TR3B

I didn't understand YOUR lease termination agreement. They're not all the same. You get some of that back, congrats.

Enjoy the EV. :thumbups:

ska597

There’s something to be said with offering products that appeal to your entire customer base, not just the majority. The wagon owners are a specific, brand loyal bunch and doing some form of “fan service” hardly equates to some kind of poor business decision. What’s truly the cost for MB to produce the wagon form when it already makes the sedan? My guess would be a rounding error when it comes down to it. To take it further: they sell every one they make. It’s not like they make 10,000 units annnually and the vast majority are sitting on dealer lots. This just boils down to a manufacturer that has lost touch with its customer base and is only interested in wringing out every penny they can by selling the cookie cutter products that people who don’t know any better buy only for the emblem on the hood. I’d also point out the new C63s with its ghastly powertrain as an exhibit on how out of touch this marque is with its customer base. Not only out of touch, but arrogant as well.

Look no further than BMW: they still make the Z convertible. What numbers does that sell in? What’s the market for a $70k convertible in most of the country? It’s likely negligible. But they make it because someone is buying it and likely the cost to keep pumping it out probably isn’t much. MB, outside of a few products, is a mediocre brand at best. Their dealer experience is wanting, their products keep getting duller (pretty much all of EVs they make look horrible, at least to most enthusiasts) and now they are disregarding the small, but loyal customers that bought their products with pride.

The E63s wagon was my first foray into this brand, and likely my last. I’m sure there’s many people who feel that way.

W205C43PFL

Would had agreed with you until you mentioned BMW, because unfortunately they decided that 6 series customers will be happy to spend much much more money to get the 8 series leaving MB with an E-coupe while BMW themselves don't have a competitor. That backfired and they had to drop the price of the 8 series the next model year after as the 8 series was severely overpriced at MSRP. MB's example is eliminating the SLC and S-coupe.

ska597

It was a misfire for sure. The 8 series is their most pointless car. Too big to be a coupe, but too impractical to be a family car. My point was just to say that BMW tends to be more receptive to their customers, design philosophy notwithstanding. Once they bring in the M5 wagon, they pretty much will have a car for each and everyone of their customers. MB can’t say that same. BMW will stick with V8s through 2030 and hasn’t ruled out making one more sweet in-line six for their lower tier M cars. MB on the other hand wants you to buy a 4 banger for six figures.

W205C43PFL

I see, now I understand.

Putting MB caring mostly about profit aside, I think BMW is also doing better with the Cafe targets than MB? That is why BMW had the luxury of having these V8s etc. ?

ska597

CAFE regulations are for politicians haha! I just want the AMG V8 in my next E63s.

HBerman

Maybe the E-class is not exclusive enough to deserve the V8 engine. The V12 only went into the S-class. You want a V8? Buy an S63! Only $200k fully decked out. MB is just moving up the food chain.

ska597

That might be true, but I’ll pass on that one. I’m not the target demographic for the S class - maybe when I’m a few decades older. Like most folks, I’ll just move on to other options if things go the way they are. No harm, no foul.

W205C43PFL

So that is what MB planned all along? They say they are going upmarket they mean by moving customers to go upmarket? That will likely backfire, just like already mentioned: BMW eliminating the 6 series and think customers will pay up to an 8 series. First model year was a disaster and they have to drop the price the second model year. Customers are not dumb.

HBerman

So, how many wannabes have purchased the E63S FE? Some buyers thought they were getting the deal of a lifetime with the privilege of paying ADM of $30K or more on an overpriced MSRP.

