New W212 E-Class - what options?

[SimonsMerc]

After much deliberation and some changes, we're getting a new W212 E-Class as a company car (and saying a sad goodbye to the old W210 - look for it in the classified section soon, a much loved "forum car" with comand from Alfie and serviced by Ollie!). This post is to discuss what options we really shouldn't be without

Currently our "absolute minimum" spec for options is:

Navigation 50 (includes bluetooth handsfree)
Extra seats in back
Built in child seats
Privacy glass
80L tank

I don't want to go to town, but...what other options could you *really* not do without? Is it really worth paying the premium for comand over the Nav 50? What other options should I make sure I get? Everything adds cost, but we're going to have the car for four years so everything is open at the moment!

Also any thoughts on E220 vs E250? I know it's the same engine with different tunings - is it worth paying the little extra up front for the 250 version or is the 220 powerful enough?

Thanks,

-simon

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I assume that we're talking about the estate (S212)?

The three things that I think are essential in an E-Class are;

COMAND,
Heated Seats,
Parking Sensors.

 

[SimonsMerc]

I assume that we're talking about the estate (S212)?

The three things that I think are essential in an E-Class are;

COMAND,
Heated Seats,
Parking Sensors.

Heated seats and parktronic are standard on the new E class (at least in the basic SE spec).

Why COMAND over the new Nav 50? Have you actually tried both? I agree COMAND is great (I have it in my current W210), but the new Nav 50 is very capable and does everything my current COMAND does and more! I just can't see the additional COMAND value...

-simon

 

[Scotsman520]

I love my E250 I got new in November. The engine and 7 speed auto are great. I do have the Nav 50 which is ok but given the chance again I would spec Comand, the Nav50 does all you need but is basic compared to other systems I have seen. Incidentally, does anyone know if Comand can be retro fitted to my car? The standard spec though is very good so anything you add will be due to person choice not necessity

 

[A210AMG]

I would add the through load facility in the arm rest (should be cheap)

and the panaramic roof (as I like a roof)

Other than that like you say you can go silly on options but depending how long you think your keeping it you may want more...

 

[seven]

Depending on how much you like your music I would definitely consider the HK upgrade - not sure if you need full comand to have it though.

 

[SimonsMerc]

I would add the through load facility in the arm rest (should be cheap)

and the panaramic roof (as I like a roof)

Other than that like you say you can go silly on options but depending how long you think your keeping it you may want more...

I don't understand why, but the panoramic sunroof is not an option for an SE spec car :-(. I don't really want the Avantgarde or Sport bits, so I guess panoramic is out.

The through load facility is useful in a sedan, but for an estate I don't see the value really - can just put one of the seats down? Hrm, maybe, you're right that it's not expensive...

 

[A210AMG]

I have the S211 and two kids seats fixed in, it can be a pain dropping the seats even if you can for long items..

ok its not offen but handy if only £150 or so.

 

[Red C220]

Father in law has a "61" E220cdi SE Auto saloon Ed 125.

The only option he added was a split fold rear seat so he could get all the booze in when he goes to france.

If the extra cost of the 250 isn't a problem then go for it, otherwise the 220 is perfectly fine.

The only downside of Nav 50 is it doesn't have 7 digit postcode entry, other than that there's no upside of paying a huge chunk of money for COMAND.

Nice car, I'd like an E estate but it was just a little outside our budget so we got the C Estate which we're delighted with.

 

[developer]

I've not studied the available options on a 212 but Distronic is excellent - so much more than cruise control.

Auto tailgate is fab too (if we're talking S212).

 

[elisetype25]

You seem to have gone through the same sort of deliberations as I did when speccing up my car 18 months ago.

I looked at the 220 and 250, but at the time they both had the 5 speed auto box. This combined with the slightly wider gap between the two turbos made the 250 hesitant under hard acceleration and not as smooth as its 220 sibling. The 220 is more than quick enough for 2+ tonne estate IMO.

80L tank is great, I got 1150 miles out of a tank recently (I was trying) and average 800+ between fill-ups (though they're well over £100 when you do have to!).

I also have 7 seats and opted for Nav50. At the time comand was another grand for not very much at all.

IMO the linguatronic isn't particularly essential, the 4gb music player is largely pointless (I have a 32gb usb in the glovebox), as is multi cd (redundant with usb). Which left you paying for a slightly bigger screen (and the Nav50 screen is fine) and the ability to watch a dvd when parked (not something I particularly feel is missing from my life!)

At the time neither comand or Nav50 had full postcode entry. This has been updated on comand but not the Nav50 (as far as I know). Comand now has the smartphone connection and with the revised pricing, comand is much better value than it was previously and is worth looking at if the additional smartphone web facility is of interest to you.

However, the main reason I wanted a nav system was because it the brain for the Driving Assist pack (Distronic + etc.).

I have done 40k in the last 16months and this is a truly impressive system. I would not spec a car without it. Although the lane assist is turned off (not much use in rural areas on narrow roads where you often find yourself straddling the lines), the blind spot assist is excellent and distronic plus is superb.

The only other item I ticked was DAB. I know this has been much criticised in some circles. I have had no problems with it whatsoever and we have a terrible MW signal in our region (just because we have a few mountains in the way!) so its essential if you want anything other than FM (and that's not great here either).

Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll be more than happy. I am delighted with the car and look forward many more miles before I could even conceive of moving into anything else.

