As accurate as your assessment is of the need for AWD in this area there is still a strong preference for AWD so that will impact resale locally. Resale was one of the primary drivers to get 4matic for me.

 

@MBNUT1 That's the same reason why I don't have 4Matic - resale value.

 

Understood, I would greatly prefer a RWD for the simplicity and mileage improvement. As I mentioned above even though we rarely need AWD everyone around here wants one. One of the cheapest used EQS 450's in the country is for sale locally.

 

When the 4-Matic 450 was first announced, I immediately called my MB salesman with the intention of trading into one.Then, for two reasons, one pragmatic, one esthetic, I dropped the idea: I could not see spending tens of thousands (depreciation and a higher price) upgrading and every bit as important, the new car is not available in my “must have” Cardinal Red color.
C’est la vie.
At my age - going on 91 - I’ll never buy another car; my Executors will deal with my 450+ when necessary.
There’s little or no demand for EQS cars in our small community or, according to MBCincy at my dealership, in their market.

 

Makes perfect sense. Would have made the same choice.