Drove the new E350 CDI Coupe

[Wing Co]

I settled on the SE rather than the Sport. My old CLK was Sport and it crashed and tramlined all over the Buckinghamshire roads. Hence after a lot of test drives I went SE and 17" wheels with softer suspension.

I do like the Sport look, but the roads are not suitable for the suspension. Maybe they will offer Sport with softer suspension in the future as they realise UK roads are too bad for firm suspension.

Furthermore, I am not sure a car like this needs it that firm as they are more fast cruisers. After all if I wanted to fling a car around winding roads I'd settle on some front drive hatch. These cars are almost undriveable in ice/snow.

MPG on these 350CDIs is great. Drive hard and it still shows 35+

 

[st13phil]

I do like the Sport look, but the roads are not suitable for the suspension. Maybe they will offer Sport with softer suspension in the future as they realise UK roads are too bad for firm suspension.

How very true. I sometimes think that the UK Importers of BMW and Audi are vying to bring into the country the first car that is totally unusable on UK roads

There's no need for Mercedes-Benz to enter that particular race, imo.

 

[Charles Morgan]

How very true. I sometimes think that the UK Importers of BMW and Audi are vying to bring into the country the first car that is totally unusable on UK roads

There's no need for Mercedes-Benz to enter that particular race, imo.

But it is a vital part of marketing. As people here get fatter, idler and less fit at the same time that roads get ever more crowded, pot-holed and slower, it is essential to the self-regard of those people that they should have a car that says they are sporting, and the principal way of so doing (apart from the invisible label) is to give them something ever more uncomfortable, to remind them that sport involves discomfort but it makes the car go faster.

It's like wearing a track suit to go to McDonalds.

 

[Wing Co]

How ironic that I, one of the fittest and slimest men, settled on an SE rather than Sport. However, at least if I next go for a Sport my sporting heritage and standing will allow me to drive it head-up!!

 

[blu_s2]

I do like the Sport look, but the roads are not suitable for the suspension. Maybe they will offer Sport with softer suspension in the future as they realise UK roads are too bad for firm suspension.

I bough the Sport with the Dynamic Handling Pack which means a cruisy ride in normal mode (far better than equivalent Audi or BMW) and a bit more crash bang in Sport but tightens up handling perfectly for twisty b roads when pushing on. Best move I made with this purchase.

 

[Wing Co]

Many thanks, just had a look on the M-B website and see that Dynamic handling package is £510.

This would be worth getting if as you say it makes it much softer. I would need to test drive the Sport with this and make sure that it will float better on the potholes with the 18" wheels.

I wonder if I could put 18" AMG wheels on my SE. I know you could spec different 18" in the options, but it came with sports suspension and the SE I test drove with this option was still too firm.

Thanks again for the note on the Dynamic handling package.

 

[blu_s2]

DHP is a factory fit option at £510 not as after-sales as it uses completely different shocks amongst other changes.

 

[chammo]

New Order - a regret?

Having read through pages and pages of 'problems' with noise in the cabin I'm starting to regret ordering my E350CDI S (due for delivery May '11)

I've pretty much spec'd it as follows;
Reversing Camera - DON'T KNOW WHY

Comfort-vent Fr Seats M+ Lthr/Nappa - I'M A BIG LAD, WOULD SUFFER IN SUMMER

Dynamic Handling Pack - THANK GOODNESS - HAVING READ SOME OF THE POSTS!??

COMAND Multimedia/Media Interface LIKE MY MUSIC

DAB Radio M+ 510/525/512 FELT I 'HAD' TO - CHEERS UK GOV!

19in 7 Twin Spoke AMG Alloy Wheel - MASSIVE REGRET.. SHOULD HAVE GONE FOR 18"??

I previously had an Audi A4 so know this is a step up, but that was a quiet and lovely drive (18" SE Diesel) Any owners who can either put my mind to rest or confirm my 'regret' I'd appreciate it.

 

[thebook]

despite niggling issues (the lastest being front passenger seatbelt arm is broken) I still really rate this car. I had an Audi TDI previously and this is several steps above...

Wish I had opted for full COMAND as opposed to NAV50 and also wish the 19" were available when I ordered mine (perhaps we could swap alloys )

You won't regret it when it arrives.

 

[chammo]

.. a guy in the pub has just got the E250 - hates it, thinks it far too noisy... just another reason to get paranoid I guess.

As for the wheels.. I've already made room in the garage to 'store' the one's i've got.. Just in case!!

 

[Dr-Nab]

.. a guy in the pub has just got the E250 - hates it, thinks it far too noisy... just another reason to get paranoid I guess.

As for the wheels.. I've already made room in the garage to 'store' the one's i've got.. Just in case!!

The 250 is rough and noisy until it has warmed up but even then it's still a little rough round the edges, shouldn't be any issues with your E350.. I love mine even more because of the good weather round here at the minute, had a few issues with it but my local dealership are sorting anything out anyway just took it in this morning to have the updated sat nav software and finally the Brabus D6 kit fitted plus I always get a decent courtesy car (this time its a brand new 11 plate E350CDI Sport saloon) so happy days!

 

[MarriedBlonde]

I've also got a 350cdi sport convertable and it is very very quiet with the top up and not much worse with it down. Even belting along at motorspeeds it is still really quite.

I opted for the option 19"s on my car, picked it up with the 18"s ftted due to a change in spec from ordering to being built but they fitted the wheels from another brand new car a week and a half later. Made the ride a little worse but nothing I can't cope with.

Plus down on the sunny south coast we have had a bit of sun over the last few days so have been out with the top down.

The only downside is the poor fuel economy :-(

 

[pamrit]

.. a guy in the pub has just got the E250 - hates it, thinks it far too noisy... just another reason to get paranoid I guess.

As for the wheels.. I've already made room in the garage to 'store' the one's i've got.. Just in case!!

I have a brand new set of 18" if you do not like the ride on the 19" The ride on 19" is harder and you have to watch the pot holes!

 

[mbenz76]

Noise is relative and very subjective.

My E350 have the diesel noise which you can hear when it's cold, and it's still there despite having the "fix".

However, it is in every other way the best car I have ever owned, and the noise isn't bad enough to actually annoy me like it does some.

Stood outside the car, most of my colleagues comment on how quiet it is, so it obviously isn't really that loud at all

 

[NoodlerUK]

I just wish they would confirm when I can order to get the new 350 engine.

My dealer has told me that they are pretty sure it will be July order for a September delivery.

 

[Dr-Nab]

I just wish they would confirm when I can order to get the new 350 engine.

My dealer has told me that they are pretty sure it will be July order for a September delivery.

I had a 265bhp new engined saloon yesterday as a courtesy car, all I noticed that was different was that it's slightly quieter when cold in comparison to my convertible, not really any different on fuel given that I'd done the same route in both cars got similar mpg figures around mid 30s.

 

[chammo]

41 days... that's all the wait that's left 'might be' getting a little excitable now *sad old sod*:bannana:

 

[JonnyFitz]

Hello,

My first post to this forum.

I picked up my 350 Coupe last Monday, early days I know but i absolutely love it. By far the best car I have ever owned.....when yours arrives in May I'm sure you will feel the same....enjoy

 

[johny5_uk]

Welcome to the forum

Post some pics before it gets too dirty

 

[JonnyFitz]

Couple of pictures attached. Not the best think my photography needs working on.

Full spec - Tenorite grey, COMAND, Black leather, Black Ash trim, 18" 5 spoke AMG Alloys.