E-Class (W213/C238/A238) [Official] Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213

[Monster]

Stopped by my dealer this afternoon because they told me they have an almost standard E 400 and E 350d exclusive line in the showroom.

The E 400 doesn't look too bad but the standard interior is exactly the same as the E 200, which is simply not acceptable for a car costing $161k AUD! The artico stitching on the dashboard, door trim are only available on the exclusive or the AMG line. Also the polar white doesn't quite suit a big car like the E class.

The E 350d is in a very unique combination, metallic bronze, exclusive line and the 18'' wheels (even though the standard E 350d has 20'' AMG wheels as standard). I don't think the traditional grill sit quite well as it does on the S class. As for the interior, it feels more traditional and luxurious with the gloss brown ash wood trim, artico stitching and nappa leather. I am interested to know your opinion, which spec will you guys pick, Avantgarde, Exclusive or the AMG line?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Like that colour, citrin brown it's called in Europe, very much. I'd take the E in Exclusive line, outside as well as inside. Imo every Mercedes-Benz sedan/limousine deserves the star on the hood. The Exclusive line, compared to standard E, has that nice, luxurious looking double spoked grille, which I like. Furthermore, I'd take the Exclusive over the AMG line, because of it's smaller wheels. 20" looks great, but driving comfort is really much less than in an E stuck with 18" wheels. A comfort-esthetic alternative are 19" wheels. AMG line comes with the central star grille, which, however well executed in case of the E, is not my cup of tea on a Mercedes-Benz sedan. On a roadster or the magnificent AMG Gt it looks fine, but not on my sedan...
black interior combined with the classic glossy brown wood looks very good to my eyes: always 'well dressed'. To me IRL, the open pore wood sometimes looks a bit plasticky.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The E 400 doesn't look too bad but the standard interior is exactly the same as the E 200, which is simply not acceptable for a car costing $161k AUD! The artico stitching on the dashboard, door trim are only available on the exclusive or the AMG line.

UNBELIEVABLE! A 160K vehicle that feels like an E200, which itself is well below par for a 90K Mercedes. I'm shocked.

You'd have to be a damned fool to not spec the AMG or Exclusive lines.

 

[Monster]

UNBELIEVABLE! A 160K vehicle that feels like an E200, which itself is well below par for a 90K Mercedes. I'm shocked.
You'd have to be a damned fool to not spec the AMG or Exclusive lines.

Even with the exclusive or AMG lines, the interior is still not quite there, the interior needs the Designo option, which is still not yet available here.

 

[fortuner]

The exclusive line should have been offered in uK i think it would have sold well it looks very good in photos above.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Even with the exclusive or AMG lines, the interior is still not quite there, the interior needs the Designo option, which is still not yet available here.

We're in the minority here Derek and Mercedes has at least 80% of the populace fooled.

 

[sako97]

Agree with @Monster that non-metallic white doesn't suit the W213 at all, whether it's a no option E200 or an E63.

Kind of sad that interior quality is suspect and a matter of discussion unless you order nappa or exclusive. You don't hear much of this in the G30 or A6 forums.

In the states, traditional grill means it's a bare bones E class. An irony because it's supposed to "Luxury Package".

 

[Merc1]

MBUSA has their head up their ass when it comes to the luxury versions of the C and E. I don't get it. Ugly wheels, no equipment, and no real promotion. Its like they're forcing you to buy the sport version. Imagine an E-Class luxury model with beautiful wheels and the right size tires and the same presentation as a basic S550 with a nice wheel. Put this one in the same room with the people who decided on a V6 S450 instead of a I6 S500.

M

 

[Yaz]

My only guess is that it would be too close to the S-class, pricewise and lookswise. A fully loaded E43, with every option is very close to $100k.

 

[Serpens]

MBUSA has their head up their ass when it comes to the luxury versions of the C and E. I don't get it. Ugly wheels, no equipment, and no real promotion. Its like they're forcing you to buy the sport version. Imagine an E-Class luxury model with beautiful wheels and the right size tires and the same presentation as a basic S550 with a nice wheel. Put this one in the same room with the people who decided on a V6 S450 instead of a I6 S500.

M

I don't understand why this is such a mystery. MBUSA knows damn well through their market research that younger, affluent buyers want to see distinctive design and performance focused cars on the lot when they go shopping for a luxury car. They're [obviously] in fierce competition with BMW and facing inroads from Audi who focus on the same thing in different ways.

The classic styling only really appeals to the middle aged/older set of long-time Mercedes buyers, but guess what? MBUSA [correctly] realized they will buy the same cars the younger set aspires to regardless. It's no secret they would phase out the luxury line altogether if possible, although there is some demand for the luxury package vehicles, particularly in wagon form.

