E/W214: MY26 E-Class DOGs
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'24 E450
The 2026 sedan shows a smaller trunk (12.7 cu ft vs 19.1), and that active lane change assist is now part of the driver assistance - but my 2024 has lane change assist - did they remove it for the 2025 year or something?
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From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
This is the only item that I had not see before: D46 Animated LED MB Logo Projector $310
Probably good I did not know about it because it sounds useless and I would have bought it
Probably good I did not know about it because it sounds useless and I would have bought it
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 417
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
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From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
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X214
As far as I know, the E450 does not have 4-way climate control as an option. I personally don't care either way, since I rarely use the rear seats, but overall, it is an ill-advised omission, for an E-class Mercedes, IMO.
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
It's stupid. Some customers would likely prefer that option (with kids, pets) over gimmicks like the cabin fragrance system. Make it a la carte (it used to be). Celia, the E program manager, seems kinda clueless. It's also not an option on any trim on the GLC SUV, for example, yet my recent GLC service loaner in Munich had it on a relatively low-end spec.
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From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
It's stupid. Some customers would likely prefer that option (with kids, pets) over gimmicks like the cabin fragrance system. Make it a la carte (it used to be). Celia, the E program manager, seems kinda clueless. It's also not an option on any trim on the GLC SUV, for example, yet my recent GLC service loaner in Munich had it on a relatively low-end spec.
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X214
It's stupid. Some customers would likely prefer that option (with kids, pets) over gimmicks like the cabin fragrance system. Make it a la carte (it used to be). Celia, the E program manager, seems kinda clueless. It's also not an option on any trim on the GLC SUV, for example, yet my recent GLC service loaner in Munich had it on a relatively low-end spec.
Having said that, I agree that this new gneration E-class has a lot of gimmicks, in lieu of substance. I look (or at least looked) at a Mercedes Benz as prioritizing substance and longevity over everything else, and every component being overengineered, which in turn accounts for the price premium over a Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo or Toyota. That theory is no longer applicable, based on my observation. Ever since 2024, they have been decontenting heavily, and components are no longer "overengineered" but just "adequate enough" to do their stated function.
The X213 E-class (2021 onwards) had a 2 chambered Airmatic. The X214 has a cheaper single-chamber Airmatic. The X213 (2021+) had a very high quality rear-view and other camera systems, while the X214 is "adequate" and especially at night, I'd not compare against the X213's much superior camera hardware. The X213's (2021+) Multi-beam-LED's hardware, is what I look at equipped on the current-day S-class, while the X214's "Digital lights" are a poor second cousin in performance......"Adequate" but not Exceptional. And so on.
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
Even though there's no 4 zone climate control (or even a Tri-Zone climate control), it does not mean that the rear seats/pets have no climate control. They are getting blasted by the A/C, just that they are not able to set their own temperature for themselves. Just to clarify.
Having said that, I agree that this new gneration E-class has a lot of gimmicks, in lieu of substance. I look (or at least looked) at a Mercedes Benz as prioritizing substance and longevity over everything else, and every component being overengineered, which in turn accounts for the price premium over a Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo or Toyota. That theory is no longer applicable, based on my observation. Ever since 2024, they have been decontenting heavily, and components are no longer "overengineered" but just "adequate enough" to do their stated function.
The X213 E-class (2021 onwards) had a 2 chambered Airmatic. The X214 has a cheaper single-chamber Airmatic. The X213 (2021+) had a very high quality rear-view and other camera systems, while the X214 is "adequate" and especially at night, I'd not compare against the X213's much superior camera hardware. The X213's (2021+) Multi-beam-LED's hardware, is what I look at equipped on the current-day S-class, while the X214's "Digital lights" are a poor second cousin in performance......"Adequate" but not Exceptional. And so on.
Having said that, I agree that this new gneration E-class has a lot of gimmicks, in lieu of substance. I look (or at least looked) at a Mercedes Benz as prioritizing substance and longevity over everything else, and every component being overengineered, which in turn accounts for the price premium over a Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo or Toyota. That theory is no longer applicable, based on my observation. Ever since 2024, they have been decontenting heavily, and components are no longer "overengineered" but just "adequate enough" to do their stated function.
