cetialpha5

For me, sedans have always been better than SUVs because they have a lower center of gravity making them more stable and they handle better than their SUV counterparts. Plus they have better gas mileage and shorter stopping distances. There's lots of things that have been done to SUVs to compensate like stability control, but if you look at the same engine in the car vs SUV, you get worse gas mileage and typically longer stopping distances and of course slower too due to the increased weight. And cars typically had softer suspensions but I think with the sport suspension and some SUV platforms based on car platforms, the harsher ride of the SUV isn't as bad as it used to be. But if you need them room or like the height or are playing the heavier is safer route, then SUVs also make sense for some people.

Mr. J

My GLC has lockable storage under the cargo deck.

ua549

I bet the ML63 does not handle as well as an E63. I considered an ML55 AMG. Back in the day (2004?) after an ML55 AMG extended test drive I bought an E55 AMG because handling was much better.

ygmn

I have all 3.
Sedan
SUV
Pickup

I am happy.

all I want is a golf cart

threeMBs

1. Your specific comment was "ANY" SUV vs. specifically E450 (& E53). I would not have commented otherwise. (Do not forget Porsches SUVs as well.) "Any" was clearly misleading.
2. As far as ML55, all W163 (had 2 of them back then) were POS compared to W166. And while W212 E63 clearly outhandles W166 ML63, ML63 has more complient ride in "C" than E63, on par with my W213 E450 in "S" and better than E43 I tried in "S+". W166 GLE63 is better in all regards vs. W166 ML63, and upcoming generation of GLE will be even better as well. It's called progress.

ua549

A sedan with a lower center of gravity mated with an excellent suspension will handle better than a top heavy SUV, even the 2020 GLE. Power really doesn't count when evaluating handling. Tires, suspension and brakes are what makes the difference. You are entitled to your opinion just as I am. We'll have to agree to disagree.

nycebo

Seriously, can we put the sport SUV to bed? They are bloated pigs. A compromise for people that need the space but still want speed. If you want to compare a ML63, you need to compare it to the E63. I know that you're nit-picking the precise words of another post, but come on, man, let's not talk our books. Let's just stick to facts. You get the gist of what the guy was saying.

To wit, I HAD a Porsche Cayenne Turbo for years. Good power but preposterous in corners and switchbacks. And a bouncy, hard suspension (credit the weak air suspension) that was painful over NYC potholes and road seams. It was NOTHING like a lighter sedan (we have to be careful here because so many sedans have gained too much weight also).

Candidly, I hardly see the purpose of SUVs: higher center of gravity, heavier, worse mileage. They are a fashion statement is all. A minivan or wagon both have more space and better everything else. I mean, who the heck buys an ML63? Not good for offroad. Not good for the road. Better off with a Boxster AND a Ford. It's amazing what marketing and HP wars will get people to buy. Good luck in the snow with those tires.

Germancar1

This actually the 3rd model year for the current E-Class: 2017, 2018, 2019. It happens with nearly every car on the market and in market where sedans are not favored anymore either.

M

threeMBs

nycebo,
I'm in SW FL, on relatively glass smooth major roads/highways (as compared to NYC, lived there for almost three decades, as you know Belt Pkwy is a great example of highway to stay off), where ML63 is a fantastic "car". IMHO, it's more a car than "any" other typical SUV, just with a higher view point, which is important in FL due to numerous pickup truck everywhere. And speaking of Belt, any (and I mean any) SUV will navigate potholes with a chance to survive better than any sedans. Had number of blowouts there years ago. With that said, I do and always did prefer sedans and roadsters over SUV! Not sure how this thread got highjacked in the first place.

nycebo

It's because SUVs have bigger tires. If you get a sedan with 18" wheels instead of 20s, you're good to go.

Man I miss glass smooth roads. What part of SW Florida. As some already know, I used to live in Tampa for 7 years. There apparently are a TON of left FL coasters on this forum! ;-)

threeMBs

"It's because SUVs have bigger tires." Exactly.

"If you get a sedan with 18" wheels instead of 20s, you're good to go." Somewhat disagree. Had a couple blowouts in E500 with stock 17" wheels with oversized 255/45 winter, instead of 245/45, tires. A number of northern W212 E owners were complaining about stock 18" wheels quality (245/40 tires). It wasn't the wheels, it was pothole ridden NE roads. W213s now have 1/2" taller sidewalls which do help and they are runflats.

