I think. CPO MB's come with 1 year unlimited mile warranties, and you can pay to get it extended to 3 years. The fact that MB caps the CPO warranty to 3 years unlimited miles is a worrisome sign to me that they are cautious as to repair-needs past the 3 year mark. Personally if you want to drive over the next 10 years worry-free, I'm not sure there is a MB model I would recommend that would meet that criteria. So ES would be the better way to go (even a non-CPO unit).
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Avalon, actually, but otherwise correct. You could compare a GS to an E-Class, but not an ES. 2 very different cars, and different price points.
Lexus Champion
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From: TN
I'd say drive both the ES and GS Lexus, maybe even an LS if you think it will fit in your budget(just avoid the air suspension option). I'd say the ES compares more favorably to the E-class, as both are designed to be smooth riding luxo-cruisers with no real pretense of sporty handling. The GS has a bit stiffer suspension(and less room in the back seat/trunk compared to both cars), but it will drive/handle a lot nicer IMO, you feel more connected to the road.
As for long term reliability and cost of ownership, Lexus all the way. With the Benz, their build quality is a lot better than it was back in the early/mid 2000's, and I think you'd get good service from a base model V6 E350. The thing with German cars, the more they cost, the more cylinders they have, the repairs become more frequent and expensive vs their cheaper cars(some of them, like BMW's with the twin turbo V8 are real POS's) If you get the E-class, avoid the V8 and get the base suspension, no electronic/air controlled struts/springs.
As for long term reliability and cost of ownership, Lexus all the way. With the Benz, their build quality is a lot better than it was back in the early/mid 2000's, and I think you'd get good service from a base model V6 E350. The thing with German cars, the more they cost, the more cylinders they have, the repairs become more frequent and expensive vs their cheaper cars(some of them, like BMW's with the twin turbo V8 are real POS's) If you get the E-class, avoid the V8 and get the base suspension, no electronic/air controlled struts/springs.
Driver School Candidate
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From: NC
I agree. I'd stick with the old 3.5L V6 and base suspension for the E. A normally yearly maintenance is ~$500/year (not counting tires or other big items)
The Q50 is worth a look, Infiniti depreciates a lot so great for CPO. I think 2014 models had some software issues though.
The Q50 is worth a look, Infiniti depreciates a lot so great for CPO. I think 2014 models had some software issues though.
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Welcome to CL.
If you are looking for safety, crashworthiness, and / or a sophisticated chassis/suspension, then an argument could be made for the Mercedes. But if, as your post indicates, you simply want reliability and not have to deal with repairs, then you have less risk with an ES. If and when you DO need service and repairs, you will find that a typical Lexus dealership, though not cheap by any means, is significantly less expensive than a typical Mercedes shop. Mercedes repair shops are not called stealerships for nothing. 
Originally Posted by martin545
Currently debating between Lexus and MB Sedan CPO or used 3 years 50k miles. Looking for something nicer than a Camry but not wanting to take out a second mortgage for repairs and maintenance.
From my anecdotal experience Mercedes is more luxurious, better materials, and more technology. Lexus is more reliable and lower cost to own. I could care less about the badge on the car, just want a nice car that is quality that I can drive for 10 years with few problems.
I am aware that the MB is a more expensive car new, but at 3 years 50k they are about the same price.
From my anecdotal experience Mercedes is more luxurious, better materials, and more technology. Lexus is more reliable and lower cost to own. I could care less about the badge on the car, just want a nice car that is quality that I can drive for 10 years with few problems.
I am aware that the MB is a more expensive car new, but at 3 years 50k they are about the same price.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,099
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From: Tx
Welcome to CL.
If you are looking for safety, crashworthiness, and / or a sophisticated chassis/suspension, then an argument could be made for the Mercedes. But if, as your post indicates, you simply want reliability and not have to deal with repairs, then you have less risk with an ES. If and when you DO need service and repairs, you will find that a typical Lexus dealership, though not cheap by any means, is significantly less expensive than a typical Mercedes shop. Mercedes repair shops are not called stealerships for nothing.
If you are looking for safety, crashworthiness, and / or a sophisticated chassis/suspension, then an argument could be made for the Mercedes. But if, as your post indicates, you simply want reliability and not have to deal with repairs, then you have less risk with an ES. If and when you DO need service and repairs, you will find that a typical Lexus dealership, though not cheap by any means, is significantly less expensive than a typical Mercedes shop. Mercedes repair shops are not called stealerships for nothing.
All kidding aside, my wife does really like the look of the E-class but logic/wallet/finances/sanity dictates only as a lease vehicle. To own past the warranty expiration date would be the ES 100%...you could also consider the ES300h depending on your driving needs. For validation, check out a few MB forums to chat with other E-class owners (talks of repair times, electronic gremlins), compare that to the ES thread we have here on CL.
Lexus Fanatic
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A buddy of mine just bought a 2012 CPO E350 with about 60k on it in pretty good shape. I actually like the outside of those cars, and its very nice to drive but man the interior is dated...material quality is better than the ES, but I think the ES' interior feels more modern. E350 is a more solid sophisticated car and you can feel that when you drive them back to back.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Canada
Welcome to CL.
If you are looking for safety, crashworthiness, and / or a sophisticated chassis/suspension, then an argument could be made for the Mercedes. But if, as your post indicates, you simply want reliability and not have to deal with repairs, then you have less risk with an ES. If and when you DO need service and repairs, you will find that a typical Lexus dealership, though not cheap by any means, is significantly less expensive than a typical Mercedes shop. Mercedes repair shops are not called stealerships for nothing.
If you are looking for safety, crashworthiness, and / or a sophisticated chassis/suspension, then an argument could be made for the Mercedes. But if, as your post indicates, you simply want reliability and not have to deal with repairs, then you have less risk with an ES. If and when you DO need service and repairs, you will find that a typical Lexus dealership, though not cheap by any means, is significantly less expensive than a typical Mercedes shop. Mercedes repair shops are not called stealerships for nothing.
I do agree that the 4-wheel MacPherson strut suspension of the ES, inherited from the Camry and the Avalon, is not a sophisticated suspension system, but it does its job. The ES rides comfortably and is not meant to be driven aggressively.