Dealers were audibly hesitant (Park Place in Dallas, MB of Buckhead in Atlanta I know of personally) to accept this noticeable shift at the beginning of the decade. MBUSA totally changed their tune in their dealer meetings with Dieter's backing- they went from "let these luxurious technological marvels with fine engineering sell at these high prices" to "our vehicles are technologically advanced, sporty with great dynamics, and will bring in the volume we need to get back to #1." @tennmb may be able to add more color commentary, but this is what I've been getting from my MBUSA contacts for years.

 

[Monster]

We're in the minority here Derek and Mercedes has at least 80% of the populace fooled.

And 99% of the motoring press. I have been going through all the reviews, journalists were lavishing praises of the interior saying it is almost at the S class level, or the interior is a work of art.

The Mercedes-Benz E200 doesn’t look like a base model inside: unless, of course, it was a base model limousine with a price tag north of $200,000. That’s how good the interior is.

Luxury sedan comparison part two: Audi A6 v BMW 5 Series v Jaguar XF v Mercedes-Benz E-Class | CarAdvice

The cabin is, as has been the E-Class wont for some time, a work of art. Every detail is beautifully executed, every stitch perfect, every piece of trim flows cleanly into the next. In many respects, the cabin gives the impression of having been hewn from one solid block. A block of something expensive and difficult to source.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E200 Review | CarAdvice

 

[Monster]

Agree with @Monster that non-metallic white doesn't suit the W213 at all, whether it's a no option E200 or an E63.

For sure, but from what I have been seeing on the road, customers don't seem to mind. Btw my dealer was offering that white E 400 to us for a significant discount, but we turn down the offer.

Kind of sad that interior quality is suspect and a matter of discussion unless you order nappa or exclusive. You don't hear much of this in the G30 or A6 forums.

Completely agree, even for the E 400, starting at $150k AUD, the entire interior door center panel is in molded plastic. Even when optioned with nappa or exclusive trim, the only trim available for the door panels is artico "leather".

In the states, traditional grill means it's a bare bones E class. An irony because it's supposed to "Luxury Package".

It seems like Mercedes US has a habit of mangling the specifications of the trim levels and engine lineup of the cars.

 

[Merc1]

I don't understand why this is such a mystery. MBUSA knows damn well through their market research that younger, affluent buyers want to see distinctive design and performance focused cars on the lot when they go shopping for a luxury car. They're [obviously] in fierce competition with BMW and facing inroads from Audi who focus on the same thing in different ways.

The classic styling only really appeals to the middle aged/older set of long-time Mercedes buyers, but guess what? MBUSA [correctly] realized they will buy the same cars the younger set aspires to regardless. It's no secret they would phase out the luxury line altogether if possible, although there is some demand for the luxury package vehicles, particularly in wagon form.

Dealers were audibly hesitant (Park Place in Dallas, MB of Buckhead in Atlanta I know of personally) to accept this noticeable shift at the beginning of the decade. MBUSA totally changed their tune in their dealer meetings with Dieter's backing- they went from "let these luxurious technological marvels with fine engineering sell at these high prices" to "our vehicles are technologically advanced, sporty with great dynamics, and will bring in the volume we need to get back to #1." @tennmb may be able to add more color commentary, but this is what I've been getting from my MBUSA contacts for years.

I get all of that, but it doesn't excuse why you'd half arse the car. If you going to half arse it, why sell it at all? If you're going to offer it, do it right, if not then don't sell the luxury line here. As it stands, it's an embarrassment. That's all I'm saying. Saying, oh it will only appeal to a small group, so lets just phone it in, isn't very Mercedes-Benz like, no matter what the reasons are.

M

 

[Monster]

Dealers were audibly hesitant (Park Place in Dallas, MB of Buckhead in Atlanta I know of personally) to accept this noticeable shift at the beginning of the decade. MBUSA totally changed their tune in their dealer meetings with Dieter's backing- they went from "let these luxurious technological marvels with fine engineering sell at these high prices" to "our vehicles are technologically advanced, sporty with great dynamics, and will bring in the volume we need to get back to #1." @tennmb may be able to add more color commentary, but this is what I've been getting from my MBUSA contacts for years.

I do wonder how much does it cost MB or the dealers to offer the exclusive line option, also how much extra will it cost MB and the dealers to set the proper specification and options for exclusive line cars so they can look appealing to customers.

 

[Wunderkind]

I do wonder how much does it cost MB or the dealers to offer the exclusive line option, also how much extra will it cost MB and the dealers to set the proper specification and options for exclusive line cars so they can look appealing to customers.

My understanding is that it is Mercedes Benz Australia that is trying to save money and offer 'lines' instead of letting owners spec their own options. It also saves time and minimise mistakes in the ordering process. You can't blame Mercedes Aust. for doing so as Mercedes is demanding many markets to move to the same regime.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I get all of that, but it doesn't excuse why you'd half arse the car. If you going to half arse it, why sell it at all? If you're going to offer it, do it right, if not then don't sell the luxury line here. As it stands, it's an embarrassment. That's all I'm saying. Saying, oh it will only appeal to a small group, so lets just phone it in, isn't very Mercedes-Benz like, no matter what the reasons are.

