Reason MB getting rid of E550
#1
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18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
Reason MB getting rid of E550
I was at the dealer tonight picking up a new car(14'E63s) and I was chatting with some of the salesman there about my previous 550. They said that MB has to meet the 36mpg regulations(across the line, average) by a certain year, so they are getting rid of a couple v-8 models that don't sell as well as others, E550, ML550, ETC. Thought that was interesting news. Not sure if this is old news, but figured I would share because I seen an old post about MB maybe bringing the E400 to the states.
#2
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Yup, the TT V8 is being replaced by the M276 DELA30 3.0 TT V6 for MY15. Around 330hp and 350 lb torque. I would think the price should be a little bit above the E350 but lower than E550. All manufacturers have to meet the tougher CAFE standard. I think by 2016 model year, the corporate average has to be around 35.5 MPG. To get there, manufacturers are going with smaller forced induction engines, hybrids and diesel.
I wonder if they will offer a E300 with the same 2.0T found in the 2015 C300 and lower the starting price a bit from the E350. in theory the E300 should feel as fast as the E350 since the max torque is around the same but comes in at much lower rpms.
I wonder if they will offer a E300 with the same 2.0T found in the 2015 C300 and lower the starting price a bit from the E350. in theory the E300 should feel as fast as the E350 since the max torque is around the same but comes in at much lower rpms.
#4
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4 cylinder E classes are already very common in many other countries. I wouldn't be surprised to see them here in the US soon. Although I'm sure the US versions will all be turbo and more powerful compared to the 4 cylinders in other countries.
#5
It remains to seen whether this highly efficient model will be a sales success.
Will the combo of a 4 cylinder engine with a luxury E Class prove to be a
tough sell ? Time will tell.
#6
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Both Audi and BMW offer standard 4 cylinder (2.0 T) in their A6 and 528i and seem to sell fairly decently in North America. If MB can release a E250 or E300 with a 2.0t that gets around 240 hp and 280lb torque and gets mid to upper 20mpg around town and mid to upper 30mpg highway, and keep it at or below the current E250 Bluetec prices, I'm sure it will do well. Especially if the current high discounts stick around.
#7
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Crazy to think that the TT V6 will be replacing the E550, and not the E350, considering how the V6 TT is on par with the 535i and Audi A6 3.0 in terms of actual performance. Seems as if M-B is fully pulling out of the performance aspect when it comes to E Classes, and going full force in putting that performance in extremes via the E63.
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#8
I heard it before I think you refer to CAFE standards ,just plain stupid
If MB's V8 engines pollute the environment what else to say about military vehicles, air craft engines,ocean liners ,cop cars and the list goes on
Everyone in right side of their mind loves the idea of having a fuel efficient car that's a different point but a manufacturer should have liberality and liability of making big engines under no restriction .
If MB's V8 engines pollute the environment what else to say about military vehicles, air craft engines,ocean liners ,cop cars and the list goes on
Everyone in right side of their mind loves the idea of having a fuel efficient car that's a different point but a manufacturer should have liberality and liability of making big engines under no restriction .
#9
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Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
Yeah I think it is sad. The CAFE standard are so typical of Uncle Sam - pass laws to force behavior. I would rather have it the European Model where they tax you. If you want a big V8 you pay more taxes. That is a fair trade. I think there will be a big left in the E class sedan line by the absence of the E550.
#10
Do not forget the CLS550 in MB's line up (a "different" looking "E" class, but still IMO an "E" class). IMO, it did negatively effect E550s sales once introduced 8 years ago. After all CLS550 is only about $5K or so more than equally equipped E550 and considering easy availability of CLS550 (especially since it will be facelifted later this year ala 2014 E facelift) and scars availability of E550 (especially in colors and with options one might desire), the actual transaction price for similarly equipped cars (minus maybe a 4matic in CLS) currently is about the same.
#12
Yeah I think it is sad. The CAFE standard are so typical of Uncle Sam - pass laws to force behavior. I would rather have it the European Model where they tax you. If you want a big V8 you pay more taxes. That is a fair trade. I think there will be a big left in the E class sedan line by the absence of the E550.
#13
> It remains to seen whether this highly efficient model will be a sales success.
I agree, only time will tell.
But everyone I tell that my E250 is a four cylinder turbo diesel is pretty amazed at how it actually performs and how quiet it is. I think many (older) folks recall the terrible american diesels from the late 70s/80s.
