dandlewood

Hey guys,
I need some advice. Considering biting the bullet and upgrading to the E-350 (US model) 2014. My dealer has offered me a competitive rate on a 4matic premium 1 model (Mid-Low 50's) and I'm trying to decide whether to buy or a month for the 2015 to come out. Only hitch is that if I wait a month, I'll have to dump around 1-2k into my current car which I really won't get back on the trade in. Is there any compelling reason to wait for the 2015 model? From what I gather, it will be nearly identical aside from the contents of the various packages.

I'm thinking that the extra 5-6k I can save by buying the old model year would make the car a better value (as much as luxury cars can be considered as having value).

SolidGranite

2015 will have a considerably better engine. The 2014 resale will plummet due to this as well. Either wait for a '15 or wait for the 15s but buy a '14.

T.H.Carrera

for USA both e350 and e400 will remain right? then why would the 2014 e350 price plummet?

MBNUT1

Which engine the twin turbo 6?

dandlewood

Any links? Here is the sum of what I've been able to find out about the 2015 model(and I'm not even sure how much of THAT is correct):


1) Different packages
2) E350 will become hybrid, e400 will be the new e350 (although model numbers have changed, I haven't heard anything about the engines, aside from that there will be a biturbo v6 available)
3) Outside design is mostly similar
4) folding mirrors standard
5) Priced higher with the introduction of the c400 and other fun new 2015 c classes


Dealer was trying to push me into a 2015 C400, but the 2015 C floor model they had left me feeling a little claustrophobic. I think it may be larger than my 2008 c350, but somehow felt smaller.

C280 Sport

If you are buying new then wait and see what the 2015's will be. Might be some significant changes done to make it worth the wait like the E400 new engine available to the USA

dandlewood

I'm honestly a little surprised by the unanimous advice. The cost of repairing my current vehicle and the decent discount are tough to overlook.

I'm already getting a ~8k discount off of msrp. Do you guys think that will go up to/beyond 10k next month?

Munich77

That is incorrect as for the engines. Someone posted the dealer ordering guide. For 2015 the e-class will still have the E250, E350 6 cylinder, E400 hybrid (I think) and the E400 twin turbo. If you have to stick in 2,000 into your current car you might as well get a 2014. Since the changes are minimal - major one being folding mirrors and folding seats standard with the P1 package you can save a bit of money.

beshannon

If you want any newer features and do not need the car now then wait.


I just took delivery of my 2014 E350 and could not be happier!

thenew3

$8k discount isn't too bad. It isn't uncommon to see $10k to $12k during the winter sales event.
If your vehicle can last a few more months, then maybe wait for winter sales event. If your current vehicle is dead and will cost you $2k to repair, then I'd say buy it now since the $8k discount plus $2k saved from repairs will be just about what you'll get if you had waited for the winter sales event.

petee1997

In Canada there will no longer be an E350. However the 3.5L engine will be in the E300 but will develop only 265HP so as not to compete with the E400 which has a 3.0L tt V6 with 329HP and 354 lbs of torque.

I would think you will see the same thing in the US. The E400 will be priced similar to the current E350. In Canada there will still be an E550 but with a limited dealer allocation.

I have a E400 W212 on order but my promised 1st decade of Sept. build has not yet materialized.

The OP would do well to order the E400 which will give him better economy and superior performance.

beshannon

I guess that would depend on what options were chosen

dandlewood

Premium 1, sport steering wheel, comfort box, 19 inch tires, 4matic, metallic black, lane tracking package (edit) add split rear folding seat

might be missing one or two dealer installed items less than 500.

MSRP is 62ish deal is 54ish

dandlewood

The comfort box seems completely useless, btw. 25 pound weight limit? it feels so plasticky and flimsy.

my wife likes it, though, so I can't fight with dealer too much on it.

beshannon

I love mine!


There are plenty of lightweight things that I do not want flying around the trunk. If something is that heavy it will sit in the trunk without much problem, but bags of loose stuff . . . love the comfort box!


Bottom line on buying the car is simple. There will always be something better, if you wait, you will never buy anything. Decide if the current spec and price are what you want/need and decide. Again if you do not need a car now then wait.

dandlewood

Thanks for the opinion on the comfort box, it makes me feel better.

I DO feel like the first half of that second paragraph is different from the back half, lol.

"If you wait you won't buy anything, but if you can wait you should"

squid23

If you sell the car you buy now in 4 years you will be hit with more than $1000 on the resell value.

What kind of repairs are that given it runs right now and wouldn't last 2 months?

dandlewood

Breaks (pretty much gone), battery needs to be replaced, tires, service, Car screeching during turns, and windshield wiper is malfunctioning.

Some items more important than others, but I drive my baby every day and don't feel comfortable putting him at risk.


There are also some cosmetic issues that are getting exponentially worse by the week, and I worry that if noticed they will reduce the value of the trade in:

Roof rails peeling away
Tear in drivers seat becoming more noticeable
Metal in cup holder pulling away

kash2014

sounds like you have the answered your own question.

Trade it in and don't look back

hope it works out for you

PeterUbers

Keep in mind that the minute u buy the 2014 or 2015 Benz it depreciates $5k

If you really want to optimize your choices ... Fix your current car and wait a year. Re assess then.

A few thousand here and there is not going to kill u before your last day on earth, but you may regret not having the better engine in the short run after you've bought he 2014 e350

C280 Sport

The cost of repairing your current C350 are overwhelming but you want into a brand new car?
What exactly is wrong with your current car? Year? Miles?

C280 Sport

This!

kash2014

if the OP is going to replace his car in the next 6 months so.

It makes no sense to replace brakes, tires, battery, "screeches", among the other trivial items he mentioned and drive the car until December. The only thing that could bring marginal value when he comes back to wholesale his trade in next time are the new tires.

Peace of mind does not have a monetary value, and based on his description he is not comfortable having his child in the back seat, as solid as MB's are, doesn't sound like it is a front line type of car, safety comes first

As for whether or not you are getting a good deal, call around to all of the dealers within a 100 or 200 mile radius and get the best offer, but 8K off MSRP sounds pretty good compared to others who have bought and posted here.

dandlewood

looking to upgrade and dont want to waste money on repairs that wont add value.

as to waiting ayear, wouldnt i be in the same place? worse, even, eith the major refresh that much closer? (just trying to understand, not trying to pick a fight)

PeterUbers

Exactly. Technically the wisest financials move is to keep fixing the c350 until the cost of repairs equals or is greater than the realistic value of the vehicle. That is the point it's prohibitive to keep the c350. There is a lot of maintenance already invested in the c350 and likely some pricey ones. Also the insurance is cheaper. It'll be a very safe car for your baby for years to come. Safer than many new cars in fact, just needs some maintenance

Ego will drive the op's decision as it does for most of us. Most of us on the fence with an aging car make the "it's not safe" argument. Yes, it's safe. Just needs some work. $2000 now and invest the $55k for a few years and not sustain the immediate depreciation on the new Benz... And the c350 is likely in a sweet spot of not likey going to depreciate as aggressively as the new
Benz

Just go buy the new car, you want it, and if you can afford it that's reason enough. The intangible is that you will be enjoying it now versus pining for it and thinking and thinking of the new car

This will not end without a purchase