E Class W212

[Brennan1]

Hi guys, Ive joined this forum basically on behalf of my dad (hes not very computer savvy lol), hes looking to buy executive car and has been looking at the latest E class, the W212 i believe? 2010 onwards version.

Been looking at a few E250 CDi Sport models, with the twin turbo engine - same 2 stage turbo set up as my Saab i think.

Also been looking at the latest 5-Series M Sport, so its between these 2 cars, hes looking to know if theres any common issues with the Merc, anything to look out for etc.

Torn between these two, what is so good about the E that could deter him away from the BMW dealership?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Both are fantastic cars and it would be difficult to objectively choose between the two.

Traditionally the E was softer and the 5 was sportier, but with the current generation of cars that doesn't really apply any more.

It would come down to something more superficial like which one you Dad thinks is the better looking car, or which dealership he feels like he could continue doing business with.

 

[isleaiw]

Hi guys, Ive joined this forum basically on behalf of my dad (hes not very computer savvy lol), hes looking to buy executive car and has been looking at the latest E class, the W212 i believe? 2010 onwards version.

Been looking at a few E250 CDi Sport models, with the twin turbo engine - same 2 stage turbo set up as my Saab i think.

Also been looking at the latest 5-Series M Sport, so its between these 2 cars, hes looking to know if theres any common issues with the Merc, anything to look out for etc.

Torn between these two, what is so good about the E that could deter him away from the BMW dealership?

I had a similar decision to make about 8 months ago, although I was looking at estate versions. In my case, I had been a BMW driver before (company cars) but never Merc - and to be honest had never really craved a Merc. However, when you want a big estate then size matters and the E is bigger than the 5. Also, I wanted a spare wheel and that isnt an option with the 5, RFTs dont do it for me (although I am sure they have improved a difficult situation with a puncture out of hours and too far away to drive home still plays on my mind).

Now i have had 28000 miles to reflect on my decision would I stick with it? well, I like lots of things about the E, and it is a great motorway cruiser, economical (close to 50 on a run), well equipped (I like the auto xenon lights in particular) and huge (great for uni runs with my son).

However, i dont find the seats that comfortable and a 4 pot diesel is never going to be the last word in refinement. Based on those two things, I'd probably return to Volvo next time - although they are dropping the 5 cylinder engines!

I certainly have never looked a 5 series estate on the motorway and wished I had gone with one - that probably says most I think!

Ian

 

[Brennan1]

cheers both of you for your replies and i will reiterate them to him.

Come on guys though, i joined this benz forum and i was expecting a barage of owners backing up the E's credentials

 

[st13phil]

The motoring press will tell you that the 5-er is the one to go for, but personally I prefer the W212 and voted with my wallet.

I've been a passenger in a number of 5-er's and I honestly can't see why the motoring press claim the interior is better than the W212's. To me the BMW feels slightly cheap and tacky and nothing special, certainly not a better place to be than the W212.

If your Dad is serious about the choice he really needs to drive both and then pick the one he likes best.

 

[Ash]

i haven't driven the 5 but the E250 is a well engineered, reliable car ad your dad won't regret buying it. It's quicker than the 520 and the reviews say it has a better ride.
But the 525 2.0 looks pretty good if you can find one - tho will cost more. The BMW's auto seems to be better too. But no complaints with the 7 spd on my 250; works well.
Ash

 

[gIzzE]

The BMW is better screwed together, a much better drive, much nicer interior and is now more comfy than the E Class, but, it is a BMW and that badge is not for every one.

I have owned both, I sold the new 5 series as I didn't like it as much as my older E Class (w211), and bought a new E350cdi (212) and then realised that the BMW beat it on just about every level and got out of the 212 pretty quickly.

But that is coming from a series of BMWs and arguably the best all round car ever made, the 211.

But let's get something straight here, we are talking about an E Class and a 5 series, they are both great cars, and at least he is not looking at an A6 or Passat.

He needs to drive both and decide.

 

[rothbury]

cheers both of you for your replies and i will reiterate them to him.

Come on guys though, i joined this benz forum and i was expecting a barage of owners backing up the E's credentials

I love my E250 cdi estate a 13 plate just before the facelift. has 7 g+
intelligent lights etc. very nice inside with wood trim . Avantgarde spec.
For a mixture of comfort power and economy it takes some beating. Ok a 5 series would be more entertaining on a B road but it is not in the same league for class. It's dreary inside and smaller. Don't take any notice of Gizze. For some reason he has a thing about the 212 as you will see if you look at his interminable posts on the subject. He even criticised the fact that he couldn't lean his arm on the door window ledge as it was too high! The seats are fine as is the steering take it from me.

 

[gIzzE]

Don't take any notice of Gizze. For some reason he has a thing about the 212 as you will see if you look at his interminable posts on the subject. He even criticised the fact that he couldn't lean his arm on the door window ledge as it was too high!

