stephens has alot of valid points.

There are TONS of additions to the w211 E55.

I spoke to a salesperson at Rusnak and even tho half the time they don't know jack *****, he says the general consensus the E55 will be about $82k

Add in taxes and options, you're looking at $90k... for an E CLASS..

 

But what an E-class you are getting into, a precision made E55!!!

 

jl88, we have been debating the 2004 E55 base price and taxes would not be part of the equation. Everyone pays taxes.

Stephens would have a "valid point" if he were correct about the S500 prices! That price quoted is the price of a S500 short wheel base at 69,200 euros. The US only gets the long wheel base version which is 72,600 euros and that price does not include Comand, moonroof, xenon, ABC suspension, etc., which is standard on the US S500.

This example should end all arguments for you guys that want the E55 to be based priced over $80k or are 'haters' because they pay extras taxes/tariffs for importing similiar Mercedes cars.

The 1999 C43 was $53k and the 2002 C32 is $49k in the USA. Some have argued that adding a supercharger and increasing performance will increase the price 10-15%. The prices of the C32 did not increase those amounts and the price of the 2003 R230 SL500 also come in close to the outgoing model.

The logical prediction:

The W211 E55 will base price in the USA around $73,000. Adding Comand, Distronic, Panarama roof, Drive Dynamic Seats and Keyless Go will push the price to the mid $80k.

 

i agree 100%. key word being logical.

 

Guys
I do not know how pricing works in the US (including taxes excl taxes etc) , but bluntly E55Kev, you are living in a world of fantasy. I gave you a list of reasons justifying pricing, yet you chose to ignore all bar one which was not entirely relevant to justify your stance.
The pricing realeased so far for the new E has maintained equilibrium on the outgoing model in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, as it has for the US. Pricing for the E55 has increased 15% approx in three of these markets. What do you think is going to happen with pricing for the fourth when it is released......................
Co-incidently the new E55 is priced about the same as the S500 (lwb) in both Australia and New Zealand and one would assume then in the US too.
Because I further pointed out an anomoly in europe where the S500 was listed as being cheaper than the E55 does not make all that bogus.
Whilst different countries can price cars differently (diff margins and options) they ALL PAY THE SAME. If you hadn't heard, we live in a global economy, I could go in to cross border price transfers and international tax issues to justify my statement but I will leave it there.

Whether you like it or not the E55 is going to come in a little under the price of the S500 in the US.

If you choose to believe otherwise so be it. If I am wrong, FANTASTIC, I am not trying to wish higher prices on anyone, just a dose of reality.

 

Thank you stephens! - you just proved my point. You just stated that the price is equivalent across the board for most countries. The price of the E55 in Germany is 75,500 euros (without moonroof) and as I have posted that translates into $74,114 usd. If you want to add the moonroof which is 500 euros that equals $74,446 usd.

I believe that you previously stated that you pay way more money for the same cars in Australia due to extra import taxes and maybe you need to realize the the 'Great US of A' does not pay all those unreal taxes. So you need to stop saying we are 'dreaming' because Aussies pay through the nose for Mercedes cars.

What is the base price of the 2002 C32 AMG in Australia? Did you not want to comment on that example price?

SO AGAIN - THE US W211 E55 FOR 2004 WILL BASE PRICE AROUND $73-74k.

 

E55 Kev
I do not understand what your point is, what has the price of the C32 in Aust go to do with anything?
We (Australians) did not see any real price increase between new and old SL500.

however......
THE PRICE OF THE E55 HAS INCREASED BY APPROX 15% IN ALL MARKETS OVER THE OUTGOING MODEL.
IT IS IRRELEVANT AS TO WHAT RATE OF SALES TAX ETC WE PAY, THE PRICE INCREASE IS PROPORTIONATE.

The price increase has NOTHING to do with tariffs, they are the same as they were on the outgoing model.

It is not the price of the car in Germany that is relevant to US pricing, which by the way is $85K not $75K, it is the percentage price increase from the outgoing model to the new one in Germany and other countries that matters.

Again for clarity, in the rest of the world, where prices for the W211 E55 have been released, they seem to sit just under pricing of the S500. The tariffs in each of the countries applies equally to the S500 as the E55.

My point is, was and always has been, that you should expect the retail price of the e55 to come in just under the price of the S500 in the US.
If Daimler Chrysler US chooses to subsidise pricing of the new E55 then good luck to you. You seem to be under the impression that I and others around the world actually care about US E55 pricing. I have only tried to share my experience of ordering a new E55 and the price increases that I encountered.


BTW Command, sunroof and multicontour seats are standard, disctronic and keyless go are options.

According to Road and Track the base W210 E55 cost over $73K in the US with no options (no Command or CD player) and you expect the W211 to come in at the same price??

What part of the above is illogical??

While you are still arguing about what the price is going to be in the US, I'll already be driving my new baby around

:p