jimm

I’ve read a LOT about what’s coming on the 2009’s
and the 2010’s.

But not a word regarding even a tiny change in the
2008 E class! Hasn’t anybody heard anything?

Of course, the dealers say that there won’t be ANY
change. They want to sell their 07’s. I would agree
there won’t be MUCH. But, surly “something!”

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

ProV1

duh, it's b/c no one cares about the old model that'll be history in less than a year. would you want to plunk down 50k on a car that'll look outdated in 11 months?

your dealer is correct, there won't be any major changes. MB might make more stuff standard equipment to lure more buyers.

DerekACS

According to MB sources, the W212 will be introduced in North America as MY2010 in the summer of 2009, which, according to my calculation, is at least 24 months away.
There are many good reasons why the current E Class sales are growing in Europe and North Amercia, despite strong competition from other makes.
The W211 might be an "old model" in your eyes, but in the eyes of many others it remains a highly desirable and sought after automobile.

BudC

Not only will it probably be August of 2009 before the W212 arrives but no one in their right mind buys the first model year of a new design. By the time I'd be in the market for the 2010 E-Class I will have enjoyed my '08 E350 for three years.

Since I also have an '08 on order, I have the same interest as jimm in what's in it.

MissMyBenz

Quite honestly, although the new car will have some great new technology and the latest in styling, we plan to keep this car for a long time. This car was a huge investment for us and we can't afford to risk something that could be more troublesome. Lost a lot of money on the XC90 and couldn't risk doing that again. Hence, we opted out of the panoramic roof, which looked so inviting. With the shorter life cycles MB is using right now, I would shy away from the first year of any new model. The W211 chassis is now at near ultimate refinement and debugging. There's always going to be something newer and or better. Yeah, if I had more money than this, we'd have bought a 550, or an E63 or even an S550 or the CLS. Fact is, though, the E350 is a fantastic car which we enjoy driving. I feel very fortunate.

DrRx

I don't have info for the US models, but here in Canada the major changes for '08 are:

All E350's are Sport 4Matic - no RWD, no Elegance model
Telephone prewire with Bluetooth adaptor is standard
Sirius satellite radio is standard
Active Bi-Xenon Headlamps standard
Split folding rear seats is standard
Nav no longer available as a stand-alone option
All trim is Black Birds' Eye Maple
Electronic trunk closure becomes part of the MPP package (which now also includes Parktronic, Nav, Rear Sunshade, Heated Rear Seats)

Bottom line: Everything is standard, MPP (above) is the only Optional Package available, and the only Individual Options are: Parktronic, Wood Steering Wheel, Climate Front Seats, Panoramic Roof, Keyless Go, and Designo Burl Walnut Trim

Full Canadian Specs are attached below.

Nickelmania-Dal

Come on Prov1! Jimm has ask a good question. Why do you want to be critical of his question? The new E wont be out for another two years. Jimm is wealthy enough to buy this 08 E and turn around and buy the new one when it comes out if he wants. Pro V1 I sort of understand were your coming from as you drive an older E and may tend to hang on to a MB longer than many on this board. If I were you than yes maybe I would wait for the new stlye as it looks like you may not trade as often as most but for people like Jimm It may not be an issue.

Jim-Nickel

WEBSRFR

A bit off topic but may I inquire why you traded in your XC90? Was that the engine that you didn't like? If I needed the extra utility and space the XC90 V8 would be in my short-list. When I test drove the XC90 I didn't like how the 2.5T drove but I loved how the V8 handled and drove.

edspider

I didn't realize how different the car was in Canada. I can maybe understand making 4Matic standard, but why no Elegance edition in the E350? I'd have to find a different car, if I couldn't get the warmer burl wood in a boulevard chassis. I don't like the inked out wood and sportier ride.

Ed in Illinois

Barry45RPM

Actually, since the American Auto industry went to computer design of its cars years ago, First year production models were almost as good as 2nd year & onward with the exception of adding more standard equipment in the following years. Mechanically/electrically they were pretty good. That's why its so surprising how many problems were in the 211's and how long they were permitted to continue. (If you want an absolutely perfected car design, choose an American car in its last production year before the new model comes out!)

I say "permitted to continue" because once they admitted there was a problem with the 211s in 2005, it took 1 model year to eliminate them. The 2006s were almost perfect, & the 2007s are perfect.

First Model year cars seem to be a problem for the Germans, except Porsche, who test and test and test again. There's really no reason for it anymore... and there's no reason in today's world to be behind the Japanese in electronics. If you can't design it, buy it already designed, and slap it into the car. Isn't the SDARS (Satellite Radio Unit) made by Delphi (GM)?

ProV1

chilllllllll - !! i wasn't being critical to the OP at all. i'm too old for keyboard wars & e-thug insults.. lol. anyway, perhaps i was confused b/c I thought W212s will be here in 2009. i apologize.

so my q to the OP is what have you heard about 2009 W211s?

lkchris

W211: 2003-2009 = 7 years
W210: 1996-2002 = 7 years
W124: 1986-1995 = 10 years
W123: 1977-1985 = 9 years

sklasse

this be fuddles..me



why plunk down 50K , when if you just wait 11 months more, you can have the lastest advancements in the E.

I heard the new E is going to be mroe fuel efficient and better handling yet

so why not wait

the current e is using old techonlogy and definetly the style is OUtdated so much even Kia has copied it and MB's face lift was even more evidence that they need to make things mroe bold as they trying to do with w212

konigstiger

Long story short, Dieter replaced Schrempp – JAN06!

BudC

As we pointed out above, the W212 is a 2010 model and probably won't be here until August of 2009. Then you would be incredibly stupid to buy the first model year which in my long history of car buying is ALWAYS a bad thing. No amount of testing will find all the problems that the end user will find.

