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Ha! I surprised my wife with a blue 5-series BMW wagon several years ago. She hated it. I was shocked, thought the car was gorgeous and the perfect blend of fun and practicality. My mistake was in thinking it was HER idea of fun and practicality. Good luck!
All too true, cars are highly subjective. I was living in MA when the 5-Series wagons were available and they were very popular in the North East, used to see them all the time in Boston. In Jan I bought a 2020 E-450 wagon and I'm very happy with it. I did end up test driving the Audi Allroad and loved the interior and drive but the cargo space is tiny compared to the E450. Also, the rear seats when folded down sit at about a 25 degree angle (not flat) further consuming limited usable space so I passed on it.
99, I tried to buy a 540 wagon and could not find one. BMW sold more Z-8's than 540 wagons.
The 540 wagons were sweet! The majority of the wagons I saw in North East were the 535xi models, better economy and the much needed AWD for the long winters. Z-8 was beautiful but out of reach back then for me.
2025 E450 All Terrain Wagon, Nautical Blue Metallic, Macchiato Beige/Black Interior
In the 3 communities around me I routinely will see 4, 5 or 6 MB wagons on the road while I am out and about. E-Class wagons from all eras, including a handful of C-Class wagons. My eyes “look” for wagons, though, as I’ve owned 3. My local SA tells me that MB wagon owners keep them forever. No surprise, when we traded our 2004 E320 Wagon in for a E350 Wagon, it had >210,000 miles on it, was still rock solid and interior was like new!
We have a 2015 X-166 GL450 and just added a CPO 2018 S-113 E Class wagon yesterday. I was very happy to find one. I love the way it drives, and it'll be much better for transporting our two giant breed dogs, which can't easily get up into the back off the SUV.
The GL is excellent for what it is, but the wagon drives like a very nice car. I suspect the GLE would drive much like the GL.
I was disappointed to see that the S-214 is only available in either AMG form or as the All Terrain. Audi did the same thing by discontinuing their sedan height Avant wagons. I'm sure they've analyzed the market thoroughly, but it seems like their loyal customer base may rebel.
if it was me, I'd probably look for a CPO or used S-112 or S-113 wagon.
I don’t know yet. I am ordering mine tomorrow afternoon. I’ve already been told it must be a model year 2022 car as the order book closed last week for the 2021s.
Multicontour Seat Delays for 2022 All Terrain orders
I have an order that has been in request status since early February. The holdup is supply chain problems for multicontour seats. we missed the 2021 window (last slots I know of were second decade May.)
If you are planning on ordering the all terrain with this option be advised you will be waiting a while for it.
Also, if you haven’t seen this car live, the cladding is very wide on the wheel arches. It looks far worse than how they treated it on the GLC. If I didn’t absolutely want a wagon with a bit more ground clearance there is no way I’d trade in my ‘17 e400 wagon.
On the plus side, the graphite grey with nut brown leather is fantastic.
Here in Victoria Australia,
Be careful if you speed down the highway.
That E400d All Terrain Mercedes following you will be a highway patrol car.
E400d's 0-60 less than 5 seconds.
All E wagons in Australia were diesel variant All Terrain.
There's no word as yet as what will replace them in wagon spec.
E Wagons cannibalise the SUV market here so there's a limited amount coming in.
I bought a new W213 sedan a couple of months ago - the last of the diesel MB cars coming to Australia. It was a toss up for the sedan or the All Terrain.
I have a 30,000 mile W212 E350 wagon as well. I didn't want two wagons.
All E Classes in Australia are supplied with all the fruit including AMG styling packages and suspension. All Terrains were similarly equipped.
The highway police in my state run a mixture of E Class Mercedes and diesel BMW's. A far cry from the days of Fords and GM products
I have an order that has been in request status since early February. The holdup is supply chain problems for multicontour seats. we missed the 2021 window (last slots I know of were second decade May.)
If you are planning on ordering the all terrain with this option be advised you will be waiting a while for it.
Also, if you haven’t seen this car live, the cladding is very wide on the wheel arches. It looks far worse than how they treated it on the GLC. If I didn’t absolutely want a wagon with a bit more ground clearance there is no way I’d trade in my ‘17 e400 wagon.
On the plus side, the graphite grey with nut brown leather is fantastic.
The situation in Europe now isn’t as uncertain as in 2020 but COVID is still disrupting schedules. For comparison, I took delivery of my 2020 wagon in August after signing the deal in January. I expect you won’t have to wait that long.
I have asked this before, but I will ask it again. Does anyone have information as to how the All-Terrain is being received in the marketplace? Has the pseudo-SUV look had the desired consequences or is it being rejected by the traditionalists.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Hundens
I have asked this before, but I will ask it again. Does anyone have information as to how the All-Terrain is being received in the marketplace? Has the pseudo-SUV look had the desired consequences or is it being rejected by the traditionalists.
