Owners of 2008 and newer Mercedes can now add "The Best of XM" to their existing account. However, some vehicles will require a trip to the shop for updated software.

If you have a 2008 or 2009 S/CL-Class or a 2009 SL/SLK/E/CLS/M/R/GL-Class with a Command head unit your software update should be available mid-October.

If you have a 2008 E/CLS/SLK-Class with a Command head unit the software update is currently being tested and they are hoping to have it available by the beginning of November.

All other 2008 and 2009 vehicles should receive "The Best of XM" without a software update.

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, Mercedes Technology, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class

While I was in Germany last week a new photo of the 2010 E-Class hit the net courtesy of the German magazine Auto Zeitung. It's not the best angle. From the side it looks very similar to the current C-Class.


You can get a better idea about what the interior will be like here.

Labels: E-Class, Future Models

This concept car, the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION, is set to debut in Paris in October. It looks like a coupe/R-Class hybrid to me. More important than what this car is, is what it might show us about the 2010 E-Class and CLK Coupe.

We know that the E-Class is expected to maintain the 4-headlight look but become more angular like the new S, C and SL. This concept car is using a very SL style grille along with the 4-headlight look. I like this depiction of the 4 headlights much better than some of the renderings I have seen.


Our next new vehicle debut will be the BlueTEC diesel SUV's in October, the GLK small SUV in January and then 2010 E and CLK Coupe next summer.

Labels: CLK-Class, E-Class, Future Models

Now that the 2009 vehicles have arrived, I have had a chance to spend some time with each of them and I have noticed some of the quirks that show up every year. These are little changes that aren't really announced but can be a bit of a shock to those of us to take the accessories very seriously.

My Biggest Loss -
The US has a new law that requires all window roll UP functions to be controlled by a button that you have to hold in the UP position. So, that means that tunnel mode, where you hold DOWN the recirculate button and all of the windows close, is out. So is remote roll up, where you hold the lock button on the key DOWN, to roll up all the windows at once. This was a very convenient function on the lot when I am in and out of cars all day, trying to keep them cool. However, it is being slowly phased out so some cars still work this way and some don't!

2009 ML, GL, R-Class

• Love AC power plug in the rear cargo area! Part of the Premium 1 Package and a great addition!
  
• The new Rear DVD system can now play 2 DVD's at the same time - one can be loaded in the DVD slot in the front of the car and one in the backseat!

• The 4 GB Music Register can store music that you have loaded onto the SD card or burned to a CD or DVD. It cannot store commercially purchased CDs. This is exactly opposite of the C-Class music register. Strange.
  
• ML & GL have bigger mirrors for 2009. This had been a complaint on the previous years.

2009 C-Class

• Compass in the rearview mirror is a nice addition. (Premium 1)
  
• Memory seats are absolutely perfect!
  
• Mocha/Almond interior is quite different from Savannah/Cashmere. I like that the Mocha/Almond is more neutral/less basketball colored. Very pretty!
  
• Music Register is upped to 6 GB.

2009 S and CL-Class

• Bluetooth adaptor can be ordered with the vehicle for $200 less than it can be purchased at the dealership.

2009 E-Class

• No charge 321 Sport Package on the E350 Sport is an amazing value. Wheels, bumpers, shift paddles for $0! Last year it was more than $2000! I know because I bought one... Be sure to order the Pano roof. My car is a white sport package with the Pano roof and it's hot!
  
• New navigation system has Bluetooth built in. That's another $525 savings.

If I find any more I'll keep you posted!

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, E-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class

The 2009 MSRP's have just been released! If you combine these numbers with the options pricing, you'll know how much a 2009 will cost. I don't see any dramatic changes from the 2008 MSRP's. If you are ready to place your order please do let me know!

2009 C-Class	Release Date	MSRP
C300 SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$32,100/$33,850
C300 SPORT/LUXURY 4MATIC	July 16	$35,400/$35,650
C350 SPORT	July 16	$38,200
C63 AMG	July 16	$55,100
2009 CL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CL550 4MATIC	July 16	$105,100
CL600	July 16	$148,900
CL63 AMG	July 16	$139,700
CL65 AMG	July 16	$199,700
2009 CLK-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CLK350 COUPE	July 16	$46,800
CLK350 CABRIOLET	July 16	$54,800
CLK550 COUPE	July 16	$55,500
CLK550 CABRIOLET	July 16	$63,500
2009 CLS-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CLS550	May 15	$68,950
CLS63 AMG	May 15	$94,550
2009 E-Class	Release Date	MSRP
E320 BlueTEC	July 16	$52,900
E350 SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$51,900/$51,900
E350 4MATIC SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$53,400/$51,900
E350 WAGON 4MATIC	July 16	$55,950
E550	July 16	$60,400
E550 4MATIC	July 16	$61,900
E63 AMG	July 16	$86,000
E63 AMG WAGON	July 16	$86,800
2009 G-Class	Release Date	MSRP
G550 4MATIC	October 10	TBD
G55 AMG 4MATIC	October 10	TBD
2009 GL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
GL320 BlueTEC	October 01	$56,750
GL450 4MATIC	July 22	$57,750
GL550 4MATIC	July 22	$79,500
2009 M-Class	Release Date	MSRP
ML320 BlueTEC	October 01	$47,250
ML350 4MATIC	July 22	$45,750
ML550 4MATIC	July 22	$54,450
ML63 AMG 4MATIC	July 22	$88,350
2009 R-Class	Release Date	MSRP
R320 BlueTEC	October 01	$47,950
R350 4MATIC	July 22	$46,450
2009 S-Class	Release Date	MSRP
S550	July 16	$86,950
S550 4MATIC	July 16	$89,950
S600	July 16	$144,450
S63 AMG	July 16	$128,350
S65 AMG	July 16	$194,950
2009 SL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
SL550	April 28	$95,900
SL600	April 28	$136,100
SL63 AMG	April 28	$132,000
SL65 AMG	April 28	$190,700
2009 SLK-Class	Release Date	MSRP
SLK300	May 01	$44,950
SLK350	May 01	$49,950
SLK55 AMG	May 01	$64,300

