Mercedes UK Marketing Policy

[les.sherry]

What on earth has happened to Mercedes marketing in the UK? I have had 4 new E Class Estates over the last 25 years. My current one is a 17 plate E220d SE Premium Plus with Drive Assist amongst the many extras. I need to order a new one but find, if I want Drive Assist, I am limited to an AMG Premuim Plus model with 20 inch wheels and dark glass, neither of which I want. I can understand that the chip shortest might limit Drive Assist to the more expensive models but why are Mercedes offering no wheel options on the Premium Plus?
What a pleasure to walk into the BMW showroom and find I can have a 5 Series SE with 17 inch wheels and Driver Assist, their Technology Plus package. With much regret after 25 years of Mercedes, I have ordered a BMW.
Sherrybe

 

[grahamcol]

It's not just MB. I've ordered a new Jaguar XE after much deliberation as I'm afraid nothing else floated my boat this time. Shame really but there it is. I wanted a petrol rear wheel drive and I've been forced to order the top HSE trim level as it's the only trim available with that engine.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I think you’ll find the BMW experience refreshing in some ways especially the onboard service monitoring and biannual oil service if you do low miles - MB should take note they could improve in some areas. I’m a big fan of E estates currently on my third (all bought at 3/4 years old) S124, S210 and the current S212 and they have been fantastic all-rounders. I bought my first BMW 4 years ago due to wanting an IL6 which MB weren’t offering at the time and I have to say the quality is up there with Mercedes so I’m sure you’ve made a good choice.

I must admit to looking at BMW 540i estates with a view to buy to replace the S212 but I just have that niggle that it doesn’t have the same load lugging capability.

Just to add something to your marketing comment the W/S212 (2009-13) was the last model in the UK to offer a comprehensive extras list (you literally could have almost any combination you wanted mine has an Avantgard interior on a sport chassis) but >2013 the policy was changed to packages which no doubt forced buyers into spending more money and saved time on the production line and that’s where we still are today unfortunately

 

[mioba]

It is rather sad and a result of bean counters leading to more efficient manufacture costs.
Gone are the days where you could really spec a car to your requirements.

 

[lewyboy]

It is rather sad and a result of bean counters leading to more efficient manufacture costs.
Gone are the days where you could really spec a car to your requirements.

Porsche will, at a fearsome cost!

 

[les.sherry]

I think you’ll find the BMW experience refreshing in some ways especially the onboard service monitoring and biannual oil service if you do low miles - MB should take note they could improve in some areas. I’m a big fan of E estates currently on my third (all bought at 3/4 years old) S124, S210 and the current S212 and they have been fantastic all-rounders. I bought my first BMW 4 years ago due to wanting an IL6 which MB weren’t offering at the time and I have to say the quality is up there with Mercedes so I’m sure you’ve made a good choice.

I must admit to looking at BMW 540i estates with a view to buy to replace the S212 but I just have that niggle that it doesn’t have the same load lugging capability.

Just to add something to your marketing comment the W/S212 (2009-13) was the last model in the UK to offer a comprehensive extras list (you literally could have almost any combination you wanted mine has an Avantgard interior on a sport chassis) but >2013 the policy was changed to packages which no doubt forced buyers into spending more money and saved time on the production line and that’s where we still are today unfortunately

Thank you for that Malcolm. If you are interested in a used car, my 17 plate E220d SE Premium Plus with Drive Assist, all around cameras and sunshine roof will be for private sale in Feb. One owner 45000miles. Selenite Grey, Macchiato beige leather.
Regards Les

 

[BillyBoy]

It is rather sad and a result of bean counters leading to more efficient manufacture costs.
Gone are the days where you could really spec a car to your requirements.

I don't think it is. Take a look at the southern Ireland MB site, and you can order an E class and pretty much configure what you want item by item, including lots of options not even offered in the UK such as heated door panels and heads up display, plus lots of trim options. These cars will be built in the same factory by the same people building the UK cars. It seems a peculiarity of MB UK to offer a very restricted choice of options.

