2012 E-Class changes - No Airmatic
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W211 E320 & W212 E550
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If Mtl20V is suggesting the 2012 will have a higher resale, it stands to reason based upon it being new and one less year of depreciation as the driver as opposed to one V8 configuration over the other.
Last edited by golfster; Jun 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM.
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2011 Mercedes E550 4M, 2003 BMW X5 4.4i
Actually most people like me prefer naturally-aspirated engines and air suspension. 18 HP increase and <1 MPG increase is not going to make me think I made a bad decision in getting a 2011 E550. And not to mention turbo lag and the need for better octane fuel and high performance engine oil adds up to lot of maintenance and $$$. If I add a turbocharger to my current 5.5L N/A engine, I easily get over 500HP easily, but why do it when you're putting a lot of stress to your engine.
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Actually most people like me prefer naturally-aspirated engines and air suspension. 18 HP increase and <1 MPG increase is not going to make me think I made a bad decision in getting a 2011 E550. And not to mention turbo lag and the need for better octane fuel and high performance engine oil adds up to lot of maintenance and $$$. If I add a turbocharger to my current 5.5L N/A engine, I easily get over 500HP easily, but why do it when you're putting a lot of stress to your engine.
The NA engine already requires premium fuel so I don't quite understand that argument and I'm pretty sure the price difference of an oil change is non existent but even if it is that happens about once a year. However, I will give you that the long term maintenance of a turbo will be higher than any NA engine.
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The CLS550 turbo was recently tested by one of the Mags with a 12.8 quarter and a 0-60 of 4.3. Yeah, it's only 18hp but the torque difference is quite immense, the new trans is faster, more efficient, etc etc... That is nothing to sneeze at. Those numbers are above and beyond better than the current NA cars. Heck, that is AMG territory.
The NA engine already requires premium fuel so I don't quite understand that argument and I'm pretty sure the price difference of an oil change is non existent but even if it is that happens about once a year. However, I will give you that the long term maintenance of a turbo will be higher than any NA engine.
The NA engine already requires premium fuel so I don't quite understand that argument and I'm pretty sure the price difference of an oil change is non existent but even if it is that happens about once a year. However, I will give you that the long term maintenance of a turbo will be higher than any NA engine.
And with some mods it could well be faster than the current AMGs.
MPG isn't going to make or break anybody here. A few gallons here and there takes a long time to add up. And from the looks of it, most owners here are barely putting any mileage on their cars anyway. For a true commuter car then just get a CDI, imho.
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'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
I think the resale values with the new engine will affect the E350's much more than the E550's. Crossing that 300HP is a bigger deal/selling point than crossing the 400HP mark for the E550, plus it's a matter of supply and demand, certainly the used demand is a lot less for 550 but looking at cars.com, there are pages of 350's but only a handful of 550's.
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2011 Mercedes E550 4M, 2003 BMW X5 4.4i
The CLS550 turbo was recently tested by one of the Mags with a 12.8 quarter and a 0-60 of 4.3. Yeah, it's only 18hp but the torque difference is quite immense, the new trans is faster, more efficient, etc etc... That is nothing to sneeze at. Those numbers are above and beyond better than the current NA cars. Heck, that is AMG territory.
The NA engine already requires premium fuel so I don't quite understand that argument and I'm pretty sure the price difference of an oil change is non existent but even if it is that happens about once a year. However, I will give you that the long term maintenance of a turbo will be higher than any NA engine.
The NA engine already requires premium fuel so I don't quite understand that argument and I'm pretty sure the price difference of an oil change is non existent but even if it is that happens about once a year. However, I will give you that the long term maintenance of a turbo will be higher than any NA engine.
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It's the same motor so that means with a few bolt ons (esp better intake and exhaust) and an ECU remap and you're going to have the potential to be even over 429. That's what makes these new motors so desirable. The existing NA motors are too hard to tune for any noticeable gains (given the ratio of performance increase over cost.)
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
See the tests here at Motor Trend: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...est/index.html
The new E550 will be way faster than the current 2011 model. No doubt.
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'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
MBUSA has the 2012 CLS550 0-60 at 5.1 and the 2011 E550 at 5.2 and Road and Track tests the E550 0-60 at 4.6. In general, a fast 4 door car, that's all I need to know. What I'm more interested in is how the 2012 E550 will handle compared to the E550's with airmatic.
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Me too. I love airmatic and my 550 hauls *** in NA form already.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Only 2012 w/Airmatic is CLS
I saw Info on all the new 2012's and if it's correct, the only 2012 Mercedes with Airmatic will be the standard and AMG versions of the CLS. Not even the S-Class gets it.
