storm10

So what you're saying is there is no need to pay attention to E550 sedan, because everybody has to buy E350?
Actually, I've been debating to go for E550 only because of suspension. - not because of power. Now I don't really see any point in E550, especially without RWD.

E-Class is bread and butter of MB business, so downgrading unique feature does not make a lot of business sense to me...

For the 1st time in history, MB became #1 selling luxury brand in USA in 1st quarter of this year. Outsold Lexus and BMW. Never happened before. So as of right now they are doing something right. I'm always leery of big changes, as you don't know what to expect as a result.

Nothing wrong with Airmatic, because new and completely redesigned CLS has it as a standard equippment. But CLS is a coupe with 4 doors, has no space in the rear seat. It can not sucstitute E550 sedan, regardless of cost...

park423

That's right... ask your dealer how many E350's they sell compared to E550's, guaranteed the vast majority of E's they sell are E350's, a lot more people buy E350's than E550's, I think that's pretty obvious. Mercedes gets the sales numbers they do because of the number of E350's they sell, not the E550's. MB would surely prefer to pay a little more attention of the E350 buyers than the E550 buyers, why do you think the E550 looks identical to the E350. Make them think they are getting E550 looks at E350 prices.

K-A

That last part is very true.

M-B and the like used to reserve many options/qualities for the more expensive/"500"/etc. models, however, now it's the opposite, with the lower models getting everything that the higher models get. Even the E350 Sport looks close enough to the E63 to the point where most "normal" people couldn't tell a difference if you had them next to each other.

They basically have realized that giving incentive to get people into more expensive models don't work for them as well as giving people incentive to get into the less expensive models.

storm10

I disagree....
If they use this mentality, so why bother with CL or G-Class, when you sell a lot more of C-Class?
I think the lack of important features and technology that differentiate MB to others, will help their competition. Like someone already mentioned above, the real winner will be V8 BMW 5-series...

K-A

Don't get me wrong, I agree. I think MBUSA's Options-cost cutting, lack of Option differentiations, and forcing every car to be almost exactly alike, treating the company like a "fleet-car" company, just focused on mass revenue, is a turn off.

park423

I'm comparing within classes, not across different classes, that's an entirely different argument. Nevertheless, as you mention the G-class, really... that design stayed the same for 25 years, how or why should MB allocate a significant amount if their R & D effort on this model? They do the minimum, because they know they can sellout the extremely low volume of G550 and G55's they produce. In fact, the appeal of this model is it's low volume nature, not it's attributes, I've driven my father-in-law's quite a bit and it's an uncomfortable car.
How successful do you think MB would be if they concentrated their R & D efforts on the G550, CL550, S600, GL550 and ignored or shortchanged the C300, E350, ML350 and S550? I'm not saying completely give up on the high-end models but as in most cases, the top 30% (SLS, AMG's, CLS, S/SL550) and the bottom 30% (C class, E350, ML350) get the most attention and the middle 40% usually gets ignored.
Sorry, realize being completely

ImInPA

MB is so well established, I think that the mark being viewed as "less" to anything is unlikely. On forums, most folks are here because they are enthusiasts or searching out a problem. If you were to add up all of the W212 forum members across all forums and remove the duplicates, the number of members would be insignificant to the total number of owners. I think that MB knows what they are doing. If not having Airmatic makes someone buy a BMW instead, so be it. The truth is that there will just as many with a gripe about their BMW that will come over to MB. MB, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Volvo, and SAAB are what I call, "Commodity Luxury". They are commodity products with a luxury bent. True non-commodity luxury vehicles are more along the lines of Bently, Rolls Royce, Aston, Masserati, etc.

golfster

With the delayed production and release of the model '12's, it seems the '12 owners get a bit shortchanged unless the following 13's are likewise delayed. Availability starting in October this year is likely to be followed by the availability of the 13's in July, if like the usual schedule. Unless one takes delivery of a '12 right away, that model will have less than a year on the streets before the replacement '13's are out.