The seats are fine as is the steering take it from me.

Haha, that is true.
But then I do more miles than most I would guess.
In the 212 for an hour it is fine, for a couple of hours you start to notice the seats and their adjustments aren't great, when you are doing Norwich to Glasgow and back in a day and you are in the car from 5am till 11pm things start to annoy, little things like not being able to get comfy.
Not being able to reach the armrest or window ledge with the steering wheel set up so you can see the cluster is a pain, and does get tiring, and after 8 hours or so starts to really piss you off.

Also the 5 series is hardly dreary inside, this was the trim I had....

I had a thing about the 212 as I had just sold my 211 for £12k, then let the F11 go for £26k, and paid £30k for the 212.


At the end of the day you can ignore my views, wtf do I know, I only owned both?

I actually sold the 5 series as I thought it had gone too soft, and thought if going soft I may as well have a another Merc, loved my 211 so naturally bought a 212. But then realised it was not as comfy as the BMW and wasn't as sharp to drive either.

I would buy another 212, if that makes you feel better? Now you can pick up E220cdi estates at £14-15k they are an excellent car, but when I was paying £30,000 for a 2 year old one I expected it to tick certain boxes, and it got certain things that I couldn't live with wrong.

Their seems a very blinkered view from UK owners of the 212, yet on the US boards the issues I raised have been raised on numerous occasions and Mercedes are have said to have listened to owners as well.

I don't get this mentality on here of 'I won't hear anything negative about my car.'
That seems a real trait with many Merc owners, the BMW guys are the first ones to slag something off when BMW get it wrong, so are the Audi owners, but here it seems it is a case of fingers in ears and 'blah, blah, blah, blah blah!'
There are loads of positives about the E Class, but when someone is asking about E Vs 5 best to tell it how it is, then let them think about that when they are testing them. What I found unlivable, others may not even consider it an issue.



But, let's get something straight, the 5 Series is the more comfortable car, and that I feel is a huge f**k up from Mercedes UK.
They need to offer elegance again, and they need to give the option of the elegance ride on an 'AMG Sport' model too.


What is it you're comparing the 212 with that makes your opinion more valid than mine?

 

[developer]

These comparisons are daft really - different people like different things and Dad should try both for himself.

That 212 window ledge armrest is high though .

 

[gIzzE]

These comparisons are daft really - different people like different things and Dad should try both for himself.

And as I have always said, the 212 is a great car, it was just I preferred my 211 in many respects, but the 211 was feeling a bit dated in many areas.

I just never see the point of getting defensive about a car you own, point out the areas where it could be improved and you never know, Mercedes might just take note.

They did listen about the suspension on the facelift, made it more compliant compared with the pre facelift, and they said they were going to sharpen the steering up a bit too off centre.

So mentioning these things can be worth it.

 

[Brennan1]

Now that is funny, so many strong views and characters on here. Comfort is important but if it looks nice sitting on the driveway then that is a bonus too. Being honest its not going to be driven lots of miles, mum and dad have other cars that they use everyday for work.

If it sees the shop every night, a trip into town and an occassional long journey weekend away, that will be it.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Don't take any notice of Gizze.

Lol

For some reason he has a thing about the 212 as you will see if you look at his interminable posts on the subject. He even criticised the fact that he couldn't lean his arm on the door window ledge as it was too high!

That may mean very little to you, but I found it very annoying and is the one of the main reasons that I've chalked a W212 off my list as a potential purchase.

The W212's main problem is how different it is from the W211; you could feel the family resemblance with the W210 and the W124 before that, but the W212 is a completely different direction.

And that's a shame really because, having owned seven W211's in the past, I would love to buy a W212 E350 CDI but I really can't see me getting over the aforementioned issues in the future...

 

[Peter DLM]

Safety regulations mean that door/sill heights are getting higher. I've been in plenty of new cars recently and can't get comfortable with arm on sill in any of them. Luckily the SL has ideal centre console and driver door arm rest heights.

 

[m1br]

Both are fantastic cars and it would be difficult to objectively choose between the two.

Traditionally the E was softer and the 5 was sportier, but with the current generation of cars that doesn't really apply any more.

It would come down to something more superficial like which one you Dad thinks is the better looking car, or which dealership he feels like he could continue doing business with.

Indeed. As my pal will attest coming to the 2013 E Class Sport from a 520d F10 2011 model SE.

He was quite defensive of the suspension/ride on the bimmer when I questioned it. Now he has the new MB with adaptive suspension, the penny has dropped.
Better traction and better handling everywhere without sacrificing the ride quality.

Honestly, look long and hard before settling on a 2010 E Class, the 2013 model is light years ahead in the gadgets department and the ride is better.

If you can run to buying a new one, how about renting one?

S.