Thanks for all your input. I agree that the trade value was much better than I expected. I still love my turbo but I have been taking it fairly easy since my recent speeding ticket. My wife's accident on top of that took some of the thrill out of owning a turbo. I think I will still keep it and get a low mile used one or maybe even S500 or S430 for my wife to drive around in. Afterall, my wife does not care for the extra HP/ Torque. It's just that I was in a fairly excited mood last night after almost buying a S55.

As for Alamein's comment about me not deserving a turbo for having such a thought, including some " f " word, what can I say ?

I am so sorry to have offended such a great one with so much wisdom. I am not worthy !

 

Good to hear that with such extensive damage that your family walked away unscathed. My daily driver is an E-class. Mercedes is definitely a safe car for the family.

 

I own an '03 X50 and a '04 S55. They are obviously very different cars. I love them both. The turbos virtues are obvious to all on this board so I won't belabor them.
If you are going to drive 8 hours, the MB is a delight. Quiet (except when you produce the delightful full throttle V8 roar accompanied by lag free V8 torque), smooth ride, decent handling for a 4600lb luxury car, great seats. I think its a great luxury car. Don't think it'd be much fun at any track other than a drag strip though. My only significant complaint is that the Germans keep putting tiny gas tanks in these delightful gas guzzling machines.
Different tools for different tasks. Pretty sure owning one doesn't make me an unworthy human being despite some of the flaming responses you've received.

 

both cars are kick ***. why deny it?

 

I had the opportunity to drive all AMG MB. I really liked the E55. A nice cruiser. The S55 too big too heavy. SL-55 not fun CL-65 way overpowered for the chassis. I'd take the E55 in the mid 70's really fair. I would never change my TT. I'd rather have this and a Toyota.
P.S. We do own two MB in the familly A-160 and a Brabus E-210.Too many visits to the shop. TT there is no substitute. Maybe a GT-2 ...

 

If is was me...I would keep the turbo, fix up the crashed E class, sell it then put that money towards an used S class. You can't really compare a Pcar to a MB iwhen it comes to performance. But comfort wise, you can't beat MB. I have a S500 and when I want a quite smooth ride and big comfortable seat, that what I'll drive. The S500 is slow but not that slow and I'm sure you can get a new one for a great deal. Go to Smythe if you're close

 

maybe an E55 if you don't care about the back seat

 

You're shopping for an S class for you wife and she's complaining about you spending too much on cars.

Buy her a Honda Accord or Volvo (safe car) and keep your Turbo.

 

In fortune magazine a few months back, (Enron scandal/ banks help) there was an article about MB and all the problems they have been having. Its an interesting read. The one thing that i took away from the article is that with MB and their declining residual value, there is no way in hell i would pay MSRP or above. MB's residual values are less then BMW, Lexus, or Jag.

 

Why not buy watt's '01 MB S600?

I believe it is officially for sale!