Quick E350 CDI Sport Estate Review

[This is Pete]

Ok, so I've had this for a couple of days, so here's my concise, insightful review of this car.

Build Quality -> Awesome - no shakes, no rattles. Switchgear is tactile and non-cheap feeling.

Comfort -> Awesome. Memory package helps here.

Performance (E mode) -> Awesome. Effortless and comfortable

Performance (M mode) -> Not tried this yet

Performance (S mode) -> Awesome. There's a bit of a pause on kickdown, but it just pulls like a train and doesn't let go until you wuss out and lift off.

Driving Dynamics -> Excellent. Doesn't feel as planted or involving as my previous BMW 3 series, but that's were BMW is known to excel. Having said that, the Merc has no body roll and is in complete control even though it feels like it wants to understeer. The more I place my trust in it, the more it gives back.

ILS -> Awesome. Works perfectly.

Direct Steering -> Awesome. Took a bit of getting used to the light feeling at low speeds, but now it feels natural.

7G-Tronic -> Awesome. I hardly ever feel it shifting at all. There's a slight pause on moving off from a junction and from kickdown, but I've already adjusted to that.

COMAND Online -> Awesome. The manual makes everything look very complicated, but the radio is great, and the satnav is easily better than my old TomTom. GPS fix is also very quick. I've not played with MP3 files or the phone integration yet (I've always avoided using the phone while driving anyway)

Storage -> Excellent. I only wish there was a small cubby under the driver side dash for a pair of sunglasses to be stowed

Parktronic -> Excellent. I'd prefer to have the increasing pings like I had in the BMW, but I'm getting used to using only the lights. It's a shame that you don't get a display of the lights on the rear facing camera screen for added confidence.

Noise -> Excellent. Silent on good roads and at low speeds. 18" rims and low profile tires can result in some noise. On balance though, I prefer handling to bouncing, so I can live with turning the radio up a bit.

If I've missed anything out (very likely). Just assume that I think its Awesome.

 

[Monkeylegend]

But do you like it ?

 

[@MARK]

Storage -> Excellent. I only wish there was a small cubby under the driver side dash for a pair of sunglasses to be stowed

.

Not sure if this is the same for the E but on my new C there is a sunglasses holder where you would expect the drivers grab handle to be above the door opening.

Look up and to your right and report back

 

[Schuey]

7G-Tronic -> Awesome. I hardly ever feel it shifting at all. There's a slight pause on moving off from a junction and from kickdown, but I've already adjusted to that.

Hi,

Good review and congratulations on your new car.

That delay/pause you refer to should not be there at all when driving in "S" mode as Mercedes developed a software update which corrected the issue. I hated the delay and so was happy about the software update and as a result always drive my car is "S" mode.

 

[This is Pete]

Nope, no sunglasses holder, it's just the grab handle that's there. I've just put my shades into the door pocket, where it'll get lost among receipts, car park tickets, etc.

The car rolled off the production line in May this year, so I assume that it does have the latest software. As I said, it's not a big issue at all to me. It feels very like my father in law's auto BMW (or maybe he just has a lazy right foot).

 

[BTB 500]

NIce review - sounds like a great car!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Awesome review for an awesome car.

I'll probably be looking to buy a W212 in the next 12-18 months, so it's good to hear a very positive review.

 

[@MARK]

Awesome review for an awesome car.

I'll probably be looking to buy a W212 in the next 12-18 months, so it's good to hear a very positive review.

I looked at the E when I bought this one and for whatever reason it just didn't do it for me at all (even though the E came with a lower monthly payment).

But the more I see pictures like that one up there, the more my mind is changing. Especially in silver.

I can really see an E350 CDI Estate being a top contender when I come to change next time round.

 

[gmk666]

Glad you like the car. Mine is the previous, non 265hp model, and even that feels perky enough. The slight pause when setting off is my one main gripe too. I believe it's some nonsense to do with BlueEfficiency. The gearbox puts itself into neutral whenever it stops, I think. I'm the same as you - I've learnt drive around it. A quick flick on the flappy paddle puts the car back into D, ready to launch again.

