BenzV12

MB should have imported E200 CDI, E220 CDI ,E250 CDIs are already available to compensate CAFE standards rather than ditching out E550s . If it doesn't help , CAFE standards are lousy then
It's really funny because where the fuel is way cheaper you can't have V8 W212 any more and what's even funnier these E500s can be available in Europe countries
I think this is do to with global warming scam , as if only V8 engines in the US are responsible for that

BTW, LT1 V8 engine can achieve highway 25 MPG - city 14 MPG and that car weighs 1.9 tons . I address to Cadillac Fleetwood -last real Caddies
Well, C350's figures aren't impressive at all given that all these little details above .
I can't leave it unsaid , last week I read a comparison between BMW 7 Series and new S Class W222.
It was BMW 750 vs S500 but 750 was 8 cylinder what a scam , I presumed it was 12 cylinder (for a moment I said why 12 cylinder vs 8 cylinder ) but having read the test data cards, I saw 750 had 8 cylinders
What a joke , I mean not to bash BMW but back in pre 2000 model years 750 referred to 12 cylinders ,now I see why they call it some top cars as 760
At least , MB keeps 500s as having 8 cylinders ,hopefully keeps calling these like that ,because I don't wanna see 6 cylinders and you call it S500

This week BMW 535 vs MB E400 , BMW puts out 3.0 liter , MB 3.0 liter tt but MB call it E400 , I know they say this can outperforms E300 by any means and easily matches up 4.0 liter engine's performance but there is no need to be optimistic in labeling cars ,this leads to confusion and remind me of some car owners who remove 520 badges and put on M5 badges

Tjdehya

"Diester Zetsche has issued directives at Mercedes to double sales to two million units, and that's because Merc has gone from number one amongst German competitors to third behind Audi and BMW."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...585075934.html

With the elimination of the E550 and the hideous redesign of the 2014 its safe to say that it is highly unlikely that they will see some of us as return buyers. E550 is only a small part of their sales numbers but losing any number of return customers is not a smart move.

K-A

Zetsche needs to go (as that article states is a possibility). He's been terrible for Mercedes IMO and his results prove that. He was the friggin' Chrysler CEO for f's sake and he managed to oversee even that heap of a brand get weaker under his reign.

petee1997

He solved the reliability issues at MB. Without him, I don't know what would have happened to the brand.

MB is very competitive everywhere except in China and they are addressing that problem now. A little late but they will catch up.

SoCalCLK

Although the elimination of the E550 model designation is a sad move, IMHO, it reflects the changing in tastes of the consumer. Years ago, the W211 E500 was sold right along the W211 E320 to appeal to consumers who wanted the V8 and the power, torque and AMG sports package that came along with the E500. I always viewed the E500 and the E430 before that as the V8 versions that really defined the class.

It was 2003/2004 and gas was $2.00 a gallon and no one cared too much about mileage.

Fast forward to 2013, after 6+ years of $4.00 gas (especially here in Southern Cal), plus the E350's have the AMG sports package standard, and there is almost no physical difference between the W212 E350 and E550, it's no wonder that E550's don't sell the way they used to.

I for one prefer the N/A 5.4L Engine and 4.6L Bi-turbo engine. I guess now our E550's will be even more rare and more limited edition.

At least they will still offer the CLS550, S550, etc. so not all is lost!

BenzBee

Sure true. Although I think part of the reason of the V8's demise is also that the new 6 cylinder engines are so powerful that most people do not really need a V8. The W211 E500 made 300 hp - these days an E350 makes the same hp. For most buyers that is probably enough.

Arrie

In my opinion as long as MB calls these a sports model the about 300 hp engine is not strong enough. These cars are heavy and need a little bit more power. I got tired of every rice burner wanting to race me with my E350. With my E550 there still are some but each only once...

Absolutely must have the power of the V8.

K-A

Agreed. Back in the day you "needed" a V8 to get performance fit for any even casual enthusiast or person necessitating a seamless, effortless drive. Nowadays you get that from the 6 cylinder versions and the V8's are practically purely superfluous and excessive, designed specifically for enthusiasts who crave them.

hyperion667

my Porsche is a flat 6 turbo that makes 480hp.........that's good

ImInPA

Let us not forget Subaru and the Scion FS use boxer engines as well.

K-A

Love those little Subaru/Scion twins. I'd love to get the Suby version 'cause I don't think I could stomach having a branded "Scion".

Love the flat/boxer 6's, both Porsche and Subaru are exceptional at making them. Flat 6 & Inline 6 are just otherworldly when done right, IMO.

