2012 E-Class changes - No Airmatic
#252
Super Member
Oh thanks a lot! Now I have optimism. That never works.
But I appreciate the re-enforcement. I have read the same thing elsewhere re July builds.
BTW, even though I'm not waiting for a W212, I've gained an incredible amount of important info. from the very knowledgeable folks who post in this thread. Much appreciated.
But I appreciate the re-enforcement. I have read the same thing elsewhere re July builds.
BTW, even though I'm not waiting for a W212, I've gained an incredible amount of important info. from the very knowledgeable folks who post in this thread. Much appreciated.
#253
Super Member
......we like to be included on those kinds of things.....it's part of the fun for me you know? tracking it, waiting for it, daydreaming about it.....checking the site every other day to make sure it's still the same car.....well, okay, maybe that's just me LOL....
I played the waiting game last year, but it was much worse because I had no MB yet, at least I have one now to tide me over, LOL.......
enjoy
I played the waiting game last year, but it was much worse because I had no MB yet, at least I have one now to tide me over, LOL.......
enjoy
Geez, right now I'm waiting for a lousy DVR I ordered yesterday to come from Amazon. And, you guessed it, I'm on it every hour. It is fun!
"Tide me over" - LOL
#256
MBWorld God!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: on my way
Posts: 30,682
Received 3,416 Likes
on
2,855 Posts
2012 CLS63
#257
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PHX/PIE/OMA ---> Yes, all three
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
E55 then E63, now back to an E55
THE ALL-INCLUSIVE SUMMARY
05 --- 07 63 -----back to 05
I love both cars about equally - though I think the 63 is a better balanced packaged.
I leased my 63 new for 3 years. When the lease was about to expire, I decided not to lease another or purchase mine outright simply because of higher cost.
The 55's had depreciated more by this time (of course) and I saw nothing wrong with driving a 55.
But the thing that made my decision the easiest - I was offered a great deal on a very-well maintained 55 from a close friend of mine. The car was perfect, had low mileage, some nice mods, all service history, and needed nothing but a new owner.
Also, the prior owner was trading in a 360 coupe for a 430 spyder and didn't want to come out of pocket with as much cash.
Being a private owner sale, I also benefited from lack of sales tax in the state I lived in at that time.
Absolutely nothing wrong with 63's, that's just how things worked out for me. My best friend recently bought a 63 after having a 55 and he literally thinks it's the best car on the planet.
E55:
Pro-
Supercharger whine, low end torque, mod-friendly. Stoplight racer. Dynamic seats available. Cheaper price as they are older, though still great cars.
Neg-
Silver-faced gauges, orion grey headliner, front end not as pointy/aggressive, no cornering fog lights. SBC brakes need to be disabled before opening caliper/messing w pads. Semi-rough gear engagement from tranny or when clutch pack engages.
E63:
Pro-
Cosmetic upgrades, not only front bumper but wheels/rear spoiler from factory, diff mirrors & tail-lights, different decklid - almost more importantly, the interior. Wood panel shifter surround, black-faced gauges, black headliner, better steering wheel, bigger shift paddles... most cars had more options, NEWER. Manual oil dipstick. SMOOTH 7-speed transmission, car drives much smoother/not nearly as jerky or rough as 55 when supercharger engages. If you drive clients around, a 63 is probably better. If you like the raw kick, 55 for sure.
Negative-
I won't list naturally aspirated as a negative because it is personal preference, but the high revving motor is definitely a different driving experience than 55... I don't mind the motor in the least - granted I don't love it but I certainly can't complain about the car (as soo many do here.) There is definitely plenty of low end torque, not only for daily driving but for city racing. Car not really engine mod friendly. You should drive each car differently really, in a different style.
Everybody acts like the two cars are soooo drastically different & I don't really feel that they are. A 63 is just a tweaked AMG e-class, not a newly restyled car! The 63 is definitely more refined & gentlemanly. The 55 more raw/boy-racer (as far as E-classes go that is lol.)
Now I do of course realize a lot of the cosmetic 63 items can be retro-fitted to 55 as well, which helps with my personal concerns.
I love both cars about equally - though I think the 63 is a better balanced packaged.
I leased my 63 new for 3 years. When the lease was about to expire, I decided not to lease another or purchase mine outright simply because of higher cost.
The 55's had depreciated more by this time (of course) and I saw nothing wrong with driving a 55.
