Mercedes slashes nearly $5k off the list price of a new E-Class
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan – Click above for a high-res image gallery
It's always a bit of a gamble. Do you buy a new car now, or wait for the new version to come out? Those who opted to do the latter with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class should be pleased with their decision; not only does the new model represent a significant advance over the one it replaces, but the company's American division has now announced that it's cheaper, too.
Whereas the outgoing 2009 E350 sedan – the base model in the US with a V6 engine and rear-wheel-drive – currently lists for $54,075, Mercedes-Benz USA is pricing its successor at $49,475, including destination charges, representing a price drop of $4,600. The 2010 E350 goes on sale in late June next month, and will be followed by the market roll-outs of several other variants. The V8-powered E550 commands a $57,175 list price, and 4Matic all-wheel-drive can be added to either model for a $2,500 premium starting with September orders. The new E63 AMG high-performance version will follow in November, with the 50-state clean diesel E350 Bluetec (Mercedes has dropped the BlueMOTION moniker) coming next March, followed by the wagon bodystyle in June 2010. With the existing CLK replaced by the new E-Class Coupe also next month, pricing doesn't drop significantly ($48,975 for the CLK vs. $48,925 for the new E coupe), but the outgoing model was ostensibly positioned between the C and E-Class sedan ranges, and moves up with the integration of the coupe into the new E-Class sedan range. The E550 coupe gets a list price of $55,525, with convertible versions arriving next spring. No new AMG coupe is planned.
Mercedes says the change in pricing, which it also affected with the introduction of the new C-Class two years ago, was put in place to bring the list price closer to the actual average transaction price. In other words, theoretically the actual price that a customer pays should be about the same. But while other automakers increase their prices with the introduction of new models, it's interesting to see a marque like Mercedes ostensibly cut its down while returning more features in a more advanced vehicle.
Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Quattroporte 11:11AM (5/04/2009)
Mercedes charging fair prices? Are you sure it doesn't have wind-up windows?
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airswingman 11:29AM (5/04/2009)
seems like the german knows the next gen Lexux i coming
SOhp101 11:32AM (5/04/2009)
MBs have always been overpriced, even when compared to Audis/BMWs. At least now they look like they're a better 'value.'
nagmashot 2:16PM (5/04/2009)
@airswingman
German luxury brands think global not US market like Lexus...
Mercedes does not care what Lexus does... global Mercedes is by far the most successfull luxury brand and Lexus is only fourth, selling half the number of cars than thrid placed luxury brand Audi..
GIUGIK1 11:15AM (5/04/2009)
I don't know about this...still don't find the new E-Classe appealing. However, slashing $5000 of any model is commendable. Cheers to Mercedes - Benz !
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Tool 12:19PM (5/04/2009)
I'm warming up to the new E-Class . . . slowly. It's a modern interpretation of the classic style and is an otherwise much better car.
It's smart to drop the prices, especially in this environment, to stimulate demand. MBUSA has had some serious money in the trunk these days, so it's a good idea to make the pricing more realistic. Plus, they can always raise the price in the future when the economy improves; in fact, I think you can bet on that.
OMEGA 11:14AM (5/04/2009)
I didn't see this version of E-class in person yet, but it looks amazing from its pictures...and it's always good to get something newer, better and cheaper!
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Luis 11:38AM (5/04/2009)
I think the profile view looks terrible. The front and side don't look like that came from the same sketch. And the drooping tail is kind of sad.
nagmashot 2:14PM (5/04/2009)
I saw yesterday the first new E-Class on the Autobahn in a fraffic jam.. looked from all sides fantastic... much better than on every photo I have seen so far.
The car has dynamic prensents on the street without trying to catch to much attention... a huge improvment over the old E-Class
Josh 11:15AM (5/04/2009)
Kudos for using 'ostensibly' twice in this article.
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TigerMil 11:22AM (5/04/2009)
Not enough. Mercedes cannot spell 'recession' and cannot comprehend the reduction in US sales volume will not end soon.
No jobs, reductions in investment portfolio value, the tendency to avoid displays of wealth in this environment, etc., will affect sales of this model negatively.
Not to mention the incredible depreciation of these computer-intensive cars. In five years, it will be worth less than 35% of MSRP. Lease one while you can....IF you can!
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FSM 11:23AM (5/04/2009)
Fat chance ever seeing BWM or Audi doing this. I would say that EVERY German manufacturer needs to do a $5k cut from their entire lineup.
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Kitko 11:27AM (5/04/2009)
Agreed. And they'd still be little bit overpriced with some models.
LX builder 11:30AM (5/04/2009)
They can keep their over rated, over teched POS at any price. Thanks anyway! Bitter just a little after they screwed my employer into the ground. Stupid arrogant bunch of dummies.
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Mike 12:02PM (5/04/2009)
Looks like the Hyundai Genesis message got through.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:04PM (5/04/2009)
So basically, they're just rolling in any rebates and discounts into the base price.
If so, they aren't doing anything for us, they're just doing this so their resale value measured against MSRP will be higher. The actual cost of the car and the resale value against what you paid will be unaffected.
Smart move if they can make it stick, but it doesn't really do anything for the consumer, it's all for themselves.
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Tim 12:05PM (5/04/2009)
They must have took the savings from the interior. That dash looks like its from a Chrysler. Good luck with this one MB
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Revs 12:35PM (5/04/2009)
Can't make buyers of the outgoing E-Class too happy. Then again, new cars are a terrible investment. The more expensive they are, the worse they get. I don't think Mercedes will be the last manufacturer to do this. When annual US sales for all manufacturers are at 10-11 million, down from 16-17 million a year not that long ago, you can't really just keep doing the same thing, can you?
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george 12:53PM (5/04/2009)
Interesting that the E-Class coupe will be priced less than the sedan. Even if it is a replacement for the CLK, the CLK was a derivative of the C-Class, and commanded a significant premium over its sedan counterpart. The E-Class 2-door is now the budget E-Class, if only by a small amount.
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dwaynebrown19 1:14PM (5/04/2009)
Let' see if Mercedes smartens up there dealer network, by placing a no haggle price on the E and severely punishing any dealer that does. MBUSA financing shouldn't even let the car get financed through other banks . They could stop all the cross shopping and negative buying experiences and just sell cars.
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