flkp

Does anyone have insight on US pricing for S-500? Base Price? Distronic?

RichReg

According to Mercedes Benz of Princeton, they are not going to move up much higher than the current model. Supposedly something like 2 or 3 percent in base price, but then there will be new equipment that is standard that wasn't previously available, like "night-vision".

Being that the S-Class is their big seller, this would make sense.

MB Fanatic

I don't think Night Vision is going to be standard on any S that comes here.

coloradosclass

Go to ebay.com and under the S-Class for sale you will find an ad from Glauser Mercedes of Colorado and this will probably answer your base price question. Rumors had the S-500 over 100K and that made me furious but now I will probably get one. (if they are better quality than the last one)
Only time will tell though, I will wait till 08's come out.

RichReg

Definitely on the S600.
Maybe on the S500.

flkp

Night Vision and Distronic are NOT standard on German S-500

RichReg

European versions always get less standard equipment than their U.S. counterparts.

MB Fanatic

Right, but the Night Vision is a $2000 almost, so I sure as hell dont think MBUSA would offer that as standard Equipment here. Hell, MBUSA doesnt even make leather standard on the E which is close to $50K, let alone Xenon's or anything else. IM with CE750 on this one aka as Sam.

RichReg

Yeah, you're probably right now that I think about it. Part of all that great cost-cutting, eh?

But there will definitely be other features now standard that weren't before. I think the Airmatic suspension wasn't previously standard, correct?

Nevada Jack

No...it is standard on my new 2006 S430 and I think all the S models.

And I also agree there will be no Night Vision standard on the S450 or the S500.

MarcusBenz

WOW, Nevada....I have not been in here for a while, but looks like you have taken a nice step up in the world!! Nice Ride!!

Nevada Jack

Hi Mark...good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliments on the S430. Based on your stable information about an '06 plan...you also will be taking a step up..:-)

CynCarvin32

Ya i was a bit turned around when I saw an W220 in his sig.

No R-500 huh? If you dont need a zillion seats why buy an R? And heck S430's are being given away for next to nothing. You really cant go wrong for a car 3k back of invoice!

AMG kit cars look great in white. My next AMG will be white for sure!

Nevada Jack

Yeah...no more R. Still like the car but decided the S was a better choice. The price was right and the White with the AMG package made the deal. Really enjoying the ride...smooooooth....:-)

MDCLS

NevadaJack Great looking car! FletcherJones? Will give a wave if I see it/you around town. Congratulations

Nevada Jack

Yep...FJ. Took him 11 years to make me a deal worth closing. Nice ride yourself (or should I say rides.) You will see me in the Summerlin area most of the time. Thanks for the congrats...:-)

northbenz

An interesting switch. I was anxiously awaiting your R encounter. I really don't know why MBUSA decided to make all the initial demo model R350's in Black. The first time I saw one on the lot from the rear all I could think of was HEARSE! When I suggested to the local dealer that he might see if he could sell a few to the local funeral homes he didn't think it was funny at all. I mentioned that with the seats folded flat it looked like a coffin would fit perfectly. Maybe they will be running a Halloween special since I still see two weeks later the Black R is still on the lot.

Nevada Jack

All the demos are not black. A coffin will not fit in the rear...it has been measured for a standard casket and is not long enough. The initial Demo model R350's released to dealers were not for sale. My dealer has sold many at this point and just yesterday he indicated interest was extremely strong. He has a White, a Silver, a Black, a Pewter, and more in the basement. He does not appear concerned and expects the Count's car to be in anyday....:-)

Anyway, although I will not buy a R this year...I still think the R will be a success and surprise many people once the marketing takes hold and people realize what the car is all about.

BenzKid24

I thought i heard somewhere that the w221 will be $6-$8 higher on each model.

srknutson

I heard that 6% higher when the W221 was introduced. Which sounded higher that it should be. So I'm hoping for the lower or half of the 6.

northbenz

I'm looking forward to seeing the R in colors other than black. I had visited 4 dealers and each had only a black 350 demo. I suspect when the hybrid or diesel version comes out there should be a spike in sales - assuming they can price it close to the 350 and retain the all wheel drive feature. I saw the original concept at the Detroit auto show when it was being introduced along side the prototype for the Pacifica. I commend Mercedes for retaining many of the show car's features including the panorama roof. Since that time I've noticed Mercedes has done everything possible to distance the R Class from the Chrysler model. I don't think anyone back then was expecting the Pacifica to be so poorly received.

Nevada Jack

I think 3% and they do not want the S500 to go over the $90K mark on introduction.

Nevada Jack

I think it will run a little above the R350 (the diesel) and the all wheel drive will be a fixture on any model.

The Pacifica was a lesson in how not to introduce a new concept model...the loaded the intial cars with everything they had avallable and the price soared to where nobody wanted one. I think recently the car has been more successful based on how many I see on the road here now. Also, by being associated with the R Class in a sort of backhanded way, people who cannot afford the R may be looking at the Pacifica.

MB does not want the Pacifica/R Class comparison to become a major point (it is with some detractors who attempt to say they share parts or the R is a clone.) They market to a different demographic and to let the comparison get to close would hurt the R more than the Pacifica. There is no doubt the Pacifica and the R are two different cars...they may have the same conceptual lines but that is the end of any direct comparison.