But the thing that made my decision the easiest - I was offered a great deal on a very-well maintained 55 from a close friend of mine. The car was perfect, had low mileage, some nice mods, all service history, and needed nothing but a new owner.
Also, the prior owner was trading in a 360 coupe for a 430 spyder and didn't want to come out of pocket with as much cash.
Being a private owner sale, I also benefited from lack of sales tax in the state I lived in at that time.
Absolutely nothing wrong with 63's, that's just how things worked out for me. My best friend recently bought a 63 after having a 55 and he literally thinks it's the best car on the planet.
E55:
Pro-
Supercharger whine, low end torque, mod-friendly. Stoplight racer. Dynamic seats available. Cheaper price as they are older, though still great cars.
Neg-
Silver-faced gauges, orion grey headliner, front end not as pointy/aggressive, no cornering fog lights. SBC brakes need to be disabled before opening caliper/messing w pads. Semi-rough gear engagement from tranny or when clutch pack engages.
E63:
Pro-
Cosmetic upgrades, not only front bumper but wheels/rear spoiler from factory, diff mirrors & tail-lights, different decklid - almost more importantly, the interior. Wood panel shifter surround, black-faced gauges, black headliner, better steering wheel, bigger shift paddles... most cars had more options, NEWER. Manual oil dipstick. SMOOTH 7-speed transmission, car drives much smoother/not nearly as jerky or rough as 55 when supercharger engages. If you drive clients around, a 63 is probably better. If you like the raw kick, 55 for sure.
Negative-
I won't list naturally aspirated as a negative because it is personal preference, but the high revving motor is definitely a different driving experience than 55... I don't mind the motor in the least - granted I don't love it but I certainly can't complain about the car (as soo many do here.) There is definitely plenty of low end torque, not only for daily driving but for city racing. Car not really engine mod friendly. You should drive each car differently really, in a different style.
Everybody acts like the two cars are soooo drastically different & I don't really feel that they are. A 63 is just a tweaked AMG e-class, not a newly restyled car! The 63 is definitely more refined & gentlemanly. The 55 more raw/boy-racer (as far as E-classes go that is lol.)
Now I do of course realize a lot of the cosmetic 63 items can be retro-fitted to 55 as well, which helps with my personal concerns.
#258
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
^^^
A friend of mine has a 55 and I've driven it often. I agree with everything you said. But one thing I clearly noticed is the difference in steering feel. The 55 feels very numb and the chassis feels much less planted in the twisties. I know they did make a change with the steering rack in the 63. Back in 2007 the car magazines all commented on the difference.
Otherwise, yeah, the biggest difference is that one feels more civilized over the other. I personally prefer NA over FI motors due to throttle response (and the sound of a NA V-8.) I have two Porsches that are NA and use one of them on the track during DE events. But then again, I drive the 63 on the street, so I can see that when only driving on the street, the 55 provides more giggles with the SC 55 motor. I think the new 2012 E63 will sell well for that very reason. After all, the E Class is a street car and people want all the grunt at the low end of the rpms. Stop light to stop light power is what sells cars.
A friend of mine has a 55 and I've driven it often. I agree with everything you said. But one thing I clearly noticed is the difference in steering feel. The 55 feels very numb and the chassis feels much less planted in the twisties. I know they did make a change with the steering rack in the 63. Back in 2007 the car magazines all commented on the difference.
Otherwise, yeah, the biggest difference is that one feels more civilized over the other. I personally prefer NA over FI motors due to throttle response (and the sound of a NA V-8.) I have two Porsches that are NA and use one of them on the track during DE events. But then again, I drive the 63 on the street, so I can see that when only driving on the street, the 55 provides more giggles with the SC 55 motor. I think the new 2012 E63 will sell well for that very reason. After all, the E Class is a street car and people want all the grunt at the low end of the rpms. Stop light to stop light power is what sells cars.
#259
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 908
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
13 Posts
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
05 --- 07 63 -----back to 05
I love both cars about equally - though I think the 63 is a better balanced packaged.
I leased my 63 new for 3 years. When the lease was about to expire, I decided not to lease another or purchase mine outright simply because of higher cost.
The 55's had depreciated more by this time (of course) and I saw nothing wrong with driving a 55.
But the thing that made my decision the easiest - I was offered a great deal on a very-well maintained 55 from a close friend of mine. The car was perfect, had low mileage, some nice mods, all service history, and needed nothing but a new owner.
