E55 KEV

This is not a debate because the facts have been proven in more ways than one. The US E55 will not, I repeat, not have a 15% increase nor be based price in the mid $80's.

This article was previously posted. Just in case this article/link got lost because it was inbedded in other posts and some may have missed it or still refuse to believe it.

This author/article from www.thecarconnection.com estimates the US E55 at $72,500.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...icle=5437&pf=1

stephens

The article does not say that the car will be $72500. Nice try.

jl88

Heh E55 Kev, stop twisting information to suit your own agenda. Its getting really old.

It was an estimate. That's it. The author's opinion is about as good as ours.

E55 KEV

jl88, where did I "twist" any information? Can you read? This is what the article printed:.

2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Base price: $72,500 (est.)
Engine: 5.5-liter supercharged V-8, 469 hp/519 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Length x width x height (inches): 190.9 x 71.7 x 50.9 in
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Curb weight: 4037 lb
EPA City/Hwy: 18 mpg combined (est.)
Safety equipment: Driver and passenger front airbags; front side and side curtain airbags; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control, traction control, ESP
Major standard equipment: Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, AM/FM/CD player, xenon lamps, Brake Assist, power windows and mirrors, power seats, cruise control, automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

jl88, I have an 'agenda' because I estimated the E55's price and I posted an interesting article. Thanks for the unwarranted negative remarks.

stephens

E55 Kev
There you go again. - This is what the article says:
Only 800-1200 per calendar year will come our way during the car’s projected four-year lifespan, at a pricing starting in the neighborhood of about $72,500 to $75,000.

How is this an authorative endorsement of a $72500 price?

E55 KEV

Is this guys for real? Now I have an American telling me that I am wrong and that the article author is wrong.

Can he not see or read that estimate of $72,500 and can he not see that even estimated between $72,500 - $75,000k that is no where near a 15% increase or $85k which he has spouted? Paying $121,500 for a E55 in Australia really has someone upset:

Here it is again:

2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Base price: $72,500 (est.)
Engine: 5.5-liter supercharged V-8, 469 hp/519 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Length x width x height (inches): 190.9 x 71.7 x 50.9 in
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Curb weight: 4037 lb
EPA City/Hwy: 18 mpg combined (est.)
Safety equipment: Driver and passenger front airbags; front side and side curtain airbags; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control, traction control, ESP
Major standard equipment: Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, AM/FM/CD player, xenon lamps, Brake Assist, power windows and mirrors, power seats, cruise control, automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

Now for the enigma - I can not figuare out why jl88 would be upset at the US price being $72k?

stephens

E55 Kev
There you go changing the subject again. The question asked was why do you appear to be misrepresenting the contents of this article, not whether my guestimate of a 10-15% price increase is correct.

jl88

IT'S A *******G ESTIMATE!

God damn, E55 Kev making it sound like the author's the next Jesus Christ.

The title of your post is misleading.

How can you POSSIBLY use an ESTIMATE to back up YOUR ESTIMATE?

For f*ck sakes man.

The only somewhat legitimate proof of the w211 E55 price increase is from the price increase of the w220 and the w215.

THOSE ARE FACTS

The article IS A FRIGGING ESTIMATE.

E55 KEV

C'mon man, you & jl88 don't have to like me for whatever reason, that is your choice, but I did nothing to either of you. I just estimated the price correctly and you hate me for it. Geez, that is cold.

But, honestly, person-to-person where in the world is the "misrepresentation" you two speak of? I will post it for the 3rd time. This is from the article and it states in two places and you have quoted also $72,500:

"The pity of all this is that, like the new Viper, the E55 AMG sedan is going to be in perpetually short supply. Only 800-1200 per calendar year will come our way during the car’s projected four-year lifespan, at a pricing starting in the neighborhood of about $72,500 to $75,000. After that, they will almost automatically become valuable collector cars, because they are so very cool and so competent at what they do.

2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Base price: $72,500 (est.)
Engine: 5.5-liter supercharged V-8, 469 hp/519 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Length x width x height (inches): 190.9 x 71.7 x 50.9 in
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Curb weight: 4037 lb
EPA City/Hwy: 18 mpg combined (est.)
Safety equipment: Driver and passenger front airbags; front side and side curtain airbags; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control, traction control, ESP
Major standard equipment: Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, AM/FM/CD player, xenon lamps, Brake Assist, power windows and mirrors, power seats, cruise control, automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles"

What is all the drama for? The article states $72,500 and I dare you to contact this Qualified Automotive Journalist and tell him he is incorrect and his article is worthless.

E55 KEV

THIS IS NO ESTIMATE - YOU HAVE ISSUES, MAN, SEEK HELP!

stephens

Key words Kev
Only 800-1200 per calendar year will come our way during the car’s projected four-year lifespan, at a pricing STARTING in the NEIGHBORHOOD of ABOUT $72,500 to $75,000.

Where does he say the price is $72,500 here?????????? You seem to be blinded by the $72500 on the page and cannot see the other words around it.

Since this debate started I have been very vocal in my opposition to your position, truth is however some of the points raised by yourself and others do make sense. My original assesment was AROUND a 15% price increase. that is AROUND $80K or approx $85K on road based on std specs as per E500. Based on popular opinion I revised this to $77K or around $82K on road. In reality our estimates are not that far apart, I am not a US price hater, just trying to be a logical voice of reason. According to your first post on this matter, my price works out cheaper than your original estimate, yet you argue vehemently that my hypothesis is rediculous.