M

MB Australia is exactly the same. The 'Exclusive' line lumps you with shitty wheels and you either take it or leave it.

My understanding is that it is Mercedes Benz Australia that is trying to save money and offer 'lines' instead of letting owners spec their own options. It also saves time and minimise mistakes in the ordering process. You can't blame Mercedes Aust. for doing so as Mercedes is demanding many markets to move to the same regime.

I understand that, but its reaching a point where its becoming ridiculous and the consumer of these 'premium' vehicles are being forced to buy their cars a certain way whether they like it or not.

1. You can't get a leather interior on a GLA unless you get the AMG pack. And if you get the AMG pack, then it's black red cut leather only and you get lumped with the sports suspension. Stupid!
2. Designo is not available on most of the range here. Why can't I have nappa leather on my C-class, GLC etc. but I can on a BMW 3-series or even Audi A3.
3. Why do I have to have ugly alloy wheels on an E-class if I want the traditional grill? Surely the factory can handle an alloy wheel swap.
4. Why can't I get the little options anymore such as rear sun blinds when these are still available over at Audi and BMW?
5. On some vehicles in the range you are faced with such ridiculous choices as having to have panoramic sunroof just because you want a heads up display, because some marketing genius thought they would both sound lovely in a 'Vision Pack'.

I understand the appeal of 'value packs' but don't strip the consumer of every other choice and force them to take a product as you want them to when then product is so much more customisable in other markets.

MB Australia is treating the brand as a mass market vehilce and it's going to bite them in the arse.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

And 99% of the motoring press. I have been going through all the reviews, journalists were lavishing praises of the interior saying it is almost at the S class level, or the interior is a work of art.


Luxury sedan comparison part two: Audi A6 v BMW 5 Series v Jaguar XF v Mercedes-Benz E-Class | CarAdvice

2017 Mercedes-Benz E200 Review | CarAdvice

Stupid or delusional. The base model E200 interior is not worthy of a $90K vehicle.

Interesting to note in the latest issue of wheels they experienced 'trim rattles' in the E63. My mate who has an early build C250 is going mad with rattles. Fancy as they are, there has been an undeniable reduction in the fundamental 'solidity' of MB interiors in the last 4 years.

My mum's previously dead silent C250 is now experiencing constant creaking noises over any less than perfect road surfaces. I suspect it's to do with the window rubbers, as I've often experienced this in Audi's and BMW's previously, and really hope that is the full extent of the problem.

 

[Serpens]

I get all of that, but it doesn't excuse why you'd half arse the car. If you going to half arse it, why sell it at all? If you're going to offer it, do it right, if not then don't sell the luxury line here. As it stands, it's an embarrassment. That's all I'm saying. Saying, oh it will only appeal to a small group, so lets just phone it in, isn't very Mercedes-Benz like, no matter what the reasons are.

M

Why offer it all? Because it's low hanging fruit. Someone will buy it and MBUSA is content because they were able to gain that sale with minimal investment. I agree it's not very Mercedes-Benz like if we look at what they've done in the past, but that's exactly why they started falling behind in the late 2000's/early part of this decade. Stakeholders, company culture, and prestige all lie in a careful balance that must evolve over time...who knows where the market will take us next.

There were early hints that MBUSA wasn't afraid to throw some cheap options out there. The typically very lightly optioned short wheel base W220 S350 was definitely a test.

 

[Monster]

Stupid or delusional. The base model E200 interior is not worthy of a $90K vehicle.

Interesting to note in the latest issue of wheels they experienced 'trim rattles' in the E63. My mate who has an early build C250 is going mad with rattles. Fancy as they are, there has been an undeniable reduction in the fundamental 'solidity' of MB interiors in the last 4 years.

I read that reference as well, they didn't say specifically which trim pieces was rattling. Unfortunately people are fooled by the perceived quality of the interior, and since MB has undergone a huge product and sales expansion over the last 10 years, and attracting a lot of first time owners, they wouldn't have knowledge of how "solid" MB interiors used to feel.

My mum's previously dead silent C250 is now experiencing constant creaking noises over any less than perfect road surfaces. I suspect it's to do with the window rubbers, as I've often experienced this in Audi's and BMW's previously, and really hope that is the full extent of the problem.

That is not good to hear. My car is ok for now, the creaking sound comes and goes at random, it isn't too noticeable, however it is such a shame still because the general noise and refinement level of the car is excellent.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

...and again I find myself in sheer amazement when scrutinizing the W213.

How can an automobile that can appear so visually bland in basic spec be transformed into something so absolutely compellingly beautiful simply by checking the right option boxes ?