On the other hand, I have yet to see any ads or other promotion of the E250 here. VW is promoting their "clean diesel TDI" a lot. I doubt few people know that a Mercedes Benz Bluetech is also a "clean diesel."
I agree, only time will tell.
But everyone I tell that my E250 is a four cylinder turbo diesel is pretty amazed at how it actually performs and how quiet it is. I think many (older) folks recall the terrible american diesels from the late 70s/80s.
On the other hand, I have yet to see any ads or other promotion of the E250 here. VW is promoting their "clean diesel TDI" a lot. I doubt few people know that a Mercedes Benz Bluetech is also a "clean diesel."
#14
Fair trade for the "have"s. Not so much for the "have not"s. Since the externalized cost of a bigger engine is so high, I doubt a bit of tax would offset it. The only thing it would do is cut town on demand a bit but the rich would still f it up for the poor. And that is how capitalism works...
#15
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
I was at the dealer tonight picking up a new car(14'E63s) and I was chatting with some of the salesman there about my previous 550. They said that MB has to meet the 36mpg regulations(across the line, average) by a certain year, so they are getting rid of a couple v-8 models that don't sell as well as others, E550, ML550, ETC. Thought that was interesting news. Not sure if this is old news, but figured I would share because I seen an old post about MB maybe bringing the E400 to the states.
BTW - congrats on the E63, it's a truly amazing car!
#16
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18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
What I learned from this post: your salesperson has no idea that s/he has been selling a 4 cylinder E-Class Sedan for several months now. Knowing that, I wouldn't put any value on any of his/her past or future commentary.
BTW - congrats on the E63, it's a truly amazing car!
BTW - congrats on the E63, it's a truly amazing car!
They were talking about a 4 cylinder gas engine(in the States), they are aware of the Diesel, but the diesel is a totally different animal then the gas. The torque on a diesel, with the way they gear them, makes it feel just as responsive and quick as a E350(pretty close compared to a 4 gasser).
Thanks regarding the 63, I am so happy. The thing is so nice and the exhaust note just makes me smile, like a schoolgirl getting asked to the prom....lol
#17
You broke the unspoken forum rule.
#18
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18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
I'm sorry, I picked it up last night and it figures, it was pouring out so now I have to get her all clean before I post pics... They will be on here on Saturday unless I get time before.
#20
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
CAFE
It's Corporate AVERAGE Fuel Efficiency. It is the average of all cars sold, so doubt the E550 would have that big an impact considering all the other V8 cars MB sells. Probably some corporate decision that with all the other MB's with V8's, not enough of a business rationale to continue E550.
If they are actually going to discontinue it.
Don't forget, V6's,4's and diesels are geting much better at performance than they used to be. Purchasing a V8 for two extra cylinders is not what it used to be.
If they are actually going to discontinue it.
Don't forget, V6's,4's and diesels are geting much better at performance than they used to be. Purchasing a V8 for two extra cylinders is not what it used to be.
#21
and
B. There's a day a night difference in performance of MB's current V6s vs. its own V8s TT (2012-on). The upcoming V6 TT will greatly reduce the enormous difference in performance (it will be a bit more powerful than V8 in E500 from 2003-2006 and not much less powerful than V8 in E550 from 2007-2011). A hint: an hour drive in 2012-on E550/CLS550 will make you understand how false the highlighted statement is.
Last edited by threeMBs; 04-16-2014 at 03:16 PM.
#22
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Yeah I think it is sad. The CAFE standard are so typical of Uncle Sam - pass laws to force behavior. I would rather have it the European Model where they tax you. If you want a big V8 you pay more taxes. That is a fair trade. I think there will be a big left in the E class sedan line by the absence of the E550.
#23
The V8 engine is going the way of the dodo bird. With turbos in small displacement engines capable of producing big hp, these big heavy inefficient engines will soon be obsolete. As a percentage of sales, V8 engines have a minuscule share.
My next MB will be a TT 6cyl. S class short wb.
My next MB will be a TT 6cyl. S class short wb.
Last edited by petee1997; 04-18-2014 at 11:23 AM.
#24
What's the point of offering a model that doesn't sell and drags down corporate fuel economy?
Zetsche told one car mag recently that V8-powered MBs would probably only con't to exist in the US....
#25
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Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic