finally ordered mine
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 321
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From: Nappanee Indiana
2026 E450
finally ordered mine
got 5% off and an in process build slot. every option worth having and no super screen. no 3rd zone climate control for some reason which is absurd given the price. all the safety features and air suspension. digital light was part of the pinnacle package I believe in the summer but they have made it stand alone now. nautical blue with neve gray nappa leather and the lighter headliner. 20 inch multispoke rims with silver trim. brown open pore maple trim with silver lines. winter pkg. multicontour pkg. sun protection pkg. airmatic pkg. pinnacle trim pkg. they said it might be less than 3 months since the build slot was already available. oh and drivers assistance pkg. no 3d cluster. that nautical blue looks amazing in the sunlight. this is the review that tipped the scales for me over the genesis G80 [and its horrific and sparsely populated dealer network.}
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got 5% off and an in process build slot. every option worth having and no super screen. no 3rd zone climate control for some reason which is absurd given the price. all the safety features and air suspension. digital light was part of the pinnacle package I believe in the summer but they have made it stand alone now. nautical blue with neve gray nappa leather and the lighter headliner. 20 inch multispoke rims with silver trim. brown open pore maple trim with silver lines. winter pkg. multicontour pkg. sun protection pkg. airmatic pkg. pinnacle trim pkg. they said it might be less than 3 months since the build slot was already available. oh and drivers assistance pkg. no 3d cluster. that nautical blue looks amazing in the sunlight. this is the review that tipped the scales for me over the genesis G80 [and its horrific and sparsely populated dealer network.}
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY4owwi-0wU&list=WL&index=455&pp=gAQBiAQB
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY4owwi-0wU&list=WL&index=455&pp=gAQBiAQB
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W214 E350
Great choice, you will definitely love the ride and feel of that air suspension system, one of the things I am missing on my current E that was not optioned when being built unfortunately. While the Koreans (Kia/Hyundai/Genesis) have been absolutely killing it in the last five years of their vehicle development I would never think about a Genesis over a Benz not even the G90 over the S class which I have tested (swapped cars with a friend) for four days and started to miss the quality and ride of my Benz after two days.
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
While the Koreans (Kia/Hyundai/Genesis) have been absolutely killing it in the last five years of their vehicle development I would never think about a Genesis over a Benz not even the G90 over the S class which I have tested (swapped cars with a friend) for four days and started to miss the quality and ride of my Benz after two days.
As loaners my dealer usually gives me a C Class. After driving it and a fully equipped Honda, I would take the Honda hands down at the same price and costing thousands of dollars less to me it is a no brainer.
German workers and parts are the most expensive in the world. Mercedes cannot build a cheap car that competes with Korean, Japanese or even American cars at the same price point.
When you start with the E Class, that German workmanship and parts start to show: but of course you pay for it.
Basically starting with the E Class price is not as important as it is with lower priced cars. Buying an E Class you start not by "is it worth it" (it is not) but can I afford it. Once you make the decision you can afford the E Class and above, then you get what you want.
I have not yet meet the person who says I really want a Genesis, or a Lexus LS or a Seiko (instead of a Rolex): What they say is, 9 times out of 10, I get everything that a Mercedes has for thousands less: They are buying a very good imitation (what in my industry textiles, we call a "knock off") for less. Imitations always will be less. Originals will always cost more.
Last edited by JTK44; Nov 30, 2024 at 06:58 PM.
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Great choice, you will definitely love the ride and feel of that air suspension system, one of the things I am missing on my current E that was not optioned when being built unfortunately. While the Koreans (Kia/Hyundai/Genesis) have been absolutely killing it in the last five years of their vehicle development I would never think about a Genesis over a Benz not even the G90 over the S class which I have tested (swapped cars with a friend) for four days and started to miss the quality and ride of my Benz after two days.
I have thought about this quite a bit: the maintenance and reliability of German cars is nothing like it used to be. But I think when people think of luxury, because we are Euro Centric, cars from Korea just do not cut it: IMO, and again this is just my opinion, Korean cars like Hyundai and Kia make sense when compared to Japanese or American cars. Is a Genesis anything more than a dressed up Kia or Hyundai?
As loaners my dealer usually gives me a C Class. After driving it and a fully equipped Honda, I would take the Honda hands down at the same price and costing thousands of dollars less to me it is a no brainer.
German workers and parts are the most expensive in the world. Mercedes cannot build a cheap car that competes with Korean, Japanese or even American cars at the same price point.
When you start with the E Class, that German workmanship and parts start to show: but of course you pay for it.
As loaners my dealer usually gives me a C Class. After driving it and a fully equipped Honda, I would take the Honda hands down at the same price and costing thousands of dollars less to me it is a no brainer.
German workers and parts are the most expensive in the world. Mercedes cannot build a cheap car that competes with Korean, Japanese or even American cars at the same price point.
When you start with the E Class, that German workmanship and parts start to show: but of course you pay for it.