Thats a good question. I’m a traditionalist and I have certainly rejected it. I would just LOVE to order a new E450 Luxury Trim Wagon right now, but will not go for the All Terrain. I truly believe that they have shot themselves in the foot this time. They took that absolutely gorgeous design they had and turned it into an Audi/Volvo/Subaru lookalike.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Hundens
I have asked this before, but I will ask it again. Does anyone have information as to how the All-Terrain is being received in the marketplace? Has the pseudo-SUV look had the desired consequences or is it being rejected by the traditionalists.
Realistically the number sold are so small that does it really even matter?
If you go from selling 2500 wagons to 3000 All Terrains, whiles sales increased by 20% the actual number of units sold is so low that any manufacturer other than Mercedes would have dropped the wagon years ago.
As much as you and others may bemoan the demise of the estate wagon, 95% of the market place has move on to the GLE 450. For less money you get more space.
Price compare an E450 vs. the All Terrain: hard to justify paying $7,000 more for extra space behind the rear row that you will use perhaps 10 times a year at most. Plus the All Terrain, because it does not have a trunk to filter rear wheel noise is noisier than the E450. So now you pay extra $1000 for sound deadening vs. the E450 sedan.
All in all, the the Mercedes Estate is a very, very expensive car as compared to both the E40 sedan and GLE450. This is why it is not selling - not because of the "cladding".
Realistically the number sold are so small that does it really even matter?
If you go from selling 2500 wagons to 3000 All Terrains, whiles sales increased by 20% the actual number of units sold is so low that any manufacturer other than Mercedes would have dropped the wagon years ago.
As much as you and others may bemoan the demise of the estate wagon, 95% of the market place has move on to the GLE 450. For less money you get more space.
Price compare an E450 vs. the All Terrain: hard to justify paying $7,000 more for extra space behind the rear row that you will use perhaps 10 times a year at most. Plus the All Terrain, because it does not have a trunk to filter rear wheel noise is noisier than the E450. So now you pay extra $1000 for sound deadening vs. the E450 sedan.
All in all, the the Mercedes Estate is a very, very expensive car as compared to both the E40 sedan and GLE450. This is why it is not selling - not because of the "cladding".
I think JTK44 has this right. Very few people in the United States are willing to pay the extra cash for a body style that has largely been relegated to the dustbin of history here. If you truly want an off-road capable wagon you are likely leaning toward the Outback (though it is pretty much an SUV at this point). If you truly want luxury and offroad you are going for the GLE/Q5 GLS/Q7 or Volvo XC 60/90. The few that want a luxury wagon would prefer the standard e450 sans cladding. The rare few that want luxury + wagon + offroad (light capability) have the A4/A6 All Road, the All Terrain, and the V90. That splits an already small market pretty thin. I highly doubt they'll sell many of these. My regular browsing of inventory--I want one despite the heinous cladding--would indicate many sitting on lots for the last month. That's admittedly an anecdote, but there hasn't been much turnover that I can see.
I suppose MB stays in the game becuase even if they only move 2500 of these. If they get an average sale of 75k, that translates into roughly 188 million USD at the point of sale. I don't know what MB's cut of that is, but I've seen business's doggedly hang on to much smaller revenue streams for less worth reasons.
So, who knows what the actual numbers are. But I think it is safe to say this likely won't be a sales winner for MB given the awkward application of the cladding, the relative undesirability of the wagon body style in the US and the exhorbitant price. It doesn't help that at launch supply chain issues are preventing people like me from getting their desired build in a timely manner.
I think the MB wagon in any variant sold in US is a niche player. Just like an SL is, it is not practical being a two seater and it is even more pricey than an E-450 wagon but they continue to offer it for sale as well. In 2019, last non COVID sales year, MB sold only 1690 SL's. Probably around the same number as wagon but I don't have that sales number. I think if someone is buying these expansive models then they might also buy/lease some of the less expensive ones as well and MB also makes money for their dealers by having to service these niche vehicles as well.
I think globally wagons are a small seller, many countries don't have them for sale at all. Most of Asia, Africa and South America don't have wagons for sale so it is very much a niche player globally.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by fleuger99
I think the MB wagon in any variant sold in US is a niche player. Just like an SL is, it is not practical being a two seater and it is even more pricey than an E-450 wagon but they continue to offer it for sale as well. In 2019, last non COVID sales year, MB sold only 1690 SL's. Probably around the same number as wagon but I don't have that sales number. I think if someone is buying these expansive models then they might also buy/lease some of the less expensive ones as well and MB also makes money for their dealers by having to service these niche vehicles as well.
I think globally wagons are a small seller, many countries don't have them for sale at all. Most of Asia, Africa and South America don't have wagons for sale so it is very much a niche player globally.
At least you can say the SL is a "status" car. We have all seen pictures of the beautiful women, top down, big sunglasses adoringly looking at her mate, an equally handsome guy, driving the SL usually on a road overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
What image does the estate wagon conjure: outdoor picnic on a red and white tablecloth with horses in the background. So 20th century.
IMO, you can put a fork in the 450 wagon. It is done!
At least you can say the SL is a "status" car. We have all seen pictures of the beautiful women, top down, big sunglasses adoringly looking at her mate, an equally handsome guy, driving the SL usually on a road overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
What image does the estate wagon conjure: outdoor picnic on a red and white tablecloth with horses in the background. So 20th century.