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class

The Dealer Ordering Guide for the 2009 E-Class is out! All of this information is still subject to change before launch. All versions are listed with a release date of "July 08."

Metallic Paint $720 (included on E550 and E63)
Leather $1670 (included on E550 and E63)
Carbon Fiber Trim $2500 (E63 Only)
P01 Package E320/E350 $2700 / E550 $3160 / E63 $1880
iPod/MP3 media interface
Heated front seats (heated and active ventilated front seats for E550 and E63 AMG)
Power rear sunshade
COMAND system with hard-drive navigation
Zagat® survey restaurant guide
SIRIUS Satellite Radio® with SIRIUS real time traffic
HD Digital Radio®
Gracenote® media database
Enhanced voice control for audio, telephone and navigation
4GB Music Register for download of MP3 files
(MSRP value of options if available separately for E320 BlueTec/E350: $3,750)
(MSRP value of options if available separately for E550: $3,760)
P02 Package E30/E350 $4630 / E550 $5080 / E63 $3810
All components of P01 plus
Headlamp washing system
Bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve illumination
Keyless-Go
(MSRP value of options if available separately for E320 BlueTec/E350: $6,050)
(MSRP value of options if available separately for E550: $6,060)
Sport Package - No Charge(E350/E550 Only)

18" AMG 5-spoke wheels
Sport front air dam and rear bumper with dual chrome exhaust
Sport leather steering wheel with black shift paddles




AMG Performance Package $8590(E63 Only)

18" AMG 5-spoke multi-piece light-alloy wheels
AMG track-calibrated AIRMATIC suspension system
AMG limited slip rear differential
AMG leather/alcantara performance steering wheel
Carbon Fiber trim
Top speed raised to 186 mph
Illuminated Door sills $700
Parktronic $1,140
Split Folding Rear Seats $420
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel $570
Rear Side-Window Blinds $360
Panorama Sunroof $1,050
Electronic Trunk Closer $540

I just bought an E-Class myself! I wish I could have waited for the 2009, but I couldn't pass up the great deal!

Labels: AMG, E-Class, E63 AMG

The 2008 JD Power Initial Quality Study measures new owner satisfaction after 90 days. In the last few years Mercedes has been moving to the top of the charts! This year, in addition to being #4 overall, Mercedes received several model segement awards and a prestigious Platinum Plant Quality Award for the Sigdelfingen assembly plant.

Platinum Plant Quality Award

"The Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 33 problems per 100 vehicles, the plant produces the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon and S-Class."

Segment Winners

Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (tie)

Labels: Awards, CLK-Class, E-Class, S-Class

The 2009 E350 is expected to arrive in the US this July. Mercedes will be continuing with the choice of Sport or Luxury in this model.

2009 E350 Changes
All-new COMAND system (same as on MY09 SL/CLS)
o Bluetooth interface (previously required a $500 adaptor)
o In-dash SD Memory Card reader
o In-dash 6 CD/DVD changer w/ Video playback capability
o Enhanced harman/kardon LOGIC7 5.1 surround-sound system
o 40 GB HD Navigation w/ Birdseye View (P1)
o Enhanced Voice control for audio, telephone & navigation (P1)
o 4GB Music Register (approx. 1000 songs) (P1)
o Traffic guidance, Gracenote Database, ZAGAT Guide (P1) (this is amazing!)
o iPOD/MP3 interface, HD Digital Radio (P1)

2009 E350 Sport
321 AMG Sport Package Replaces the 333 Sport Package!

321 - Sport Package
o Sport front and rear bumper
o AMG 18" 5-spoke wheels w/ all-season tires
o Sport steering wheel w/ gearshift paddles

Labels: 4-Matic, E-Class

Spy pictures of the 2010 E-Class have begun to leak out. As expected, it will mirror a lot of the changes you have already seen in the C-Class and S-Class. My inventory manager saw some official Mercedes-Benz pictures of it at a line-set meeting. She said that these spy pictures don't show how "aggressive and impressive" it really looks!