As for old technology, the new engines will be pretty much the same but with direct injection. That'll give you about 20 more horses on the 350 but add complexity.

As for style, it's always in the eye of the beholder. Ask the average BMW owner what they thought of the E60 5-Series. I much prefer the style of the W220 S-Class over the new W221. Of course I'm long since outside the demographics that Mercedes are now shooting for. I even prefer XM Radio to Sirius

sklasse

nothin wrong with getting an 08, but i am one of those who always needs the lastest and greatest things..just me..though i think this e is a classic

I know the common stigma with 1st year model, but the first year model of the S went off without a hitch i personally think its safe as mb doesn't want to repeat the same mistake and i feel they are going to try extra hard to get it right the first time at least that is what Dieter said in his last annual press conference speech.

thats just me, i'm pretty much started saving up for one hehe

DWP

Our 2003 W211 (purchased 9/03) hasn't been perfect. It did need to have a rear wheel speed sensor replaced in 12/05, so, yeah, I guess that does make me "incredibly stupid" and "not in [my] right mind" to have purchased an '03.

Nickelmania-Dal

Prov1,you answer Jimm by saying "duh" How disrepectfull can you be? and then you were wrong about the new E is coming out. You also tell btailor that he is confused about his winter edition. Your wrong again! He was right! You try to say you believe he has a Neiman Marcus Edition. Wrong again. Why dont you study some before you reply to a post and tell people they are wrong or "duh"? I dont get pissed off very often but stop trying to put others down and stop being a mr know it all when its obvious you are very wrong often. Just had to get this off my chest.

Jim

BudC

Perhaps a poor choice of words on my part. I'm amazed that your 9/03 build didn't have to have all the updates and recalls that my 3/04 build E320 had to have. Then of course my car hasn't got a Valet key and the EZ Exit feature never worked and the 5G transmission isn't nearly as good as the 7G that came along later but maybe I'm just picky.

sosh

I too have always avoided the first year of a new or totally revamped model. I do have an 05 E320 which has been flawless and troublefree since day one. So much for the comments saying that 06 was the first "good" year for the W211. I find it much better in that regard than my previous E, an 01 E320 W210 which was next to the last model year for the 210. I violated my first year rule with my 06 ML500 and that too has been excellent and flawless. I had a98 ML320 and then an 02 ML500 prior to my 06. Believe it or not my 98 was far better as so far as problems and build quality than my 02. So, I believe its a crap shoot.

DWP

Our car is a 9/02 build that we bought in 9/03, so it's not only an '03, it's one of the earlier builds. Our car has had various updates and some recalls performed, for sure, but they weren't disabling and were done along with regular maintenance. I'm not "counting" them as failures, although I suppose that's a matter of definition.

edspider

Enough about the W212 and first model opinions. Except for what to see in Canada, does anyone know if there will be any changes for 08 other than color choices?

DerekACS

If you don't want or need the added complexity and weight of the 4Matic, why don't you consider the E320 Bluetec (RWD) ?
Today, I did a more extensive test drive in a Bluetec. On the highway, this car has phenomenal passing power. It feels as strong or stronger than my BMW 335i twin turbo. In short, the Bluetec performs like a V8, but with diesel fuel economy.
Given the significant differences in fuel economy and fuel cost between the Bluetec and the E350 4Matic, the Bluetec seems like a winner to me. Using the current prices for diesel and premium gas here in Vancouver ( $1.02/lt and $1.40/lt ), the cost of driving 20,000 kms per year (or 12,000 miles) will be $1244 for the Bluetec and $2464 for the E350 4Matic.
Add the much higher resale for the Bluetec v's E350 4Matic to the equation, and the advantages for the Bluetec become even stronger.

NCE500

I've encountered exactly the same situation........still being on the fence about whether to upgrade to a 211 E550, or just keep my 05 and wait for the 212 to come out.

The dealers in my area all have either odd color combos and/or overequipped (lets check off EVERY option....to my taste anyway) 07's left. They are offering very good trade numbers and are discounting, but not enough to get me to pull the trigger as the extra equipment quickly negates the discounts. It will take some trunk money to get me to pull the trigger on an 07 (if anyone at MBNA is listening).

I have inquired about the 08's twice, but have not been able to get any meaningful info. as they are still pushing out the remaining 07's. I expect we will know more within the next month, but expect that the changes will likely be subtle.

MissMyBenz

Websrfr

Bought the XC90 when it was still in high demand. Waited 9months for an ordered model optioned the way I wanted it. Waited for the 04 thinking they would have worked out most of the bugs. Guess there were too many bugs. This was pre V8 and the V6 had the GM 4 spd auto which had been noted to be problematic, so I instead loaded up the 2.5T. OK in the flat lands but unrefined and unresponsive in the hills (found that out later). Listened to too much of the media hype about how good it was and how carlike it was versus the ML (old bodystyle) which was touted as very trucklike. Should have driven it more and listened to media less. In fact the ML I bought is the color combo I would have (should have) bought then. Anyway, at that time good experience with C70 and great dealer service (that later screwed me). Lots of little things went wrong with XC and multiple trips, ordering parts, long service visits, etc. Very disappointing. Last year C70 @ less than 70K pampered miles left us stranded and had to be towed 4 times all unrelated items. That was it. Wife HATED driving the XC90 (horrible un-Volvo-like seats) which became too often with hers always in the shop so when it came time to replace her car we pulled the plug on Volvo altogether. Ordered her car and drove home in the ML. Wanted all the options such as nav and memory seats, etc, which were difficult to find on a 350. The 500 just happened to be the color combo and equipment I wanted (except missing parktronic) so we jumped on it. Cost me about 10K but we're both much happier.