I could build e400 and v90 equipped how I liked for roughly 80k
You sure about that? I am quite skeptical. Remember the Volvo shows post tax price and the E400 shows pretax.
I don't think the Mercedes site shows delivery/PDI fees either.
I don't know. I built them quickly one day at work to see how they evened out. Noted that Volvo started WAY cheaper but evened out once you wanted similar options as the Benz. From what I recall it was around $80K based on how I would option it for myself. I dunno, it was expensive enough that I said "hmmmm maybe not" in my head.
While I would love either of the above options I'm not sure I could justify going to $80K when I can roll in a S5 sportback or C43 fairly well optioned for the low to mid 60s. Yes, I know they aren't wagons but this would all be on my short list as a family man with some money to spend. I'm not spending $80K on my wife's car only to see it covered in milk, mud, garbage, rotting banana peels, and various snacks. She will drive that MDX until it breaks or the kids grow up enough...whatever comes first. Probably another couple years.
Played the build and price game. Configs as I'd like to buy them.
V90: $74k+Freight/PDI+Tax
E400: $86k+Freight/PDI+Tax
That's a pretty big gap. Both have air suspension, semiautonomous driving, etc. Quite loaded up configs. Of course the E400 does have a V6 and a power advantage but still $12k + taxes. IMHO the V90 is a bargain.
The C43 (sedan) I got up to $71k + Freight/PDI + Tax.