Mercedes Cull Their Options List
Discussion
Are Mercedes in trouble with regards to emissions, similar to the VW scandal?
If you've been onto the Mercedes new car configurator recently, you'll notice that there are very few options that you can select, apart from the colour.
Once you've selected your base model, there's no choice of wheels, no sunroof, no stereo upgrade etc etc. Virtually no 'packs' left, and you can't individually select trim levels, folding mirrors, parking sensors and so forth. All the things that a manufacturer usually use to creams extra Euros out of you.
I'm wondering if they have run into problems with EU type approval, and so have slashed the permutations available.
I'm writing this from a disgruntled situation.
Mercedes have cancelled my order, with so far no explanation or apology:
Mercedes E300de estate premium. Options were just privacy glass and towbar. It's not possible to re-configure this order now.
My guess is that they've decided that I can't now have a towbar on a hybrid, but I've not had any indication as to the reason.
Do I go for the equivalent C-class, or will I suffer the same fate?
I need to tow and want a luxury estate car. And being a company car, a hybrid is most attractive so as to slash my tax bill.
There seem to be so few options but surely there's high demand for my requirements - do I look at Volvo?
If you've been onto the Mercedes new car configurator recently, you'll notice that there are very few options that you can select, apart from the colour.
Once you've selected your base model, there's no choice of wheels, no sunroof, no stereo upgrade etc etc. Virtually no 'packs' left, and you can't individually select trim levels, folding mirrors, parking sensors and so forth. All the things that a manufacturer usually use to creams extra Euros out of you.
I'm wondering if they have run into problems with EU type approval, and so have slashed the permutations available.
I'm writing this from a disgruntled situation.
Mercedes have cancelled my order, with so far no explanation or apology:
Mercedes E300de estate premium. Options were just privacy glass and towbar. It's not possible to re-configure this order now.
My guess is that they've decided that I can't now have a towbar on a hybrid, but I've not had any indication as to the reason.
Do I go for the equivalent C-class, or will I suffer the same fate?
I need to tow and want a luxury estate car. And being a company car, a hybrid is most attractive so as to slash my tax bill.
There seem to be so few options but surely there's high demand for my requirements - do I look at Volvo?
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Most manufacturers are having to do this, it's to do with how the emissions are tested, every type of configuration has to be tested (colours aside), and so having fewer options means fewer tests. I think.
+1 for the above.The new WLTP? tests dictate that cars are tested with Options fitted. This means it will move to packages of options, and probably only 3 or 4 different ones as each one will need to be tested and given a new emissions figure.
https://wltpfacts.eu/what-is-wltp-how-will-it-work...
" For a certain car type, each powertrain configuration is tested with WLTP for the car’s lightest (most economical) and heaviest (least economical) version."
Get a Volvo instead
More than likely it’s down to PCP and lease costs, when you add options you pay for the option over the term. So that really pushes up cost, adding £50 a month for a pan roof on my Audi A3 over 3 years
More than likely will become new trim models with the most popular kit on them in the coming months like the premium plus getting a pan roof etc
More than likely it’s down to PCP and lease costs, when you add options you pay for the option over the term. So that really pushes up cost, adding £50 a month for a pan roof on my Audi A3 over 3 years
More than likely will become new trim models with the most popular kit on them in the coming months like the premium plus getting a pan roof etc
You are correct. I run a main dealer.
Basically you will now have the choice of exterior colour and the pack you want I.e executive, premium, premium plus. These will encompass the options most people go for, I.e pan roof with premium plus.
This should lead to much shorter lead times.
Mike
Basically you will now have the choice of exterior colour and the pack you want I.e executive, premium, premium plus. These will encompass the options most people go for, I.e pan roof with premium plus.
This should lead to much shorter lead times.
Mike
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Most manufacturers are having to do this, it's to do with how the emissions are tested, every type of configuration has to be tested (colours aside), and so having fewer options means fewer tests. I think.
Oddly, if it's an emissions issue, no one has told VW - I was looking at Tiguan the other day and the options list is extensive.Audi also removed a lot of options from their configurator. I wanted to configure A8 and couldn't find options that were available before. Called dealer and they said it happened a few months ago and they are very unhappy about it. He couldn't give me the reason or if options are coming back. If it's going to be like this, I may keep my current car or buy used one with options I want (and it won't be Audi).
I checked German configurator and you could still pick options missing in UK.