If I were to go Japanese I will go Mazda not Honda but to each their own.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Audi and BMW still represent luxury, but the S Class outsells the 7 series BMW and Audi 8 combined. At the price point for luxury cars, people just choose the S Class. The Lexus LS is dead, put a fork it it.
Same with Jaguar: Land Rover dealers, another "luxury brand" are forced to take Jaguars which just do not sell.
Has anyone else seen the new Jaguar commercials? Infiniti tried this approach 40 years ago with the Q45: It was a complete flop!
The Volvo S80 and S60: In America their sales are basically non existent.
Americans basically want big and burly, SUV, value and a very small portion luxury: There is basically no market for near luxury like Infiniti and Volvo: Take away the SUV's from Lexes and Acura and they are basically dead in the water.
Last edited by JTK44; Nov 30, 2024 at 07:10 PM.
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My son drives a Honda Pilot (3 kids lots of sports). His wife wants something more upscale: She drives the Volvo XC90. She finally admits the Volvo is not as good as the Honda. The last one she will get.
Audi and BMW still represent luxury, but the S Class outsells the 7 series BMW and Audi 8 combined. At the price point for luxury cars, people just choose the S Class. The Lexus LS is dead, put a fork it it.
Same with Jaguar: Land Rover dealers, another "luxury brand" are forced to take Jaguars which just do not sell.
Has anyone else seen the new Jaguar commercials? Infiniti tried this approach 40 years ago with the Q45: It was a complete flop!
The Volvo S80 and S60: In America their sales are basically non existent.
Americans basically want big and burly, SUV, value and a very small portion luxury: There is basically no market for near luxury like Infiniti and Volvo: Take away the SUV's from Lexes and Acura and they are basically dead in the water.
Audi and BMW still represent luxury, but the S Class outsells the 7 series BMW and Audi 8 combined. At the price point for luxury cars, people just choose the S Class. The Lexus LS is dead, put a fork it it.
Same with Jaguar: Land Rover dealers, another "luxury brand" are forced to take Jaguars which just do not sell.
Has anyone else seen the new Jaguar commercials? Infiniti tried this approach 40 years ago with the Q45: It was a complete flop!
The Volvo S80 and S60: In America their sales are basically non existent.
Americans basically want big and burly, SUV, value and a very small portion luxury: There is basically no market for near luxury like Infiniti and Volvo: Take away the SUV's from Lexes and Acura and they are basically dead in the water.
not surprised the S-Class is still the best seller in the flagship class.
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W214 E350
We actually have a Volvo in the family, I even used to lease a 21' S60 AWD T6 PE Tuned, an enjoyable car to drive and take around corners. I even gave my neighbor who had a 392 Charger at the time a good run from 0-60, fun times. Anyways, now we have a 25 XC90 T8 Ultra In the family and I still wouldn't drive that over a GLE, even a barebones GLE 350 rides smoother and has less interior noise than the XC90. However, that being said Volvo is still a luxury competitor and one that I would pick over Lexus any day (crazy right?). Even though they have Geely money the Sweeds are still building very durable and quality machines.
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We actually have a Volvo in the family, I even used to lease a 21' S60 AWD T6 PE Tuned, an enjoyable car to drive and take around corners. I even gave my neighbor who had a 392 Charger at the time a good run from 0-60, fun times. Anyways, now we have a 25 XC90 T8 Ultra In the family and I still wouldn't drive that over a GLE, even a barebones GLE 350 rides smoother and has less interior noise than the XC90. However, that being said Volvo is still a luxury competitor and one that I would pick over Lexus any day (crazy right?). Even though they have Geely money the Sweeds are still building very durable and quality machines.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 36
From: Nappanee Indiana
2026 E450
Great choice, you will definitely love the ride and feel of that air suspension system, one of the things I am missing on my current E that was not optioned when being built unfortunately. While the Koreans (Kia/Hyundai/Genesis) have been absolutely killing it in the last five years of their vehicle development I would never think about a Genesis over a Benz not even the G90 over the S class which I have tested (swapped cars with a friend) for four days and started to miss the quality and ride of my Benz after two days.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 36
From: Nappanee Indiana
2026 E450
I have thought about this quite a bit: the maintenance and reliability of German cars is nothing like it used to be. But I think when people think of luxury, because we are Euro Centric, cars from Korea just do not cut it: IMO, and again this is just my opinion, Korean cars like Hyundai and Kia make sense when compared to Japanese or American cars. Is a Genesis anything more than a dressed up Kia or Hyundai?
As loaners my dealer usually gives me a C Class. After driving it and a fully equipped Honda, I would take the Honda hands down at the same price and costing thousands of dollars less to me it is a no brainer.
German workers and parts are the most expensive in the world. Mercedes cannot build a cheap car that competes with Korean, Japanese or even American cars at the same price point.
When you start with the E Class, that German workmanship and parts start to show: but of course you pay for it.
Basically starting with the E Class price is not as important as it is with lower priced cars. Buying an E Class you start not by "is it worth it" (it is not) but can I afford it. Once you make the decision you can afford the E Class and above, then you get what you want.