ImInPA

The old Subaru SVX had a wonderful flat six, as do some models in the Legacy and Tribeca lines. Subaru makes great horizontally opposed engines. I have been thinking about picking up a BRZ, but, I am holding out in hopes that a convertible will be released. I think that a convertible BRZ would just be a phenomenally fun car.

K-A

Totally. The BRZ is so cool. Would be the perfect variety compliment to a large comfy refined German Luxury Sedan.

Live Oak

Oh, I have a different opinion. I just spent two weeks in a 2013 E350 loaner (with sport package). Noisewise, compared to my 2011 E550 Luxury, it was like driving a sit-down lawnmower. They spiff up the gear ratios to give it a "peppy" feel on start, and it whines like a banshee (in "E" mode, BTW). Pop the accelerator to pass a semi at 60 mph and you can't hear the semi 'cause the 350 is straining so hard!

(I won't complain about the ride difference --- it was a sport model after all.)

Now, I'm not trying to irritate 350 owners. It's just that out here on our open roads and mountains the 550 V8 is so responsive and quiet that I can't imagine driving anything else (except an S?) Performance -- Quiet -- Comfort -- Security.

And I suppose that, in the big city, the "VROOM! VROOM!" at low speed is satisfying.

No hard shots, please --- this is my opinion, and why I spent the big bucks.

K-A

Totally understandable. When you're used to the effortless range of a V8 even a decently powered V6 can feel "dinky" to you, and make sounds you're not used to hearing. Of course, my comment was speaking more on the general consumer who's probably coming from another V6, or a 4 cylinder or something, and finds anything with 300 HP way more than they need.

What's holding back the E350 right now in this respect is that it doesn't feel like many of its competitors 300 HP 6 cylinders, because it's N/A. The trick of making a 6 "feel like an 8" is boost, period. The E needs to make lots of noise i.e get the RPM's up to make peak torque (which comes pretty high in its RPM powerband) while a 6 cylinder turbo or supercharged engine will make the same peak power, but will make that power at 1-2K RPM's and hold it flat, therefore giving you peak performance across the RPM range (just like a good V8 will) and immediate and robust torque (like a good V8 will).

I'm sure after 100K miles and after warranty N/A V6 drivers may just get the last laugh on F/I 6 cylinder drivers though, if you catch my drift.

Arrie

+1

W210

The current V8TT in the 550 is really quite nice. So quiet and smooth I prefer it over the noisy flat 6 TT in city. Effortless torque without the drama.

hyperion667

yeah buddy

ghstudio

not sure if the 550 is going away or not, but having driven the 350 and 550 today, there is no comparison....the 550 really has the pep that 's missing from the 350. No it doesn't have the ultra comfortable ride of the e350 BT luxury that I'm driving, but boy, it's far more exciting to drive.

I'll be leasing, so I'm not sure if I care if the 550 continues or not.....If I were buying, I'd most likely move to the Audi a6/7 with either 3.0 or TDI engines....also fun cars to drive...and little risk they'll be obsolete.

BenzBee

I wonder how many people will change their cars early to get into a 2014 E550. It would certainly make for a unique car and when you de-badge quite the sleeper as you will not be able to tell it apart from a E250 bluetec sport or an E400.

Jeffy

Totally agree. The wife and I were happy enough with the C350 and the E350 we have recently had, then we got an E550 Cabriolet - The 550 is our weekend car and the E350 is our daily driver. Once you have tasted the V8TT, the V6 seems overly loud, harsh and has to work too hard to do anything quick. I will be very sad to see the V8TT no longer offered in the E-Class.

PeterUbers

I went from an infiniti G37 to a 2k14 E550 -- can't agree with Jeffy more .. the bi-turbo V8 just makes everything seem quiet and effortless -- my G37 was fairly quick for a v6, but was just loud and harsh compared to this new '550.

I'm also getting better mileage on the benz compared to the v6 infiniti... I would not be interested in a bi-turbo V6 E550...

alsyli

Well, to be fair, isn't the G37 loud and harsh even compared to other V6s? My understanding from reviews is that the Nissan VQ engine was long ago surpassed for NVH and is probably worst engine in its clas for those qualities....

PeterUbers

Yep, was truly less refined than most v6's out there....

J.M.G.

Well it is actually significantly faster than the 535i.[1] To be exactly: It is just a heartbeat slower than the E550 5.5 (382hp). The E400 does not have the best 60ft time. However, when rolling, it is just as fast as the E550 (382hp). Feel free to compare the 100km/h-200km/h times (62mph-125mph): 14.1s (E400) vs. 13.5s (E550).

That E400 is seriously fast!

[1] 0-200km/h (125mph): 20.0s (E400) vs. 21.9 (535i), source: click
[2] 0-200km/h (125mph): 18.7s (E550 382hp), source: click