For a rare, limited production exotic, that might be good, but for a mass production car, it seems one would suffer a year of depreciation without the benefit of owning the car for a year, would it not?

csquared

The #1 reason we bought an E550 was because of the AIRMATIC suspension. We didn't need a huge S-class limo that has zero road feel, but still wanted that S-class comfort. The air suspension is extremely smooth and comfortable; bumps and potholes are not as noticeable anymore. There is a HUGE difference in ride quality between the E350 and E550. The E350 rides like a regular Japanese luxury sedan while the E550 rides like a REAL flagship German luxury sedan. Taking away the airmatic from the E550 will result in better sales for the E350 and worse sales for the E550. S-class sales will never be affected because there will always be people who have loads of money to drop on an S-class. We also considered a 2010 Range Rover Sport S/C, but we tired of the harsh ride quality of SUVs (eg. our BMW X5).

oosek

I would like to buy a 2011 E550 sport package w/ P1,P2 Airmatic. I have not checked with the dealers here in LA yet, but would there be a good chance to find one optioned out like I want it or do I need to special order it. I have a feeling there will be more E350s on the lot. Does anyone know the timeframe or cutoff day for the 2011s since the 2012s have been delayed.

BudC

They will probably all be Sport, all will have P1 and AirMatic is standard. Finding one with P2 may be more difficult.

It might be too late to order a 2011 but if I were you, I'd get on the phone to dealers and ask if they still have a slot for a 2011 and order it. Nothing beats getting a fresh car with exactly what you want on it.

park423

Between the valley, westside and OC, you have like 10 MB dealers to choose from, I'm sure you'll find something you're looking for once you start calling around.

RJC

Sounds like a really nice car, congrats. You should have no issues getting what you want as there were quite a few 11's around just a few weeks back but things could have changed. You might even be able to order an 11 through June, but why? In another month or so after your 11 is built the 12's will start assembly. Yes I do like the na motor but from what I experienced in the new CL, the new engine is very, very powerful and surprisingly linear, they just need to turn down the overly pronounced turbo hiss. I guess it's the airmatic, what benefit(s) are you expecting from this?

storm10

I guess this forum gets very high position on Google search results! Because in the last few weeks a lot of MB dealers, all of the sudden - almost sold out all E550's sedans. I called my dealer, and it's a big dealership, they have only 3 left in stock and nothing is coming anymore... they were a little surprised. I guess the rumor about No-Airmatic fueled the sales of 2011 models...

I decided to stick for another E350, so will wait for 2012 model...

RJC

What is it about airmatic you guys like so much? My E55 had it and it was good but nothing outstanding.

hyperion667

RJC: the Jaguar sounds superb....I'm jealous!

RJC

Thanks very much but don't be jealous

I am quite fortunate to afford such a nice automobiles but I've worked my tail off for years and cars are something I luv. Never owned a Jag before but from the test drive, cars sumptous looks and amazing power and recent improvements plus having true cooled seats, I went for it. I am kind of kicking myself I didn't get the coupe as it's lines are superb but I wanted a drop top, so be it. Now's the hard part, the wait till sometime in Sept.

park423

It just made the 550 a little more special/unique from the 350...appears now that all 2012 ML's will have airmatic/adjustable suspension as an option, but not the E550 sedan or coupe

MB-JIM

I believe the plan at MBUSA is to phase out the basic V8 E Class. With 300 HP in the V6 and no air suspension for the V8's, what are the real advantages of buying the V8? They will still offer the AMG versions but that will be it. Get a 2011 E550 and enjoy the ride.

RJC

I guess it makes more sense for an SUV. My E55 had it, and like I mentioned it was good but nothing great.

RJC

Wow where did you hear that? I'd truly be surprised if that occurs as they spent millions designing the new non amg v8's; if they were planning on phasing out the non amg v8's they could have kept the currrent V8 in production with some tweeks for the next year or so

ImInPA

Perhaps MB realized there was enough hot air in the E550 without Airmatic?

RJC

Lol

Mtl20v

I don't know, I'd have the twin turbo engine, higher resale, and all the new updates rather than air suspension.

hyperion667

twin turbo problems? no thanx, no airspension? huh?
I think the e550 will become more desirable after you
can't get one, unless it has a TT engine....
what other updates can't be lived without?