I posted this on another thread:

I have been guessing the 2004 E55 will be close to the outgoing but I am talking about 'base price' around $73k. I don't think the following options will be standard:

Base Price $73995 (my guess)
Navigation $2500 (estimate)
V60 phone with VR $1995
Panarama Roof $1500
Distronic $2950
Keyless Go $1015
Dynamic Seats $1150
Bi-Xenon Lights $900
HK stereo $700
Tire Monitors $625
CD changer $400
Rear Sunshade $440
Gas Guzzler $2100 (same as SL55)

All that equals $92,230

It appears that the new Mercedes policy is reasonable base prices and then they will price you to death with options.

that would bring your guess to about 92k, me personally, look for an E55 with the equipment you speced out to be closer to 100k than 90k...

my guess is base with destination and gass guzzler to be mid 80's...however I think some of the options you have listed such as cd, HK stereo, power rear sunshade to be standard, although I think bi-xenons will be an option...but 100k or so fully loaded is my estimate.

My guess is that the base price will be a little higher (~$78K), but will include more options (Tire monitors, HK stereo, CD changer, and rear sunshade). The AMGs are suppose to come near fully equipped.

On the bright side, I've been screwed by the Porsche option game over the past twenty five years, so WTF else is new?? I'm surprised it took MBZ buying a big dog like Chrysler to finally catch on.

I agree with mikE55.

I don't think you will be able to "slum" your way into this car for only a couple of percent over the cost of a 2002 model. Even if, as E55 KEV is speculating that MB might make things like the improved stereo and rear shade options that I believe were standard on the 2002 E55. I think they'll go the other way too and keep those as standard and throw in perhaps the dynamic seats and the tire monitors to the standard package with a base price around $80K.

I agree with mikE55.

I don't think you will be able to "slum" your way into this car for only a couple of percent over the cost of a 2002 model. Even if, as E55 KEV is speculating that MB might make things like the improved stereo and rear shade options that I believe were standard on the 2002 E55. I think they'll go the other way too and keep those as standard and throw in perhaps the dynamic seats and the tire monitors to the standard package with a base price around $80K.

The price increase in Australia is for a car with Nav only. No panaromic, distronic parktronic etc, but Bi Xenon's are included. My car has come in at almost $240K from a base of $220K as I have ordered all these options. The list of standard options is on the Aust MB site. The AMG spec's have previously been the same worldwide. ie Our W210 E55 had the exact same standard features as US. It is fairly straightforward, you can expect an increase of around 15%. The US base pricing will increase to 82-83K.
MB is not going to make the car cheaper for the US market because of it's importance. The Aussie market is AMG's third biggest worldwide. It is an international pricing issue.

E55KEV: of the possible options you listed, none were standard on the W210E55, right?
I think the better question to ask is: compared to a similarly specced 210E55, what will the 211 be priced at.

If the Aussie price is a reliable indicator (which I still question) then the base price, completely optionless price, would be almost $83K in the USA. I doubt MB will try to pull that off.
$78K I could see.
I just have a hard time believing they'll push past $80K without options. Only time will tell.

What are dealers asking for as a deposit on the '04 E55? I gave my dealer $500, but my buddy said he had to put down $1k. Just curious as to the variations ...

I was required to put down $2000 here.

The only option I listed above that was standard on the 2002 E55 is the Rear Sunshade for $440.00.

Stephens says the Aussie E55 has Nav and Bi-Xenon standard, however, Bi-Xenon is $900 for the SL55 so it would probably not be standard on the E55.

So today I went to my dealer to sign-off on the paperwork for my deposit on the E55. $500 and a signed form later (stating that I would get the vehicle at MSRP when it arrived), I sat down and talked to my salesman for awhile.

I got there late, so my salesman told me that it was too late to go for a test drive in the E500, but I managed to cajole him into letting me drive the car. I currently own a '98 E430 so I have a point of reference with which to judge the new W211 E500. At any rate, I was positively floored by the car. Unbelievable -- the Airmatic DC really changed the flavor of the car, the panorama roof was truly incredible, and I sat there considering whether I should just buy the E500 right now. Some of my friends are big-time BMW fans that claim MBs don't handle as well. Well, I think the new E handles just as well, yet also delivers a comfortable ride. Either way -- whether I wait for the E55 or buy the E500 -- can't go wrong with this car!

I put down $500.

I think it will come with the rear shade, active seats, zeons, tire monitors and upgrade stereo. And doesn't the guzzler tax phase out next year, or is that just the luxury tax.

Still going to be a hell of a lot of car --- at any price!!!!!

Has it been confirmed that there will be no 2003 model E55 in the US?

I want to trade my 02 CLK 430 for a W211 E55 due to the superior looks and performance over the W209 CLK55. I was hoping I could do so by next spring.

I think it's pretty well-verified that there wil be no '03 E55 in the US. My salesman said it's certain that it'll be an '04 E55, and should come out either (if really really lucky) in the springtime, but most likely next fall. I'm #2 at my dealership, but who knows when that car will come in.

Stephens, here is where you first said $83k and that consistant 15%. Later you capitulated down to $77k.

How has my argument changed?? Note also my pricing includes standard features that you are pricing as options. Doesn't change the fact that while you are still debating the pricing, I'll be driving the car:p

Yes, you will be driving the car, but your bank account will be shorter by $49,000 than any US driver six months later.

I too will be very surprised if it tips the scales over $80k. Not to bash the Australian market, but a good percentage of pricing structure is due to volume.

Even if Australia ranks #3 in AMG sales, there is still no comparison in the volume. We're talking something like (made up numbers) 8,000 AMG/year in europe, 5,000 AMG/year USA, and 1,000 AMG/year Australia?

As far as I'm concerned I don't care whatsoever about the Australian market as a reference to MB cars in North American. More taxes, right hand drive.. For what is worth, the Canadian market is far more interesting as I can import great cars from up North.

I'm sure the cars will base close to $80K, so out the door in CA with taxes and license they will be around $88K and if the dealers do what what they are doing on '03 SL's and SL55's there will be a $20K dealer mark-up, so around here expect $108K to $110K for the 1st cars !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Richard, welcome to the board. Did you see the article on www.thecarconnection.com which lists the US version starting at $72,500.

The question/debate is base price. Because we all know that there will be a huge dealer mark-up for cars on the lot. If one wants to bet the dealer markup you must place an order stating MSRP and not market price.

Thanks Kev, however in CA all of the larger city dealerships (which are the ones that can get any AMG volume) charge a dealer mark-up on certain ( hard to get or new) AMG cars even if they are ordered personally. The other trick is, for example every SL here has around 25-50 miles on the odometer and is then sold as a "used" car for a $20/25K premium, so MBUSA cannot control the dealer! I'm sure the 04 E55 will fall in category.