Also, the prior owner was trading in a 360 coupe for a 430 spyder and didn't want to come out of pocket with as much cash.
Being a private owner sale, I also benefited from lack of sales tax in the state I lived in at that time.
Absolutely nothing wrong with 63's, that's just how things worked out for me. My best friend recently bought a 63 after having a 55 and he literally thinks it's the best car on the planet.
E55:
Pro-
Supercharger whine, low end torque, mod-friendly. Stoplight racer. Dynamic seats available. Cheaper price as they are older, though still great cars.
Neg-
Silver-faced gauges, orion grey headliner, front end not as pointy/aggressive, no cornering fog lights. SBC brakes need to be disabled before opening caliper/messing w pads. Semi-rough gear engagement from tranny or when clutch pack engages.
E63:
Pro-
Cosmetic upgrades, not only front bumper but wheels/rear spoiler from factory, diff mirrors & tail-lights, different decklid - almost more importantly, the interior. Wood panel shifter surround, black-faced gauges, black headliner, better steering wheel, bigger shift paddles... most cars had more options, NEWER. Manual oil dipstick. SMOOTH 7-speed transmission, car drives much smoother/not nearly as jerky or rough as 55 when supercharger engages. If you drive clients around, a 63 is probably better. If you like the raw kick, 55 for sure.
Negative-
I won't list naturally aspirated as a negative because it is personal preference, but the high revving motor is definitely a different driving experience than 55... I don't mind the motor in the least - granted I don't love it but I certainly can't complain about the car (as soo many do here.) There is definitely plenty of low end torque, not only for daily driving but for city racing. Car not really engine mod friendly. You should drive each car differently really, in a different style.
Everybody acts like the two cars are soooo drastically different & I don't really feel that they are. A 63 is just a tweaked AMG e-class, not a newly restyled car! The 63 is definitely more refined & gentlemanly. The 55 more raw/boy-racer (as far as E-classes go that is lol.)
Now I do of course realize a lot of the cosmetic 63 items can be retro-fitted to 55 as well, which helps with my personal concerns.
I love both cars about equally - though I think the 63 is a better balanced packaged.
I leased my 63 new for 3 years. When the lease was about to expire, I decided not to lease another or purchase mine outright simply because of higher cost.
The 55's had depreciated more by this time (of course) and I saw nothing wrong with driving a 55.
But the thing that made my decision the easiest - I was offered a great deal on a very-well maintained 55 from a close friend of mine. The car was perfect, had low mileage, some nice mods, all service history, and needed nothing but a new owner.
Also, the prior owner was trading in a 360 coupe for a 430 spyder and didn't want to come out of pocket with as much cash.
Being a private owner sale, I also benefited from lack of sales tax in the state I lived in at that time.
Absolutely nothing wrong with 63's, that's just how things worked out for me. My best friend recently bought a 63 after having a 55 and he literally thinks it's the best car on the planet.
E55:
Pro-
Supercharger whine, low end torque, mod-friendly. Stoplight racer. Dynamic seats available. Cheaper price as they are older, though still great cars.
Neg-
Silver-faced gauges, orion grey headliner, front end not as pointy/aggressive, no cornering fog lights. SBC brakes need to be disabled before opening caliper/messing w pads. Semi-rough gear engagement from tranny or when clutch pack engages.
E63:
Pro-
Cosmetic upgrades, not only front bumper but wheels/rear spoiler from factory, diff mirrors & tail-lights, different decklid - almost more importantly, the interior. Wood panel shifter surround, black-faced gauges, black headliner, better steering wheel, bigger shift paddles... most cars had more options, NEWER. Manual oil dipstick. SMOOTH 7-speed transmission, car drives much smoother/not nearly as jerky or rough as 55 when supercharger engages. If you drive clients around, a 63 is probably better. If you like the raw kick, 55 for sure.
Negative-
I won't list naturally aspirated as a negative because it is personal preference, but the high revving motor is definitely a different driving experience than 55... I don't mind the motor in the least - granted I don't love it but I certainly can't complain about the car (as soo many do here.) There is definitely plenty of low end torque, not only for daily driving but for city racing. Car not really engine mod friendly. You should drive each car differently really, in a different style.
Everybody acts like the two cars are soooo drastically different & I don't really feel that they are. A 63 is just a tweaked AMG e-class, not a newly restyled car! The 63 is definitely more refined & gentlemanly. The 55 more raw/boy-racer (as far as E-classes go that is lol.)
