ddeliber

Just a thought (no facts here), can the e350 still have its current engine if the new C-class is coming out with the 2.0T and 3.0Ts?

How much would the C-class sales eat into E-class sales because of the more powerful engine?

I am thinking that it would not be worth having say both an e350 and and e400 (or whatever they call it) with the two engines because it is not that big of a difference in output. From this I guess my main question is: Is part of the reason that the e350s are seeing such discounts (more than say last year) because they will be putting in a new engine in it once the C-class comes out (in addition to the standard sales push at the end of the year)? And could this be why the C-class is showing up as a 2015 MY in the USA when it will be coming out in early 2014 in Europe even though it will be built here?

Just curious, as I I don't think that MB has put out a C-class that was more powerful than an option on an E (not counting the e550 of course).

boltonblue

There will be two E400's if I recall correctly.
The first will be the turbo V6, the latter the V6 hybrid.

but to answer your question, regarding C vs E, the C63 is a pretty quick car but I don't think it really impacted E class sales.
Folks do buy the different body styles for more than just engines.
I'm 6'1", the E simply fits better.

usamuscle

Yes I hear the 2015 e400 will replace the e550. The 400 will be a tt 6 making like 350 hp and 330tq. Good numbers. Mb is not stupid , they know what works and what wont when it comes to selling.

ddeliber

I agree completely about body styles vs engines. The follow on here is will there be an e350 any more, and does this tie in to the availability of the new C class and/or the pricing strategy of the 2014 e350. I know nobody outside of the Mercedes HQ will really know, but it is interesting, at least to me, none the less.

ddeliber

Never implied stupidity on anyone's part, it is just making me think about the current fire sale and why they are building old style C classes when the new ones will be available in Europe (shipped from the US) in a month or so. Maybe I am wrong about the 2014 C-classes so please correct me if I am.

usamuscle

For sure not saying you called anyone stupid , you make good points

E Classy

interesting. i wouldn't be surprised at all if the current NA 6-cyl is changed next year. it only lasted a year or two in its first edition with the 268bhp or whatever that was. the e400 with the tt 6-cyl is due in fall 2014, probably right beside the new c-class. perhaps they will make like bmw and offer the same engines across the c and e classes (4-cyl diesel, turbo 4-cyl petrol, turbo 6-cyl petrol). or maybe just keep the diesel and the 6-cyl turbo for the e-class (that is what i would do, personally - bring cost down on the e400 and make the e250 the base model).

on the other hand, the coupes and verts are supposedly retaining the tt 8-cyl in e550 form. so maybe nothing else in the e-class lineup will change...

edited fall 2015 to fall 2014....

ddeliber

No worries.

Munich77

They are keeping the V6 around a bit longer. The 268 hp version was around since 2007. So that would mean until at least the body style changes for the V6. Although I do think they will be switching to a turbo four in the E-class as the entry model at some stage.

threeMBs

Actually not quite correct. The "268-hp (258 lb-ft torque) V6 version that was around since 2007" was actually replaced for 2012 MY by a 302-hp (273 lb-ft torque) V6 one (which still lives on, however for how long more is a question).

spyked

It's funny, I asked the same question in the W204 forum. I don't see how the M276 engine can be around much longer. Thing is...for Mercedes, it's a new engine! MB usually keeps engines for much longer with continued refinements. Hell, I've got a "modern" 14 year old engine in my car.

I wonder what is so wrong with the M276 that they are already replacing it. It was only available in C class for three years, and four or so in SLK and ML. And W212 of course. Now turbos will be forced on everyone.