Regards, Neil
PS. Is it the SE you are looking at. If so I would seriously consider moving up to Avantgarde, the Bi-Xenon adaptive lighting system is a must have IMO. It really is very impressive and I would seriously miss it if it was taken off me tomorrow.

 

[ucr]

Go for all of them

 

[st4]

On a car like a 212 most of the good things are standard. I would echo the Avantarde trim upgrade as that comes with Artico or leather standard as well as xenons.

COMAND is a pointless upgrade unless you are hell bent on using it. A COMAND car might be worth more come sale time, but it costs more to buy. Nav 50 is more than good enough.

Parktronic is a must, but if thats standard equipment.

make sure to tick the automatic transmission option

 

[st13phil]

As others have suggested, the Avantgarde is a worthwhile upgrade over the SE. On the comfort and convenience front it gives you full leather upholstery with a much broader choice of colours rather than Artico in black or grey, auto-dimming interior and driver's door mirrors, and automatic powered tailgate. More importantly (in my view) it gives you the fantastic Intelligent Light System and marginally firmer suspension which gives a very good compromise between the slightly boingy SE setup and the even firmer Sport.

Again, as has already been pointed out, COMAND gives full 7-digit postcode entry which NAV50 doesn't, plus other features that are more obvious and only you will know whether or not they're important to you or not. Other than that, you're really getting into the toy box where it's all down to personal preference and the depth of your wallet.

One last thing: I note that you have Parameter Steering on your current car. That's not an option on the W/S212, being standard equipment (renamed Direct Steering) on all Sport models but is fitted only on the V6's in Avantgarde trim.

 

[This is Pete]

I went for the sport spec (but then I like the looks and ride), which gave me a lot of goodies as standard.

The options I enjoy on my pre-owned car:

* COMAND APS. I don't know what the features it has above the other variants, but I find lingatronic very useful - especially as it lets me control other functions without leaving the navigation screen.

* Privacy glass. Just looks badass and distinctive

* Panoramic sunroof. With the sunblinds open, it makes the interior much more light & airy. Having the large slab of black glass on the roof is also good visually (at least for me)

* Memory package. Because I'm a lazy sod and can't be bothered.

* Reversing camera (only with COMAND APS). The estate is a big beast and hard to see out of the back (esp with privacy glass at night). Reversing camera gives me confidence about what's behind me.

Also, if you have kids or regular back passengers (sounds as though this will be the case), then it might be a good idea to select the rear side airbags for added safety. You should have the tire pressure loss system as standard, but going the extra step for the pressure monitoring system might be handy as well.

As the advice above, I'd seriously consider moving up to AV spec for the intelligent lighting system. It really does make night driving so much more pleasant. You'll also get the nice classy interior ambient lighting.

 

[SimonsMerc]

The trouble with the Avantgarde spec is that it knocks the CO2 emissions up into the next level (142g/km instead of 139g/km). This is due to the 17" wheels that come as standard. I wonder if I can spec Avantgarde but with the smaller 16" wheels.

It's really irritating because I *want* the direct steering and panoramic sunroof options but these seem to be only available with Avantgarde, not with the SE! For me those would be the real driver for Avantgarde, not the lighting or looks ;-)

-simon

 

[st13phil]

I wonder if I can spec Avantgarde but with the smaller 16" wheels.

According to the pricelist, no. They will fit (I have them on my E350CDI for winter), and from what I remember they're available as factory fit in the German market, but not in the UK.

It's really irritating because I *want* the direct steering and panoramic sunroof options but these seem to be only available with Avantgarde, not with the SE! For me those would be the real driver for Avantgarde, not the lighting or looks ;-)

Whoa! Direct Steering is only on the V6-engined cars in Avantgarde trim, or on all Sport trim vehicles, regardless of engine.

Sounds like you're going through some of the same issues I had when I was deciding on the spec for my E-Class last year. You have my sympathy.

 

[SimonsMerc]

According to the pricelist, no. They will fit (I have them on my E350CDI for winter), and from what I remember they're available as factory fit in the German market, but not in the UK.Whoa! Direct Steering is only on the V6-engined cars in Avantgarde trim, or on all Sport trim vehicles, regardless of engine.

Sounds like you're going through some of the same issues I had when I was deciding on the spec for my E-Class last year. You have my sympathy.

Hrm. Really? You *can't* specify Parameter steering unless you get 18" alloys, or 17" alloys and a V6 engine?

That seems frankly ridiculous to me...

-simon

 

[SimonsMerc]

Hrm...is it possible that the "old" parametric steering is now standard, and the "direct" steering option is over and above this?

From emercedesbenz.com:

Standard equipment for the new E‑Class includes rack-and-pinion power steering with a variable ratio, which is more indirect in the central position compared to the outgoing model and, therefore, helps to improve directional stability and road adhesion at high speed. When the steering wheel angle exceeds around 100 degrees, the ratio becomes more direct to reduce the number of steering wheel turns required to park or manoeuvre.

 

[st13phil]

Hrm...is it possible that the "old" parametric steering is now standard, and the "direct" steering option is over and above this?

Having test driven an E250CDI Avantgarde (without Direct Steering) an E350CDI Sport and my own E350CDI Avantgarde, I'd say no. The latter two clearly have variable assistance as well as the variable ratio rack, while the car without Direct Steering felt a good deal heavier at parking speeds so I don't think the assistance is variable.

Like you I wasn't very impressed at it being impossible to spec what I want in the way of options on a circa £40k car - but that's the way it is. You really need to take a test drive for yourself though, to see if you can happily live without variable assistance on the steering.