New s213 specification conundrums.

[Aviator]

The time has come to replace my E350 2011 estate. She has travelled nearly 90k safely and without any major repairs. We have enjoyed her comfort and elegance and our Labrador has had the benefit of space and easy access to a large cage in the back. She eats up the French motorways at a constant 130kph for hours on end and returns around 40MPG and 35MPG on urban runs. So it is with some regret that we have decided to change to the latest S213 version.

I am about to finalise the order and would appreciate the views of the forum on the specification.

My thoughts are:

I want a car with the new MB OM 654 or 656 engine as they are more fuel efficient and the emission figures are a step above the previous versions. This seems to becoming more important in today's pollution aware society and there is a danger that the big polluters will be taxed out of existence.

Unfortunately the new engine is only available in the 4 cylinder E220D version and the 6 cylinder release date has not been announced but is unlikely to before the end of next year. I have some reservations about moving to a smaller engine but cannot see a viable alternative.

This means the 220D estate version is the only possibility. I am not a fan of dark windows ( I do not have an ugly mother in law to hide) or of the larger wheels which give a bumpier ride so plan to opt for the SE with 17 in wheels rather than the AMG line.

I am keen to have the panoramic roof and Intelligent light system. I have both on the E350 and really like both options so plan to go for the premium plus package.

I also plan to add Comand and the driving assistance package. Again I have these options on the E350 and feel that the distronic, which is part of the driving assistance pack, is a real must for motorway driving.

The 360deg camera is tempting me and will probably be added to the list but I am also unable to make up my mind about the Airbody Control it is an additional £1495 but is it worth the extra cash.

It would be great to get your opinions on my thinking. TA

 

[Tiim533]

I'm in the same boat, albeit with the E Cab. ILS (or whatever they call it now) is a must, as is, even for the Cab, the 360 camera. Comand and Driving Assistance Package a no brainer, but not so sure about Airbody Control.

 

[Tiim533]

Oh, I'd get the 4MATIC as well.

 

[wivenhoe]

The time has come to replace my E350 2011 estate. She has travelled nearly 90k safely and without any major repairs. We have enjoyed her comfort and elegance and our Labrador has had the benefit of space and easy access to a large cage in the back. She eats up the French motorways at a constant 130kph for hours on end and returns around 40MPG and 35MPG on urban runs. So it is with some regret that we have decided to change to the latest S213 version.

I am about to finalise the order and would appreciate the views of the forum on the specification.

My thoughts are:

I want a car with the new MB OM 654 or 656 engine as they are more fuel efficient and the emission figures are a step above the previous versions. This seems to becoming more important in today's pollution aware society and there is a danger that the big polluters will be taxed out of existence.

Unfortunately the new engine is only available in the 4 cylinder E220D version and the 6 cylinder release date has not been announced but is unlikely to before the end of next year. I have some reservations about moving to a smaller engine but cannot see a viable alternative.

This means the 220D estate version is the only possibility. I am not a fan of dark windows ( I do not have an ugly mother in law to hide) or of the larger wheels which give a bumpier ride so plan to opt for the SE with 17 in wheels rather than the AMG line.

I am keen to have the panoramic roof and Intelligent light system. I have both on the E350 and really like both options so plan to go for the premium plus package.

I also plan to add Comand and the driving assistance package. Again I have these options on the E350 and feel that the distronic, which is part of the driving assistance pack, is a real must for motorway driving.

The 360deg camera is tempting me and will probably be added to the list but I am also unable to make up my mind about the Airbody Control it is an additional £1495 but is it worth the extra cash.

It would be great to get your opinions on my thinking. TA

I would get the 360 camera and remote park pilot - doesn’t cost much and could be very useful now cars are wider but parking bays narrower ! I’ve gone for the SE for the same reasons as you. My E350e comes with airmatic - I have it on my C class and would really miss it. As I intend to keep the E Class for a long time I have spoilt myself and gone with the comfort / massage seats - expensive if you keep the car only a couple of years but not bad spread over say 5 years. Again like you, I would miss the driving assistance and it is even more advanced on new ‘E’s. I also went with the widescreen cockpit which is strangely an option on the E350e but comes with Comand on other specs. I hope you have more success in securing a build date - I ordered mine last May and it may come in Feb !

 

[Deletedmember130310]

Stick with what you have until your preferred spec and engine is available - far cheaper

 

[Aviator]

I'm in the same boat, albeit with the E Cab. ILS (or whatever they call it now) is a must, as is, even for the Cab, the 360 camera. Comand and Driving Assistance Package a no brainer, but not so sure about Airbody Control.

