noka

According to my sales rep, there are production slots open for both E350 and E400 for 2015 models. MBUSA does not have info on the sedan yet (only the coupe). Any idea when that is likely to change? I'm trying to get info from the SR about difference in cost comparing equally spec'd cars.

Anyone have opinions on the normally aspirated current E350 engine compared to the E400 bi-turbo? I guess the 302HP NA engine has only been around since 2012, and if replaced will not have had such a long life (as used in new vehicles). I'm not sure if that's a warning flag or not (e.g. MB would not have had long to work out many of the bugs). Nevertheless, 302 HP is plenty for me (especially after having driven the C300 228 HP for a while and not thinking it was all that bad, albeit in a smaller/lighter car).

I'm also not sure if the E400 is really intended to replace the E550 and what would replace the E350 in that case (e.g. E250 maybe?). Kind of like what they did with the C-class, now having a 4-cyl base model and 6-cyl turbo.

Comments?

J.Raymond

Dealer here had the MY15 E400 ordering guide mid August - ordered mine a week later.

Production was completed and the car was sitting at the dock in Bremerhaven on Sept. 25 - finally aboard the Clover Ace and at sea on Oct. 14 (hurricane Gonzalo slowing progress across the Atlantic).

From my earlier post on this:

"The base E400 MSRP is about $10k more than a base E350 (MY15 2WD sedan) ....

However - the base E400 comes standard with the Premium One package, leather, lane tracking, KEYLESS-GO, 18" AMG wheels and a MB-Tex dash. These features would add ~ $7.5k to the base E350.

Here in the States - there is no listing for a luxury model E400 .. just the sport version in 2WD and 4M."

The fuel efficiency and performance of the new engine should help the E sedan until the next model revision (MY17 ??).

J.

hyperion667

AMG GT

PeterUbers

+1000. Problem... Solved.

noka

So everything being pretty much equal between the two, about a $2.5K difference, if I understand. My SR will hopefully let me know soon.

petee1997

In Canada the E350 is discontinued and we still have the the E550. My E400 4M was built Oct.8th. It has just about everything possible option and retails for $76,900.00 in Canada. That does not include freight or PDI or any other dealer charges. Price increase over last year was about 2K but there are a few extra options and the Canadian dollar is worth .89cents US. Half the price increase is due to currency depreciation.

The car should be here in the first week of Nov. My 2015 CLS400 4M will be delivered tomorrow evening. By the end of the week I should be able to tell you how it compares to the 350 as far as performance. The tt torque is where the difference will be. This should give the Bimmer 535 a run for its' money. It always had an edge with its' tt. This will level the playing field.

wanderfalke

I thought the new 400 had a small electric motor. OK just went on the MB site it is listed as a separate model. Probably worth consideration.

Bocahoo

At what price though? The base price on the E400 is nearly $7K higher than the 535i. Add another $1.5K to normalize for 4 years of service. The base price on a 550i is only ~$1K more than on the E400 after normalizing for 4 years of service included with the BMW.

It seems that Mercedes replaced the e550 with a less powerful E400 but at roughly the same price.

squid23

Did anyone drive these two engines back-to-back?

PeterUbers

Great question, I'm eagerly awaiting a car and drive etc review of both ...350 and 400

noka

If the engine specs for HP and TQ are any indicators, they are quite higher with the 400 (albeit a turbo) with the TQ being most dramatic. That said, I'm planning on getting a 2015 E350.

ss3964spd

For what it's worth, while 300 HP may be sufficient, it's really the torque numbers that need to be focused on. It's torque that gets these 4000 lb + sleds moving. Given that, I would suspect that the E350 will feel somewhat lethargic when driven back to back with the E400. Very much like a 535i felt lethargic immediately after I drove a N/A E550.

noka

I felt the same when I went from my '00 540i/6 to my '03 M5 There is always something faster. However, I'm older now and got all the stomping on the gas pedal for fun out of my system (at least on the streets) and think the E350 will be sufficient for my needs. Nevertheless, your point is good and the comparison would be interesting.

ss3964spd

Sooo true.

As am I and, for the most part, it's largely out of my system as well.

But every now and then......

jmatero

Pretty lame that in the E coupe, the 400 replaces the 350 while in the sedan, the 400 replaces the 550.

noka

FYI: Looks like MBUSA has 2015 sedan in configuration/build section now.

PeterUbers

What's lame also is that the e550 sedan was a beautiful ride with tons of power, a wolf in Sherpa clothing, but no one bought it!! Just a small percentage of annual sales compared to the 350, and I get that, but now us enthusiasts are lamenting it's loss

Mustangbru8

Just looked at the build online. Are indigo blue and diamond silver new colors?

Mustangbru8

The other thing I thought was interesting is that the fuel mileage is listed as the same for both the 350 and 400.

Munich77

Peter I think the problem with the E550 was that it was way too close in performance to the CLS. Yes the CLS has a more gorgeous design but the almost $10K price difference probably meant that some people took the E550 over the CLS550. I am certainly one of those people. While I would have loved a CLS, I just did not want that high of a car payment.

The E550 also has a pretty high price point for a car that is totally undistinguishable from any other E-class. But that is the charm - mine was actually called a little silver car by a woman that drives an E550 convertible.

I am certainly lamenting its loss but for me it meant that I could switch cars earlier. I am glad I have one in my garage and I might eventually debadge it.

wanderfalke

I thought that the e550 was the value point in the lineup. Many of the option boxes I checked were included in the 550 helping to mitigate the cost of a great engine. Has anyone calculated the actual cost of the engine once the leather,4matic ,wheels and other options have been subtracted from the upgrade cost.

PeterUbers

Excellent points Munich

I think your e550 is much better looking than the cls550!!

threeMBs

Totally disagree and IMHO I'm qualified to offer an opinion since I have both. Bought CLS550 for its stunning looks both inside (including much more upscale materials throughout vs. W212 E550/350) and especially outside (IMHO the best looking overall design of any MB car and by far most other makes). Bought E550 for its superior (to CLS550) everyday practicality and room. Do not forget that CLS is clearly a better handling car (maybe because my CLS is rwd while E is awd).

PeterUbers

Glad you have an honest opinion. Cheers

alsyli

I can't speak for Washington D.C., but, in LA, the CLS is very common. The E550... not so much.

I assume MB just wanted to get rid of some of the V8 powered cars that are dragging down CAFE. Since the E550 didn't sell to begin w/, no big loss (from a corporate perspective).