If I'm spending $130K on a mass made sedan, the blanking covers aren't anywhere near a deal breaker.

I do agree that the older Mercedes sold in the US tended to be ordered by the dealerships "fully loaded" and only a minority had optional equipment wanting, like ortho seating control, heated seats and the like.

Unless you pay for it up front? Sorry but if I'm buying a 130k car I want it to feel like it has everything and hasn't been cookie cuttered out. Above say, 60k, are you really getting that much better quality and performance?


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Well, technically above $60k, you're getting access to twin-turbo V12s, things like granite interior paneling instead of wood, aluminum accents instead of overlayed plastics (like the airvents and seat switches), more exclusive paint/interior/trim packages, and more options... So yeah, I'd say better quality and performance.

Edit: The S65 has carbon ceramic brakes as standard now... Not available on the S550... So yeah, more options. :D

That $60K to $130K is basically the difference between a E and the S. Better quality . . . as far as materials and engineering, just slightly. With regard to design innovations and comfort, the S has always been ahead of the E in those areas. It takes about 2-3 years for design innovations in the S to make it's way to the E and C.

Why would anyone want to live on the bleeding edge vs having someone else debug the innovations?

have we not discussed risk tolerance before?

There's certainly no shortage of folks that will spend on "the latest and greatest" when it comes to cars, planes, phones and other human inventions. Some companies are hesitant to adopt new technologies for mission critical applications, but individuals not so much.

80-90% of new $130k automobiles that first hit the road are leased, not purchased.

Since the majority of them get dumped at (or before) the lease's end probably many of their drivers probably don't care.

Factory and extended warranties help rationalize the choice. (It sure did with my new BMW.)

I find that an interesting claim. Do you have a reference?

careful, Jim is going to Ignore you and say Good Bye . . . ;)

From 2011:

https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog....tration_tl.jpg

Certainly in my area it seems to back up Jim's claim, and it makes for some great CPO deals. My BMW was off-lease when I got it, but no way in hell would I have paid full price for it. I even had second thoughts on the used price given the issues it has had and the terrible dealers I've mingled with in the last year or so. Especially modified, it is an amazing driver's car, but nothing a turbo miata can't deliver minus the class. When it comes to prices like 130k+ I just wonder why someone needs to get their kicks out with a 4 second 0-60 time, when you can get that with a supercharged mustang on the weekends or even just a used M5 (which, btw there was an m5 and a e90 m3 on the last autox course I ran and beat them both because they didn't know how to drive...shows how much that is worth). Granite trim is nice I suppose, if you have a full time driver.

My 190D has a blank switch above the center vents, and like it or not, there is quite a bit of plastic in the W116 300SD, most of the interior chrome trim is chrome over plastic.

Nothing beats our Sprinter for plastic interior as everything is plastic, but that is to be expected, but the plastic is high quality.

X 2


When you can afford to buy new, and actually do buy new, then it's expected.

Minor Hi-jack ... sorry in advance.

For the two folks with 190's, when I had to replace the plastic above the center vent I was able to order one with only the two cut outs (moon roof and Air circulation). It had the cut for the Ant which was not used. So you can order it with at least 2 or 3 cut outs. I would think if that is possible you can order it with 0-3 cut outs.

OK, back to *****ing about blanks again.;)

$60 to 130K
 

'Not even if I won the Lottery (S) !

FOR $60K you could get a nice used W140 Diesel and "OM 606-erize" IT.
In addition to R+R ing everything else on the "M" Schedule Stuttgart
claims it COULD POSSIBLY EVER need !

("M" as in Make It NEW)

__________________________________________________________________

A New Mercedes ?
'Might rent one ...

ONLY!