This was just emailed to me by Automobile Magazine, naming the new E300 one of "The Best Cars No One's Buying." I thought you folks in the market might put this info to good use:

2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class isn’t as athletic as rivals like the BMW 5-Series or Audi A6, but its luxurious cabin materials and ample seating and cargo space make it hard to overlook. The E-Class wagon has even more room at 57.4 cubic feet when you fold down the rear seats. Several excellent engines are available, from the fuel-efficient turbodiesel four-cylinder to the 577-horsepower twin-turbo V8.

The four months it’s currently taking Mercedes dealers to sell an E-Class is much slower than the normal turnover rate for the model, and also one of the slowest of any luxury midsize car. As a result, dealers will likely be willing to negotiate a lower price to clear out inventory. Plus, Mercedes is offering incentives that are 64 percent higher than the current norm for the class.

Here's a link to the article: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...tm_content=ad1

 

This was predictable. You can't put a four banger, no matter how good and refined it is, in a luxury saloon and charge that kind of money for it. I went in to test drive the E class a couple weeks ago but was unimpressed. I ended up with the CLS550 and have never looked back.

 

The CLS550 is a wonderful car, but comparing it to the W213 is like comparing apples to oranges. I agree with your comments on the four cylinder engine, but it is the rest of the car that is amazing, with the significantly advanced electronics, magnificent interior upgrades, a return to the AirMatic suspension, etc. I believe that most E Class sedan customers will live with and actually enjoy the E300 just as it is. In the mean time, we can only hope that MB will see their way to bringing the E400 to our shores in the not too distant future.

 

Agreed, the CLS is a much different vehicle. I would have bought the E class with that wonderful interior and technology right away but I could not see spending that kind of money for a car with the motor they had in it. I paid a premium I know but at least I got a car with a heart. The CLS is not suitable for many people, especially those that need a real back seat. But if you can get by with four seats the striking individuality offered by the CLS, along with that great W278 twin turbo V8 will take at least a few customers away from the E class.

 

but they showed the 2016 model picture and reference 2016...?

 

A6 and 5 series both have 4cyl base engines as well with comparable msrp's.
As of today, none have 8cy options, excluding the Amg/S/M versions.
Welcome to 2017 and the future going forward.

 

But both the 5 series and A6 have 6cy options, which MB doesn't unless you now to go the AMG-lite E43. It's really unfortunate because the E is a superior car to the 5 and the A6 in every way except the engine, and the engine is a deal-breaker for many people who like to drive their cars. Americans aren't going to line up to pay 70k for a 4cy car, even if the government says we should.

 

Couldn't agree more. My dream Mercedes is an e class that has a comfortable ride with a bit of sportiness and a solid 330-350hp engine with an msrp of $65000 loaded. The new model is absolutely gorgeous inside but a turbo 4! If I want a 6 I need to spend a base price of $72,000 and optioned out $80,000+, with 19 inch rims and run flats I really don't want. I have an order in for the e43 but not feeling great about it for an assortment of reasons. The other usual suspects are long in the tooth and I need a car soon so feel forced into it. We'll see if I stick it out or go in another direction for now. The problems of the well off and spoiled! Regards. Ned.

 

As far as I am aware, and reading everything out there, there are no incentives on the new E300 as of now but it is expected that the Winter Event beginning in November will see something.

The article posted by the OP does not make sense and it points to the 2016 E350 which is harder to sell since the new E300 has been out for a while.

 

You're right, I messed up, sorry.

 

Let's face it, it's an AMG in badge only. The E43 is last years E350 and most will sticker in the $70k-$80k range.

There is still a choice of engines, 4, 6, or 8, eventually. Lower models are always rolled out first. If you want the cheapest option, MB has never been the choice. Hasn't changed.

 

Well Americans will pay for something around $60-70k and once the entire playing field is four cylinderS for $70,000, perhaps people that want real power will look at EV

I wonder what these four bangers will cost used ... will Benz vehicles 2017+ depreciate even more aggressively?

 

I have to image these four bangers will depreciate quite a bit faster, which will adversely impact sales of the E sedan going forward for a number of years.

 

Didn't we just discuss this very topic?

Seriously, no matter how well appointed the new interior of the E happens to be, first and foremost it is vehicle that has to have the level of performance to live up to the complete expectations that most people have of what a MB should be. At least one that depending on your proposed configuration could cost upward of almost $80K.

