My C350 went in for some warranty work and I was provided with this fine machine to keep me mobile:
An interesting experience for several reasons - firstly as 4 years ago I ran a W211 AG saloon I was intrigued to see how the E Class game has moved on. Secondly as I test drove a F11 series 5 series prior to ordering my C it would be good to try it's arch rival in the sector, and thirdly this E350 was running the same 265bhp lump as my C estate - how would they differ in the different 'shell?
My impressions - the E is quieter than the C. The engine is barely audible at idle and low speeds, while in the C you can definitely hear more of a rumble from the V6.
The E feels significantly bigger and wider than the C, more "grown up" is one way I'd describe it. This E350 was a Sport, but it rode more serenely than the C Sport too. Less fidgety, smoother.
Somehow, the E felt quicker too - the engine just seem a bit more brutal. Now this could be down to it having over 7k miles under its belt, and as a loaner I suspect it's been given some exercise in it's short life so far! My C has done 4.5k, but I've been pretty gentle with it.
The E also has a lovely ambient lighting set up - all along the centre ridge in the dash and along the door cards it has "waterfall" lighting, which on this car with silver leather made it glow gorgeously at night. I also loved the shift free centre tunnel - not so keen on the steering column control if I'm honest, but that might be a familiarity thing.
So, you might be thinking I took quite a fancy to it? Well, actually no. Don't get me wrong, it has some fine attributes and is a fine car (much better IMO than the current F11 BMW 5 which is a bloaty, wallowy barge), but equally some aspects that surprised me somewhat.
The seats for example are horrendous. I simply could not get them into a position that felt right. I always felt like I was sat "on" the car, not "in" it. They were neither supportive nor comfortable. The seat base in particular is way too short and does not support legs/thighs enough. And I'm a short g!t, so how anyone closer to 6ft copes is a wonder. IIRC part of the issue here maybe because this car had silver leather, which means the car gets AG seats. Sports seats IIRC are only offered in black leather cars. Quite why MB do this on the E is beyond me - the C has sports seats in all leather colour options...
In comparison, getting back in my C the seats were a revelation. Lovely supportive bolsters, significantly longer seat base that tilts up much further and actually supports the underside of your thighs. Generally you sit much better in the car - in it, not on it!
Handling - perhaps why the car rides better, but I felt the car was a bit too uncontrolled when pressing on with some roads and conditions unsettling it quite significantly. While the C ride is a bit more fidgety, it handles sharply and with more poise and confidence. But then it is a smaller car...
Dashboard - a slightly odd looking piece to my eye. I can't say the C's is that much better, but the clocks and dials are much nicer in the current facelift C IMO. The E's are looking dated now, especially the basic looking LCD in the centre of the speedo - the newer colour high def displays are much better. I loved the dash in my old W211 - I think the W212 has lost that flair and elegance that the previous E had, to my eye. The steering wheel in the E is also looking a bit old school and is a good size bigger than the current C's. Too big IMO.
Not sure how this reads and comes across. It's not supposed to be a dig at the E, but just a honest appraisal of my thoughts of driving the E350 CDI Sport. Like I said, plenty to like about it, but equally illustrated to me how the facelifted C has plenty going for it, and in certain aspects is, in my opinion a nicer car. Getting back in it, it just felt like it moulds around you. You feel more of a driver, less of a passenger. But then again, maybe that's exactly the point of each car?
An interesting experience for several reasons - firstly as 4 years ago I ran a W211 AG saloon I was intrigued to see how the E Class game has moved on. Secondly as I test drove a F11 series 5 series prior to ordering my C it would be good to try it's arch rival in the sector, and thirdly this E350 was running the same 265bhp lump as my C estate - how would they differ in the different 'shell?
My impressions - the E is quieter than the C. The engine is barely audible at idle and low speeds, while in the C you can definitely hear more of a rumble from the V6.
The E feels significantly bigger and wider than the C, more "grown up" is one way I'd describe it. This E350 was a Sport, but it rode more serenely than the C Sport too. Less fidgety, smoother.
Somehow, the E felt quicker too - the engine just seem a bit more brutal. Now this could be down to it having over 7k miles under its belt, and as a loaner I suspect it's been given some exercise in it's short life so far! My C has done 4.5k, but I've been pretty gentle with it.
The E also has a lovely ambient lighting set up - all along the centre ridge in the dash and along the door cards it has "waterfall" lighting, which on this car with silver leather made it glow gorgeously at night. I also loved the shift free centre tunnel - not so keen on the steering column control if I'm honest, but that might be a familiarity thing.
So, you might be thinking I took quite a fancy to it? Well, actually no. Don't get me wrong, it has some fine attributes and is a fine car (much better IMO than the current F11 BMW 5 which is a bloaty, wallowy barge), but equally some aspects that surprised me somewhat.
The seats for example are horrendous. I simply could not get them into a position that felt right. I always felt like I was sat "on" the car, not "in" it. They were neither supportive nor comfortable. The seat base in particular is way too short and does not support legs/thighs enough. And I'm a short g!t, so how anyone closer to 6ft copes is a wonder. IIRC part of the issue here maybe because this car had silver leather, which means the car gets AG seats. Sports seats IIRC are only offered in black leather cars. Quite why MB do this on the E is beyond me - the C has sports seats in all leather colour options...
In comparison, getting back in my C the seats were a revelation. Lovely supportive bolsters, significantly longer seat base that tilts up much further and actually supports the underside of your thighs. Generally you sit much better in the car - in it, not on it!
Handling - perhaps why the car rides better, but I felt the car was a bit too uncontrolled when pressing on with some roads and conditions unsettling it quite significantly. While the C ride is a bit more fidgety, it handles sharply and with more poise and confidence. But then it is a smaller car...
Dashboard - a slightly odd looking piece to my eye. I can't say the C's is that much better, but the clocks and dials are much nicer in the current facelift C IMO. The E's are looking dated now, especially the basic looking LCD in the centre of the speedo - the newer colour high def displays are much better. I loved the dash in my old W211 - I think the W212 has lost that flair and elegance that the previous E had, to my eye. The steering wheel in the E is also looking a bit old school and is a good size bigger than the current C's. Too big IMO.
Not sure how this reads and comes across. It's not supposed to be a dig at the E, but just a honest appraisal of my thoughts of driving the E350 CDI Sport. Like I said, plenty to like about it, but equally illustrated to me how the facelifted C has plenty going for it, and in certain aspects is, in my opinion a nicer car. Getting back in it, it just felt like it moulds around you. You feel more of a driver, less of a passenger. But then again, maybe that's exactly the point of each car?
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