Nevada Jack

The Edmunds article talked about and showed the new Sport Package for both the new E350 Sedan and Wagon. I described the bigger wheels, the tuned suspension and some other features. An article on German Car Fans called Details of the E350 describes the Sport Package in a similar manner. The MB item indicates this is NOT the AMG Sport Package.

I have the latest Option and Package sheets (provided by a forum member) dated 1/5/05 and there is an AMG Sport Package which is body moldings, 18" Monoblock Wheels and Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips. (This is I guess what the MB article said was NOT the new E350 Sport package.

Also listed is the Appearance Package which is the one we are familiar with and I have on my 2003 Sedan. There is no mention of the features talked about in the Edmunds article or MB article.

So it the "new" Sport package an option to be added later in 2005? Or is it that MB does not want to tip their hand at this point before all the incentives to get rid of the current E320 is overwith? Pricing is another item for this package...do they modify the Appearance Package or do they have an additional package which requires the Appearance package to buy it?

If anyone has any insight into this...I would like to know. I am very close to ordering a E350 wagon and have selected the Appearance package as one of the options, but I don't want to miss at least considering the new Sport package if it will be available soon.

Why does MB make it so hard for customers to find out what the option packages are...even the dealers are confused (some of them anyway.)

james_san

Well I do not have the answers, but just want to share my past experience with the "sports package".

Back in '97 we bought a silver/black C280 Sports edition. It was the last model before the minor refresh. It differed from regular C280's with carbon fiber trim, bucket front seats, 3-spoke steering wheel, tighter steering ratio, stiffer shocks, 15" AMG wheels and wider rubbers. The car performs slightly tighter than the regular C280's even though they have the same horse power.

Judging from the the pictures on Edmunds the new "sports package" resembles the old ways (other than the AMG wheels). Visually the car looks similar to the non-sports version in terms of body kits. Perhaps MBZ is reserving all AMG-badged items to AMG packages only. I speculate there might be a separate sports package and a AMG sports package.

Then again, you can wait till perhaps april to find out what's their plan for the '06.

Nevada Jack

I got a little bit of information from a California dealer tonight. There is the AMG Sports Package, the Appearance Package and the new Sports Package. The new one is as described in the Edmund's article. However you cannot have the Appearance Package and the new Sport Package. The new package will not have Air Suspension. So basically my question has been answered and I will opt for the Appearance Package and Premium Package in addition to the Power Lift Gate and Keyless Go and Wood Wheel. Thanks for your insight.

Y2KE320

Does anyone have a further information on the E350. The dealers are quiet about this isnce they are loaded with E320's. I would like to know when we can order.

Thanks

Nevada Jack

I hope to get an order in sometime in early February. There is no pricing available yet and a firm date of introduction has not yet been set.

mb808

FYI...

http://mbusa-qa1.criticalmass.com:81...e=e_class_main


2006 Packages
321 AMG Sport Package
Enhance the look of your E320 Sedan or Wagon or your E500 Sedan with an option package that includes AMG-design front and rear aprons, staggered-width 18" AMG ultrathin-spoke monoblock wheels, and dual chrome exhaust finishers.


321 AMG Sport Package details $4,900.00

· Sport Suspension
· AMG-Design Fr & Rr Aprons
· 18" AMG Wheels
· Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips

Finally, really getting better performance/handling for $5K...not just cosmetics...

JRAMGV8

Hey guys just today I read an article in Road and Track today that the new E350 is a Double Over-Head Cam engine with 4 vavles per cylinder. Is this right?

Nevada Jack

That is correct with 272 HP. www.germancarfans.com has details on it...look through their MB listings.

allenjdmb

is the sport package that has been described in other places around the mags and the internet. This one is supposed to have not only wheels, but shorter springs, and better seats too. This descriptionis just like last year's AMG option. Without it, I'll pass. Plus, with lights, entertainment and sat radio (NO NAV!), the car is going to be $64 ish K MSRP for a SIX cylinder..
Whassup wit dat?

RJC

Jack get the road and track it discusses the sport pkg...

Y2KE320

according to Road and Track you can buy the appearance and sport package. I doubt this is the same pkg as the current AMG for 5 grand. I think it's pretty reasonable like 1500. Remember, no air suspension like the appearance pkg

U2fast4me

Anyone please confirm that THE NEW 2006 E500 WILL OR WII NOT GET THE SAME SPORT PKG AS E350, which is: new rear pumper, 2 oval exhaust tips, 18" multi-spokes wheels, aluminum pedals... etc.

U2fast4me

bump by me.

Nevada Jack

I don't think anyone knows at this point...it certainly is not clear on the the MB site yet and one of my dealers could not answer the question. Perhaps that one shown in your pictures is Europe only or it will be introduced later???

northbenz

Hadn't you heard that the E500 is being phased out for 2006. With the E350 so close in horsepower and torque no one wants to pay the gas guzzler tax to get an E500 anymore. (Just kidding, but there is some truth here though. I think you will see some former E500 buyers jump to the AMG model if they can afford it or alternatively going for the better value E350 if $ is a bar to going AMG.)

Nevada Jack

Perhaps the new V8 will be available on the 2006 E500 (and other V8 models). With the new S and R class being introduced soon, they must be ready with that new V8 soon or offer the 350. As you say, people will opt for the 350 rather than the "old" V8.

U2fast4me

I agree.

*Quick question (Off Topic). Does anyone know the SL500 designed to have a spare tire in the trunk like ours, I don't think it has run flat tires like SC430.

silberrosa

The E-Class sport packet, mentioned in articles along with a review of the new E350, will not be available in USA until next year - sometime in 2006. Appearance and AMG sport stay same.

Y2KE320

If that's true why would Road and Track do an article on the car and mention the new sport package?

Nevada Jack

That R&T article was on a Euro version car...a wagon as I remember it. R&T do articles on anything automotive. The only thing for sure is it is not listed in Netstar for an option at this time.

Y2KE320

what a disappointment, R&T really focused on the new sport package in their review. Guess I'll keep the BMW for a while longer...

Y2KE320

If I get the AMG package I wonder if it has a sport suspension rather than the airmatic adjustable. Anyone know?

silberrosa

If you order E350 with AMG sport packet, you get AMG sport suspension, not Airmatic. If you order E500, you get Airmatic.