Benz Werd

Recently tried to order a new E500 sedan here in Australia but were advised by our dealer to hold off for a little while as the facelift was coming, which has now been here for a while. Much to our disappointment they dropped the E500 from the range (along with the E350) and replaced it with the E400. Bad advice from the dealer, they should have already known this being so close to the facelift becoming available.

Fair enough dropping the E350, but dropping the E500 means us V8 lovers now have to spend another $80-90k to get into an E63, which are priced around $265k here depending on your options. The E350 used to sit around $130k, and the E500 around $180k. The E400 now sits at around $140k so there's over $120k gap between that and an E63 with nothing in the range in between.

The E500/550 is still being built for RHD market (Singapore & Japan at least) so we wrote to MBAuP and asked if we could do a special order, to which they flat out said "No, but how about a CLS500?" ... arrogant fools. A CLS500 is over $225k, and is only 4 seats, not the same car at all let alone way too pricey. So our dealer recently gave us an E400 on demo overnight saying it's just as good as an E500 bla bla bla.

Very disappointing is all I can say! Didn't mind the actual car, and all it's features, and the new facelift looks great, but there's no exciting exhaust note, and to drive it just feels like an oversized C-Class now, whereas the E500 used to feel like a baby S-Class. Won't be buying one that's for sure.

I hope somebody at MBAuP is reading this and listening! And if so please please let us have a non-AMG V8 when the brand new E-Class comes in a couple of years.

Anyone else now in an E400 from an E500/550? Would love to hear your thoughts too ... cheers guys

DC-IT

Are you not able to look for the pre-facelift E500 or are they all sold out?

You might want to check out BMW F10 550?

Benz Werd

Thanks for your input.

Yes, there's a few (not that many) pre-facelift E500s around, but we're after a brand new car with our own options and colour choice.

Had a F10 550i for 3 days on demo ... wasn't bad, but no wow factor and drives like an old mans car surprisingly, and those interiors are just awful.

DC-IT

That's precisely what the F10 owners says about the E Class!

I see you're in Melbourne.
I'm visiting my sister there in April.
It's too hot now and April should be cooler?

Benz Werd

Haha funny that isn't it! I was surprised too. BMWs used to always give you a more serious driving feel, and Benz's were cushy, but it's switched around now it seems. The new 3-series is the same, compared to the C-Class. Will be interesting to see what the new W205 C-Class drives like, that's what we're holding out for now, and it will be alot cheaper than an E-Class too ... win win! C400 is on our wish list now.

Now we're suffering from a huge heat wave in Melbourne, as I'm sure your sister has told you, but by April things should have settled down and it's usually one of the nicest times of year right in the middle of autumn. Good choice!

If you've got time drop in and check out the Fox Car Collection just out of Melbourne CBD in Docklands. Mighty impressive and lots of old classic Benzes still brand new. An absolute must for a car enthusiast.

Tjdehya

I am not sure about AUS pricing but for a Mercedes V8 in the E500/550 price range you can check out the CLS550 or a C63.
I too will not be able to replace my E550 and I am not sure if I am willing to spend the money for an E63. BMW 5 and Audi S6 are both boring designs in my opinion.
I love the BMW 650i but it is priced to match the M5 and E63. I will be looking at the W205 C63 and the FL CLS550 when shopping.

Benz Werd

CLS500 here is around $225k, so another $45-50k on top of what an E500 used to be, and they've only got 4 seats. C63 is same size as what we currently have (C250), that's why we were looking at the E-Class, but now the new W205 C-Class is bigger so it's probably going to be right up our alley, we hope! Just gotta sit tight until later in the year. That's fine.

So it's confirmed they're dropping the E550 in the US too? I guess it's a sign of the times and we just have to accept it. I'm a little nervous I won't be able to replace my ML500 in a couple of years either, as there's talk of the ML400 replacing those too. I will go diesel then and give up my V8 loving days I think.

I also agree that BMW & Audi just don't cut it, and are quite boring.

Thanks for your feedback. Happy motoring!

