Mercedes Benz should deploy the ability to track your order/build worldwide. European buyers can track their orders via the Mercedes Me app. I don’t like having to rely on the dealership because it’s an antiquated means based on the availability of modern technology. Dealerships are in the middle of a process they don’t control. I ordered my E450 in February and the updates have been infrequent and often vague. If all buyers had access to the same app we’d share a similar experience and wouldn’t need to rely so much on the sales rep.

 

[quote=petee1997;8994264]Based on what I have been reading of other people's experiences and information I got from my dealership, I don't know if that is correct. Mercedes-Benz uses a concept called decades which are 10 day cycles of production that each vehicle is assigned and assembled in. When you get a production date, you are really getting a decade in which your car will be produced at some point during that 10 day cycle. The exact date probably depends on several factors that are considered to increase efficiencies during the manufacturing process. The video below talks about the manufacturing process for the S-Class, Maybach, and EQS in the Sindelfingen factory 56 where the E-Class is also produced. What is interesting in the video is that cars with very different options are assembled on the same line where the parts are delivered at the moment that it is needed. For example, the EQS, an all electric car, is produced on the same line and at the same time as the S-Class with an ICE engine. I'm assuming, based on this, that the changeover to the new 2025 MY E-Class is more of a software change and very little, if anything, changes on the actual production line. Maybe where the center air bag is added there is a slight change. It only takes 3 days for a car to go from raw sheet metal and a bunch of parts to a complete car that drives under it's own power out of the factory. If the production date, as I understand it, is the start of the decade (10 day window) when your car is to be produced, I would expect that it is complete within those 10 days or within 3 days from the end of the decade if they begin on day 10 for a given car. I don't know if production date is the same as build date but my dealership told me that production date is the date in which the car begins its manufacturing process. I honestly don't know if that is true but it does make sense. Especially after watching that video I linked to above showing the entire manufacturing process. It certainly seems like until your car starts production in the factory, it's just a data file with your specific order and nothing more. Nothing about your car exists other than the raw materials needed or the individual parts (nuts, bolts, plastic clips, door handles, locks, etc.) that are used to assemble your car.

 

[QUOTE=marzillo;8994432]i think you have it right. In production is not the same as build date. One is the precess leading to the build date.

 

A mis order, its a 350 not 450. All other options built and ready to ship. But not sure i want a
4 banger, I know only drive around town, short run and probably be fine but 4's sound

i looked at the spec sent from the website and dont know how a 350 came into play

 

The 4 banger sounds and rattles like a diesel. I have an E300 and it is too noisy to drive with the windows open. I keep them closed except when waiting with the engine off.

 

Do note the engine is not the same. Your E300 I assume has the M274 engine, the 2024s have the M254 which is two generations newer and from my understanding not at all related to the M274 and M264, rather related to the 6 cylinder M256. It still is rattly but a whole lot less, while also seemingly smoother, more efficient, and a decent amount more powerful feeling.

 

I must say that I was in my front yard yesterday when a new white E350 came around the corner. I could hear the engine rattling like a small diesel as it drove by. I almost felt embarrassed about it…

 

yes, mine has 19” wheel option +$600-700, and continental all season run flat tires. 245s up front and 275s in the rear.


as for the e350 vs 450. The 450 gets virtually the same mpg city and highway as the 350. But it is WAY faster. Like it’s fast, and it feels fast as well. Less so if you turn off the automatic start stop feature but still fast.

also remember, when you have your AC on, the e450 will not shut off the ac compressor when the rpm’s drop to zero, however the e350 will.

 

Why less fast if you turn off the automatic start/stop feature? I would think that if anything it would take off faster if the engine didn't cut off when stopped.

 

Why? Both cars have electrified 48 volt systems now.

 

Yes, but how does turning off the start/stop feature affect performance? Turning that off does not turn off the 48V system as well.

 

I ordered a 2024 Porsche Macan S in January, 2024 and Porsche had the tracking system which told me what was happening with my build. This was my 5th factory build European car (1 Jaguar, 2 MBs and 2 Porsches) and the first one that I could track. My car finally arrived at my dealer in late April and the tracking system only made it seem longer. I got an email saying that the car was built and within a day it was at the port in Northern Germany. It sat at the port for three weeks waiting for the ship to sail with my car on it. I kept checking the web site and the car was still at the port. When the my car was on the ship and it started to sail, I finally could see the progress. I must say, the tracking system only made the anticipation worse. With the other factory builds, I would just call my salesman toward the end of the expected delivery date and find out where my car was. It seemed old-fashioned but it was okay with it. So, the tracking system has its downside as well.

 

I understand and appreciate your experience. Modern technology can bring additional anxiety!

 

Is that a new option? I'm in Europe and we bought a new A class for my wife in December '23. It's produced in Germany. I didn't get an option to track it in my Mercedes Me app. Maybe it was possible but my dealer didn't add the car to my app when it was ordered.

When I ordered a GLE in late '21 I also didn't get the option. I which I had, because I had to wait until summer '22 to get the car and the dealer was very unhelpful with updates about the car.

 

Not sure how long it’s been available.

 

Just heard from my dealership that my 2025 E450 is still on production hold (has been for the last 2 months despite VIN being assigned). The hangup is supposedly due to the Driver Assistance Package (may be parts shortage/supply issues, they did not specify). Just about the only blessing is that the Driver Assistance Package has not been removed in my current build order, and according to my dealership, MB lately has removed the package from some GLA builds (this would have been a deal breaker for us). No definitive date is given when this issue will be resolved. If this is indeed true, for those who had a recent 2025 E450 delivery (or car shipped due to be delivered), consider yourself to be lucky.

 

. Hopefully the package will be available soon. This process can be frustrating because so many things are out of your control. When production is done you can expect to have your new E450 in your possession within 6 to 8 weeks.

 

Does anyone know what the maintenance and repair costs are on the new hybrid all terrain.

i really want this wagon but heard the air suspension is expensive to on some models, since it requires more hours to,remove and then reinstall.

any other large ticket repair items to be aware of?

what about battery? What happens when it’s time to replace it?

What are the costs for the regular maintaince schedule? regular vs major tune up. Don’t want it to be Porsche like prices. (+$3500).


I’ve always owned wagons and this’ll be my 5th one….(previously xc70, v70r, JSW TDI, v90 cc)..

I’m about to retire and need 5 things: auto steer "assist"; massaging seats, space for a mountain or road bike, reliability and something my wife will drive on long cross country trips between family.

im down to picking between the e450 AT or a Lexus gx550 OT+

want to stay with wagons but not if the e450AT is finicky/buggy or hyper-pricey to fix.

One last thing - does anyone know if overseas delivery is coming back?


thanks in advance.

 

Mercedes-Benz cars in general are expensive to maintain, but that doesn't mean it will be a money pit. Most will not want to own one without a warranty. As for the all new E450 wagon, it's hard to say what problems it may have since it's new. The I6 mild hybrid has been around for at least 5 years I believe so that is not so new. I know there have been some complaints about the screens locking up on the new E-Class cars but it's hard to say if that is common or widespread.

 

My experience is that MB maintenance costs are primarily a function of mileage, not time. I do have an annual A service at a cost of ~$300. If I went by miles instead of time, I'd have an A service once every 3 or 4 years. I've replaced the battery once and the tires due to age, not wear once in 7 years. Overall, maintenance costs are similar to dealer provided service for my other cars. Indy shops are cheaper, but I do not trust them.