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Mercedes Benz E-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1933 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 2:46 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 151 of 194

#1497 of 1933 NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 by abacomike

Jan 14, 2012 (10:28 am)

I was just a my dealership and found out the following:
 
All new E350's currently at the port are being "held" until February because they are now coming in from Germany with the ability to burn gasoline that is 85% ethanol. The E350's sold prior to that cannot burn 85% ethanol, only 90% ethanol. That is the reason there has been a shortage of 2012 E350 Sedans - they were not building sufficient quantities of the engine version that cannot burn 85% enthanol - they were waiting until the new version of the engine was introduced in February. Very interesting, to say the least. That is why they had such "rich" incentives on the 2012 through December - to sell all of the previous versions unable to burn 85% enthanol. Who ever said the Germans weren't smart? Not me! I just hope that the 2012 versions sold prior to that date don't lose tremendous value due to the inability to burn 85% enthanol!
 
Also found out why Mercedes has resisted making leather seating standard - it's because they sell thousands and thousands of E class sedans in Europe and Asia as TAXI CABS! Cabbies do not want leather in their E class sedans because leather does not wear as well as the MB Tex. I knew there had to be a reason, and now we have the reason. Of course, Mercedes could make leather standard on all E class sedans produced for export to the U.S., but that would be too simple, I guess.

#1498 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by abacomike

Jan 14, 2012 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 14, 2012 10:28 am)
My apologies. I meant to say "10%" and "15%" ethanol, not 90% and 85%. The new E350's can burn 15% ethanol while those sold prior to February can only burn 10% ethanol. Sorry for the confusion.

#1499 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by bevbran

Jan 14, 2012 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 14, 2012 1:34 pm)
Odd that they wouldn't have made that change at the time they switched to the new engine for the '12s....

#1500 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 14, 2012 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 14, 2012 5:41 pm)
What can I say? The EPA is requiring all manufacturers who sell cars and trucks in the U.S. to ensure that their engines can run on 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. I don't know the effective date of that requirement, but it is obvious Mercedes is making sure their vehicles meet those EPA requirements.
 
To burn up to 15% ethanol, the fuel/air mixture must be set up correctly by the computer that literally runs the engine. Also, in order to maintain the 302 horsepower specs and the torque specs, obviously the engine intakes and fuel mixtures must be adjusted. One of the first consequences of higher ethanol fuels is a drop in fuel economy, however octane is also affected.
 
It will be interesting to see what happens when these revised engines hits showrooms and the responses of the new owners to their experiences with the revised engines.

#1501 of 1933 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [abacomike] by hpatel79

Jan 14, 2012 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 14, 2012 10:29 am)
I did make sure that Maryland is one of those few states that requires all the sales tax to be paid upfront for the leased vehicles however if you decide to buy the same exact vehicle at the end of the lease you don't need to pay the tax again. I added 2000 miles more per year and wheel and tire protection as well as prepaid maintenance which was $1590 and the tax title and tags. Do you think a $1590 is reasonable for 33 months maintenance?
I am planning to go to another dealer as well.

#1502 of 1933 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [hpatel79] by abacomike

Jan 14, 2012 (6:42 pm)

Replying to: hpatel79 (Jan 14, 2012 6:21 pm)
Maintenance from Mercedes for 36 months is about $1000. You are also getting the tire and wheel insurance package as well, then that is a good price.
 
It's always smart to go to at least three dealerships, if at all possible to make sure you get the best deal. I am not an expert on leasea, but I do know that money factors have gone up considerably since January 3rd.
 
Hope I've helped you out a little!

#1503 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by bevbran

Jan 15, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 14, 2012 6:05 pm)
On the topic of fuel economy, after my first tank I'm at 25mpg. Keeping in mind I have the 4Matic and spent (too much) time at idle while getting acquainted with the car, syncing garage door opener, etc. etc. I think that's pretty good. My driving is mixed, some highway, some around town and in my '09 I was usually in the 22-23 mpg range.
After two weeks of driving this fabulous car I am more convinced than ever that P2 was worth the money... for me. (Silly as it sounds, the trunk closer is great! How pathetic is it that I want to push a button to close a trunk, LOL...) Headlights well worth the money for P2. Learning curve is quite steep for all the voice command, sound, nav, electronic display---every day I learn something new and appreciate this fine ride even more.

#1504 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 15, 2012 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 15, 2012 12:12 pm)
The fuel economy will improve. I have 1800 miles on the car now and this morning, I drove 48 miles on I-95 at 65 mph and got 32 miles per gallon. Remember, that is strictly highway driving. Combined highway and city is 25.7 mpg. That is 5 mpg better than I ever got ony 2011. That, to me, is significant. All it can do is get better as the car begins to break-in.
 
As for your learning curve, I still pick up new functions every week. Yesterday, I decided to listen to some CD's. I played around with some readouts and found a function selection that allows me to select a CD by "ALBUM COVER" instead of title. What tun happens is that a kind of "round-table" comes up and shows each album cover and you then "turn" this table around until the album cover that you want cones to the front center. Each album cover is in fill color and shows the exact cover as if it was in your hand. truly unbelievable. My 2011 did not have that capability. Even when the CD is playing, the album cover, in full color is displayed. I believe either Gracenote picks it up off each CD once it is read by the computer or some other audio function picks it up.
 
You'll see the function once you start selecting options on the bottom of the screen when a CD is playing.

#1505 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [abacomike] by bevbran

Jan 15, 2012 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 15, 2012 12:54 pm)
Hey, that's fun--CD covers. I"ll have to look for that. Today, while driving I couldn't find the "Weather Radio" option on the screen...so I hit the voice button and said "Weather Radio" and it went right to it! Sometimes it'll recognize my request to find my iPod...and other times it plays dumb if I'm not in the right screen. Still learning, learning....

#1506 of 1933 Re: NEW ENGINE SPECS FOR E350's SOLD AFTER 2/12/12 [bevbran] by abacomike

Jan 15, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: bevbran (Jan 15, 2012 3:05 pm)
There is a "voice training" program built right into the system.
You can train the voice recognition system to recognize your voice. One tutorial is for commands and there is another for numbers. Once you have completEd both tutorials, your voice commands will be more easily recognized by your computer. Try it - you'll see what I mean.

Messages Page 151 of 194

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