I wonder if it's because of past maintenance problems or something else.
I wonder if it's because of past maintenance problems or something else.
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Various
What does everyone find so great about airmatic, my E55 had it and is was good but nothing great? Yes airmatic can be a greater maintenance issue.
Last edited by RJC; Jun 25, 2011 at 02:23 PM.
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I didn't realize that they were removing it from the s class as well!! It has been standard there for a long time. As many on the forum know, I have many issues with airmatic so I shouldn't be surprised. It's good for handling, not great for comfort and blowouts. I purchased the extended warranty when I bought my e550 so I'm not concerned about the reliability issue. Regards. Ned.
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I didn't realize that they were removing it from the s class as well!! It has been standard there for a long time. As many on the forum know, I have many issues with airmatic so I shouldn't be surprised. It's good for handling, not great for comfort and blowouts. I purchased the extended warranty when I bought my e550 so I'm not concerned about the reliability issue. Regards. Ned.
I did some research on AirMatic and came to the conclusion that it should go at least 60K w/o a problem, that problems with AirMatic are acerbated by wheels with low profile tires, that it can be repaired without replacing entire struts (as dealers do) and finally, we probably won't have the car when it reaches 60K since we average about 4K miles a year on our newest car.
My wife says it rides better than our 2008 Luxury E350 and I noticed a significant reduction in body roll going around corners/curves in Sport mode.
The major problem we have with this car is trying to drive it at slow speeds in the 25 to 35 MPH range without the speed creeping up.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
And the W212 E63 will also continue to offer it in the rear just like they've been doing all along.
I think it's purely speculation that Airmatic has been removed in one model (i.e., the US version of the E Class E550 AWD) because it's faulty or has cost MB too much. The system is still being used in the ROW E Class (as an example in the UK, Airmatic is standard on the SE version but they also have a choice of no Airmatic in the avantgarde and sport versions.)
We can't assume anything based solely on what were getting here in the USA. Daimler sells various versions of the Mercedes line depending on geographic region. There are issues with certification, regulations, sales and market share that dictate who gets what.
And if you think Airmatic repair is expensive, ask an ABC owner. But Mercedes isn't shying away from these alternative suspensions. They are really part of its signature.
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2023 AMG EQS
If I want something that they already sell to others and I am willing to pay for it, how does not giving me the option to buy it save them money?
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Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Truly a shame that the Jeep got the Mercedes platform first (thus making the new ML practically seen as a Cherokee, rather than the other way around).
When people rave to me about how outstanding the new Cherokee is, especially for its price, I just think "Yeah, that's because there's a future ML inside it".
Funny thing is, I HATE ML's, as they're the quintessential Suburban Soccer Mom car, and have had a terrible first two iterations (no cache in the "ML" name to me), so I'd probably rather have the Cherokee (if I buy an SUV, I'd go American, as I'm not a fan of Euro or Japanese SUV's really).
However, this new ML is the first one that I've liked. I'm not gonna rush to the Dealer to buy one, but I actually think it's finally a good and solid looking "Truck" from M-B.
When people rave to me about how outstanding the new Cherokee is, especially for its price, I just think "Yeah, that's because there's a future ML inside it".
Funny thing is, I HATE ML's, as they're the quintessential Suburban Soccer Mom car, and have had a terrible first two iterations (no cache in the "ML" name to me), so I'd probably rather have the Cherokee (if I buy an SUV, I'd go American, as I'm not a fan of Euro or Japanese SUV's really).However, this new ML is the first one that I've liked. I'm not gonna rush to the Dealer to buy one, but I actually think it's finally a good and solid looking "Truck" from M-B.
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E500 4matic, 2014 GL320, 2013 C300, 2015 Stingray
Add me to the list of those that want the airmatic
When i bought my E500, i didn't think the airmatic was anything more than a gimic. 6 years later - i really use it a lot more than i thought - it just changes the character of the car based on my driving habits & mood.
Also - the ability to lift the car (particulalry here in snowy north east) comes in handy w/ deep snow.
Anyway - i may be off to Audiland for my next car, just waiting to see what the 2012's drive like when they come out in a few months...
Aceman
Also - the ability to lift the car (particulalry here in snowy north east) comes in handy w/ deep snow.
Anyway - i may be off to Audiland for my next car, just waiting to see what the 2012's drive like when they come out in a few months...
Aceman
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From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
The W212 E550 is thousands cheaper than the W211, by how much I forgot. Seems like MB is just taking back what they were giving away for free while upgrading the engine and transmission.