Now I do of course realize a lot of the cosmetic 63 items can be retro-fitted to 55 as well, which helps with my personal concerns.
#260
The German Mercedes website www.mercedes-benz.de has updated their configurator showing 2012 model. Airmatic is still shown as standard equipment for both rwd & awd E550.
The new E550 curb weight is 1940 kg (4268 lbs) which is 250 lbs heavier than the 2011 model . It is even heavier than 2012 CLS550
The new E550 curb weight is 1940 kg (4268 lbs) which is 250 lbs heavier than the 2011 model . It is even heavier than 2012 CLS550
#261
Senior Member
The German Mercedes website www.mercedes-benz.de has updated their configurator showing 2012 model. Airmatic is still shown as standard equipment for both rwd & awd E550.
The new E550 curb weight is 1940 kg (4268 lbs) which is 250 lbs heavier than the 2011 model . It is even heavier than 2012 CLS550
The new E550 curb weight is 1940 kg (4268 lbs) which is 250 lbs heavier than the 2011 model . It is even heavier than 2012 CLS550
#263
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
The German Mercedes website www.mercedes-benz.de has updated their configurator showing 2012 model. Airmatic is still shown as standard equipment for both rwd & awd E550.
The ROW gets different configurations while MBUSA simply decides what's in their best interest to sell here. And there are a lot of reasons why or why not, based often on internal issues that we don't know anything about. To speculate otherwise is just that, speculation.
#264
Senior Member
Latest: E-Class sedans are released for production, so you can build them. E-Class coupes and cabs already have pricing released.
#266
#268
MBWorld God!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: on my way
Posts: 30,682
Received 3,416 Likes
on
2,855 Posts
2012 CLS63
still love the hockey stick LED's.........nobody else has that shape.....
to bad they won't be returning
to bad they won't be returning
#269
#270
Also on the German Mercedes website and while building a 2012 E550, it is still not possible to combine AMG 3 spoke steering wheel with lane tracking package
I thought this was supposed to be resolved for 2012, according to what Benz only mentioned http://www.benzonly.com/article30.aspx
I thought this was supposed to be resolved for 2012, according to what Benz only mentioned http://www.benzonly.com/article30.aspx
#271
Super Member
They are still not up on the mbusa site nor did a google search reveal anything new.
I ordered my E350C in June without firm pricing, but the salesman said a large increase was not expected.
Thanks.
#272
Senior Member
According to Autoblog test http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/12/2...-benz-e-class/ , the hockey stick LEDs are still there on the E550
Also, new E-Classes have new steering wheels - the same like CLS, so Driver Assist pckge will no longer depend on it.
#273
Senior Member
Can you provide a link or source for the E-Class coupes and cabs pricing please?
They are still not up on the mbusa site nor did a google search reveal anything new.
I ordered my E350C in June without firm pricing, but the salesman said a large increase was not expected.
Thanks.
They are still not up on the mbusa site nor did a google search reveal anything new.
I ordered my E350C in June without firm pricing, but the salesman said a large increase was not expected.
Thanks.
#274
Super Member
Since my above post my salesman did e mail me with the total price of the car I ordered, but he did not break it down and he's gone for the day. It was $550 more than it would have been for an '11.
This actually concurs with your price report, I believe.
Base is increased +$950.
Plus, I have heard elsewhere they reduced the P2 Package $400, in allowance for not being able to ship 6 disc changers due to supply problems, swapping instead for a single disc player.
Apologies to all for cluttering up the W212 forum with coupe talk.
#275
Senior Member
Thank you very much.
Since my above post my salesman did e mail me with the total price of the car I ordered, but he did not break it down and he's gone for the day. It was $550 more than it would have been for an '11.
This actually concurs with your price report, I believe.
Base is increased +$950.
Plus, I have heard elsewhere they reduced the P2 Package $400, in allowance for not being able to ship 6 disc changers due to supply problems, swapping instead for a single disc player.
Apologies to all for cluttering up the W212 forum with coupe talk.
Since my above post my salesman did e mail me with the total price of the car I ordered, but he did not break it down and he's gone for the day. It was $550 more than it would have been for an '11.
This actually concurs with your price report, I believe.
Base is increased +$950.
Plus, I have heard elsewhere they reduced the P2 Package $400, in allowance for not being able to ship 6 disc changers due to supply problems, swapping instead for a single disc player.
Apologies to all for cluttering up the W212 forum with coupe talk.