Mercedes E300 Bluetech Hybrid Used Values Not The Best

Not many Malaysian car buyers are able to own a high specification imported German sedan due to the high import duties and also the added cost imposed by Approved Permit (AP) holders who control the much needed document to import cars into Malaysia. It should be the ministry of trade of industry (MITI) that hold all car AP’s and not private individuals who make money from it. Anyway that is the politics of our car system and we are here to share the used value of a 2015 high specification Mercedes-Benz E-Class that is now at a price similar to that of a NEW Korean or Japanese sedan. We are talking about the Mercedes E300 Blutech Hybrid. This is a fully imported E-Class with all the right boxes ticked at the factory. It arrived in Malaysia at the time the tax incentives were just given to hybrid cars that filled all the ‘right’ criteria’s allowing for a lower import tax which meant its asking price was super sensible.

Its new selling price was only RM338,888.00. At the time the petrol driven locally assembled Mercedes-Benz E200K was selling for RM340,000.00, the very popular locally assembled BMW 520 diesel was selling for RM368,888.00 and the fully imported Audi A6 TFSI was retailing for RM388,000.00.

So, you can see that this E300 Hybrid was great value and the best priced in its segment. This E300 diesel hybrid came loaded with features that only a higher priced version of the E-Class would carry. Its sensible selling price was because the Malaysian government had given a tax concession to Mercedes Benz Malaysia for introducing a diesel hybrid to the country with transfer technology input at their car assembly factory in Pekan Pahang. Having invested millions of ringgit in equipment, training local Malaysians in car assembly and purchasing many components and parts from local Malaysian automotive part manufacturers, Mercedes Benz Malaysia was able to transfer the tax incentives received to the buyers of this all new E300 Diesel Hybrid.

At the heart of this E300 is a diesel electric system that combines a 2.1 litre four-cylinder diesel engine a ‘hybrid’ “battery run motor” producing a combined 150kW/500Nm and 20kW/250Nm respectively. What that means is that when they’re both at work, this Mercedes BlueTec Hybrid puts a very long, flat and willing torque curve under the driver’s right foot that can be enjoyed when cruising on the highway at 110km/h and when a sporty Mercedes SL55 storms past at 220km/h allowing the driver of the E300 diesel hybrid to catch up in seconds with the available torque. In town driving you do hear the diesel engine ‘trumming’ along but you quickly get used to it. Accelerate and you feel the power delivery from gear to gear and the 7-speed works fast to get the best ratio at each change. Slam the accelerator for a quick race and this sedan will lunge forward without hesitation. The high torque works in the drivers favour and you will need to catch yourself to realise the speeds (due to the good cabin insulation) you are hitting as the 0-100km/h time is a decent 7 plus seconds.

Now, 4-years later and with car buyers loving the hybrid tax incentives, there are more than 20,000 units of plug-in hybrids from various brands sold to Malaysians who have been saving fuel and enjoying a high quality sedan at great lowered prices. Now comes the used values…and this is the issue for sellers.

This Mercedes E300 Hybrid is now starting to come into the used car market and its prices are more than 60% lower after 4-years. A quick run of the online classifieds show that owners are trying to get between RM140k to RM150k, but the recent high battery replacement bill for this E300 battery pack that went viral in the Malaysian social media is scaring buyers away…even at this selling price.

Realistic used prices right now might even hit between RM110k to RM120k giving this luxury sedan a 70% depreciation.

So, if you are still keen to buy a unit, make sure the first owner purchased the extended battery warranty that Mercedes Benz Malaysia offered to owners at just a tad below RM2,688 for an additional 4 years. This means this 2015 hybrid battery is covered by warranty until 2023.

Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid Diesel Specifications

Engine: 2.1-litre Diesel + Electric motor

Displacement:  2143cc

Transmission: 7G-TRONIC

Max Power: 204hp @ 4200rpm

Max Torque: 500Nm @ 1600-1800rpm

0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds

Top Speed: 250km/h

NEW Selling Price: RM338,888.00