Mbenz260e

I understand your frustration even though I am not an V-8 person. Aussie car prices are pretty insane, close to Asia prices? High import duties? Of course I am used to the great deals we get here in the USA...

DC-IT

OP: I think the F10 you drove didn't come with M-Sports and the handling package.
That's why it was so boring and the electric steering lacks feel!

When I had the e9X 335D it was quite a bomb to drive (265 HP/425 Lb-Ft).
When you step on the throttle it literally snap your head back and off it goes!
The steering had lots of feedback like the traditional BMW.
The new f30 like the f10 is also more sedate unless you add in the sports and handling packages.

Like you I'm looking forward to the new W205.
I hope M-B puts in the 250 Diesel powertrain and in a wagon.
That will be a perfect vehicle for a daily drive.
I'll be checking it out at the Toronto Auto Show later this month.

Jeffy

There doesn't seem to be definitive info out there yet. But some news/articles are saying the 500/550 (engine) is not going away just yet, but the E-sedan is not being offered in 2015 with the BTV8 because of poor sales (and wanting to raise average overall fuel efficieny for E-class). And yes the BTV6 (400) is replacing the current NAV6 (350). However, hopefully the 550 will still be around in E-Coupe and Cabriolets as well as other models like CLS, ML, etc. also, the E500/550 coupe are amazing and a great alternative to C63 if you don't need 4 doors.

Benz Werd

Thanks, it's extremely frustrating yes!

And yes, our car prices are insane, not quite as bad as Asia though (Singapore & Thailand ... wow) but I believe the Middle East is even higher so it could be worse. It's all relevant to the wages we earn here though, unlike Asia?? My ML500 was around 85% more expensive here than what you would pay in the US!

Cheers!

Benz Werd

Yes you are correct. The 550i I drove didn't have M-sport, but from past experience with BMWs that makes the ride too harsh then. We also drove a F30 328i for a couple of days before we purchased the C250 and the same thing, no M-sport, and drove very cushy. At the time we had an E90 325i (with M-sport, and manual too!) so we were just looking to upgrade. Just like you said the E90 still had the proper BMW feel and was great car, just too small and it was getting close to 4 years old so the other half wanted a change. The ride was too harsh also. We just happened to drop into our local MB dealer for a sniff around, without any intention to buy anything, and the C250 was sitting there in the showroom. The other half fell in love, so we arranged a test drive, and 2 days later bought it, then shortly after that I ordered the ML for myself. Anyway now the C250 is getting a little small and with the new model around the corner last year we started considering an E-Class and that's how we ended up at this point. Probably better off in the end anyway as we'll now most likely end up in a new C-Class at the end of the year and won't have to spend the money we were considering doing on a new E500.

From your drives I can see you seem to be a diesel guy so the you'd probably love the C250 diesel. Our C250 is petrol, but at the moment my ML is in for service and I've got a C250 diesel as a loaner. When idling it's so loud and rattly compared to ours, but I can feel it does have a bit more poke than the petrol, even though that goes pretty well also.

It's on my bucket list to get to one of your motor shows one day! They've made ours bi-annual now alternating each year between Melbourne and Sydney, and it's pretty lame, alot of manufacturers don't even bother to attend anymore.

Have a great day, thanks again for your comments

DC-IT

Man you mean downunder you earn 85% more than in the US?

In Singapore on top of the insane prices of vehicles one has to pay the government some kind of a fee ($50~60,000.00) for the privilege to buy a car! This is good for same 10 years I think.

In any case life's too short to worry about $$$.
So live it up and enjoy your Benz.

Cheers

Benz Werd

I'm surprised they're claiming poor sales of E550s in North America. When we were in the US just on 2 years ago nearly every E-Class, and ML for that matter, was a 550, and there was certainly plenty of them around.

That BTV6 (400) is a great engine for what it is, alot smoother than the NAV6 (350), and apparently heaps more efficient too.

They dropped the 500 in the E-Class coupe & cabriolets here too, and there was never an AMG version, so now there's no V8 coupes or cabs at all, the E400 being the top of the range. Again, stupid if you ask me, but I guess sales figures have dictated that decision, so don't hold your breath that they'll keep them in your neck of the woods next year either. Enjoy your car as long as you can!