It's all well and good that MB transplanted the instrumentation cluster from the W222 into the new W213, but they also gutted the performance aspect of the vehicle. So obviously new buyers or those with their leases expiring soon are presented with a serious decision to make. So far it seems that decision isn't favoring this new E based on the sales numbers.

Yes, the new E has enough or as some have previously described it as "adequate power" for typical stop and go urban commuting and occasional highway use. But it is under no stretch of the imagination what one would call a "driver's car". At least not the way some of us may drive. To some, that may not matter. Merely driving a MB, no matter what is under the hood, is what they value, so the engine change makes little to no difference. That's perfectly fine as it meets their criteria of what they expect from a MB. For others, the notion that this is what they have to settle for in this price range from MB may not sit too well. Again, it comes down to what you expect and want for your money. So obviously when someone is spending between $70K and $80K for a luxury car, one has to really decide if adequate or "good enough" engine performance is worth that kind of money. If it is, then fine. If not, there are of course other options out there that will meet both your needs and wants for the same price. Those buyers that aren't showing up for this new E class are going somewhere. The question is which other car company is benefiting from these lower E class sales? I expect we'll know soon enough.

 

I'd imagine not, but it's all speculative talk. Lease numbers will give a glimpse as MB tends not to inflate them arbitrarily.

This is an industry wide move. Maybe if it was limited to one particular make or market segment we would see negative value movement, but it's not.

 

PaulE550 said, "Didn't we just discuss this very topic"?

Yep, I think we have. In fact, in two or three different threads! For all I know, maybe two or three different forums!!

 

I think the 'turbo inline-4' is becoming the current trend of base engine in this segment. All of these already offer turbo inline-4 as base engine.

- Audi A6
- BMW 5-Series
- Cadillac CT6
- Lexus GS
- Mercedes E-Class
- Porsche Macan

(I think Mercedes is the first one to pair its with a 9-speed transmission.)

 

And if you read those threads, you get the impression it's the only engine being offered... Lol

 

This article is about the 2016 w212 not the 2017 w213

 

Lots of confusion and misinformation here. The E-Class is no different from the rest of the class, they ALL have 4-cylinders for base models.
*
The E-Class is still leading the segment in sales.
*
If these so called writers have a clue, they would know that the 2016 model is GONE, if that is what they actually meant.
*
The sedan market is dying off anyways because of the SUV and Crossover that everyone wants now.

That said, MB did make a mistake by not offering a E400 in between the E300 and E43.

I suspect this will be corrected when the I6 engines arrive for 2019.

The new E-Class (2017) is actually selling very well according to the dealers in my area. For goodness sake can't we read the date on the article (May 2016) before posting it? The new E wasn't even out yet.

M

 

By the way, the drive yesterday was great. The foliage hasn't changed much yet, but that was of course secondary. A Ferrari, two Porsches, two Vettes and two MB doing a continuous 75 to 85 the entire way (just pacing the rest of the cars) with a few short stretches pushing 110 to 120 when no one else was on the road. Great fun! Can't imagine easily keeping with those other cars for two hours driving some anemic four banger.

 

Sounds like a ball! That is exactly what I plan on doing this weekend with the Mercedes club chapter I belong to.

 

After test driving one, I would never consider taking it on a two lane highway. The passing power is not there.

I acutely remember long waits while trying to pass a truck going 50 mph in a 70 mph zone while driving an under powered E 300 2.8 (W124). I'd drop back a bit until there was an apparent opening in oncoming traffic then floor it hoping to gain enough speed to pass before the opening closed. Those were exciting times I do not wish to repeat.

 

I would recommend that you take a test drive in a new E300 and use the sport mode. The horsepower is lower than the E212 but the torque (which really matters!) is exactly the same. I had a E300 loaner for 4 days and it was very impressive. Not as fast as my Carrera but equally as fast as my 2015 E350. Turbo charging of smaller displacement engines is the future of automotive powertrains and the E300 coupled with a 9 speed transmission is a very nice match. My old 944 Turbo only had 240 hp yet it was very powerful. Change is hard but you will eventually embrace it.

 

As fast as the E350 ...
Death trap on a 2 lane highway ....