I’m stuck deciding between the Mercedes EQS SUV and EQE SUV.
I found a 2023 EQE SUV with 13K miles priced around $44,000. Its original MSRP was $86K.
The 2023 EQS SUV is $59,000 with only 6K miles, and it had an original MSRP of $115K.
I’m debating whether I should buy or lease. The EQE lease is $550/month with $3K down, and the EQS lease is $750/month with $4K down.
What would you all suggest? Both are certified pre-owned.
I went with a lease, but I think both models have dropped in value so much that you don’t have to worry about further depreciation as much.
I even did $0 down.
The more expensive they are, the harder they drop.
Reid said:
The more expensive they are, the harder they drop.
But both models are already below their original residual values.
$44K for an EQE seems solid… but I’d still probably go with leasing.
Leasing EVs seems like the smart choice right now.
All EVs lose value fast, so pick the one you like best and enjoy it.
EVs, especially pricey Mercedes models, aren’t bought for resale value. You might see a little better retention on something like an older Tesla or a Nissan Leaf, but you’re not getting the Mercedes experience with those.
A big part of the depreciation on Mercedes is from when the warranty ends and maintenance costs kick in. I think the EQ models might hold up a bit better long-term since they need less maintenance than gas models.
I’d buy. The depreciation rate on these will probably slow down soon.
Honestly, they’re both going to lose value pretty fast.
Haru said:
Honestly, they’re both going to lose value pretty fast.
Do you think the EQE will be worth around $20K in three years? And maybe the EQS at $30K?
Haru said:
Honestly, they’re both going to lose value pretty fast.
Do you think the EQE will be worth around $20K in three years? And maybe the EQS at $30K?
Several reasons why they might drop:
The technology is moving fast; the current EQ models are already behind in charging speeds. Facelift EQ models in 2025 will have bigger batteries, and the next-gen platform coming after that will charge a lot faster. Plus, Mercedes is planning to switch from CCS to NACS.
Also, there’s concern over battery quality—some EQ models have had high-profile battery fires, especially in South Korea, where they lost all value after an EQ fire in a parking structure.
Mercedes is phasing out the EQ branding and the ‘jellybean’ designs, so these models will be short-lived, which could make it hard to find parts down the line.
@Charlie
So do you think the 116K EQS could actually be worth around 30K after just 3-4 years?
Sam said:
@Charlie
So do you think the 116K EQS could actually be worth around 30K after just 3-4 years?
Right now, they’re selling for around $45-50K after only a year with under 10K miles, so 30K after four years might be optimistic.
@Charlie
Losing 15K over four years isn’t terrible. OP could lose more with a lease. I leased mine because those kinds of prices weren’t available back then. My EQE SUV was 64K, and the EQS SUV was 85K.
A friend of mine said the EQ sedans are going for 45-50K. The SUVs are a bit higher at 55-60K, which is honestly a steal compared to a Tesla Model X.
@Sam
I think it depends on the area. Near me, I’m seeing EQS 450+ SUVs with around 10K miles listed for under $50K within a 100-mile radius.
If I were shopping right now, I’d think about getting one. Even if it drops to $15K in three years, that’s about $35K in depreciation. Meanwhile, a new S500 is around $90K, and a four-year-old one goes for roughly $50K. So, there’s actually less of a dollar loss here.
If you consider the federal tax credit in the U.S., new EQS models are roughly 20% off MSRP, so you might end up paying around $90K. That’s bad in terms of depreciation, but not far from what you’d see with an S-Class gas model dropping from $130K to $50K over the same period.
For a $90K car, it’s rough, but Mercedes has had resale issues for years, way before EVs were even around.
@Charlie
I think the fact that it’s only rear-wheel drive doesn’t help its resale value.
Sam said:
@Charlie
I think the fact that it’s only rear-wheel drive doesn’t help its resale value.
True. I had my EQB dual-motor 4MATIC in for service and got a loaner EQS 450. Even in sport mode, it would get left behind by my EQB (up to its 99mph speed cap, at least).
That said, I could see myself enjoying the range and comfort in the EQS, even with the slower acceleration. It’s a lot better than the base rear-wheel-drive EQB. My old 90s Geo Metro felt like a race car compared to that one.
@Charlie
Yeah, the EQB is pretty nice. You can get some good deals on certified pre-owned EQBs these days.