We seem to have reached the same place on the specification. Is there any member out there who has the Airbody Control option and what are their thoughts about it?

I would get the 360 camera and remote park pilot - doesn’t cost much and could be very useful now cars are wider but parking bays narrower ! I’ve gone for the SE for the same reasons as you. My E350e comes with airmatic - I have it on my C class and would really miss it. As I intend to keep the E Class for a long time I have spoilt myself and gone with the comfort / massage seats - expensive if you keep the car only a couple of years but not bad spread over say 5 years. Again like you, I would miss the driving assistance and it is even more advanced on new ‘E’s. I also went with the widescreen cockpit which is strangely an option on the E350e but comes with Comand on other specs. I hope you have more success in securing a build date - I ordered mine last May and it may come in Feb !

Thanks I think I will go for the 360 camera seems a good value option. The comand option also seems to offer good value when it includes the widescreen cockpit.
Have not finalised the order yet but they are talking about May delivery. If the delivery is 9 months as yours is then it wil turn into a 68 reg and I could be tempted to hold on for the larger engine.

Oh, I'd get the 4MATIC as well.

I dismiissed this option as do most of my miles on a couple of trips to Italy each year on the motorways and a fair bit of uk motorway driving. Not sure that I would get the benefit from the 4 wheel drive. The emissions and fuel consumption are also higher on the 4 matic.

Stick with what you have until your preferred spec and engine is available - far cheaper

Of course you are right cannot argue with your logic but seem to a have a bad case of old car disease. Only cure is to buy a new one. Still trying to resist but not sure how long I can hold out. A long delivery time may prove an antidote.

For my last two cars I went for the factory pick up option which was a great bonus. Sadly no longer available but I may have been partly responsible for its demise but that is another story.

 

[Participant]

I've got similar views / requirements to you. We've ordered an S213, which is due towards the end of March.

We've gone for an SE because it comes with real leather and I don't care about big wheels (more expensive tyres and more road noise...? What's the attraction? The perception that it looks cooler is just a fashion thing).

Anyway I took my AMG line budget and allocated it to the following spec:

E220d SE in cavansite blue
Premium plus (sunroof, fancy lights, sound system, electric front seats, etc)
Driving assistance
HUD
Comand online and wide-screen cockpit
Dark ash trim with machiatto beige interior
Parking package with 360 degree camera
Heated front windscreen

Didn't bother with the air suspension because the SE I tried on 17s felt extremely good. Though it was hard to find an SE demo as they all want to sell you the AMG line ones!

Having kids I was also quite tempted by the three zone climate, but called it a day at that point.

Engine wise, I had similar reservations about a 4 cylinder, but having driven it I'm incredibly impressed at its refinement and economy, not to mention the fact that it's something like £8k cheaper than the 350d.

It's also faster than the old previous 350d yet will do 55mpg!

 

[Ash]

I've got similar views / requirements to you. We've ordered an S213, which is due towards the end of March.

We've gone for an SE because it comes with real leather and I don't care about big wheels (more expensive tyres and more road noise...? What's the attraction? The perception that it looks cooler is just a fashion thing).

Anyway I took my AMG line budget and allocated it to the following spec:

E220d SE in cavansite blue
Premium plus (sunroof, fancy lights, sound system, electric front seats, etc)
Driving assistance
HUD
Comand online and wide-screen cockpit
Dark ash trim with machiatto beige interior
Parking package with 360 degree camera
Heated front windscreen

Didn't bother with the air suspension because the SE I tried on 17s felt extremely good. Though it was hard to find an SE demo as they all want to sell you the AMG line ones!

Having kids I was also quite tempted by the three zone climate, but called it a day at that point.

Engine wise, I had similar reservations about a 4 cylinder, but having driven it I'm incredibly impressed at its refinement and economy, not to mention the fact that it's something like £8k cheaper than the 350d.

It's also faster than the old previous 350d yet will do 55mpg!

