jumpman726

This recent article says an E-Class spends an average of 156.1 days on a dealer's lot making it the sixth slowest selling model in the US. The Chevy Impala was ranked #7 and the Chrysler 200 was ranked #5. The Mitsubishi Lancer was #1 on the list sitting almost 200 days on a dealer's lot.

This might be good news if you're in the market for a new E-Class as this means Mercedes might give more discounts and incentives to try and move them.

Lanzz

I just stopped by my dealer earlier this week to look in advance of my lease expiration later this year. They appear to be drowning in E Class sedans and even had more coupes and wagons than I expected. I agree, jumpman, good for any any of us in the market... I am happy to get into another one I they can make the #s work.

rbrylaw

Here in Tampa, at my dealer, the E Class is a BIG seller. I guess the sales numbers are greatly effected by region?

JTK44

I read the article and quite frankly I was shocked!

As many of you know I only lease: If there was any doubt of the many advantages of leasing over buying add “slow selling” to the list. As the dealers discount even further the E Class to move them, the resale value will plummet.

When I went to lease my 2019 E450 I also looked at a comparable 2019 BMW 540i 4 matic. Not only did it list for thousands less, but it leased out for over $100 per month less. Previous to my 2016 E 350 I was in two BMW 5 series and liked both – but not as much as my 2016 E350 4matic.

As I previously posted I loved the exterior of the BMW – I still have a hard time telling the E Class sedan from the C Class sedan, but the interior of the Mercedes is what sold me.

Finally, neither the Audi A6 nor BMW 5 series, both of which most people shop when considering the E Class, are on the list. Of course most sell for thousand's less.

I guess I am not as “price sensitive” as the general buying public.

teksurv

I still don't see as many as I was expecting to around San Diego. What I do see is a ton of X5's and GLE's. I expect the new GLE to eat the E's lunch in many markets.

JTK44

Dear Tekserv:

I was embarrassed to tell my wife that the GLE costs thousands of dollars less than my E450.

She thought the GLE should have cost thousands more - not less. Hard to disagree - more space and utility for less money.

America is voting with their pocket book and that is to SUV's over sedans! In Europe wagons over sedans!

ygmn

3 dealers in my area do not have that many E Class

mainly they stock SUV
in order of QTY: GLC, GLA, GLE, GLS G

Then for sedans it is: C, CLA, E & S
4-5 coupes of C-S variety

no wagons ever...ever ever - = Boo Hoo as I like them.

for used tends to mirror above except few more E Class.

rbrylaw

Go price out the new GLE. The new 2020 GLE 450 reasonably optioned is now in the near $80K range. Fully optioned, it's over $100k.

MikeO3

Contrarian view: As far as I am concerned the less E400 C's on the road the better to keep my car more unique and not part of the masses.

rbrylaw

Doesn't seem Mercedes is really doing poorly with E Class sales: https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...ury-by-volume/

JTK44

Statistics from the original article: note sales are pretty much in line with what RBRYLAW posted above, but are down over 10% from 2017.

When sales are down 10% in one year on a model that is just in its 2nd year, that must worry any auto manufacturer!

If you are Mercedes Benz, this cannot make you happy!


• Average days on lot: 156.1
• 2018 sales: 47,936
• 2017 sales: 53,304
• Starting at: $53,500

rbrylaw

I don't believe I'm imaging this, but I do recall there was an issue getting the 2019's on dealer lots which caused late summer E Class sales to plummet. I have to imagine that had something to do with the lower E Class sales in 2018. Don't get me wrong, I understand sedans have lost favor in the US. To keep up with the Jones's the suburban family MUST own an SUV, whether they need one or not. I watched a suburban mom try to navigate her beyond huge Dodge SUV into a parking space yesterday. It's so huge she couldn't even manage to get it in the space. She had no kids in the behemoth at the time, and she likely doesn't have more than 2 kids given her age. But her SUV couldn't possibly even fit in the average suburban garage. Stupid, I'm telling you. Simply stupid.

JTK44

This past winter while skiing we rented a GMC Suburban (we were four adults and two children plus ski gear) and it was the worst vehicle I have ever driven. Cannot imagine driving a Suburban on a daily basis!

But having said that, we have a Ford Edge Sport, mid-size SUV, seating for 5 and loads of room in the back and it does make a lot of sense.

The knock on SUV's, beside the handling is poor fuel economy. Now that many small SUV's get more than 30 mpg on regular and mid-size get in the mid 20's, that problem has been solved.

I researched where "Sedan" came from: it dates back to "sedan chairs" which were carried by 4 people and the "trunk" was a real trunk behind the "sedan".

