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--> E250 BlueTEC Thread
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Fernandina Beach, FL
2006 E320 CDI
Yes, to get the USAA rate, which is something like 1.35%, you have to go through their buying service. The dealer already said he would beat their price and quoted me a very good price, but I need to use the USAA configurator to confirm the model and get the "special rate".
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Yes, to get the USAA rate, which is something like 1.35%, you have to go through their buying service. The dealer already said he would beat their price and quoted me a very good price, but I need to use the USAA configurator to confirm the model and get the "special rate".
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
2006 E320 CDI
Perhaps you misunderstood. It is a special discount of an additional 0.5% if you go through their buying service.
The nominal rate for a 5 year loan is 1.99 for vehicles over 35K according to their member website. Take a half percent off that if you use their buying service. What was your rate?
What is the half percent worth? (I did some calculations.. for 60K financed for 60 months, that's about $800 and the way it works is they take that amount off your LAST payment) and does it apply if the dealer makes a competitive quote without using their service? I am sure there must be some sort of kickback to USAA from the dealers because not all participate even though most will match their deal.
My credit score is well over 800 so I have no worries about securing a loan at a good rate. I like doing business with USAA and you can't beat their insurance.
The nominal rate for a 5 year loan is 1.99 for vehicles over 35K according to their member website. Take a half percent off that if you use their buying service. What was your rate?
What is the half percent worth? (I did some calculations.. for 60K financed for 60 months, that's about $800 and the way it works is they take that amount off your LAST payment) and does it apply if the dealer makes a competitive quote without using their service? I am sure there must be some sort of kickback to USAA from the dealers because not all participate even though most will match their deal.
My credit score is well over 800 so I have no worries about securing a loan at a good rate. I like doing business with USAA and you can't beat their insurance.
Last edited by Tomzbenz; Sep 16, 2013 at 07:27 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
2006 E320 CDI
Still mystifies me why MBUSA has not updated their site to allow configurations of the E250. It usually takes USAA a week or so to catch up once the manufacturers publish their pricing. In this case, although the pricing is public, they have still not added it to their price quote system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 14
1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Perhaps you misunderstood. It is a special discount of an additional 0.5% if you go through their buying service.
The nominal rate for a 5 year loan is 1.99 for vehicles over 35K according to their member website. Take a half percent off that if you use their buying service. What was your rate?
What is the half percent worth? (I did some calculations.. for 60K financed for 60 months, that's about $800 and the way it works is they take that amount off your LAST payment) and does it apply if the dealer makes a competitive quote without using their service? I am sure there must be some sort of kickback to USAA from the dealers because not all participate even though most will match their deal.
My credit score is well over 800 so I have no worries about securing a loan at a good rate. I like doing business with USAA and you can't beat their insurance.
The nominal rate for a 5 year loan is 1.99 for vehicles over 35K according to their member website. Take a half percent off that if you use their buying service. What was your rate?
What is the half percent worth? (I did some calculations.. for 60K financed for 60 months, that's about $800 and the way it works is they take that amount off your LAST payment) and does it apply if the dealer makes a competitive quote without using their service? I am sure there must be some sort of kickback to USAA from the dealers because not all participate even though most will match their deal.
My credit score is well over 800 so I have no worries about securing a loan at a good rate. I like doing business with USAA and you can't beat their insurance.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
I drove one earlier this evening - I've been batting around maybe making the jump from my C to an E to get a bit more comfortable ride, more back seat room and a few more toys - plus I am a diesel and torque lover.
I was a bit surprised how much this car sounds like a diesel (not a bad thing in my opinion - I like a diesel clatter) - it seems the V6 diesels clatter less. Power wise it feels great - very smooth and steady power delivery. I have yet to see published figures for 0-60, but it felt a bit slower than my C250 on a highway merge/highway passing. I think that may be more of a perception difference - the C250 is not the most linear when it comes to putting down power. It's definitely quick enough for everyday driving though!
One thing that confuses me - according to the brochure I brought home, apparently you can't fit the E250 with the 18" double 5 spoke wheels and flat bottomed wheel? Tell me that isn't so! Otherwise, I am seriously considering making the jump.
I was a bit surprised how much this car sounds like a diesel (not a bad thing in my opinion - I like a diesel clatter) - it seems the V6 diesels clatter less. Power wise it feels great - very smooth and steady power delivery. I have yet to see published figures for 0-60, but it felt a bit slower than my C250 on a highway merge/highway passing. I think that may be more of a perception difference - the C250 is not the most linear when it comes to putting down power. It's definitely quick enough for everyday driving though!