 

[mioba]

I don't think it is. Take a look at the southern Ireland MB site, and you can order an E class and pretty much configure what you want item by item, including lots of options not even offered in the UK such as heated door panels and heads up display, plus lots of trim options. These cars will be built in the same factory by the same people building the UK cars. It seems a peculiarity of MB UK to offer a very restricted choice of options.

Yes but the markets are different as are MB subsidiaries with different goals/targets. You cant compare apples and pears.

 

[grayb]

Yes but the markets are different as are MB subsidiaries with different goals/targets. You cant compare apples and pears.

Not sure I understand that 'apples and pears' comment. I just take MB UK's position to be that it doesn't want to offer it's customers the choices that Irish customers get, presumably they think it is more profitable that way. But it does drive some customers away...

Didn't one of our number actually order his new car in Ireland and then bring it back to the UK, so that he could get the options he wanted?

 

[Monday]

I've been frustrated by this for at least the last two cars. I always want LED/intelligent headlights but have to pay for the Premium Plus package with the high grade wifi (which is lost on me) at £2k+. And more recently the choice of black leather, black leather or black leather......

 

[Ron240]

I think this is a case of it will never be possible to please everybody.
Car manufacturers have been criticised in the past for basically making everything an extra at additional expense, which can in extreme cases almost double the price of the car.
I quite like the set level of equipment within a trim spec with no extras to add, that way you chose the spec and immediately know how much the car costs.
My previous car was the top spec of 3 while my current car is the middle. As mentioned above I would have liked multibeam led that I had on my previous car but I couldnt justify spending an extra £3500 for the top Premium Plus spec.

 

[BillyBoy]

I've been frustrated by this for at least the last two cars. I always want LED/intelligent headlights but have to pay for the Premium Plus package with the high grade wifi (which is lost on me) at £2k+. And more recently the choice of black leather, black leather or black leather......

On the latest models, they also off the option of leather in black.....

 

[les.sherry]

I've been frustrated by this for at least the last two cars. I always want LED/intelligent headlights but have to pay for the Premium Plus package with the high grade wifi (which is lost on me) at £2k+. And more recently the choice of black leather, black leather or black leather......

I have just taken Miobas advice and looked on the Mercedes Ireland web site. They offer an enormous range of extras.
All are individual items rather than package.
Perhaps we should explore the possibility of buying in Ireland. I bought my first Merc in Belgium in 2000 when you could specify right hand drive and save about 20% on the UK price. Mercedes UK must think UK buyers are mugs. My solution was to buy BMW.

 

[s5tuart]

Thank you for that Malcolm. If you are interested in a used car, my 17 plate E220d SE Premium Plus with Drive Assist, all around cameras and sunshine roof will be for private sale in Feb. One owner 45000miles. Selenite Grey, Macchiato beige leather.
Regards Les

If Malcolm isn't in the market for your car let me know please

 

[les.sherry]

If Malcolm isn't in the market for your car let me know please

Hello Stuart. I am not sure if making deals through the forum is within the rules so I have asked.

 

[V6Matty]

Hello Stuart. I am not sure if making deals through the forum is within the rules so I have asked.

Nothing against it at all, I bought my S212 from a fellow member

 

[Blobcat]

Hello Stuart. I am not sure if making deals through the forum is within the rules so I have asked.

As longs as mods get a cut it’s perfectly acceptable…

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If Malcolm isn't in the market for your car let me know please

Feel free Stuart!

 

[mioba]

I have just taken Miobas advice and looked on the Mercedes Ireland web site. They offer an enormous range of extras.
All are individual items rather than package.
Perhaps we should explore the possibility of buying in Ireland. I bought my first Merc in Belgium in 2000 when you could specify right hand drive and save about 20% on the UK price. Mercedes UK must think UK buyers are mugs. My solution was to buy BMW.

My W220 was ordered from the NL back in 2004 with a great spec and significantly cheaper than UK ordering.
Not sure now what the tax and import implications are nowadays - man maths time.

 

[s5tuart]

Hello Stuart. I am not sure if making deals through the forum is within the rules so I have asked.

Sorry for the false alarm. I've just realised it's a diesel so not for me I'm afraid. Sorry.