I checked German configurator and you could still pick options missing in UK.
Sheepshanks said:
Oddly, if it's an emissions issue, no one has told VW - I was looking at Tiguan the other day and the options list is extensive.
BMW have done similar too with various packs which is a pain in the arse because there might be one or two things that are must haves that used to be quite cheap, but are bundled up into expensive packs so you end up paying for things you don’t want. These WLTP regs are a pain in that regard. SEAT have done it with their 'easymove' thing - sometimes EZ is in the model name. Only things you can spec are colour (no charge for metallic - hurrah!), pano roof and towbar.
I think it's a good thing - chucking £K's of options at cars is bonkers. If the car needs them, they should be standard. It's how cars are sold in the US - dealers keep loads in stock and you change your car in a few hours. Waiting 6 months like we do here is insane.
I think it's a good thing - chucking £K's of options at cars is bonkers. If the car needs them, they should be standard. It's how cars are sold in the US - dealers keep loads in stock and you change your car in a few hours. Waiting 6 months like we do here is insane.
itsallyellow said:
You are correct. I run a main dealer.
Basically you will now have the choice of exterior colour and the pack you want I.e executive, premium, premium plus. These will encompass the options most people go for, I.e pan roof with premium plus.
This should lead to much shorter lead times.
Mike
It'll lead to shorter lead times across total orders placed, yes; but I'd worry that the total number of orders will drop from customers leaning towards a new car so that they can specify individual options that they may want. Due to this, Mercedes may lose long term customers to other companies like BMW or Jaguar, who offer similar cars where you can specify individual options (OP: I'd recommend looking at the 5 series and XF).Basically you will now have the choice of exterior colour and the pack you want I.e executive, premium, premium plus. These will encompass the options most people go for, I.e pan roof with premium plus.
This should lead to much shorter lead times.
Mike
For example, tow bars can be added aftermarket, but other options need to be specified when buying the car new. More unusual options won't be part of any package, or you may get a buyer like me who actively wants one item from a package (in my case this was an upgraded stereo), but actively not want another item (in my case this was 19" wheels).
grudas said:
it's actually better.
want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
Better for the manufacturer & easier for the dealer, the consumer ultimately loses choice though. Want a premium interior without the ridiculous AMG alloys that come in the pack? Sorry sir, no can do.want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
grudas said:
it's actually better.
want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
Yeah, so much better.want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
"I want to spend as little as possible on a C class estate, but I want a panoramic roof."
"That will be the Premium+ sir"
"I don't need a full digital dash, massage and cooled leather seats, LED headlights, Burmester sound system, 45" alloy wheels that disintegrate when they see a stone in the road or electronic memory passenger seat. That's just £8k of stuff I don't need?"
"Sorry sir, that's the way it comes".
....then buy something else. They'll soon learn.
I know the panoramic roof was just an example but amazing reading Tiguan forums, where pano roof is standard on SEL and R-Line and loads of people say they never even open the blind. (And the rest of them complain about how it leaks, rattles or smashes!).
I know the panoramic roof was just an example but amazing reading Tiguan forums, where pano roof is standard on SEL and R-Line and loads of people say they never even open the blind. (And the rest of them complain about how it leaks, rattles or smashes!).
Edited by Sheepshanks on Wednesday 15th January 16:13
Pegscratch said:
grudas said:
it's actually better.
want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
Yeah, so much better.want a merc c class cool -;
base
mid
premium
premium +
pick one, done.
"I want to spend as little as possible on a C class estate, but I want a panoramic roof."
"That will be the Premium+ sir"
"I don't need a full digital dash, massage and cooled leather seats, LED headlights, Burmester sound system or electronic memory passenger seat. That's just £8k of stuff I don't need?"
"Sorry sir, that's the way it comes".
The slight variation is that with very hgh volume cars the choice will be somewhat wider.
Davislove said:
Another example of the EU ruining our lives
Every regulatory organisation is going to have positives and negatives. Focusing on the negatives, especially those that only affect very few people, isn't a very sensible or balanced view. Furthermore, if the inability to order a separate heated steering wheel on your new Mercedes has "ruined" your life, then I suggest you have a very privileged existence (not to mention a rather odd view on the world!). For sure, I'd rather tick an options list like we used to, but increasing emissions regulations are rolling out in all world markets - we're not the only ones. It's affecting engine mapping and engine options far more than options packs as described in this thread. Sadly that's how things are these days.
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