I have not yet meet the person who says I really want a Genesis, or a Lexus LS or a Seiko (instead of a Rolex): What they say is, 9 times out of 10, I get everything that a Mercedes has for thousands less: They are buying a very good imitation (what in my industry textiles, we call a "knock off") for less. Imitations always will be less. Originals will always cost more.
As loaners my dealer usually gives me a C Class. After driving it and a fully equipped Honda, I would take the Honda hands down at the same price and costing thousands of dollars less to me it is a no brainer.
German workers and parts are the most expensive in the world. Mercedes cannot build a cheap car that competes with Korean, Japanese or even American cars at the same price point.
When you start with the E Class, that German workmanship and parts start to show: but of course you pay for it.
Basically starting with the E Class price is not as important as it is with lower priced cars. Buying an E Class you start not by "is it worth it" (it is not) but can I afford it. Once you make the decision you can afford the E Class and above, then you get what you want.
I have not yet meet the person who says I really want a Genesis, or a Lexus LS or a Seiko (instead of a Rolex): What they say is, 9 times out of 10, I get everything that a Mercedes has for thousands less: They are buying a very good imitation (what in my industry textiles, we call a "knock off") for less. Imitations always will be less. Originals will always cost more.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
The number one seller for Mercedes is the GLC: I drove one from LI to Vermont and back last year for a ski trip. It got excellent mileage, but IMO it is a Mercedes in name only. Not much better than a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CRV which costs thousands less and certainly a big step below my Ford Edge Sport. Same with the C Class: Mercedes in name only.
In my area most C class cars and SUV's are driven by women who tend to be a bit older - grown kids out of the house: We are a very affluent area, and people want something stylish, relatively low monthly lease payment (where I live over 80% of all Mercedes are leased) and prestige - hence the C Class.
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100% agreement and my point in post #7.
The number one seller for Mercedes is the GLC: I drove one from LI to Vermont and back last year for a ski trip. It got excellent mileage, but IMO it is a Mercedes in name only. Not much better than a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CRV which costs thousands less and certainly a big step below my Ford Edge Sport. Same with the C Class: Mercedes in name only.
In my area most C class cars and SUV's are driven by women who tend to be a bit older - grown kids out of the house: We are a very affluent area, and people want something stylish, relatively low monthly lease payment (where I live over 80% of all Mercedes are leased) and prestige - hence the C Class.
The number one seller for Mercedes is the GLC: I drove one from LI to Vermont and back last year for a ski trip. It got excellent mileage, but IMO it is a Mercedes in name only. Not much better than a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CRV which costs thousands less and certainly a big step below my Ford Edge Sport. Same with the C Class: Mercedes in name only.
In my area most C class cars and SUV's are driven by women who tend to be a bit older - grown kids out of the house: We are a very affluent area, and people want something stylish, relatively low monthly lease payment (where I live over 80% of all Mercedes are leased) and prestige - hence the C Class.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Maybe makes sense in Europe where there is a dearth of Korean and Japanese cars, but here in the USA, I think it is bought by "wannabe" Mercedes owners.
Just my $.02 and others may disagree
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I have no opinion of the A-Class as I've never driven one or even seen one in person. However, there is nothing special about being a Mercedes owner regardless of the class. I don't think buying a particular class of Mercedes makes you any more of a owner than another.
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You must live in a wealthy area or live in an area that people buy Mercedes for true luxury and not a badge, for what it is worth, there are so many A-Class here in Toronto. That said, there are more S-Classes.
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Ya I think people buy A-Class for the badge, from my experience the sound insulation of the A-Class is awful. Or maybe they just want all that tech and in a small form factor...
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
We have over 17 Mercedes dealers within a 50 mile radius to choose from.
Like Toronto more S classes being driven by women (alone single passenger) than A Class. GLC and C Class are still the number 1 and 2 sellers followed by GLE
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Ya none of the S-Class here are driven by a chauffeur. They are all short wheel base.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
It is hilarious to see these women, usually under 5'5", with the seat way up front, hunched over the steering wheel with their heads jutting forward. I guess the further forward they are, the better they think they can see.
The passengers sitting behind them, not very often, have maybe 3 feet of legroom!
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We have a few Maybachs here being driven by chauffeurs. The S classes are all long wheelbase: we do get the short short wheelbase.
It is hilarious to see these women, usually under 5'5", with the seat way up front, hunched over the steering wheel with their heads jutting forward. I guess the further forward they are, the better they think they can see.
The passengers sitting behind them, not very often, have maybe 3 feet of legroom!
It is hilarious to see these women, usually under 5'5", with the seat way up front, hunched over the steering wheel with their heads jutting forward. I guess the further forward they are, the better they think they can see.
The passengers sitting behind them, not very often, have maybe 3 feet of legroom!
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 905
From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
For future use, where is the report button?
No need: see it now. Just did not know what it was.
Thanks again!
Last edited by JTK44; Dec 3, 2024 at 12:05 PM.
