Well things change and things change for everyone. Mercedes models go 7 years on average now, not sure where you're getting 5 years from other than the previous generation CLK, a rare exception. The two prior SLs had much less competition and the one before the R129 was positively and antique compared to some of its competition at the end of its production run. Just because those models were on sale for 10 years+ doesn't mean they were competitive either. Mercedes still sell consistantly over their production runs than most other cars so I don't see what you're point is here. 10 year model runs on every model would make anyone's cars obsolete in today's market.

M

 

Replacement cycles are shortening and it's certainly the case that the two previous SL generations were each overdue for replacement. I don't see a new SL before 2009/2010 by which time this one will be overdue as well.

 

I think they can make it to 2010 with maybe some further enhancements around 2008 or so to see it through. First a new E for 2009 and then SL in 2010. Next up the CL and C-Classes. MB engineers get no rest, but thankfully Shremp is gone and proper development and testing have resumed. The new S appears to have had a glitch-free launch and it looks like they're testing the snot out of the C-Class in the same manner all over the world to make sure it works in every environment.

M

 

That's the bottom line. Replacement cycles are slowly but consistently shrinking. It used to be that flagship sedan models could go for 10 or 12+ years. Now you're lucky to get 7 or 8.

As someone else said, things change and they change for everyone. MB is not immune to the market's increased competitiveness. Say, BMW, Audi and Lexus are introducing 7-series, A8's and LS600's every 6 or 7 years. Can MB still keep the same S-class going for 10? No way. They have no choice but to compete in this competitive environment.

Soon you'll see the E come down to a 5-year cycle (maybe even 4.5) and the S to a 6-year cycle. The S-class, along with the 7-series, A8, etc., take longer to develop and are in a relatively less crowded market. So understandably the replacement cycle at the upper echelon will be longer than the E-class cycle, let alone the current 4-year Accord/Camry cycle.

Compared to the S, the E-class' competition is in some ways more relentless. Not only does BMW and Audi keep producing formidable competitors, but every year there is something else, even if it doesn't have staying power. For example, the Jaguar S-type. Perhaps forgotten now, but in its first year it sold quite well. The equivalent Lexus, Infinity, etc. will all probably sell well in their first years, regardless of whether they have staying power or not. There is always something new that sells well if it's reasonably good enough, just by virtue of being a new model.

Now, when is a new C coming out? Not that I am losing sleep over it, but some people at MB should be, given all the alternatives out there. If you thought the E-class had a tough market...

 

Well said. The E and S have very good staying power and that should be acknowledged. They both remain the #1 or #2 sellers in their class no matter how old they are and no matter how many newer cars come out at once like last year in the E's segment.

M

 

I agree - my partner owns a '93 BMW 850ci Twin Turbo, which are extremely rare. Dinan only made 30 of them in the world. He gets WAYyyyyy more staredowns and rubbernecks on the road than I do in my "common-looking" CL600. Well, I also blame it on the color. Mine is silver and his is "Calypso Red".

So, although its an oldie, its a great car.