 

[This is Pete]

Rear view on my driveway. I'm just in love with the privacy glass.

Just a couple of minor down points I've noticed recently.

Global opening/closing only seems to work if I'm on the drivers side pointing the key at the door handle. The BMW just didn't care where I was - if I was in range to unlock, then I could activate the global opening. Just a small niggle, it's not a feature I'll use a great deal except for potential show-off factor.

My old BMW estate used to have a tailgate where the glass part could be opened without having to lift the entire tailgate. It was very useful in car parks where I'd be able to dump shopping into the back very easily. It was a nice little convenience. I guess that MB feel it might be a security or patent issue.

I seem to be fielding quite a few phone calls from MB asking if I'm happy and if I want to buy any other services at a discounted rate. All very polite and helpful, but I'd just like to enjoy the car over the holidays.

 

[corned]

^ What? You gave them your real number?

 

[Troon]

Global opening/closing only seems to work if I'm on the drivers side pointing the key at the door handle. The BMW just didn't care where I was - if I was in range to unlock, then I could activate the global opening. Just a small niggle, it's not a feature I'll use a great deal except for potential show-off factor.

Yes, that's one of the few things our Fords do better than my 211. The MB global close works by infrared from the key to a sensor in the handle; the other brands do it via RF.

Great looking car.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Just a couple of minor down points I've noticed recently.

Global opening/closing only seems to work if I'm on the drivers side pointing the key at the door handle. The BMW just didn't care where I was - if I was in range to unlock, then I could activate the global opening. Just a small niggle, it's not a feature I'll use a great deal except for potential show-off factor.

I had that feature on an Audi as well so I'm not too sure exactly why Mercedes don't do it.

On my W211, when you auto close the windows, if you put your fingers in the way of the window, it automatically sends it back down so you don't trap your fingers, I'm sure that your S212 will have the same feature.
That's a good show-off trick to the lads....

 

[developer]

Looking good - I'm also a S212 customer next time round. I've just got one word of important advice for you...........























Don't lend it to your neighbour on the right unless you want your wall reshaped

 

[Peter DLM]

Yes, that's one of the few things our Fords do better than my s211.

Along with quickclear heated windscreen. I'd kill for one.

 

[This is Pete]

Along with quickclear heated windscreen. I'd kill for one.

True. I had an ST200 and the quickclear screen was so useful when things got iced up. Even when some of the elements failed and you ended up with a couple of strips of ice left unmelted.

 

[tylerdurden]

looks great. I've been in my W212 for a shade over 1.5y now. Still loving it. Totally appreciate your comments and interested in your observations coming from BM.

I also was a BM migrator. What do I miss about the BM's? The glove box torch, the manual cold air adjusting knob on the dash, the auto dipping of near side mirror on reversing. Don't miss the run flats.

I love the HK sound on the W212. Got my winter tyres on now and its super grippy.

My main gripe is the parktronic. The sound only comes on within a few inches of the target. Would much prefer a more gradually phased increasing beep frequency; starting a good few feet away from target.

 

[This is Pete]

Well, the torch in my old E46 was always pretty feeble, and I don't really miss it that much. I don't know about your car, but my E350 certainly has the reverse parking mirror position - I've not set it up yet, but it's there.

I took it out for a late drive last night around some nearby country roads (discovered the limitation of the main beam assist when trying to thread my way around tight country corners in pitch darkness).

The more I drive it, the more I'm getting to know it.

 

[paneraiseeker]

What MPG it it returning out of interest.

 

[trapperjohn]

Well, the torch in my old E46 was always pretty feeble, and I don't really miss it that much. I don't know about your car, but my E350 certainly has the reverse parking mirror position - I've not set it up yet, but it's there.

I took it out for a late drive last night around some nearby country roads (discovered the limitation of the main beam assist when trying to thread my way around tight country corners in pitch darkness).

The more I drive it, the more I'm getting to know it.

Getting to Know You from The King and I - YouTube