W205C43PFL

Unfortunately, they believed in the no more V8 in MBs (period.) rumour or they just want to show "they have the last V8"

I.T. Guy

I’m pretty sure people buying the FE aren’t stretching to get them. It’s something they want and the +/- $$$ doesn’t matter. These cars are not logical purchases; even non-FE at MSRP are not pragmatic cars. If someone wants one and doesn’t mind paying or blink at the ADM - high-five baby enjoy! I’m super happy for anyone with the means that scoops up an FE and doesn’t look back.

graphitegreyamg

Love my Canadian FE. It also does come equipped to the brim. I would absolutely dread thinking about having to explain how a limited edition has steel brakes when it is beside a non-FE that has CCB.

ocdbroker

I wholeheartedly agree with IT Guy's sentiments. However, I believe your average wagon buyer, regardless of wealth, is likely conservative/frugal in many areas of life and don't necessarily want matte paint, yellow stitching and racing stripes on their wagons. Mercedes missed the mark on several levels. With the proper configuration, I bet they could get $177k and sell 50.

Then again many people playing with Monopoly money and $177k is rounding error on their bank account, so they'll sell out regardless. But it won't be easy nor fast and will likely require discounts.

HBerman

There's much evidence in this forum about the frugality of some of the wagon buyers. People were complaining about a Service A cost and buying their own oil and filters. Totally incongruous behavior after spending $130k+ on the vehicle. I'm not sure also about a cash wagon purchase as opposed to financing or leasing. For those with money to burn, go ahead and pay cash and watch the money evaporate faster than a rain in the desert. Owning these vehicles is a slow burn anyway. Enjoy the experience while you can. It's later than you think.

ocdbroker

The only way I get my new one is talking myself into keeping it way over 100k miles or 10 years. In my mind, I must get cost of ownership down to well under $10k per year.

My current daily is a 2012 full-sized RR AB. Bought it lightly used in 2012 for $90k. My very first 'used' car purchase. Feel like I got my money's worth. Love it and will never sell (just as much my dog's truck now). Drives as well today as the day I bought it. No problems.

Swore I'd never buy another new again. That was the smartest way to buy. Let the first person help out with the depreciation. RR was $126k new so first owner paid 30%.

Now I'm talking myself into buying a used versus $155k for 2023. 😩

I.T. Guy

+1
This is me.
Swore I would never buy a new car again.
Even got my 2016 CPO.
My plan was to buy a 2019-2020 CPO. Rinse repeat.
Then covid hit they skipped a year and discontinued the 8cyl - my wife said why don’t you enjoy the first 3 years new as well as the last 4 - just get a new one and keep it long. All these things rationalized and justified me into a new one. 99% of the time I’m happy but once in a while I feel a tinge of guilt and weak for not sticking to my “plan”. I make myself feel better by recognizing it’s a unicorn done my way and I lucked out. The worst case? I can still always sell it. Nothing is set in stone. Everything is flexible. I’m just an over-thinker.

W205C43PFL

At least she supports you, that helped with the decision I figured. Not just your car but she is also a keeper. Usually the spouse never supports the spouse with "emotional purchases" like these, ask how I know

W205C43PFL

Maybe maybe, that new car smell and the "fun process" of breaking-in the vehicle, along with seeing single digits on the odometer is something great?

ocdbroker

So many factors. I always battle my wife over my idiotic automotive purchases. But you have to live. I'm so cheap in almost every other area of my life other than dumb car habit and even dumber housing situation. We must enjoy our car(s) to the point where the expense is worth it. I'm not in it for status. I only care about how the car drives and looks. Older I get the less status I want. In fact, I try to look as poor as possible. Fancy cars really don't fit my lifestyle but that's the cool thing about these wagons. Vast majority have no idea as they look so utilitarian. Like my platinum day/date bought almost 20 years ago. Lol I'm done with watches too. Rather have my money in a 5% short-term treasury lately.
Many Porsches also fly under the radar. Not only are they the best driving cars on the planet but they can be rather modest.

ocdbroker

W205C43PFL

HBerman

Amazing that even in the UK the FE did not come with the MULTIBEAM lights! What was the rationale behind that? 🤔

ocdbroker

^^^Since they were building 999 units, I suspect it came down to two primary factors:
1. Carelessness, laziness and indifference by Mercedes
2. Parts availability

HBerman

I had my MultiBeam lights upgraded to full function via a remote session with RJ Automotive in January this year.