Considering ordering a E450. Potential first time MB customer!
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
Is the HUD even viewable in the daytime? I didn’t want it because I rarely drive at night and thought it might be useless in the daytime. The only thing similar I ever had was the infrared projection on the windshield on a Cadillac I owned years ago. It was about as useless as the proverbial faucets on a bore swine.
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The HUD is easily visible even in bright sunlight. The only caveat is it is marginal if you wear polarized glasses.
Combined with Augmented Reality it projects nav indication onto your view of the road - such as arrows indicating where to turn.
Combined with Augmented Reality it projects nav indication onto your view of the road - such as arrows indicating where to turn.
Last edited by ua549; May 17, 2026 at 04:02 PM.
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Is the HUD even viewable in the daytime? I didn’t want it because I rarely drive at night and thought it might be useless in the daytime. The only thing similar I ever had was the infrared projection on the windshield on a Cadillac I owned years ago. It was about as useless as the proverbial faucets on a bore swine.
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I never look at the speed or speed limit on the driver display. I always reference the HUD.
It's one of the better HUD's being in color and good resolution. I have it on max brightness. On sunny days it could be brighter. I would lower it further if I could. There are also some conditions where it reflects bright sunlight onto the windshield. It isn't perfect, but if I was going to order another E class, I would definitely get the HUD.
The camera view navigation of the E-class where it shows turn arrows and street directions on a moving picture from the forward facing camera on the central entertainment display is very cool technology. I very rarely use it because it takes too much time to take eyes off the road and find the blue arrows on the video. Getting CarPlay turns on the HUD works great.
I wish Mercedes would put the turn signal indicators in the HUD. It would help the issue where the turn signals in the driver display are blocked by the steering wheel.
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Does it only show arrows for Apple Maps or were you simplifying it? In a BMW HUD, it shows street names, worded instructions besides graphics. I would expect the same in MB since I expect Apple providing the API for what's shown in a secondary screen. But BMW's own navigation instructions are also better in the HUD compared to Apple Maps. I personally always use Apple Carplay. Apple Maps is much better than its initial launch. I personally don't commute to work so I never use Waze.
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I came out of a 540xi into an e450 as well. I also could just not get over the styling or the color/option choices. I like the w214, it has taken me quite a while to get used to it but I loved the BMW. I had many 5 series over the years. The e39 was my favorite like most people but the last one I had was the best daily driver I have ever had. I had some issues with the first E that I had and it was replaced. The one thing I changed with the replacement was the suspension. This is a totally different car with the airmatic package. And it’s because of both the air suspension AND the steering. If you are used to a BMW this car with the standard set up has a float that you can’t dial out in any setting. With the Airmatic the suspension and ride quality is significantly improved. And in the different settings it does change the character of the car. I find the sport mode much closer to the standard comfort mode in the BMW. You can dial out most of the float with that if you want to. And in comfort mode the air suspension ride quality is much better it’s more controlled and gives a very smooth ride. But the other big difference is the steering. The feel is much different. And the turning radius is also much better. And it is also more configurable. Just my two cents.
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For me: Digital Light, Winter Package, Pinnacle Trim. You can research what's in those. I chose the e450 over the e350, same car but the 450 has a bit more noticeable power (to me). I got 10% off MSRP (sticker 83,000). Since I can afford that, I wasn't going to quibble over a few thousand dollars on an 83K car. You can wait till the 2027, but you likely will pay close to MSRP (if that matters to you), and you'll be dealing with a 1st year new design, which is never good in my opinion. Too many bugs to work out. Great discounts on the 2026! Avoid ALL service agreements and extended warranties. They are a rip off. Here in the DC area, Service A seems to run about $600, Service B $900. (My car is new, so I don't know if those numbers are real). If anyone here is in the DC area and know where to go to get great pricing on service, let me know! My new e450 has 2000 miles on it so it's a while before I have my first Service A. I did the math from what the service department told me me, paying for the services when they occur is less than the cost of a service agreement. One thing I do not like: The upgraded massage seats. For me, they are too stiff. If I were to order, I wouldn't get that option, and I don't use it anyway. Good luck!
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From: MA
23 E450 All Terrain, 26 E53 Wagon
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I was at the dealership today and I had the chance to test drive the E 53 as well. What a machine!
Is the AMG tax on the maintenance a real concern? As far as I can see, even the auto insurance makes a big difference.
No matter which car I pick (E450 vs E 53), the wait will be a long one. 27 models will probably be delivered by Oct-Nov timeline. I may potentially get a better deal by buying a car off their lot but as you'd expect, they never have the configuration you want. They do have one 26 allocation for an E450 which might arrive couple months earlier but not sure if that makes a lot of sense.
Is the AMG tax on the maintenance a real concern? As far as I can see, even the auto insurance makes a big difference.
No matter which car I pick (E450 vs E 53), the wait will be a long one. 27 models will probably be delivered by Oct-Nov timeline. I may potentially get a better deal by buying a car off their lot but as you'd expect, they never have the configuration you want. They do have one 26 allocation for an E450 which might arrive couple months earlier but not sure if that makes a lot of sense.
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