lensjack

I’m a longtime BMW/Lexus guy, now leaning towards an E 450. With the MB website still stuck on E 400 Builds, I’m looking at the Costco E 450 Build to figure out options. Could any of you experienced MB owners explain a few things that aren't clear to me?

COSTCO: Does the Costco Build exactly duplicate the Mercedes Build? Or does Costco maybe not list all MB options? For example, MB offers eleven E 400 paint colors (nine metallic), but Costco shows only nine E 450 colors (four metallic). MB offers several E 400 Accessories like Trunk Box and Cargo Net that are not listed in Costco’s E 450 Build. Trying to figure out if MB is cutting back for 2019, or Costco isn’t listing all available colors and options.

ITEM CODES: Costco doesn’t show item codes, right? So where are people getting the E 450 codes? From a dealer?

PREMIUM PACKAGES: Costco shows only Premium 1, with all other E 450 options à la carte. Is this a new thing for 2019 – no Premium 2 and 3?

4MATIC vs. RWD: I live in Southern California, and never drive in snow. Is it true that 4MATIC is grippier and fractionally quicker than RWD on dry roads, but less reliable than RWD on wet roads?

WHEELS: My main interest is a comfortable ride. I won’t be taking AMG styling. Is there any reason to go larger than 18-inch wheels? Is there a noticeable ride difference between the 18s and 19s?

TIRES: MB shows wheel-size choices but no tire choices, right? Are quality all-season run-flats standard on West Coast cars? Or can dealers deliver whatever tires they wish? How does tire choice work?

PAINT: On the Costco Build, it looks like MB has withdrawn Designo Cardinal Red Metallic for 2019 and is offering instead Designo Cardinal Red (non-metallic). What difference would non-metallic, same-color paint make in appearance or quality?

COLOR: One dealer website (Mercedes Benz of Arrowhead) says MB will offer Rubellite Red Metallic as a new E 450 color choice, but Costco isn’t showing it. Anyone know why?

WOOD AND LEATHER STEERING WHEEL: Where you wrap your fingers around the wheel to grip it, is the wood grooved in back for your fingers, or just rounded the same as where it faces the driver? (Hoping Austin Powers would say, “Groovy baby!”)

PREPAID MAINENTANCE: I’d be leasing for three years. Guessing E 450 3-year prepaid maintenance would cost about $1175 based on E 400. Given that you’d normally service this car only once a year, is it worth it?

Thanks for whatever insight you can share on any of this.

wagonsrock

I can answer a few questions; previously I owned Audi and BMW both with all wheel drive. Now driving a 2018 E400.

PREMIUM PACKAGES: Yes, in 2019 MB switched from P1, P2 and P3 to P1 and à la carte for most options.

ITEM CODES: search this form for 2019 DOG (Dealer ordering guide); in addition to codes it lists which paints have been dropped.

4MATIC vs. RWD: Even on dry roads 4MATIC will have better grip than RWD because power is being sent to all wheels. When AUDI introduced QUATTRO they won all the rally events before regs were changed due to the unfair advantage. Unless you like to do rear wheel spinouts there's no reason to go with RWD. You might not have a choice anyway, because for some models in US 4MATIC is the only choice.

lensjack

Thanks, wagonsrock. Much appreciated. I'll find a DOG and dig in. I've got a lot to learn about MBs. There are so many great options for this beautiful car. It'll be a lot of fun to build one out the way I want it.

lensjack

Anybody got ideas on the unanswered questions – wheel size, tires, paint (metallic vs. non-metallic), wood and leather steering wheel?

On the 2019 DOG, I emailed the only source I could find in this forum who was offering one; haven’t heard back. Will any dealer typically provide it if asked?

Funny experience: On the MB website (still not updated to E 450), I built an E 400 to get a feel for what I’ll want. At the end you can email yourself a link to your build, so I did that. When I opened the email and clicked on the link, it took me not to my E 400 but to an S 650 build -- $216,405 or $4,220 monthly. Now that’s some seriously nifty upselling. :-)

superangrypenguin

OEM tires are almost always crap. You don't get to select the tires, but you may be able to select all seasons vs summers (depends on country), but I always budget money to swap out tires right after I take delivery.

Some car dealers may swap out tires at no additional charge. That is what happened when I took delivery of my present car. It was a condition of sale that I get the tire I wanted.

ua549

I always specify the brand and model of the tires I want. I don't care whether the VPC or the dealer installs the specified tires, but they are always there because it is part of my order. Only one time did I have to refuse delivery because of the wrong tires. It simply a matter of including the item in your order. If the dealer objects, walk away. After that they'll take your order.

lensjack

Hey, ua549 -- I notice you've got a Wood and Leather steering wheel. Do you like it? Is it grooved in back for your fingers? Reason I ask is I love the feel of the wood on my Lexus steering wheel. I'm thinking I'd like one on my E 450. The E 400s I sat in at the dealer's didn't have the wood. I'll look for one on my next dealer visit (after learning a lot more here), but just figured I'd ask. P.S. -- We fly to Tampa (from L.A.) Friday to see our daughter and grandkids. Can I count on you to hold the temperature down?

ua549

The wheel is smooth. I love the feel of the wood, too. I've had wood in all of my MB's. There is a leather portion on each side (9 & 3) that provides a good grip.

