bigh123

Can someone explain to me why a fully loaded ml350 is about $3500 less than a similar e350? What are we paying for here? It is because the e class is made in germany whereas the ml350 is made in the USA. Is the quality better?

Mbenz260e

Can't speak for the new ML but comparing my 2009 ML to the 2012 E the E is definitely worth at least $3500 more in my opinion. This is probably not the best comparison as it's cross generational but for me the finish of the E is much better aside from the obvious comfort etc. Also feels more solid, doors, drive etc.

I am sure the made is Germany may have some impact. But ultimately I think it's people are willing to pay $3500 more for an E vs. and ML so Mercedes charges $3500 more?

I somewhat regret not considering the E350 Wagon 4 matic when getting the ML but I was pretty set on diesel...

MinnBobber

After a 99 ML V8 and 2005 ML V8, I have a 2013 E350 Wagon on order. The E Wagon is about $10K more than ML, hope it's worth it.
I was really wanting to get my first diesel but obviously not possible on the E Wagon in US. I wish MB would add the E Wagon diesel, now that would be the ultimate gran touring missle.

Mbenz260e

Yeah I really wish the Wagon came in diesel but I understand the rare demand and costs associated with bringing it over. BTC 4 matic E would be a nice option too though 99.8% of the time I drive I don't need it.

Should be happy we have the E R ML GL and S options at least now and rumors of the C?

Gotta think they would see more E wagon BTC than E63s but then again margins are much higher on the E63 i would think so might make economic sense. I am sure the BTC system costs more than the slight price increase over the gasoline so I guess BTC margins are relatively lower?

mambrose23

When I leased the 2012 E350 for my wife, the car was over $5,000 more than the ML350 she wanted. However, it leased for $90 less per month. The MSRP on the E350 was over $63,000 (she had to have P2, pano, Diamond White paint at $1,550 and some other goodies). We paid just under $54,000 for the car and got the super preferred rate. They just could not give that much off on the ML350 and the lease program was not as good. Both great vehicles, but in the end she had to get the more cost effective one. I like driving it more too.

K-A

In the modern era of car manufacturing, things are very "homogenized", quality is usually aligned from bottom to top, production quality is the same, etc. etc. Parts and drivetrains are shared, all that.

The pricing makeup these days is more marketing driven than anything else (look at BMW for the best example, they're off their a$$es with pricing. The 6-Series and 6-Series GC are 5-Series with sloped roofs or cut off doors..... and the 5 Series' is a shortened 7 Series.... etc.), and the E is intended to be a more "core", "classic", and "prestigious" model than the more utilitarian, rugged-natured, American built ML. That's how I see it.

bigh123

This is a good point. When is the car industry going to get that these pricing games, although very profitable in the short run for a public that does not do all their math, is a real bad for business in the long run. Any industry that has complicated markups and discounts leaves itself vunerable for new comers with better business models.

MoirJuli

I like driving it more too.

BenzV12

I scoured official German site and come up with these :

W212 :

http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...torisation_tag


M 166:

http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...torisation_tag

ML is more expensive in Germany so this should be same as other European countries as well

mitaka

There is a BIG difference in quality and finish between Alabama and Stuttgart... Having owned 2 R Class and had driven numerous ML loaners due to problems with the R I can tell you the difference is like night and day... at least so far. Light trucks built in AL not only had mechanical and electrical problems but also many little annoying issues such as squeaky panoramic roof, power lift gate that only worked sometimes, loose interior/ exterior trim parts, rusty wheel bolts, corroding seals around doors, automatic windshield wipers that would activate without a drop of rain on a sharp turn, and vibrating drivetrain at 1800rpm that nobody can diagnose or fix. Not to mention valve body transmission problems with all early production 7G tronic SUV's, massive balance shaft failure for all pre 09 model light trucks... but I guess these issues could be traced back to Deutschland...

bigh123

The price difference after all incentives actually came down to about $500 not $3500 as I originally posted. You can get more discounts on the e class. However, the ML will have more features to it such as: power side mirrors, larger comand screen, night exterior security lights, multi-color interior comfort lighting, parktronic with parking assist (NOT guidance), POST-SAFE, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST (New to 2013 BUT NOT ADDED to e350. Not cool) and some other stuff.

K-A

IMO it shouldn't be a difficult decision between the E or ML. Is functionality your goal? 'Cause the ML should be victorious there. Is a more dynamic drive, something less engineered for "Soccer Moms" (not a diss, have you driven the new ML? The steering is SO BOOSTED you'd think you're driving a school bus, no weight at low speeds whatsoever) more important? 'Cause the E will give that to you, still smooth, but will feel somewhat relatively "sporty" compared to the ML. Also, with me, I could never get myself too passionate over an SUV design, therefore an ML it out, however, do you have any similar strong views toward either like that?

If not, the ML is a little newer of a release, so it has some newer features, and the new gen is actually a great truck (hated the first 2 POS ML's). I personally have a hard time owning an M-B that's not built in Germany, but my car enthusiasm is admittedly part "emotion" over "logic" (considering build quality is similar between the two, I dunno).

leapingpoint

there's no logic to it. just price strategy.

ML costs twice as much as E in china, just because chinese like big cars; big cars translate into higher social status, wealthier... etc. ford F-150 pickup truck costs 3-4 times as much as E300. range rover evoque is priced at twice the E200.

SUVs used to be extremely popular in the states, and they were priced higher. now, hummer already went out of business.

market decides the price.