The X213 E-class (2021 onwards) had a 2 chambered Airmatic. The X214 has a cheaper single-chamber Airmatic. The X213 (2021+) had a very high quality rear-view and other camera systems, while the X214 is "adequate" and especially at night, I'd not compare against the X213's much superior camera hardware. The X213's (2021+) Multi-beam-LED's hardware, is what I look at equipped on the current-day S-class, while the X214's "Digital lights" are a poor second cousin in performance......"Adequate" but not Exceptional. And so on.
I'd love to know what MBUSA's reason is for not offering it if customers are willing to pay for it. The 213's had it as an option, and the 213 mopf lost it at some point, despite remaining available in Canada.
I agree about the cost-cutting. Everybody is doing it, sadly. I do find my 214 better built than my 213s, though.
Last edited by wdimagineer; Sep 14, 2025 at 06:28 PM.
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2018 S560
I live in the UAE (Abu Dhabi), and Rear Climate Control seems to be an option from our dealers in the region - but I had no information on North America, where I’d likely be shopping as a fully loaded E450 is a custom order and north of 140,000 USD here.
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X214
Which specific aspect, in your opinion, is the 214 better built than the late model 213 ? Just curious.
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
Everything. The quality of the interior materials feels better. My dashboard doesn't creak when I press against it. Same with my door panels. And the cantilevered door grab handles. I appreciate the felt-lined door pockets. My car has no rattles. My first 213 had about 50 pounds of foam added to reduce them. The 213 FL had about 25. (Exaggerating, but not.) The NVH of AMG models is certainly different (and very subjective), but from my perspective, the car feels better.
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X214
Everything. The quality of the interior materials feels better. My dashboard doesn't creak when I press against it. Same with my door panels. And the cantilevered door grab handles. I appreciate the felt-lined door pockets. My car has no rattles. My first 213 had about 50 pounds of foam added to reduce them. The 213 FL had about 25. (Exaggerating, but not.) The NVH of AMG models is certainly different (and very subjective), but from my perspective, the car feels better.
The 214's door handles that pop out, are the worst aspect that I doubt anybody asked for, and I would pay money if they could go back to the regular grab-handles of the 213. But I am sure others would disagree.
Much of the above is subjective, but what's objective fact, is the lower quality of the hardware in the headlights in the 214, the single-chambered Airmatic vs the 2-chambered ones from the 213, the lower quality of the cameras which are drastically better in the 213 etc., and when I had both cars with me, I never felt for a nano-second, that the 2025 was an upgrade over the 2022 (same engine, same transmission, superior hardware in the 2022). Maybe if you are comparing the 2025 against the 2018 or 2019, you might feel different.
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MBWorld God!
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It's stupid. Some customers would likely prefer that option (with kids, pets) over gimmicks like the cabin fragrance system. Make it a la carte (it used to be). Celia, the E program manager, seems kinda clueless. It's also not an option on any trim on the GLC SUV, for example, yet my recent GLC service loaner in Munich had it on a relatively low-end spec.
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
The Germans always pull this crap with the US market. Some fun examples (based on friends' purchases):
Audi sells the RS 6 Avant in the US and Canada, but only Canada can get the adaptive windshield wipers (like MB MAGIC VISION CONTROL) or cabin ionization/fragrance. Same on the A6 Allroad, on which you can order rear wheel steering. Not in the US.
BMW doesn't offer heated and cooled cupholders on lower-end X5 models, only the X5 M. You can't get the power luggage cover that folds into the floor (we had this on our EU model) in the US, but yes in Canada. And on most trims, except the M60 and M, you can't get the Bowers & Wilkins sound. Guess what? You can in Canada! Canada also received a few MB models the US never did, like the recent C wagon.
If you have a customer who wants an option and is willing to pay for it, let them! It's completely asinine that they pull this crap.
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
The dealership I service at in Munich is owned by Mercedes-Benz AG. It's the largest in the world. Many of their service loaners were previously cars in the test-drive pool, and are usually well-optioned. Some were also press cars, too.
