tresean1

Yes...that is correct, for the most part.
Thank you cetialpha. You took the words right out of my mouth.

Streamliner

I believe there are a lot of folks who buy most any car, above a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, etc. as status symbols. I'm sure there are even those who feel that a Corolla or a Civic IS a status symbol. It just depends on the economic status of the individual. In addition, there are folks who can afford most any car this side of a Buggati, who continually buy cars off the lot at their local MB, Porsche, Bentley or Rolls dealer, NEVER waiting to have one built, just as they desire, pretty much because they just don't care. I have a friend who owns so much income property, he is probably a .0001 percenter. I've beat him over the head about Distronic, but he never gets it on his new MB, because "the dealer didn't have one."

I believe that the percentage of MB buyers who buy because of the status associated with the brand is no more than that of similar luxury brands.

cetialpha5

It's too bad that they limit the options based on the model. I saw a bunch of S550's at the dealer and they pretty much all had the Distronic on them. But maybe he's not buying the S550 due to the size. Lots of E's on the lot that didn't have distronic. Part of the blame is on the dealer for ordering more base model cars and I know lots of people who just buy whatever is on the lot and don't want to wait 3-6 months for a custom order. The dealers have to compete with other brands so if has too many options, the price can be an extra 10-20k higher. Having all the options is great as a used car though, Nadaguide, KBB don't really value them that much.

tresean1

I think you somehow totally missed the point of my post. But, surprisingly, you also supported the point of my post with your recent post.

What I was saying is that Mercedes knows that (wholistically) most people don't value 'extra special' options in the same way that people value them in other luxury brands (e.g. Porsche, RR, Bentley, etc). So I think they basically build the very minimum and rely on the Mercedes name alone to sell the cars, instead of all of the special touches that no one really wants or can't afford. Or, for those who can afford them, they are either too impatient or not tied up with the materialistic specifics or detailed options. Like someone said earlier, Mercedes is turning to what makes the quickest dollar and will keep their bottom line in the darkest of blacks. Whether we like it or not, the masses is what dictates, unfortunately, a lot of things that go on today. Those who are in the minority either have to suck it up, or they have to find that very niche market and utilize it as their exclusive product. That's where brands like Hermes, Rolls-Royce, Tom Ford, Audemars Piguet, etc come into play.
Yeah, it's partly the dealer's fault and then partly on the economic status of society. People value different things differently. So it all has to be put in perspective

Wassaby

This how it looks after almost a year : Macchiato Beige/Saddle Brown
https://1drv.ms/i/s!Ai_mPJ0MNN2ZqQ5ZRU5_E7MxlXo-

Streamliner

Someone on these boards once said that to own a black car, you had to be a "glass half full" type of person. Being a "glass half empty" person myself, I completely agree.

I believe the same goes for this and other very light colored interiors. It's so beautiful, but after a year here you can see the darkening of the seat bottom, the marks on the carpets, etc. We are going for the Designo Titanium Gray Pearl/Black Exclusive Nappa interior when we order our E400 sedan later this year.

ua549

I live in Florida where dark colors get too hot. I've always had either white or light beige leather interiors. I've never had an issue with them looking soiled or less than pristine. My 10 year old BMW, a daily driver, looks as good as new including the original light beige floor mats. I clean my car inside and outside once a month whether it needs it or not.

jscb

Anyone have the site you go to to check on your build? I have the po number. My dealer keeps saying to keep waiting. Thanks!

dbtk

Hi tresean1: here is a link to my 600 which was recently featured in a cars and coffee event in Sausalito, CA.
http://www.biscottiandcars.com/aug-2017-bc/

nycebo

This. Wash the car properly once a month. It will thank you for it. I've had beige, light grey, light brown, cocoa, blue, red designo and now black/grey designo leather interiors. They always age beautiful because I take care of them.

My advice, if you care, is to buy the color you like and enjoy it. However, if you hate taking any care of cars, just get black mb-tex.