fourcircle

Selling my 2011 MB E350 and buying a new A5. What kind of changes will I enjoy (and hate)? What kind of problems/quirks can I expect from the A5?

Huey52

I very much enjoy my '11 A5, but not sure it'll be comparable for you to your 3.5L, 300+ hp V6 E350. However, with a tune the 2.0T is quite peppy and still returns excellent gas mileage.

From your other thread I would also say the A5 does indeed have more automotive 'soul.' I really appreciate its elegant lines and interior fit & finish, but expect the MB is excellent in the latter area as well.

You're not crazy to want something different a year later, life is short, but of course you'll be paying a premium in sunk cost depreciation to get one now.

MonzaA5

The 2011 E350 has the old, port injected 268 hp engine. The A5 should be faster, though not by much.

harinder

I went from an '06 E55 to an '09 A5 3.2. I missed the power, but that was really about it. The A5 has much crisper handling and the body felt much tighter. Of course, quattro is awesome.

fourcircle

I got such an incredible deal on my E350 that I can private party sell it now for not much less than what I paid for it new. (of course, asking ain't always getting). If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even consider the A5.

Looking at my options, I discovered something I thought I'd never see - I'll come out better overall if I trade the car in towards the A5 and only pay tax on the difference. This is because the tax due on a new A5 outright is greater than the tax owed on the balance if i traded in.

fourcircle

[QUOTE=fourcircle;24238715]I got such an incredible deal on my E350 that I can private party sell it now for not much less than what I paid for it new. (of course, asking ain't always getting). If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even be considering the A5.

Looking at my options, I discovered something I thought I'd never see - I'll come out better overall if I trade the car in towards the A5 and only pay tax on balance due. Money saved on taxes by trading in is greater than difference in money earned selling PP vs trade in. This must only apply to high priced mostly new cars.