The best I can do is turn off the daily rain and lower today's 96°F down 2 or 3 degrees. The humidity will stay at 60% or more. Enjoy the red eye flight. I used to do that run, TPA-LAX-TPA, every month or so for years. I had an office in Thousand Oaks.

lensjack

Thanks! Good to know on the wood. Sounds worth it

And we appreciate your excellent weather work to keep us from melting. Every degree helps, right?

We used to do that trip a lot more often when the grandkids were little. Now we mostly tell 'em it's their turn. Benefits of geezerhood.

sackboydad

JTK44

Here is the latest DOG:

FYI, you can check out the thread I started "Pre ordering a 2019 E450". I too am using a Costco MB dealer. I set out the pros (there are many) and the cons (non really) about using a Costco affiliated dealer.

I am also considering a 2019 BMW 540i xDrive which so far leases for about $100/125 a month cheaper.

Just looked at your original post:

If you want the heated steering wheel do not think you can get the wooden steering wheel. I need the heated steering wheel.

sackboydad

kyrix1st

May I suggest E43 as an alternative?

Comes with plenty of options standard, plus the reinforced suspension/engine/exhaust. I think somewhat mentioned around 5k difference between fully optioned E400 and E43 (which is pretty much fully optioned standard). Since E53 is coming out, you could probably get more incentives..

I personally like it better than my V8 M3 98% of the time. Only time I wish it were RWD is when I floor past 200kph.

CaptainE

JTK44

I hear you and my exact sentiments! I looks like a car from 7 or 8 years ago. The interior of the E Class and specifically the dash is much nicer.

lensjack

I agree. Looked at the 540i xDrive first, came away unimpressed by the interior. Then looked at the E. Big difference.

Iversonbiatch

Hey JTK,
If you have the latest version of the ordering guide for the E Coupe, including the E53 would you mind posting?

Thanks!

CaptainE

JTK44

Here is the latest DOG

AZEZ

The BMW is fairly utilitarian with respect to styling, particularly on the inside. Bimmers claim to fame, and well deserved, is that they truly are the nicest car to drive. Ive been a BMW owner since about 1989 and its hard to drive another car. An AMG with AWD and air suspension comes close and MB is much more stylish inside and out, so I am moving on to the E53 AMG Cabriolet (if and when mine is built, delivered, and released). But your comment about the 540iXdrive interior styling, well you are right; this is not its strong point.

lensjack

Has it always been an MB thing that to get Heated and Ventilated Front Seats, you must take Leather or Nappa Leather? I'd be fine with MB-Tex but really like to cool my brains on long drives. Looks like there's no way around an extra $2990 (plus $450 for H&V) if I want that feature.

Also, it looks like Blind Spot Assist is included in both the Premium Package (P01) and Driver Assistance Package (997). If you opt for both packages, are you paying for it twice? It's $550 as a stand-Alone. Am I reading that right?

JTK44

Yes you are correct: to get ventilated seats you must upgrade to leather. I wanted them as well, but was not worth the extra cost because of upgrading to leather. I have a light color interior with MB Tex and have not found them hot in the summer or cold in the winter. My wife did not know that they were not leather. The MB Tex is fine for me as well.

If you go to the thread "Pre ordering a 2019 E450..." I set out what happens when you order the Driver Assistance package:

From the thread:

"Note: On the DOG the Premium Package (PO1) is listed at $3,150. However, when you add in the Driver assist package (997) the Premium Package is reduced to $1,750 and the Burmester Sound Package (810) is added at $850. The total of the Premium Package ($1,750) and the Burmester ($850) is $2,600 a savings of $550.

The dealer explained to me that the Driver Assist Package has active lane change assist which is an upgrade from the Blind spot assist in the Premium Package and therefore there is a credit for the Blind Spot assist."

lensjack

Thanks for this. Living in SoCal and driving to Palm Springs or Las Vegas, I might miss the cooling seats. That's gonna be a tough call.

Welcome news on the $550 saving. My DOG doesn't mention that. Very good to know.

I'm eligible for the USAA certificate, so I'll also need to learn how dealers figure it into their calcs -- whether they just reduce their discount or actually add it on at full value post-negotiation. Still got a way to go with research, but folks in this forum have sure made it easier.

ua549

I'm in Florida and I wouldn't be without ventilated seats. OTOH I hate the feel and smell of MB-Tex (or other plastic upholstery) so I opt for leather in every car I buy, even my Hyundai Elantra GT has leather.

CaptainE