Tjdehya

They did lower MSRP by 5k.

threeMBs

It realy depends on model, but in general they lowered "entry" price, but de-contented the base car.

For example on W212 E350 4matic's price, for 2011 model, was actually raised vs. last year of W211 (2009) production.

2009 E350 4matic with AMG sports package including 5-spoke AMG wheels and AMG 4-spoke steering wheel was only a $1,500 option. 4matic was a no cost option on E350 (you had to pay for it on E550, but not E350, go figure). Rear side airbags were also standard. So a non-metalic 2009 E350 4matic "AMG" sport with Pano and P1 package had a MSRP price of $58,355 including destination.

Now lets look at 2011 E350 4matic sport. Adding same options as was optional or standard on 2009 equivalent car (wheels package to get AMG wheels and steering wheel, rear airbags, Pano and P1) MSRP, including destination is $59,045. Now I know they actually raised base price on 2011 vs. 2010. (Actually 2010 car was almost dollar for dollar same MSRP as 2009 car).

So as you can see, I do not know where you got $5K less from. Even with large (7-15) discounts on W212 it's still not less than 2009 were (remember they were discounted 15-20 in late fall of 2009). So MB realy did not lower prices. What does matter though, is when you bought a car.

I bought one of the first 2009 built cars in August of 2008 and paid $55,740 for a $58,355 MSRP car. Now in late December of 2010, I bought a left over 2010 model (identical to 2009, except 2010 does not have 4matic, nor rear side airbags, nor wheels package) for around $45,500 for a $54,475 MSRP car (with those 3 missing options, MSRP price would be about $3,700 more, or almost identical to 2009). So as you can see MB did not lower the price, its just an illusion that they did. No questions, smart marketing, as some people think price was lowered while in reality it stayed the same (and now slightly up).

Tjdehya

Well you seem to be only talking about the 4matic. Which is the exception to the rule because MB started to charge for 4matic when they didn’t before. So the ~5k msrp drop is a fact for anyone not buying a 4matic.
Example: I know this guy named TJ , he bought a W211 E550, a year later he buys the exact same optioned W212 E550. MSRP was ~5k less (I am only talking about MSRP not sale price.) Yes the W212 was missing rear seat climate controls and vents, rear side airbags and it was also missing the flip down rear headrests but I think that was all that was missing.
So this illusion you speak of seems to only apply to E350 4matcis.

K-A

My '06 E350, with AMG Sport Pack (rare, expensive, highest Sport/Aesthetic Package for the W211 pre-09), DD Seats, Premium/Entertainment Package (P1 in later years terms), Metallic Paint, and NO Heated Seats, MSRP'd for $60,xxx when it was new.

My '10 E350 with P2, Pano, non-Metallic paint, and the free "AMG Sports Package" MSRP'd for high $56K. The same car this year is almost at $58K right now though, so it'll eventually scoot up.

Also, what is stated above is true. I haven't really thought of that. My car comes with no rear Airbags (a HILARIOUSLY contradicting thing to M-B's "Highest level of Safety" claims, and something we owners give them waaaaay too much slack for. ALL cars nowadays come with standard rear bags, even $15K cars. Our starting-at $50K *Benzes* don't? It's ridiculous. I wonder if it's because M-B is so confident that the safety cage holds up so well, especially back there? Regardless, it's ridiculous.

Also, little things like chrome accents on the door handles on all W211's, and only on P2 W212's (which leaves the P1 W212's having cheap and un-elegant monochromatic handles IMO, modern Benzes up until the newest models always had chrome tops as standard) are obviously factored into the lower base price.

BABYBENZZZ

lmao
my buddys moms e350 died like that in traffic, and it was the ECU

threeMBs

Well true difference must be somewhere in between as 4matic option was and still is $2500 on E550.

Curreous to know exact options list, listed "base" MSRP and MY of cars (I assume 2009 and 2010, and if so E550 2009 cars already had staff free vs. previous year). Can you (or TJ) offer the proof?

BenzE350

Thanks for the note. Confirms this is not as unusual as MB claims.

Hope everyone was OK. What year is her car?

BenzE350

My E350 is repaired and back in my garage.

The warranty invoice indicates that the ECU failed due to a short circuit in the coil pack.

220S

Coil pack failure is not that uncommon in any car. But it shouldn't happen on a newer car. Hopefully it's not about a bad batch of Bosch coil packs, like Audi and VW owners painfully experienced.

K-A

Well if our cars violently and hazardously start failing to operate while driving, at least while we're panicking to get ourselves (and others) safely out of the situation, we know exactly what is causing it.

golfster

Glad to hear the problem was determined, fixed and the car is back in your possession.

pmb600

MB does drop ship parts directly from Germany to dealers in cases such as this. As someone mentioned it could be a vendor issue or a number of other things.