No more E500 for Australia & NZ
06-25-2013, 11:40 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
No more E500 for Australia & NZ
Hi guys, just having a whinge here about MBAuP (Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific). I often wonder if anybody from MB reads this forum, and if the topics we discuss are taken on board at all.
They've just released the new generation E-Class, but they've removed the E350 & E500 from the lineup and replaced them both with the E400 twin-turbo V6.
So now in my opinion there's a huge gap in the range with the E500 gone. The E400 is around $140K here in Aus, but the next model up in the E-Class range is the E63 at $270K. Previous E350 buyers have to now spend about $10-15K more to get into an E400, however it does have alot more features as standard now. Previous E500 buyers who still want a V8 are now spending close to $90K extra to get into an E63, however if they're happy to drop down to a V6 they'll save around $40K for an E400.
We spoke to our dealer about replacing our C250 with an E500 a few months ago but they strongly advised us to wait a little longer as the new generation E-Class was about to released so we waited, but now we can't order a new E500 at all.
We've tried to contact MBAuP but they don't seem to be very interested. All they've said so far is since the new CLS was released alot of previous E500 buyers moved into a CLS500 and we should consider the same. Problem with that is a CLS500 is another $50K and only has 4 seats. We've now asked them if they'll do a special order for us, as the E500 is still available in Europe & the USA (E550). Plus Singapore too, so we know it's still built for the right hand drive market at least. It's been over a month but they haven't responded to that request which is quite disheartening to be honest. The dealer said we'd have no luck either, but I'm not giving up that easily.
I currently have a new M-Class but there's rumours getting around that they're going to drop the 500 motor from the MLs in the future as well.
Anybody else in Aus or NZ annoyed about this too??
Cheers ... and safe motoring everyone
They've just released the new generation E-Class, but they've removed the E350 & E500 from the lineup and replaced them both with the E400 twin-turbo V6.
So now in my opinion there's a huge gap in the range with the E500 gone. The E400 is around $140K here in Aus, but the next model up in the E-Class range is the E63 at $270K. Previous E350 buyers have to now spend about $10-15K more to get into an E400, however it does have alot more features as standard now. Previous E500 buyers who still want a V8 are now spending close to $90K extra to get into an E63, however if they're happy to drop down to a V6 they'll save around $40K for an E400.
We spoke to our dealer about replacing our C250 with an E500 a few months ago but they strongly advised us to wait a little longer as the new generation E-Class was about to released so we waited, but now we can't order a new E500 at all.
We've tried to contact MBAuP but they don't seem to be very interested. All they've said so far is since the new CLS was released alot of previous E500 buyers moved into a CLS500 and we should consider the same. Problem with that is a CLS500 is another $50K and only has 4 seats. We've now asked them if they'll do a special order for us, as the E500 is still available in Europe & the USA (E550). Plus Singapore too, so we know it's still built for the right hand drive market at least. It's been over a month but they haven't responded to that request which is quite disheartening to be honest. The dealer said we'd have no luck either, but I'm not giving up that easily.
I currently have a new M-Class but there's rumours getting around that they're going to drop the 500 motor from the MLs in the future as well.
Anybody else in Aus or NZ annoyed about this too??
Cheers ... and safe motoring everyone
Last edited by Benz Werd; 06-25-2013 at 11:46 AM.
06-25-2013, 01:00 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thats strange that they got rid of the E350. The E550/500 will no longer be available next year so I guess MBAuP just started a year early.
I also will want to replace my E550 but I wont be able to afford an E63, so just remember that there are other car manufacturers that make V8s (for now at least).
I also will want to replace my E550 but I wont be able to afford an E63, so just remember that there are other car manufacturers that make V8s (for now at least).
06-25-2013, 01:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for your input.
Dropping of V8s seems to be a way of the future I guess and something us V8 lovers will have to just get used to. I imagine new BMW M3 buyers are feeling the same way as me too.
I guess we've had it good for too long here in Australia. I believe they've never been able to get a 500/550 E-Class or M-Class in UK, only the V6 350s or an AMG 63 if you wanted a V8.
I know what you're saying about other manufacturers having V8s. Unfortunately I've pretty much tried them all, and nothing really cuts it like a Benz does, just like a twin-turbo V6 doesn't quite cut it like a V8 does, even if the V6 is quicker. BMW would probably be our next choice. So the question is would we have a 550i and miss out on all the Benz stuff we've always loved, or stay in a Benz and drop down to a smaller engine. I've driven the 550i, for a whole weekend, it's nothing special at all. The Audis are even more vanilla. That leaves the local product, Ford or Holden (GM). At least with those we'd save plenty of money.
I'm also with you on the E63 thing. It's way too much car for what we want and need, and we don't really like all that noise anyway. A nice V8 is impossible to beat, but the AMG stuff is just way too over the top for us. We just want a nice luxury V8 sedan.
If that's your Black E550 in the pic it's absolutely gorgeous!!
Dropping of V8s seems to be a way of the future I guess and something us V8 lovers will have to just get used to. I imagine new BMW M3 buyers are feeling the same way as me too.
I guess we've had it good for too long here in Australia. I believe they've never been able to get a 500/550 E-Class or M-Class in UK, only the V6 350s or an AMG 63 if you wanted a V8.
I know what you're saying about other manufacturers having V8s. Unfortunately I've pretty much tried them all, and nothing really cuts it like a Benz does, just like a twin-turbo V6 doesn't quite cut it like a V8 does, even if the V6 is quicker. BMW would probably be our next choice. So the question is would we have a 550i and miss out on all the Benz stuff we've always loved, or stay in a Benz and drop down to a smaller engine. I've driven the 550i, for a whole weekend, it's nothing special at all. The Audis are even more vanilla. That leaves the local product, Ford or Holden (GM). At least with those we'd save plenty of money.
I'm also with you on the E63 thing. It's way too much car for what we want and need, and we don't really like all that noise anyway. A nice V8 is impossible to beat, but the AMG stuff is just way too over the top for us. We just want a nice luxury V8 sedan.
If that's your Black E550 in the pic it's absolutely gorgeous!!
06-26-2013, 01:01 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
What is state side? You guys in the USA & Canada pay heaps less for your cars than we do. My ML was 85% more expensive than what it would've been in the USA. Thanks.
06-26-2013, 09:44 AM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
The V8's are being discontinued at a rapid pace. I think 2014 is the last year in the US for the E550. Many new fuel efficiencies are coming into effect for car manufacturers average fleet. Furthermore, new technology is making the V8 redundant. If Porsche can get up to 650hp out of a 6cyl and GM will have a 420hp 6 cyl available in the Cadillac this Fall, who needs a V8.
I think my CLS550 will be my last V8 and I probably won't miss it. It's called progress.
I think my CLS550 will be my last V8 and I probably won't miss it. It's called progress.
