ngerstman

Hello to everyone who has ordered an e43. What is your experience in getting any discount off msrp. Will your dealer give you something off or stonewall you as the model is new, in high demand and in short supply in the near term? Your experience would be appreciated. Thanks. Regards. Ned.

c4004matic

Doubtful. I didnt get any. Maybe in few mths the few that are being sent to dealers will be discounted. Since most of these cars are order only, in the immedieate future there wll be zero incentive for discounts.

HBerman

When I was ordering my C63s last year, the best that I could do was to get $1000 off and that was because I was a repeat customer. The dealer was charging over sticker for the Edition 1 that was coming in which I didn't want due to the color combination. You probably should be prepared to pay close to MSRP for the e43 based on availability and volume for the US.

ngerstman

You guys are bumming me out! That's terrible. Just the cost of early adaptor? Regards. Ned.

HBerman

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but unless you already have a signed proposal from the dealer, anything is possible. I've had my E300 now for almost two months and every time that I am in the car I am amazed of how adept the 9G transmission is with the 4-cyl engine. It always seems to come up with aces for the situation at hand. Compared to my 2013 E550 (which weighed 509 lbs more), the car feels very responsive for all of my mixed city/interstate driving (45mph -> 70mph).

ngerstman

I know you are in an area with no competition for Mercedes dealerships. I was hoping for better treatment in the Miami area. Hardly any response to my inquiry. Have so few e43's been ordered? Regards. Ned.

mjsbenz

Ned,

I assume you do not have a firm order for the E43. Not sure how the pricing will adjust after the pipeline is working for deliveries. My assumption (which is not based on any known stats) is that the E43 will be less than 10% of the total E Class production and will command minimal discounting until there are reasons to blow them out (e.g., end of year, or change in engine).

Accordingly, the premium of the E43 over the E300 will be substantial (greater than $20K).

ngerstman

I ordered the car in October and was told it would be here in December, which I really never fully believed. It was a car that had been ordered by the dealership to get some e43's as early as possible in the production queue, I think they had four. I put down a refundable $1,000 deposit. I could understand not getting a discount if it were a limited production car but this is a production vehicle that they can pump out as many as are ordered, it's not a full AMG e63 or the like. Other than early production delivery limitations, this is an e300 with a bigger production engine. For me it comes down to being treated nicely by the dealership versus being taken to the bank and paying an egregious profit margin and leaving a bad taste with the customer. Still would like to hear back from more e43 purchasers. Regards. Ned.

Benzinini

Ned, I have read your posts regarding the 2017 E300 and relate 100% with your frustration. I just came out of a lease on a 2014 E350 and cannot bring myself to spring for the 2017 E no matter how the salesmen try to justify the 4cyl. offering. On the same token, I cannot justify the premium to spring for the E43. I still have not seen any reasonable explanation of why the E400 is not offered here?? For crying out loud, I am now seeing comparisons of the E300s with 4 cyl. Honda accords (Car and Driver) where the Accord wins...Fortunately, I have a secondary vehicle I have been driving till either MBUSA comes to their senses or I find something else.

ngerstman

Unfortunately for me, I need to buy a car for my Florida condo location. I do feel a bit boxed in by Mercedes. At this point I really do think I might have bought the Accord out of frustration if it had a killer sound system and to not feel pushed into a car I think is overpriced materially. I do have to admit that at this point, in part do to Audi and BMW being at the later stages of their competing models, the e43 is the only midsize luxury sedan that hits all the marks in performance and options and build quality and technology. The black label Lincoln MKZ might come close with the all wheel drive, 400hp version but would still feel strange at this point paying well over $50,000 for a Lincoln and it won't handle like the e43 and has headroom issues in rear seat. But a nice American made luxury cruiser and The Donald would blow me kisses. Regards. Ned.

mjsbenz

Ned,

The BMW 540 will be in the showrooms in February if you are uncertain about the E43. I have a 2015 535xi and love it.

As you have read my previous comments on those hate E300 threads I think the concerns are blown out of proportion. Maybe those naysayers should be listening to those who have had the E300 for months who have real time experiences and seem to enjoy the E300 for what it represents. A well built vehicle with a killer interior, excellent electronics, important safety features and performance that is equal if not better than the E350 W212 platform. It is not an E550 nor is the E43.

I think the Honda Accord is an excellent vehicle but not in the same league as a Mercedes. I think the comparison is simply stupid. Those who are automotive savvy know that the number of cylinders does not define performance. It is how those cylinders are packaged with the rest of the engine and powertrain.

My E300 will be delivered (hopefully) by January 15th. And I am expecting to be very satisfied with the entire package after driving a service loaner for 300+ miles.

Save yourself $20,000 and cancel the E43 and get into a E300. Or save yourself $40,000 and get a Honda Accord......nah. don't do it.

Mark

ngerstman

In my case save $55,000 and get the Accord! Or spend a bit more money and buy the new Panamara, that's hitting the showrooms now. Thanks. Regards. Ned.

Benzinini

Mark,
I don't think the gripe with the naysayers is whether the E300 is a fine automobile or not,I'm sure it is. At least in my case, the issue is that the E400 is offered in other markets and not here in the U.S. This would have been the sweet spot for those coming from an E350. I also did extensively test drive the E300 and to me, the difference on highway driving was noticeable enough. I am sure you will enjoy your E300 when it arrives!

threeMBs

Isn't Panamera significantly more expensive (its in a different league after all, like Accord, but in different direction) and no discount too?

ua549

No matter how you describe the E Class that extra 90 HP in the V-6 E400 over the I-4 E300 is significant. I expect the E400 with a 400 HP I-6 engine to arrive later this year as a 2018 model.

ngerstman

Probably. The loaded e43 I have on order is msrp of $91,000. The base price of the Panamara with turbo 6, 440hp and all wheel drive is $100,000. I know Porsche can destroy you on options, I'm assuming you would need to spend $115,000-120,000. The Porsche is also a 4 passenger car which sucks. Regards. Ned.

threeMBs

$91K? Ah I see, you must like to ride in a concert like hall environment (Burmester, right?).

ngerstman

Yup, an aging audiophile. The $4,000 premium is lots less than I spent on the after market sound system in my 2001 e55(65,000 miles, full Kleeman mods, totaled by my son this past May, he's fine, cars not). Regards. Ned.

ua549

The latest tech can keep your son geo-fenced at low speed while avoiding accidents.

ngerstman

I wonder. He was driving at around 40mph down a local street when an 89 year old driver made a left turn in his path into a shopping center parking lot. My son braked but not soon enough. He wasn't even on his phone, I checked! Regards. Ned.

ua549

According to the Mercedes PR the car will now brake and take evasive steering action short of using a tractor beam. Right Scottie? Take her to warp 10, Mr. Sulu.

mjsbenz

At least your son (and the other driver) walked away without injuries.

Ned....

What about a 3 year old E63S? Probably already depreciated 50% and incredible performance.

ngerstman

I want the newer technology, newer interior and a more compliant suspension, not to mention the dramatically better stereo. My plan b has been to send my e550 to Florida and buy a 2015 cpo Audi s8. That's still tempting me. Despite being an older model, the s8 is still gorgeous inside and that 520hp v8! Thanks. Regards. Ned.