Thanks for visiting my blog! Please contact me if you're thinking about purchasing a Mercedes-Benz in the
Atlanta area.
It was great to get a chance to preview the E550 while it waited to be picked up! The E-Class will return to Atlanta Classic Cars for a launch party on June 10th and the full-time demo should follow soon after. The current target date for US release is “late June.”
A great trip through the history of the E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) is a non-profit group founded in 1956 as a way for Mercedes-Benz owners in the United States to keep in touch. There are currently more than 20,000 members who participate in car shows, driving events, tech session and social gatherings sponsored by the club. The MBCA is sanctioned by MBUSA, although not an affiliate.
MBCA member benefits include:
The Star magazine – this bi-monthly publication features beautiful photography, new-car road tests, MBUSA news, club events and much more.
MBUSA Loyalty Reward Program – If you are a MBCA member for more than 12 months immediately preceding the purchase of a new or pre-owned Mercedes you are eligible to receive a gift card for parts, service and accessories at the dealership. New cars qualify for $1500 and Certified Pre-Owned for $750!
Enthusiast Groups, Club Forums, Local Chapter Newsletters, Access to the Technical Library, Trips to Germany and more!
Membership is a bargain for all of the benefits that you receive. A one year membership is $45, 2 years for $87 and 3 years for $127. If you currently have a Mercedes you will appreciate the informative magazine and the network of other owners. If you are planning to buy another Mercedes in the future you’ll benefit hugely from the Loyalty Reward Program.
“…Benz has a well-earned reputation for pricing its sedans higher than everybody else. But this time it’s different. When the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 goes on sale in June, its $57,175 base price will land it smack in the middle of the V8 midsize luxury sedan class. It’s also cheaper than anything else coming out of Germany.”“Mercedes hasn’t finalized option pricing for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550, but company officials assure us that $60,325 is a fair estimate for a 2010 E550 with the Premium I package that groups the COMAND navigation system, Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound, iPod integration and ventilated seats. “
“Our 2010 E550 test car feels neatly damped and over-engineered in nearly every detail. Mundane tasks like closing the doors, twisting the control dial of the COMAND system and shifting from Park to Reverse bring uncommon pleasure.”
“The bigger improvement, though, is in the E550′s steering, which remains a rack-and-pinion setup with a hydraulic power steering pump. It still feels light and still mutes out most road feel, but there’s a level of accuracy that wasn’t here before.”
“We now rank COMAND at the leading edge of all-in-one audio/navigation interfaces. Whether you’re using it to enter an address or search through your iPod’s album list, it feels like a mostly natural extension of the car’s basic controls.”
“…we still average 19 mpg in mixed driving and see as much as 23 mpg on the open highway.”
You can see the full review here.
Mercedes has been making some changes to the 2010 C-Class options and packages to make it a better value and respond to the demands of the market.
Originally, Mercedes had announced that COMAND with navigation (512) could be ordered without the Multimedia Package (320). Then, due to factory constraints, that was dropped at the end of April and all vehicles that had been ordered with COMAND with navigation (518) were changed to Multimedia Package (320).
Now, Mercedes is changing the Multimedia Package (320) to reduce the cost of the package. So, the new Multimedia Package (320) will include
Voice Control (396)
COMAND with Navigation (512)
iPod/MP3 Interface (518)
Media Interface Consumer Cables (049)
The harman kardon (810) 450 watt sound system was dropped from the package and is now available as a stand alone option. Ordering Multimedia Package (320) also requires that either the Premium 1 Package (P01) or Sirius Satellite Radio (536) are ordered on the vehicle.
So, there you go. If you have a 2010 C-Class on order you might want to check with your dealership and see how it is currently equipped and if there are any changes you need to make to have it turn out like you expected.
SPLITVIEW display – fyi 7.9L/100Km = 29 mpg
Living in Atlanta, where we hardly even get snow, it’s easy to forget just how capable our SUVs are off-road. To see the landing of the jump at the end check out the making of this video.
The New York Times recently reviewed the new ML450 Hybrid that will be arriving at Atlanta Classic Cars this December.
“Even in the barely crawling traffic, I returned to the New York auto show at the Javits Center showing 22 m.p.g. on the trip computer, convinced I could have done much better in a longer test.”
“Mercedes is hoping that its luxury buyers are more receptive to a midsize S.U.V. hybrid, which officials said would be priced between current V-6 and V-8 models: Figure roughly $51,000 to start.”
“Drivers can select an economy mode that maximizes mileage, or a sport mode that mimics having eight conventional gears, which can be operated by steering-wheel paddle shifters.”
There is a 2010 E550 Sport on the lot today waiting to be picked up by a Regional Manager. It may only be here for a few hours. If you are in the neighborhood and would like to see it in person, give me a call.
It is Arctic White with Panoramic Roof. The Interior is Almond/Black. Premium 2 Package.
This is the second Mercedes I’ve purchased from Jesse in the past 3 years and I’m looking forward to making my next car purchase the third Mercedes I get from her. In addition, over the past 18 years I’ve purchased 9 cars and Jesse is to only person I’ve purchased more than one car from.
The reason I have and will continue to come back to Jesse to purchase new Mercedes Benzs is because of the outstanding customer service she provides. I had a very difficult schedule when making this recent purchase, my lease was about due, I was traveling Monday – Friday to the west coast, and often working through the weekend. Because Jesse took time to know me as a person, my preferences in cars, what I would want to have in my next Mercedes, and what my schedule was and then made the time to accommodate that schedule, I was able to get the exact car I wanted in under a few hours – including signing all of the paper work! And I love my new Mercedes.
I’ve also come to appreciate the customer service Jesse provides in the years between my purchases such as the reminders of important dates in my and my car’s ‘life’, such as my drivers license renewal date (one I would probably have otherwise forgotten). Jesse has made me feel important and a part of the Atlanta Classic Cars and Mercedes Benz families.
Again, I look forward to purchasing my next car from Jesse and will encourage those I know to do the same.
All the Best,
Nathan Ives
Acworth, GA