Cabriolet
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2020 GTR Roadster, 2020 GT63S
Picked up my Launch Edition last Thursday. Everything I wrote after my drive of the demo still stands. A couple of additions:
The exhaust note of the 550 is not what I had hoped. I know I have been spoiled by my AMG, but the 550 Cab is REALLY quiet.
The AirCap, while reducing actual in-cabin wind, does increase wind noise a little.
The trunk holds my golf clubs nicely.
No need to take out the driver or put the bag in on an angle, etc. I don't think it will hold two sets without a little work.
The 5.5 engine has plenty of power. No, it's no AMG, but 382hp in this car is more than enough for 99.5% of driving.
The exhaust note of the 550 is not what I had hoped. I know I have been spoiled by my AMG, but the 550 Cab is REALLY quiet.
The AirCap, while reducing actual in-cabin wind, does increase wind noise a little.
The trunk holds my golf clubs nicely.
No need to take out the driver or put the bag in on an angle, etc. I don't think it will hold two sets without a little work. The 5.5 engine has plenty of power. No, it's no AMG, but 382hp in this car is more than enough for 99.5% of driving.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Picked up my Launch Edition last Thursday. Everything I wrote after my drive of the demo still stands. A couple of additions:
The exhaust note of the 550 is not what I had hoped. I know I have been spoiled by my AMG, but the 550 Cab is REALLY quiet.
The AirCap, while reducing actual in-cabin wind, does increase wind noise a little.
The trunk holds my golf clubs nicely. No need to take out the driver or put the bag in on an angle, etc. I don't think it will hold two sets without a little work.
The 5.5 engine has plenty of power. No, it's no AMG, but 382hp in this car is more than enough for 99.5% of driving.
The exhaust note of the 550 is not what I had hoped. I know I have been spoiled by my AMG, but the 550 Cab is REALLY quiet.
The AirCap, while reducing actual in-cabin wind, does increase wind noise a little.
The trunk holds my golf clubs nicely.
No need to take out the driver or put the bag in on an angle, etc. I don't think it will hold two sets without a little work. The 5.5 engine has plenty of power. No, it's no AMG, but 382hp in this car is more than enough for 99.5% of driving.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2012 ML350BTC
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
No red in US, it's a shame really. That's the reason I went with the Launch Edition with the Natural Beige/Black interior.
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
R350
Thanks Pennetta & Txhurdle!
Sigh! I love the red leather with palladium silver. Saw that options in the SLK Roadster but find the Roadster too small. My other option would be the palladium silver with black leather interior. I wondered when will they arrive in TX.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2012 ML350BTC
You are much better off ordering a model to your preferences, than waiting for a Palladium model to just show-up as available. Combination of pre-sold & low production does not bode well for availability any time soon. Custom order exactly what you want right now and it'll be here much faster (2.5-3 months-ish).
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
R350
You are much better off ordering a model to your preferences, than waiting for a Palladium model to just show-up as available. Combination of pre-sold & low production does not bode well for availability any time soon. Custom order exactly what you want right now and it'll be here much faster (2.5-3 months-ish).
Has anyone pay over the window price? Wow, no discount at all and the salesperson say paying the window price was impossible. Don't know if i should believe him or not.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2020 GTR Roadster, 2020 GT63S
Don't buy the "paying the window price was (is) impossible" bit. Granted, if you don't have an existing relationship with a dealer, they might try to squeeze a buyer, but I got a good deal on my Launch Edition. Of course it's the 8th MB we have bought in 7 years. Work your prior salesperson. You might not get the Launch Edition, but you should be able to get a competitive price on an order or stock car. After all, the more units they sell quickly, the more "unallocated" units they get to sell.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Of course those are major concerns BUT there are simple things that could have been done simply by slightly adjusting the positioning of components such as the position of the first aid kid that hinders the available width of the trunk. Also making the trunk opening approximately 3/4 of an inch larger would have made putting a golf bag in the trunk so much easier. MB engineering is some of the most advanced in the industry. They certainly could have applied their expertise to overcome this shortcoming if they wanted to.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; May 25, 2010 at 04:11 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Right, if they wanted too. The problem is that you don't know if they see what you're talking about as being a "shortcoming". The primary engineering focus for a convertible is a body integrity and safety, not golf bags. Making a trunk opening larger on a convertible is not a simple process either.
M
M
If the targeted demographic for this car plays golf then they should design the trunk with that in mind.
But i think hat's why they went with the rag top and I am sure that you can fit two carry bags in the trunk with the top down.
I get my Launch 550 Cab on Saturday!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The primary focus of designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling a convertible is to make money. Either through the direct selling of that particular vehicle or through the sale of other MB vehicles that the convertible has enhanced the image and desirability of.
If the targeted demographic for this car plays golf then they should design the trunk with that in mind.
But i think hat's why they went with the rag top and I am sure that you can fit two carry bags in the trunk with the top down.