I reiterate, I hope you are right about US pricing, I personally don't think so, however I am not clear after reading your posts what you are actually saying. Is your estimate of $74K based on no options what so ever, with everything as an ad -on as per your first post, or do you now say that the price includes thae basic options -DVD Nav, CD etc?

We both appear to be saying that a standard specification car is going to cost over $80K inc taxes etc. Have I missed something?

E55 KEV

If this Auto Journalist is correct, here is how I see it:

The US E55 without COMAND $72,500 - this is an increase of 1.6% from $71,350.

The US E55 with COMAND $75,000 - DVD Comand option is about $2450.

$72,500 + $2450 + $74,950 ($75,000). That journalist you dissed seems to be making a lot of sense now? Huh!

We don't know if the COMAND will be standard. It was not on 2002 or any E-Class and I think it will be optional in the US still.

Can you see this is a long way from 15% and that we/I were never "dreaming" when I estimated back in June around $72k-$73k-$74k.

stephens

E55 Kev
This is what you said:
"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."

stephens

On Kev's suggestion, I have emailed the journalist concerned to see what the basis is for his estimate. I will post his reponse -good or bad - on receipt.

stephens

Kev
How does:
"Only 800-1200 per calendar year will come our way during the car’s projected four-year lifespan, at a pricing starting in the neighborhood of about $72,500 to $75,000. "
Translate to:
"The US E55 without COMAND $72,500 - this is an increase of 1.6% from $71,350.

The US E55 with COMAND $75,000 - DVD Comand option is about $2450.

$72,500 + $2450 + $74,950 ($75,000). That journalist you dissed seems to be making a lot of sense now? Huh! "?????????????

amg55

Hey Kev, while I want the price on the 211E55 to be as low as possible, I must say that the car mag scribes are frequently off base in their estimates.
I wouldn't put tremendous stock in that one statement.
We've seen printed statements about the base price of the RS6 ranging across a $10,000 span.

Before the SL55 came out I saw firm estimates saying it would be no less than $123,000. That proved to be $10,000 too high.

When an author who is 'in the business' can't pin down the base price to a range less than $2500, I'd say he's guesstimating.
I believe the base will be around $75-76K, but I know less than our autoscribe compadre.
Hope you're right, though, about the $72,500.

MarcusBenz

Not to be nit picky, but the Gas Guzzler tax will most likely resemble the CL55's $1700, not $2100. I just had to get in on this debate!! Also, I think E55 KEV is a little full of himself with that quote of guessing correct on the base price. How can you say that you were right when the ACTUAL price has not been release yet. Are you now claiming to fortell the future?

mac99

Why is the W211 E55's price is so important?

E55 KEV

You think I am full of myself for defending/debating/having fun with an estimate of the US E55 price but an Aussie with nothing to do with the price of 'our' car whatsoever is justified in spouting a 15% increase that will never happen on these shores is correct or close to the mark?

Do you actually think that anyone expects one of us to estimate the 'exact' figure? That is loonly.

Even Vegas gambling on sports has a spread to cover. Or do you expect them to correctly and accurately know the outcome and score of a football games?

E55 KEV

All topics are good! If you have any better topics to post lets have them. Some post don't make good or interesting reading and the better ones have pages of replies and hundreds of views. Who wants to only read stuff like "How do I change my light bulb" or "when do I change my oil" all the time!

I go in to detail concerning "why price is important" here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=21184

err0neous

This price estimate is coming from a guy who says the new E-Class looks like the C-Class. That should be your first indicator that this guy is a moron. Why believe his price estimates when the guy obviously has a problem with his vision?

E55 KEV

How things look to ones own eyes is subjective and opinionated.

The price like other tangible things like specifications of the engine, the vehicle dimensions are neither - the price is either based on fact or data received.

The author went all the way to Germany for a E55 press event for the US, sounds like he drove the car, reviewed it, received all the car's information from Mercedes Benz Germany and oops they forgot to give me the price of the car, hmmm, I guess I will make one up for my review - my boss won't know.

Prices for Mercedes-Benz cars sold in the United States are not set by Germany they are determined by MBUSA.

err0neous

I don't know what your problem is, but it says right there in the article:

Base price: $72,500 (est.)

Tell me what "est." stands for, E55 KEV.

Thanks.

stephens

I received a return email just now and as promised am posting it. I have requested some further clarifcation which I will also be posting on receipt. Interesting note is confirmation of May US deliveries.
Kev
Before you start getting too excited, lets establish the credentials of his source and how much he was actually quoted.

E55 KEV

I don't have a problem with the word estimate, why would I? The author estimated the car starting at $72,500 versus this 15% increase and $85,000 base price which has been posted on this board over and over again. That article is the only credible information we have heard or seen on the price of the new E55 and you want to tear if apart as nonsense and call the author a moron.

I have been using the word "estimate" for months now. Myself, Stephens and other have been 'estimating' this price for months and some times it is fun and others heated. Why are you coming down hard on me because I am posted information? I can see the damn word estimate just like everyone else.

The person with the problem is the one who believes that E55 KEV thought he was actually relaying the real selling price and not giving his estimated price. SAD!