E Class - too big?

[AlastairM]

I'm thinking of replacing my old W203 C220 and trying to decide between a new C or E class. The E class seems very nice but I wonder if it's a bit big. Do owners find the size makes them difficult to park? Are they too wide or long for parking where the C class would be easy? Am I worrying about nothing?

 

[renault12ts]

No no no and yes. Next question.

 

[st4]

The new E class (212) is uttetly marvelous. It is so nice to drive. Easy to park, doddle.

 

[ChrisMc]

I tested a C250 Sport Estate, and it was very agile and quick, very 'sporty' drive, and very very impressive.

I bought a E320 Sport Estate and it is significantly more 'stable' in many ways, equally as fast, but just a whole lot more sophisticated.

 

[timskemp]

The only thing that put me off a 212 E class was the price. More space, more comfort, similar running costs to a 204 C class but being so new makes them a bad buy for my purchasing pattern.

Parking isn't a problem, positioning on the road is fine and handling is top notch.

My next one will probably be a 212.

 

[Alps]

with parking sensors parking is a doddle, this is me coming from a w202 with no parking sensors to a w211 with

 

[bpsorrel]

No problem parking. The extra interior space is a big advantage over the C.

 

[snoop51]

I started off looking at a C250CDI, ended up with a W212 350CDI. I love it but it depends what YOU want. If you want sporty then choose a C class, it's smaller and more nimble. If you want lots of room and a comfortable cruiser choose the E class. In terms of parking it's a doddle with front & rear sensors, it can seem to stick out a little in short parking spaces but the only problem width-wise is my own wishes to not have the sides stoved in by some ar*e opening there doors onto mine.

I'm 6ft 2, my kids are older teenagers, if I'd gone for the C class they would have found it tight in the back. Whereas in the E class they have loads of room too, although now I have loads of room it's not cool to be seen going out with the old farts so perhaps a C class next time around for me.

 

[w124nut]

Just another angle to the posts above.

I find that the space allotted to public parking is much too small for a car the size of an E class. The danger is that your car will get dinged as others who park too close, open their doors onto your paintwork.

My 8 year old Mondeo is a testament to this.

 

[renault12ts]

Parking sensors are an aid to parking...if you can't park without them then maybe you should reconsider.

 

[snoop51]

Just another angle to the posts above.

I find that the space allotted to public parking is much too small for a car the size of an E class. The danger is that your car will get dinged as others who park too close, open their doors onto your paintwork.

My 8 year old Mondeo is a testament to this.

Admittedly I never park near the pedestrian entrance to public car parks or Tesco's entrances anymore. I do find I try to hunt out a parking space away from the mums & toddlers group, chavs & those who just don't care. Consequently I tend to walk further in car parks than I used to do when I had my battered old Volvo. I just see it as a part of the price I pay for having a nice car.

 

[BTB 500]

Our main family car is the Vito Long. It's OK in car parks (even multi-stories), particularly as it has Parktronic.

So an E Class would be a doddle

 

[snoop51]

Parking sensors are an aid to parking...if you can't park without them then maybe you should reconsider.

I fully agree but then when you see rear sensors on a Ford Focus where the back window is the back of the car you have to wonder about others ability to know there car's dimensions.

This is the first car I've ever had with them on. I don't rely on them but they are nice to have when there are low lying bollards behind you.

My mate has an XF which according to his wife cannot fit through the doors of his garage. He just folds the wing mirrors in. It does mean whilst he's working away the XF is safe from her. (His words not mine)

P.S. If you can't park a big car you could try one of these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/articles/2007/05/cars/peugeot/1007/peugeot-1007-sport-car-review

 

[s88]

Look how many short ar$ed women manage to drive them!

My wife for one. It was me that hit the garage door.

A nice car and underrated in the handling stakes.

 

[The Boss]

e class is not too big, the s class IS too big. I can not comprehend the S class size anymore.

when the w140 was replaced with a sleeker car, i thought they were on a new constrained path, then they came out with the w221, they went all blobby again..

and the new 2013 one looks huge.. for the true original FAT CAT.. thats what the Maybach is for.. the w126 size was good and comfortable and very manageable. the w212 is on par with the w126 is terms of size, and thus i think the e class will not cause you any problems.

 

[renault12ts]

Look how many short ar$ed women manage to drive them!

My wife for one. It was me that hit the garage door.

A nice car and underrated in the handling stakes.

And mine, she's only 5'1".

 

[Frankie]

I find that although the W210 is easy to drive,manoeuvre and park. It doesn't actually fit into a Tesco parking space. I always end up with the front sticking out about 6 inches.

 

[renault12ts]

A standard parking space is 4.8 m long and 2.4 m wide. Though in many places this 5m and 2.5m wide.

The w210 is 4.81m long and 1.8m wide. So it should only stick out 1cm in an old style car park..

 

[BobbyHowie]

Got an R-class LWB and it's big. Quite a jump from the Jeep Grand Cherokee but you get used to it pretty quickly. No probs when wife drives either. Couldn't do without the parking sensors or reverse camera though.

 

[Frankie]

A standard parking space is 4.8 m long and 2.4 m wide. Though in many places this 5m and 2.5m wide.

The w210 is 4.81m long and 1.8m wide. So it should only stick out 1cm in an old style car park..

I park in one every day,it doesn't fit