Great sounding spec for both. Id add the comfort seats.
I can't advise on OP's question about air suspension added to front but I'd suspect on the 17 rims and 55 profile tyres it is not essential. Bigger wheels than 212 which ran lower profile on 17s.
I'm disappointed at how long it takes mercedes to phase in new engines and gearboxes.
We'll get a nearly new s213 in 2018. Slightly disappointed it is if anything a bit smaller inside than 212 despite being an inch or two longer. The v90 and 5 series bigger interior albeit smaller boot. Skoda superb packaging is better
Ash

 

[Participant]

Great sounding spec for both. Id add the comfort seats.
I can't advise on OP's question about air suspension added to front but I'd suspect on the 17 rims and 55 profile tyres it is not essential. Bigger wheels than 212 which ran lower profile on 17s.
I'm disappointed at how long it takes mercedes to phase in new engines and gearboxes.
We'll get a nearly new s213 in 2018. Slightly disappointed it is if anything a bit smaller inside than 212 despite being an inch or two longer. The v90 and 5 series bigger interior albeit smaller boot. Skoda superb packaging is better
Ash

Does the premium plus package come with comfort seats? I think the dealer said you get fully electric front seats with lumbar adjustment if you go for premium plus.

Or are you talking about ventilated massaging etc. functionality (if they even offer ventilated seats?), in which case we've not got those.

 

[Ash]

Does the premium plus package come with comfort seats? I think the dealer said you get fully electric front seats with lumbar adjustment if you go for premium plus.

Or are you talking about ventilated massaging etc. functionality (if they even offer ventilated seats?), in which case we've not got those.

Just the lumbar. If it's part of the package then great spec. Better than I'll get when I get one

 

[Participant]

Looks like it's part of both the premium and premium plus packages. From the Dec '17 brochure (see bit boxed in red):

 

[wivenhoe]

Looks like it's part of both the premium and premium plus packages. From the Dec '17 brochure (see bit boxed in red):

The comfort seats have massage rather than just lumber support. They are a further option to the Premium.

 

[Participant]

The comfort seats have massage rather than just lumber support. They are a further option to the Premium.

Yeah I know. That was established in the conversation above .

 

[Aviator]

Well events have overtaken me and the conundrum seems to have been solved.

I went for a test drive but all they had was AMG line option so drove this car. Engine seemed to pull very well. The salesman told me that I could move to the sport setting to get more acceleration but as I was already at 90MPH did not think this was a good idea.
On return got the hard sell and despite his best efforts to sell me an AMG line and a black car I resisted.
He then played on his computor and found a new car in Mercedes stock having just arrived in the UK last week in Irdidium silver se version with a long list of extras:
Prremium plus
Comand
Driving assistance package
Airbody Control
Black ash trim
Black leather
Remote parking package
Easypack loading kit
Heated windscreen
Widescreen cockpit
Tow Bar.

I think that the specification is about as good as it is possible to get and there are very few options left off the list.
I am just waiting for confirmation that it has the OM 654 engine and if confirmed will be firming up for delivery in Early Jan.
I had originally planned a factory order but based on "Wivenhoes experience

I ordered mine last May and it may come in Feb

It seems that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to get one so quickly. The downside is that it will not be an 18 registration but it will be a 2018 registered car.
I was originally looking for Diamond silver but Iridium silver is a compromise I can live with.
The other deciding factor was a discount of just under 18%. It seems that Dec/Jan might be a good time to get the best deals..
My next problem now is to sell my E350 privately but it is a great car and I hope that it will find agood home soon.

 

[Tiim533]

Good result -well done.

 

[wivenhoe]

Well events have overtaken me and the conundrum seems to have been solved.

I went for a test drive but all they had was AMG line option so drove this car. Engine seemed to pull very well. The salesman told me that I could move to the sport setting to get more acceleration but as I was already at 90MPH did not think this was a good idea.
On return got the hard sell and despite his best efforts to sell me an AMG line and a black car I resisted.
He then played on his computor and found a new car in Mercedes stock having just arrived in the UK last week in Irdidium silver se version with a long list of extras:
Prremium plus
Comand
Driving assistance package
Airbody Control
Black ash trim
Black leather
Remote parking package
Easypack loading kit
Heated windscreen
Widescreen cockpit
Tow Bar.

I think that the specification is about as good as it is possible to get and there are very few options left off the list.
I am just waiting for confirmation that it has the OM 654 engine and if confirmed will be firming up for delivery in Early Jan.
I had originally planned a factory order but based on "Wivenhoes experience

It seems that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to get one so quickly. The downside is that it will not be an 18 registration but it will be a 2018 registered car.
I was originally looking for Diamond silver but Iridium silver is a compromise I can live with.
The other deciding factor was a discount of just under 18%. It seems that Dec/Jan might be a good time to get the best deals..
My next problem now is to sell my E350 privately but it is a great car and I hope that it will find agood home soon.

Good luck. The reason I am hanging on for mine is because I’ve got about 18% discount and don’t think I will get that on a plug in petrol hybrid now