Streamliner

The headline when you go to the MBWORLD.ORG home page today, is a story about the price increase on the E Class. They use what must be a factory photo, showing both the “Sport” & “Luxury” trim sedans. How absolutely LOVELY, stately & refined that Luxury model is, but we mere peons in the USA are not allowed to even special one like that. MBUSA determined, back in 2021, that we no longer deserve to have a choice, so if we want a new E Class, it’s the “Sport” trim or nothing. You can have a Luxury model in Germany and some other countries, but not in the massive, American market. We would love to order a new E Class sedan or wagon, but without the “Luxury” trim, we will not be doing so. Mercedes-Benz: The Best or Nothing!

TennesseeZ4

Agree SL, I will add that the newer Estate version of E class wagon on sale in Europe really captures my interest! Lovely car, sadly not coming here, just the cladded AT.

Povitica3

Just wondering out loud, without an ED program, can anyone who really wants the Lux trim fly to Germany to buy one and have it shipped to the US? Will that work or not?

Cao Black

In the scheme of things, the US market isn't that big a deal for Mercedes, which may help explain the limited model and engine choices imported here. Regulations may be a factor as well. See the link below for more info.
https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2022-full-year-global-mercedes-benz-sales-worldwide-by-region-and-mode

Pointless but fun to speculate: Would the Estate outsell the All-Terrain (I never see any on the road). And how would the Luxury version sell compared to Sport if both were offered (it would be a nightmare for dealer inventory)?

ua549

I doubt if MB would build a US spec vehicle with an EU luxury front end. You can buy a German spec car to import to the US however the car will require several modifications and be certified to meet US standards. Certification may include destructive testing so import two identical cars to have one functional car after the certification process is complete. The only thing certain is the exorbitant cost. BTDT

Povitica3

Ouch! That's not gonna work... what a shame! Although not a huge fan of the W214, the only trim that interests me is the Lux model. It has the look of what the new E should stand for... Truly, what a shame that us Americans won't ever get to own one here. Is MBUSA decision on this reviewable with consumer pressure or its just the lone voices of forum members?

DFWdude

Mercedes-Benz will import only those models that sell well. All but a few (dozen) 2016 models were SPORT models. I've seen fewer than 5 pictures of 2016 Lux cars here at MBWorld.

Pattern has been the same for all E-Classes since. You may want the luxury model, but you would be in the tiny minority. This has been discussed quite a bit in the W212 forum.

300SE1993

I also would only get the Lux model. I'd never want an E class without a hood star

ua549

Then buy an S class.

kingscorpian27

I agree with you, although we are in the minority. I have a 2017 Luxury model and would have it no other way. When I special ordered my 2015 C300, I had a luxury model as well. First vehicle I have had for more than 2-3 years in 30 years. I’m in year 7 with only 38,000 miles so I’m keeping in for a while longer, still love it. I’m constantly upgrading software or some feature to keep me interested. Best thing of all, paid in full and issue free

Cao Black

Do you suppose that exactly that was part of the decision making process?

ILoveNY

Anyone from the North East I know a shop who can swap grilles. I did on mine. PM me.

TennesseeZ4

We felt the same way, as our last five E class vehicles had the hood star; that being said, the deal that I got on my E wagon swayed my thinking, along with the transition to the AT. Now, I don't mind not having the hood star, but my wife? Well that is a different story!

Streamliner

Yes, my wife loves her Luxury Trim Wagon!

2012 merc amg

I figure my 2019 Luxury e class is gonna hold it's value really well because now it's either this or the plastic cladded wagon.

Streamliner

Absolutely GORGEOUS!

2012 merc amg

Thanks, trying to keep the mileage down on this car, only has 33K miles on it. Great driving car as you know from your wife's car. My only complaint is the ride is very firm on rough roads but here in Florida where the car is driven most of the time the roads are fairly smooth so not really a issue. I guess I probably should have got it with the air suspension option. I am surprised Benz Elected to run 40 series tires as they are lower profile than 45 series and the 45 series would have given the car a little bit better of a ride. I was gonna change it to 45's when I change the tires next time but I prefer to keep the car original, I know that would throw off the speedometer readings a little bit too.

Streamliner

I decided that I wanted an E450 wagon, shortly after the announcement had been made by MBUSA that all US bound 2021 models would all be the All Terrain versions. I immediately started looking at the second hand market, hoping to find a 2019 or 2020 that was suitable. I wanted the Luxury trim, AirMatic, Acoustic Comfort Pkg., leather, WITHOUT the Panorama Roof, not a black exterior, etc. To my utter disappointment, there appeared to absolutely no wagons like this anywhere in the country.

One morning, I’m looking at AutoTrader and I see a luxury wagon for sale, but it is listed as Selenite Gray MAGNO, the matte finish, which I truly dislike. But then, I see that the car is at the BMW dealer that I pass every day on my morning walk. Having never even driven an E450 Wagon, I decide that this was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so I call and set up an appointment for a test drive. I walked down to the dealer and as I approached the wagon, to my great delight, I saw that the ad had been incorrect and the color was actually the lovely Selenite Gray METALLIC, not the dreaded Magno. In addition, the car had the Designo Interior. The dealer was short handed and simply took a copy of my drivers license and handed me the key.

I’m driving down a bumpy street that I’ve driven down a thousand times and I cannot believe how nice the ride quality is. I go another few blocks and I pull over and open the glove box. Sure enough, there is the original window sticker showing AirMatic and Acoustic Comfort. I continue driving and I yell to myself “I’m buying this car!” Long story short, the 2019 Wagon had around 9,000 miles and was SO close to exactly what I would have ordered, I just couldn’t believe it. My wife, who had said “I’m NEVER driving a station wagon,” drove it once and declared it hers. She adores it now and has come to love how unique it is. She lets me use it every now and then.

DeutscheBenz726

I have an 2019 E300 4matic luxury edition and from what I’ve read here and other places this will be my last late model Mercedes. I went
to my dealer that I’ve used for the last 30 years and they were so excited to show me the new W214 model until I asked about the luxury edition. I told them “Call me when you do” and walked out. My salesman called and tried to talk me into a three year old S class. I’d think about it but I don’t want the air suspension (had an S class with that a few years back and got rid of it as soon as the warranty ran out. Always in the shop!) or the fuel bills.

I'm glad I love my car! Only wish I had the MBUX and the 3D Burmester sound system.

Streamliner

Beautiful car. The dealers used to say “nobody buys the Luxury models,” but I believe the biggest reason why is that he dealers never stocked them. I truly dislike the Sport model sedans & wagons.

DeutscheBenz726

This was mine

TennesseeZ4

My opinion of the hood star requirement changed when we got the R231 a few years back, I came to appreciate the clean look of the vehicle. Still respect the hood star, however it was not a deal breaker for me after the SL. Then came the A238 E450 cabriolet, also sans hood star. Guess I have just gotten used to it.

I still miss this car!





Gone, not forgotten!

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Are we talking Viagra or Cialis?

Povitica3

Funny

ED = European Delivery (a program MB and BMW provided to their customers)

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Darn! I thought it was something more interesting.

(By the way, Volvo used to have the same ED offering called Diplomatic/Military Sales or something like that. Not sure if they still do.)