I had a chat to a sales guy at MB here last week about this, and he said he's had no word of them dropping the ML500 anytime soon as it sells reasonably well for now. Fingers crossed as I do want a new one when the facelift comes out in a year or two.

Not sure if they'll drop it from the CLS, I imagine they will eventually, but my biggest question is will they drop it from the S-Class. Somehow I doubt that very much.

Thanks for your comments also ...

Benz Werd

I actually don't know the average wage here compared to there, but it is definitely alot higher.

Singapore is crazy, they have their Certificate of Entitlement thing and it's around $30k on top of every new car purchase I believe. Not sure how long it's valid for, but I also believe it transfers to the person you sell the car to, so you have to apply and pay for another one when you buy a new car. Strange system, but they believe it keeps their roads uncongested. You don't really need a car there anyway, the public transport is so good, and the maximum speed limit is 80km/h so you have to cross the border into Malaysia to be able to drive your car properly. Wouldn't that be frustrating if you love driving!

It's a great place though. We have quite a few Singaporean friends both living here and there. One of them told me just last week a new Toyota Corolla there is now $130k! You would hope that at least includes the C of E. As a comparison a new Corolla here is around $25-30k.

Yes, life is short and I do enjoy my Benz everyday! haha

miked807

yips ....Aussies love their V8s !!
Nothing compared to a Fords SVP or Holdern''s HSV model V8 that I had the pleasure of driving around for 3 yrs durations during my DOWN-UNDER work experience....
MBAusP = at best SUCKS ! as I had same same experience with them about getting a E55...........

Current car = Audi S8 (leased work vehicle) ......

Cheers to my aussie mate !
MikeD

Benz Werd

Hi Mike, thanks for your comments. Oh yes we do love our V8s, but unfortunately not enough of us anymore, as they're not selling well at all. Everyone's buying imported diesel SUVS and small-4 cylinder hatches & sedans it seems. Due to this Ford & Holden (General Motors) are both shutting down production here over the next few years for good. So we are saying goodbye to the Aussie V8 too, and all Aussie car production except for Toyota, but it's expected they'll follow suit soon also.

Yes, MBAuP are arrogant sods, which is bad because it has tarnished my love of the brand alot the last few years. I could bang on & on about all the things that have happened, but that would take forever. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's the foolish people who work there that are causing my bad feelings, not the MB product. I'm certainly not as passionate as I once was. Our experience with BMW was alot worse though. Never owned an Audi but my brother is a huge fan and has a Q7 V8 in his garage. We're always stirring each other up as to whose car is better, but it's funny how he always wants to drive mine anytime he gets the chance!

How is the S8? I bet it's a beast! I've also got a Ford FPV ute so the ML isn't the only V8 in the family

And you've got a GLK? That's what car the other half really wants but they're not available here. It's rumoured the new generation will be built in RHD so we might see that at least. Fingers crossed!

Cheers back to you to bro ...

miked807

Hows my fav FOOTY Team ? Go Geeelong !!!! lol !!

cheers matey

J.M.G.

BenzV12

Thanks for the link

miked807

[QUOTE=J.M.G.;[/QUOTE]

AM OFFICALLY :jellies: of whoever owns those two cars ! :P

Cheers everyone China @ this time

Benz Werd

That is awesome.

Notice how the E400's transmission is in sport mode but the E500 is being driven in manual mode?

Either way amazing comparo ... but I still stand by what I say in relation to the way these 2 cars drive.

E400 feels like a large C-Class
E500 feels like a baby S-Class

Depends what you like I guess!

Thanks for sharing that video anyway, loved it!

J.M.G.

The faster you drive, the bigger the difference. So when driving outside Germany, the E400 will just do the job as good as its V8 brother.

Tjdehya

That was a weird video.
Why was the E500 in manual and delayed shifts? Is someone trying to prove something to ignorant buyers?

J.M.G.

Delayed shifts? What do you mean?


PS: In manual mode, the 7g-TronicPlus uses exactly the same RPM for automatic upshifts, as in WOT in "E" or "S". So the mode does not make a difference.