IMO, you can put a fork in the 450 wagon. It is done!
Status image doesn't pay the bills, sales do. The wagon may not sell in USA, it sells very well in Canada, albeit a small market which is why they also get a C-class wagon. In EU 'estate' cars still sell very well and many manufacturers offer them. Your '20th century' notions are an American point of view only.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by fleuger99
Status image doesn't pay the bills, sales do. The wagon may not sell in USA, it sells very well in Canada, albeit a small market which is why they also get a C-class wagon. In EU 'estate' cars still sell very well and many manufacturers offer them. Your '20th century' notions are an American point of view only.
There is an old saying: “Thou protest too much!”
it seems as if I have hit a nerve.
in the EU wagons not SUV are popular. But keep in mind we are talking about A, B and C series wagons not E series wagons. Ditto for BMW and AUDI: 1,2 and 3 series and A1, A2 and A3. Both the 5 series BMW and the A6 wagons are far too expensive for 99% of the EU.
I have no idea how popular the MB E450 wagon is in Canada, but if MB sells 250 that would be a lot
Whether you agree or not, it is totally irrelevant: the number one seller for MB IS THE GLC, for AUDI the Q3 and for BMW the X3 each followed by the GLE, then the A5 and the X5.
The days of the estate wagon are long gone - you just do not realize it!
in the EU wagons not SUV are popular. But keep in mind we are talking about A, B and C series wagons not E series wagons. Ditto for BMW and AUDI: 1,2 and 3 series and A1, A2 and A3. Both the 5 series BMW and the A6 wagons are far too expensive for 99% of the EU.
I have no idea how popular the MB E450 wagon is in Canada, but if MB sells 250 that would be a lot
Whether you agree or not, it is totally irrelevant: the number one seller for MB IS THE GLC, for AUDI the Q3 and for BMW the X3 each followed by the GLE, then the A5 and the X5.
The days of the estate wagon are long gone - you just do not realize it!
Because I disagree with you you've hit a nerve? Hardly! I agree that SUV's are the seller kings in North America, no doubt. You've also just admitted that wagons sell better than SUV's in EU, I never said the E-class wagon was a top seller in EU, I was referring to wagons as a whole and from that perspective, your statement that wagons are long gone make absolutely no sense at all. Perhaps in American where the majority see wagons as you do, you are right but not as far as the rest of the world sees them.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Of course, these days, the masses—like sheep—are flocking to SUV’s. Everyone else has one, so they must be great, right? But to me, our 2019 E450 Wagon is just SO much nicer. Equipped with Air Body Control, Acoustic Comfort Pkg., Designo leather interior, 18” wheels and wonderful Bridgestone QuietTrack tires, the wagon drives and rides like a dream, almost as nicely as my S560 sedan, as opposed to most SUV’s that ride like gussied-up pickup trucks.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the E Class wagons are purchased by their most well heeled customers and there must be a reason. You see these things tooling around ultra expensive areas of the country, because they are very comfortable, practical, USED to be beautiful and while treating the occupants to a luxurious experience, were reasonably understated and low-key. You certainly won’t see Jay-Z or Jennifer Lopez in one, but don’t be surprised if you spot someone like Warren Buffett in a T-Model, most likely one that is several years old. I really like the fact that these are relatively rare vehicles and that I don’t see myself coming and going down every street. I know they are not for everyone, but make no mistake, these Luxury wagons are very special indeed, at least to me.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by murman
I'd be curious if the "brush bar" is metallic or plastic. If the latter, that says something about how serious an all-terrain vehicle this is.
I would bet it is metal, but seriously, WHO drives this vehicle or even any of the MB SUV’s “off road?” A tiny percentage, maybe. Real off road folks are driving real 4x4’s.
I would gather most will not. I intend to use the All Terrain on mining roads and forest service roads in and around Denver and on road trips. That's the only benefit of this car over my current e400 wagon. It has enough ground clearance to do that comfortably. I imagine most All Terrains will not even see that light off road duty. I do wish they had programmed the air suspension for just another 1-2 inches of clearance. I'm not sure if it can be hacked to do that, but it'd be nice.
Here in CO, the state car seems to be a 4Runner. So Streamliner is correct, if they are doing anything real in the offroading world, people buy the tool for the job. If you want a great roadtrip car that can handle getting a little dirtier, the All Terrain could be a very good option.
I drive off road about 5% of the time. I go to the beach most weekends. Off road in my county is strictly beach driving. Still one can get stuck in soft sand even in a 4x4 Rover Defender.
I'd never dare to take an All Terrain into soft sand even with a significant deflate of the tires. I'm sure an experienced driver could pull it off. But I'd be wary that conditions would very quickly outpace my skill. Besides, if I had the wagon in the sand my kids would somehow find ways to destroy it worse than they already do.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
I really like the fact that these are relatively rare vehicles and that I don’t see myself coming and going down every street. I know they are not for everyone, but make no mistake, these Luxury wagons are very special indeed, at least to me.