One thing that confuses me - according to the brochure I brought home, apparently you can't fit the E250 with the 18" double 5 spoke wheels and flat bottomed wheel? Tell me that isn't so! Otherwise, I am seriously considering making the jump.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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W212 FL
E Classy, thanks for your pics , I enjoy them and save some of them 
Badge wise none the cars that come with the BLUETEC badge never has got 4 MATIC badge outside the trunk ,in this respect it's normal for not having 4 MATIC badge outside the car because your car come with the BLUETEC badge .
You could see 4 MATIC badge in this option :
E250 CDI 4MATIC ,since BLUETEC replaces CDI then 4 MATIC badges are deleted too .
So, BLUETEC and 4 MATIC not being used at the same trunk but CDI 4 MATIC is
I am surprised to see your car came with BLUETEC badge because I have only seen E350s with BLUETEC badge ,must be a FL thingy lol
BTW, I like your gauge cluster's colors , black or grey looks better than white face dials
Badge wise none the cars that come with the BLUETEC badge never has got 4 MATIC badge outside the trunk ,in this respect it's normal for not having 4 MATIC badge outside the car because your car come with the BLUETEC badge .
You could see 4 MATIC badge in this option :
E250 CDI 4MATIC ,since BLUETEC replaces CDI then 4 MATIC badges are deleted too .
So, BLUETEC and 4 MATIC not being used at the same trunk but CDI 4 MATIC is
I am surprised to see your car came with BLUETEC badge because I have only seen E350s with BLUETEC badge ,must be a FL thingy lol
BTW, I like your gauge cluster's colors , black or grey looks better than white face dials
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Looks like MB is finally updating their website!
Last night at about midnight, the configurator would not work. It's working again this morning and the E250 is up there - but when you click on it it says to check back later.
Hopefully it will be up today.
Last night at about midnight, the configurator would not work. It's working again this morning and the E250 is up there - but when you click on it it says to check back later.
Hopefully it will be up today.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
2006 E320 CDI
As is the Build Option (although it is listed now)
The Build takes you to:
"This page is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please check back later.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC"
Last edited by Tomzbenz; Sep 17, 2013 at 11:21 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
I took the one they have out (4Matic sport) for a 17 mile test drive loop over urban, highway and very curvy country roads. I personally felt it needed a bit less sidewall on the tire - it was capable when pushed, but it definitely wallowed a bit more than I like. I took the same route home in my C and it was quite a different experience (and quite a bit bumpier - my C can be rather harsh at times).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
I've been watching it go from "This page is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please check back later." to a 550 error and back. They're obviously doing something on the backend...
I'm a systems engineer. I'll gladly help them out in exchange for a discount...
I'm a systems engineer. I'll gladly help them out in exchange for a discount...
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
2014 E250 Bluetec 4matic
Per the steering wheel, I got some conflicting advice when ordering... I have Luxury trim and wanted the wood and leather. Heated is not an option in that case and I didn;t care, but the style of the wheel was in question.
The E350 configurator on the MBUSA will not allow picking the sport wheel with Luxury trim but I'm not sure that is the same wheel. What did you order and what did you get? I see you have a Sport trim.
I wish the E250 Build option was up on the MBUSA website. Can't understand why it is not! Until it is up, I don't think the third party internet sales applications can publish their specs. I am buying through USAA and still cannot configure and price an E250 even though I ordered on Months ago and had all of the pricing details on the invoice. I need this to apply for a loan from them. Its frustrating.
The E350 configurator on the MBUSA will not allow picking the sport wheel with Luxury trim but I'm not sure that is the same wheel. What did you order and what did you get? I see you have a Sport trim.
I wish the E250 Build option was up on the MBUSA website. Can't understand why it is not! Until it is up, I don't think the third party internet sales applications can publish their specs. I am buying through USAA and still cannot configure and price an E250 even though I ordered on Months ago and had all of the pricing details on the invoice. I need this to apply for a loan from them. Its frustrating.
The factory says b.s. a 314 is flat regardless, if you want round, it's the 289 option, but only with lux trim.
That's what they are fighting about now. They gave me the flat, I had wanted round.
But it's growing on me, and I don't think I will let them change it. The car is perfect, no need to introduce gremlins...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Love your color combo as well, by the way!
Side note... the E250 has now disappeared from mbusa.com.... hilarious.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 65
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2014 E250 Bluetec 4matic
And with the steering wheel, MBUSA had been relying on their website...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
I think that's my fault, sorry. My steering wheel issue seems to have created some configuration concerns. For what it's worth, the Germans just go off of part numbers. The fancy names of sport, luxury, or whatever are just translated to the original part numbers...
And with the steering wheel, MBUSA had been relying on their website...
And with the steering wheel, MBUSA had been relying on their website...
My dealer sent me an updated order guide earlier. It says nothing about the E250 not being able to get the flat bottom or upgraded wheels (despite what the printed brochure says). That makes me very happy - I hope the website gets up soon. I want to know how much this thing is potentially going to make my wallet scream!