Cao Black

Same here , plus a Gator instead of a golf cart. Covers all the bases.

JTK44

Dear Germancar1:

I believe the first year of production for the new E Class was model year 2017.

That would make model year 2018 the second and not the third year of production.

2019 would be the third year of production.

Sales for 2017, first year of production were 53,304

Sales for 2018, second year of production were 47,936.

That is a decrease in sales of 5,368, just over 10%.

ua549

That is exactly what he posted. That is true for the US. In other countries/markets that more closly follow the calendar year the first year was 2016. So currently there are 3¼ years of production - 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019.

JTK44

Dear UA549:

This thread is about sales in a calendar year - not sales of model years.

In 2017, (January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017) those were sales of model year 2017 - the first year of production of the new E class, plus a few 2018 in December. Those sales were 53,304.

In 2018 (January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018) those were sales of model year 2018 - the second year of production, plus a few sales of 2019 in December. Those sales were 47,936.

Sale of the 2019 began in December 2018 but they were only a few the vast majority of 2018 sales were of 2018 models.

dudley07726

im like you. Now in SWFL but from NYC. Lived for 21 years in Queens and another 9 in Bkln and Manhattan. Roads are garbage up there. Don’t miss the Belt at all.

ua549

@JTK44 Wrong! Sales in the US began in June of 2016, the first half of the year. That is why the W213 started as a 2016 model many markets. My 2018 E300 was in the US at the VPC in July of 2017. That said if sales are by calendar year, the the W213 is in its forth year of sales - 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019.

JTK44

You can write whatever you want, but facts do matter.

2018 calendar year sales of model year 2018, second year of production were 10% lower than 2017 calendar year sales of 2017 model, the first year of production.

My last MB was a 2016 E 350. It was the old model.

The new E Class started as a 2017 model: I believe you are incorrect in stating that it started as a 2016 model - at least in the United States, which is what we are writing about - US sales in 2018 vs. 2017.


We are now in 2019, the third year of the new E Class. Those sales may be more, less or the same as 2018. We will not know until February of 2020.

Germancar1

Do you see what I said? I said 2017, 2018, and 2019. We are in 2019 now, that is the THIRD model year, I stated that. Nearly every car on the market has sales decreases in the 2nd or 3rd model year, the E-Class is no different from any other cars.


M

Mr. J

I get what your sayin' pal, but the E class is the only wagon MBUSA offers and it's too damn long to fit in my garage. My GLC fits with room to spare.

I would love an AMG C class wagon Or the new A class hatch. But the only wagons we get here in the US are the extra long wheelbase version of the E.

Oh BTW, my GLC 43 performed amazingly well this winter in the snow and ice.
Also it can pass 99% of all left lane road hogs pretty much at will. Even when they floor it Oh, and if you put lowering links on the air suspension, it's pretty much a wagon:p

cetialpha5

With all due respect, I'm not sure you're following model year and calendar year. The 2017 model year was sold in 2016. It was actually unveiled in January 2016. So you're correct, we're in the 3rd year of the W213 model. But if you want to talk about calendar years, then 2016 had sales of the 2017 model year and could be considered the first year of W213/2017 model year sales and we are now in the 4th calendar year of W213 sales.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced..._E-Class_(W213)

nycebo

All good points. And don't get me wrong, I think that GLC is the bee's knees. To my eye, it owns the segment.

Anyway, it's ultimately a function of gas prices. Gas is cheap and automakers are giving consumers what they want. Fortunately, Mercedes makes a wide array of excellent cars. I'd never had one until my 2015 wagon (always going Porsche (still) or BMW). But I'm a convert. MB makes a terrific product now: interiors are vastly superior and streamlined compared to the rest of the Germans, and the ride is a good balance between sport and luxury (at least up here in NYC). I think you're right: if I were still in FL, I'd be able to "tolerate" an AMG.

ygmn

wait if E class sedan fits then wagon should fit.

from MBUSA latest website spec pages of E450's
Sedan is 193.82" = 16.15'
Wagon is 194.2" = 16.18'

Both well under the typical 20ft long garage.

fyi GLC is 183.3" long or 15.28'

My guess they would fit in garage.
FYI S class is 206.9" and would fit in normal garage.

2012 merc amg

Ya, that must be a really short garage, I fit my E450 Wagon in my golf cart garage to the right of my 3 car garage, lol.

skytop

The E Class sedan is a victim of its run away popularity.