Squareish headlights, sharp shoulder lines and a more angular trunk lid characterize the outside. On the inside, the 2010 E will have the updated navigation system and the central command controller. Also, they have moved the gear selection to the steering column like in the S-Class. This frees up more space for cup holders and storage.

Mercedes keeps new models as quiet as possible until the release date. Don't expect to see anything official about options or pricing for over a year. If you would like to be updated as information comes available please e-mail me.

Labels: E-Class, Future Models

Just in case you need one more reason to buy an E320 BlueTEC...

"Mercedes-Benz USA is excited to announce a $1,500 gas card for all eligible 2008 E320 BlueTEC new vehicles sales reported between April 1, 2008 and April 30, 2008."

This card will be mailed directly to you after purchase! (I am sure they meant to call it a fuel card.)

Labels: Current Specials, Diesel, E-Class

I've had a lot of interest in the $999/month lease special on the E63 AMG. I have an E63 in stock that was a manager demo that would work beautifully with this program. While it has more options and as a result is almost $4,000 more expensive than the advertised car, it has 6,189 miles so I can discount it a little more than the lease ad calls for.

The sample leases I ran on this car were for 33 months with 10,000 miles per year and $6,000 cap cost reduction. This came out to between $1050 and $1150 per month plus tax. I have just one...let me know if it would look better in your garage than in my showroom!

2008 E63 AMG - MSRP $95,440

• Iridium Silver with Black Nappa Interior
• Premium II Package: Heated and Ventilated Seats, Navigation, Power Rear Sunshade, Headlamp Washing System, Bi-Xenon Active Lights, Cornering Fog Lamps, Keyless Go
• iPod Kit
• Parktronic
• Rear-Side Roller Blinds
• Voice Control
• Panoramic Roof
• Electronic Trunk Closer
• Tinted Windows

Labels: Current Specials, Demo Specials, E-Class, Lease Specials

Nevermind that the E63 is "more powerful than Mexico", has a great exhaust note, can carry more cheese, and is way faster in a straight line, because it's also the only one of these two avaliable in the US. (the power rear load shelf is not a US avaliable option )

Labels: AMG, E-Class, Fun Stuff, Top Gear, Videos

There was a great article at AOL Autos today about the advances that have been made in diesel technology. Maybe with enough good publicity everyone will come to understand diesel and love it as much as I do!

Highlights from the article...

"One automaker at the forefront of the clean-diesel movement is Mercedes-Benz. The E320 BLUETEC boasts 40 percent better fuel mileage than a comparable gasoline-powered model, and its EPA city/highway rating of 27/37 mpg means it can cruise more than 700 miles on a single tank of fuel, said Patrik Borenius, manager of advanced product planning for Mercedes.

With a city/highway rating of 21/28 mpg, the R320 CDI gets 32 percent better fuel economy, while the ML320 CDI sport utility (rated at 21/27 mpg) provides a 26 percent improvement. Both CDI models have a cruising range of over 600 miles before refueling."The new clean-diesel engines provide three key benefits," Borenius said. "It's a more fuel-efficient technology, so the customer gets better gas mileage; it offers environmental benefits by producing less carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses, and it's one of the answers to the energy issue, in terms of reducing our dependence on foreign oil."

In April, the E320 BLUETEC was named the "2007 World Green Car" at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

Labels: Diesel, E-Class, Mercedes Technology, R-Class

"Our lead feet averaged 34 mpg on our trip, which included some city driving, and we were able to make the entire 650-mile journey on one tank."

"The quiet and smooth Benz diesel got 31 mpg on my commute, an impressive number I've never achieved in a hybrid. "

From Car and Driver's full road test of the 2007 E320 BLUETEC

Labels: Diesel, E-Class

The World Car of the Year Awards has named the new E320 BLUETEC Diesel as the 2007 World Green Car of the Year. You can read the full press release here. Below are some portions of that release.

"Jurors felt that the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec, which the company calls the
world’s cleanest diesel, deserves the award for its role in enabling a diesel
re-entry to the North American market, as well as for paving the way for
super-clean diesel technology around the world. BLUETEC is a modular concept
that utilizes several coordinated technical measures to minimize emissions
within the engine and also provide for effective exhaust gas treatment
downstream. The process involves consistently reducing all relevant emission
components to a minimum. The system includes an oxidation catalytic converter
and a particulate filter in addition to new techniques for reducing nitrogen
oxide emissions.

The top three contenders for the third annual
World Green Car in addition to the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec were the BMW
Hydrogen 7 and the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion."

Labels: Diesel, E-Class, Mercedes Technology

Labels: Diesel, E-Class, Mercedes Technology, Videos

Automotive News published an article in July that says E320 CDI's are bringing significantly more than their gas counterparts.

"Buyers are bidding up prices of used vehicles with fuel-saving diesel engines, industry analysts say. A diesel engine added about $1,000 to the roughly $50,000 sticker price of a new 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI sedan. Two years later, that option fetches $2,500 more at wholesale auctions than the gasoline-powered engine on the same model, the Black Book used-vehicle price guide reports."

I have the full article available if you would like to read it. The demand for pre-owned diesels is also very strong. I have quite a few clients waiting for the right one to be traded in!

Labels: Diesel, E-Class