If anyone here is disappointed in having to choose a new W223 from the three categories of “Luxury Line,” “AMG Line,” and “Executive Line,” guess what? Those designations don’t exist beyond the USA borders. They don’t exist in Germany, MBUSA made them up, all on their own, just to SCREW you and me. And, they don’t exist in Canada. Take a look at the MB Canada “Build” site for the W223. Here’s a link: https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/vehicles/build/s-class/sedan

You can pretty much order anything you want, however you want it. Want Rear Axle Steering without all the options included in the “Executive Line?” You can get it in Canada, but not in the USA. MBUSA treats their customers like CHILDREN!

 

I agree Streamliner. It’s nonsensical to only put 10 degree rear axle steering and 4 zone climate control on the Executive Line which requires you to have items like 11.6” touchscreens on the back seats of your car. (Which many consumers may not want or need) I do have the 4.5 degree rear axle steering which I feel is still excellent. I do miss the 4 zone climate control. With enough feedback I am sure MBUSA will make package changes soon.

 

I believe the 10* rear steering is incompatible with the width of the AMG / Sport Pack wheels and tires.

 

This has been in the news a few times. Latest at the link below and why they are doing it. MB is trimming the models and options for the US market. Apparently, some of this is coming from US dealerships who've been asking for years for a simplification of the model line-up. The EQS also has the same three trim levels and only a few standalone options. With US buyers mostly buying off the lot (current times not included), it streamlines sales for the dealerships. In Europe and other markets, most people custom order their cars, but this might come to those markets as well to simplify production, inventory and the supply chain. Especially with EVs, fewer options seems to be the trend.

https://todaynewspost.com/auto-news/...odel-packages/

 

There are always excuses and explanations for everything, but MB is supposed to be a luxury brand and at least with their upper range vehicles, they should accommodate their customers wishes & desires. True luxury is having something the way YOU want it, not the way some bean counter says you SHOULD have it. There is absolutely nothing that would prevent MBUSA from allowing those so inclined to special order their cars. The vast number of folks who buy "off the rack" would still have a selection at the dealer lots. Those who are willing to wait the 8 to 12 weeks to have the car built the way they want it, should be "allowed" to do so. Even if MBUSA decided to tack on a nominal "Special Order" fee, to cover the additional processing, I'm sure that most of the special order customers would not balk, I know I wouldn't.

 

Pedestrian product positioning and repeated fails (V167 many issues, 48V system across several models, W223 unintended braking). Who is running the show in Stuttgart?

 

I agree with Stream 100%. I have a W222 that has the 2 rear executive seat arrangement with the AMG trim but now you can't build that unless you get the executive line which doesn't appeal to me from an exterior standpoint.

 

And are their dealerships marking up car prices like they are doing here in the states?

 

I agree, but Mercedes is being pushed and stretched in every way possible right now. Slimming down the production process saves money, but I agree if people want customization make them pay for it, they will. Dealers have been complaining for years about too many models and combinations. I think they should just have a special customer order process for those who are willing to pay and wait, and charge them accordingly, but it doesn't seem to be profitable enough in the US so I get why they don't offer something like that. I would love for Mercedes to go a Porsche al la cart system, but that won''t work for a lot of their lineup today which is cheaper cars in the U.S. where people just get what's on the lot.

M

 

It's solely related to wheel size. 10 degrees is limited to 20" wheels max., no matter the package...

 

Mercedes is changing the agency model in Europe (all German MB dealers already signed on aka. had to sign on) which means that all inventory at dealers is owned and managed by MB. Dealers don't buy the cars anymore, hence no flooring costs. But neither the incentive to discount anymore. If I recall, the average discount at German MB dealers is/was 13.2%. This new model will shrink discounts dramatically...
No markups AFAIK

https://europe.autonews.com/automake...ew-sales-model

 

Totaly Agree with you !!

 

Sorry Streamliner but as a Canadian, I would rather have the US model tiering rather than the package bundling in Canada but to be completely fair, both countries' models' packaging of options are terrible compared to that of the W222.

It's quite absurd to charge $7200 if one would like rear side sunshades and and over $10700 in order to get the interior air ionizer (air balance), both of which were included in the premium pack in the W222. Those two options especially the former should really be standard on the S Class and I would argue it's more of a necessity than rear wheel steering.

But yes, shoving multicontour rear seats in order to option power rear sunshades (in Canada) or rear wheel steering (in USA) is quite absurd

However, you guys down south always get great discounts even for a brand new vehicle where we mostly see 5 figure discounts on outgoing or soon to be outgoing models. Usually 2500 off max on newly released models

 

In the UK, we get forced to have an AMG line(which I don't mind but would obviously affect some people here), 2 wheel choices, 3 interior colour choices, and we get to decide if we want the premium package or not. If you go for a long wheelbase you get to choose if you want the premium executive package or not. No options, just the choice of 1 or 2 packages. I'm waiting for L3 distronic and more 'options' before ordering. They've been doing the same for other models, in America, I see such beautiful interior colour combinations for E Classes and the like but when I ordered we got forced black. I read a story about someone who went to the Netherlands to order their car so they could pick their colours and have a proper custom order.

 

They know that we Americans are shallow, vain and will spend the money. Makes sense if you consider how we are perceived in these ways compared to the rest of the world.
We are the land of SUV gas guzzlers and big macs LMAOOO!

 

It is not Canada exclusive when it comes to not having tiers. Mexico also don't have tiers so no tears: https://www.mercedes-benz.com.mx/es/.../s-class/sedan

On a side note, looks like the W213 E-Class gets the exclusive grille with the MB star as an available option too while both USA and Canada does not.

So um, I am jealous.

 

Me too. On that score I agree MBUSA sucks.