New E Class Estate – Disappointing.

[renault12ts]

Went to local dealer yesterday to see the E250 Cdi Estate.

Like others been saying, a total dissapointment that the seats can not be folded flat. Even sales guy agreed (according to him, other customers have also mentioned this!).

IMO also overpriced, to close to ML prices now which is a much bigger car.

Overpriced?? It was dearer 10 years ago !!

 

[scumbag]

Overpriced?? It was dearer 10 years ago !!

so were houses

 

[st4]

Overpriced?? It was dearer 10 years ago !!

so were houses

Which is why something has to give. In real terms the 212 is a cheaper car than the 124 and 210. Quality cannot be as good, but its cheaper. As mass market cars have got dearer (check mondeo prices out) the gap between premium cars and mass ones have narrowed. This is to be expected. To build a modern car to 124 levels (0r 123) quaility and incorporating all the modern tech you are looking at a 4pot diesel estate that would cost £50-£60k, not £30k.

 

[stumpy1]

Which is why something has to give. In real terms the 212 is a cheaper car than the 124 and 210. Quality cannot be as good, but its cheaper. As mass market cars have got dearer (check mondeo prices out) the gap between premium cars and mass ones have narrowed. This is to be expected. To build a modern car to 124 levels (0r 123) quaility and incorporating all the modern tech you are looking at a 4pot diesel estate that would cost £50-£60k, not £30k.

Same on the 221 Steve. Some parts of it feel unbelievably cheap and mine is already unreliable.

 

[NewMB]

Overpriced?? It was dearer 10 years ago !!

To me, right now is what counts!

So a E350Cdi estate with same equipment level as current ML350 Cdi cost well over £43-44K which I think is overpriced when one compares the size of these cars.

 

[st4]

Same on the 221 Steve. Some parts of it feel unbelievably cheap and mine is already unreliable.

Which is terrible as £70k is still an ton of money and for that I would still expect damn near perfection, especially if my work relied on it.

Just out of interest, what would you replace it with if you had the option of getting rid of it, and not replacing it with a S class.

 

[fuzzer]

To me, right now is what counts!

So a E350Cdi estate with same equipment level as current ML350 Cdi cost well over £43-44K which I think is overpriced when one compares the size of these cars.

ML350 CDI £43,365

E350 CDI Estate £35,795



The difference in spec between them isnt worth talking about , i make that £7,570 cheaper for the E Class.

 

[renault12ts]

To me, right now is what counts!

So a E350Cdi estate with same equipment level as current ML350 Cdi cost well over £43-44K which I think is overpriced when one compares the size of these cars.

The ML is high the E is long. They're both big cars.

 

[stumpy1]

Which is terrible as £70k is still an ton of money and for that I would still expect damn near perfection, especially if my work relied on it.

Just out of interest, what would you replace it with if you had the option of getting rid of it, and not replacing it with a S class.

That's a tough one. As a car nut I think the 7 series 'feels' better quality and I have a very good BM dealer. The problem is that in the chauffeur car market Merc have it sewn up with the E, S and Viano. Very few clients want anything else. Just spend a day in London to see proof.

I was invited to the new XJ launch and you simply wouldn't believe how wrong they have got it.

As for the E class - I'm beginning to think Autocar are in MBs pocket much the same way BM and Porsche were. They can do no wrong it seems and their products have much praise heaped upon them. But I just simply cannot agree with their warmth towards the 212.

 

[st4]

That's a tough one. As a car nut I think the 7 series 'feels' better quality and I have a very good BM dealer. The problem is that in the chauffeur car market Merc have it sewn up with the E, S and Viano. Very few clients want anything else. Just spend a day in London to see proof.

I was invited to the new XJ launch and you simply wouldn't believe how wrong they have got it.

As for the E class - I'm beginning to think Autocar are in MBs pocket much the same way BM and Porsche were. They can do no wrong it seems and their products have much praise heaped upon them. But I just simply cannot agree with their warmth towards the 212.

I thought you had a 7 for a while. I took out on test a 2005 730d and was underimpressed. I was passed by one on the M8 yesterday and did think it was a nice looking piece of kit. The press didnt seem to like it on launch and autocar felt the car wasnt as good as a 221.

I cannot say I have sampled a 212 to drive but looking inside and sitting in one I'd rather have a 204 and save the cash, there is no quality difference and the 204 is a superior looking car IMHO.

 

[stumpy1]

I'm talking brand new 7 which really is nice inside.

 

[st4]

I'm talking brand new 7 which really is nice inside.

Aye, did look nice in the press bumph. Ride wasnt supposed to be as good as the 221 and in your area, thats kinda a biggie.

Is the reliability of yours purely engine based or just the car in general?

 

[stumpy1]

Yep the S rides very well and is very comfortable. Mine has a couple of rattles but the big one is a suspension fault which they cannot solve. Some other functionality missing from the car too. Very poor show and I hate MB with a passion.

 

[st4]

Yep the S rides very well and is very comfortable. Mine has a couple of rattles but the big one is a suspension fault which they cannot solve. Some other functionality missing from the car too. Very poor show and I hate MB with a passion.

My advice if you can do it.

Reject the car under sales of goods act if you can. Have you passed the cooling off period?

Get another one, sounds a dud as on the whole its a reliable model (a few 221 owners on here are very happy-its not car thats moaned about).

 

[NewMB]

ML350 CDI £43,365

E350 CDI Estate £35,795



The difference in spec between them isnt worth talking about , i make that £7,570 cheaper for the E Class.

I should have mentioned that I was comparing Sport versions. Basic version of both see a HUGE £9770 difference. THAT is a lot!

As for Sport version, according to latest pricelist, the difference is not that big....

ML350 Cdi Sport £44715

E350 Cdi Sport est £39085

That's "only" £5630 difference.


Where did you get the £7.5K diff?