From a practical point of view wagons and SUV's make much more sense than a sedan. So, people gravitating to SUV's is understandable. If you were to have designed a car from scratch, the most practical shape would be a wagon: for "off road" an SUV.

Sport cars are totally impractical and are bought for non- practicable reason – I know because we own a Porsche Boxster!


As to 2019 E Class not being available: When I ordered my 2019 in September there were many, many 2018 E Class on the lot. My car was delivered within 10 weeks of order. Based on that I did not see any reason for the sales drop in 2018 other than price and lack of interest in sedans. In other words if you wanted a 2018, dealers had many: if you wanted a 2019 the wait was only 10 weeks - perfectly normal.

rbrylaw

When I ordered my 2019, there was a delay and my dealer, which sells a lot of E Class, ran out until the 2019's started rolling in. I don't remember what caused the delay, but I remember some members here knowing their 2019 was built, shipped across the pond and waiting at the port for some reason. The production of my car was pushed out 3 or more weeks from the original build date. I just don't remember the exact reasons why.

Edit: I'm recalling we were thinking the release delay was because of the change from the 400 to 450 engines. The sales manager suggested that was the delay and he was anxious for the 2019's, which were stacked at the VPC to be released. They really had pretty much sold all the 2018's they had left.

ua549

I've owned 3 SUV's over the years and would never consider owning another one. They are noisier inside than a sedan, lack lockable storage and are unwieldy in the handling department. IIRC my 2018 was held at the VPC for 6 weeks before shipping to my dealer.

threeMBs

That depends on an SUV, doesn't it?

ua549

Every SUV handles poorly compared to a sport sedan such as an E450 or E53.
The very design of an SUV and a wagon means that there is no lockable storage like that of the trunk in a sedan.

rbrylaw

Before getting the E400 and E450, we had a nicely optioned GLC 300. It was practical, I'll give it that. But it doesn't drive like a good sedan. Not even close. When they needed to replace the driver door window in my E400, they gave me a GLC loaner. I understand a 300 engine can't compete with a 400/450, but there was just no comparison in how they drive compared to an E Sedan. TBT, I did like sitting up higher. That to me was the only advantage. We could put a piece of furniture in the back with the rear seats folded down, was the other advantage.

threeMBs

Ya? Did you drive W166 ML63/GLE63? I have ML63 (my only AMG) and it will run circles around my E450 "sport" and any sedan/coupe I've ever owned (SLs aside). I take corners in ML63 I would not dare in any other car I have (except SL), as a matter of fact when I tried same corner with the same speed in E450, I almost lost control, actually I did since I had to move to adjacent lane. How about GLC43? Maybe you should educate yourself before posting - finding and driving GLC43 is not that hard. No it is not 63 like handling, but maybe you will be pleasantly surprised.

rbrylaw

I'm not talking about horsepower. I would fully expect a 63 to run circles around an E450 in terms of acceleration. That's not my point at all.

threeMBs

I clearly was replying to the "Every SUV handles poorly" statement since I bolded it. Cornering IS handling. I specifically stated "handling" several times. Never mentioned speed/horse power.

rbrylaw

My apologies and with egg on my face, I now realize your comment wasn't directed to me at all.

Wolfman

I can't understand the love affair of SUV's in the US. I understand the practicality but find most unattractive compared to sedans, coupes or roadsters.
Manufacturers are happy about this trend as these cars are cash cows compared to traditional vehicles...

threeMBs

Agree completely.

Of course it also means that if one is in the market for a sedan/coupe = a nice discount, for an SUV (we are talking MBs here of course) = not nearly as much. Someone I know just bought a huge FORD, F450 I think (much larger than F350) - $95K! It can not be even parked in a "normal" garage - crazy.

JTK44

Just my $.02:

Luxury is now being defined differently than 10 years ago: gone are 0-60 times, g forces generated and lap times around a closed circuit. How many of us actually ever use the straight-line acceleration and handling of our MB?

Most of us cruise down the Interstate at 70/75 mph!

What seems to matter is interior space, legroom, headroom and seat size. Add in music, driver safety and the fact that more and more young people do not even desire or want a car - they live in urban areas and take Uber!

I must confess I have ridden in a For F150 extended cab and as a passenger I could not ask for more: I am 6' 2" and had all the head room, leg room anyone could want. And the seats were super comfortable and there was plenty of leg room for the person behind me. Luggage space was virtually unlimited in the bed with cab over it.

Now when gas goes above $4 a gallon all this might (must) change.

When I think of luxury now, as a driver I want quiet, excellent handling, smooth ride, safety and excellent music. My E450 does it all.

But I do accept the value of a fully equipped Escalade or another SUV - just not for me.