I get my Launch 550 Cab on Saturday!
If the targeted demographic for this car plays golf then they should design the trunk with that in mind.
But i think hat's why they went with the rag top and I am sure that you can fit two carry bags in the trunk with the top down.
I get my Launch 550 Cab on Saturday!
You're getting the business case confused the engineering of the vehicle itself. Sure the purpose of every car made is to make money, but other things have to be considered also otherwise you wind up with a product that won't make any money. I'm sure the best balance was achieved here between cargo and structural integrity. They've even added a rear seat pass through slot, a first for a 4-seat Benz convertible. Please post pics when you get your car!
M
Last edited by Germancar1; May 25, 2010 at 04:39 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
You're getting the business case confused the engineering of the vehicle itself. Sure the purpose of every car made is to make money, but other things have to be considered also otherwise you wind up with a product that won't make any money. I'm sure the best balance was achieved here between cargo and structural integrity. They've even added a rear seat pass through slot, a first for a 4-seat Benz convertible. Please post pics when you get your car!
M
M
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2020 GTR Roadster, 2020 GT63S
Yesterday, I actually put four of us in my E550 Cab. While not a real comfortable ride for me, the front passenger and the back seat passenger on that side were relatively happy. Having someone behind me was a bit tougher. I'm just a touch over 6" and I wasn't really comfortable with someone behind me. I could make it for a short ride, but I'm not going to run around for an hour that way. On the other hand, I think three can make it fine for a long drive.
As for the golf clubs, I can tell you that one bag is no problem, as long as it is not a monster "staff" bag. I just throw it in and it fits fine. No thought or extra effort required. It's even a little easier than my wife's SL. Two reasonable bags are certainly doable, but takes a little more maneuvering.
As for the golf clubs, I can tell you that one bag is no problem, as long as it is not a monster "staff" bag. I just throw it in and it fits fine. No thought or extra effort required. It's even a little easier than my wife's SL. Two reasonable bags are certainly doable, but takes a little more maneuvering.
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
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R350
Yesterday, I actually put four of us in my E550 Cab. While not a real comfortable ride for me, the front passenger and the back seat passenger on that side were relatively happy. Having someone behind me was a bit tougher. I'm just a touch over 6" and I wasn't really comfortable with someone behind me. I could make it for a short ride, but I'm not going to run around for an hour that way. On the other hand, I think three can make it fine for a long drive.
As for the golf clubs, I can tell you that one bag is no problem, as long as it is not a monster "staff" bag. I just throw it in and it fits fine. No thought or extra effort required. It's even a little easier than my wife's SL. Two reasonable bags are certainly doable, but takes a little more maneuvering.
As for the golf clubs, I can tell you that one bag is no problem, as long as it is not a monster "staff" bag. I just throw it in and it fits fine. No thought or extra effort required. It's even a little easier than my wife's SL. Two reasonable bags are certainly doable, but takes a little more maneuvering.
Can you take pics ext/int of your car? Trying to decide if this color is still for me. I originally was set on palladium silver with the red interior. That's not going to happen at all. TIA!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12
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Nothing... yet
I have been quoted a price over sticker. I refuse to pay it, though. I would rather wait for increased availability than pay a premium that is based on dealer greed. That is just me, though. To each his own.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I have nothing confused but I do agree with you and I can get two sets in the trunk and that was a deal breaker for me. The rear leg room was also a deal breaker. You can get a BMW M3 Convertible for about $300 less per month but it failed the golf bag and rear seat room test. My current car is a BMW as were my previous three cars.
M
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2020 GTR Roadster, 2020 GT63S
Golf clubs don't fit in trunk of the A5 Cabrio unless you lay down one of the rear seats. It might have a little bigger space than the E Cab - measured in cubic feet - but for golf clubs, it's a loser!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Grove
11 E550A Cabrio; 13 VW GTI Autob 14 FJ Cruiser, 14 Ural GearUp
E550A Pricing
I'm scheduled to take delivery on my E550A tomorrow but have yet to agree a price with my dealer.
What kind of pricing have any of you managed to negotiate relative to sticker?
Any experience would be appreciated.
Thanks.
What kind of pricing have any of you managed to negotiate relative to sticker?
Any experience would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
I can get two soft clothes bags and two sets of golf clubs in carry bags in the trunk of my E550 with the roof down, if I move the first aid kit to the donut wheel well.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Grove
11 E550A Cabrio; 13 VW GTI Autob 14 FJ Cruiser, 14 Ural GearUp
Picked mine up today
Traded my MY05 CLK500A for a MY11 E550A Cabrio today.
Nice growl exhast sound. Disappointed that the exit feature that moves the seat back was eliminated but really like the new COMAND.
Nice growl exhast sound. Disappointed that the exit feature that moves the seat back was eliminated but really like the new COMAND.
Last edited by BogeyGolfer; Jun 19, 2010 at 09:24 PM.
