Sat in a new MB E Class today, I was underwhelmed
06-23-16 | 09:09 PM
#32
06-23-16 | 11:49 PM
#36
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From: Washington
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/06/06/2...#slide-3913687
With a new model for 2017, the E-Class wagon continues as the only one available in its class. It also has a rear-facing bench seat. And if you get the right package, you can kick your foot below the rear bumper to open the hatch. That's about all we need in a vehicle.
The wagon gets all of the innovations in the new E sedan, including Benz's latest near-autonomous suite and a high-tech interior with big screens and touch-sensitive controls. Air suspension is again standard, and you can choose the Luxury appearance, with its hood-mounted three-pointed star, or the Sport, which sticks a big emblem in the grille.
In part because the E wagon doesn't sell in huge numbers, Mercedes will again offer it here with a single powertrain: The E400 has a 329-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. It also gets M-B's new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic.
Mercedes always likes to point out that although the long-roof E isn't the brand's most expensive model, it's bought by some of the richest customers. Translation: Old money likes itself some practicality.
The US market will not get the E43 AMG version that Europe gets – basically a 396-hp version of the same 3.0-liter engine and an AMG body and suspension kit – but we're told to expect an AMG variant of the wagon soon. That likely means an E63 wagon to go along with the yet-to-be-released sedan. That is definitely all we'd need in a vehicle.
With a new model for 2017, the E-Class wagon continues as the only one available in its class. It also has a rear-facing bench seat. And if you get the right package, you can kick your foot below the rear bumper to open the hatch. That's about all we need in a vehicle.
The wagon gets all of the innovations in the new E sedan, including Benz's latest near-autonomous suite and a high-tech interior with big screens and touch-sensitive controls. Air suspension is again standard, and you can choose the Luxury appearance, with its hood-mounted three-pointed star, or the Sport, which sticks a big emblem in the grille.
In part because the E wagon doesn't sell in huge numbers, Mercedes will again offer it here with a single powertrain: The E400 has a 329-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. It also gets M-B's new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic.
Mercedes always likes to point out that although the long-roof E isn't the brand's most expensive model, it's bought by some of the richest customers. Translation: Old money likes itself some practicality.
The US market will not get the E43 AMG version that Europe gets – basically a 396-hp version of the same 3.0-liter engine and an AMG body and suspension kit – but we're told to expect an AMG variant of the wagon soon. That likely means an E63 wagon to go along with the yet-to-be-released sedan. That is definitely all we'd need in a vehicle.
06-24-16 | 05:51 AM
#38
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As a buyer for a sedan the fact that there's an E400 wagon is irrelevant. I would never consider a wagon, neither would the vast majority of buyers.
Does give me hope of an E400 sedan though.
Does give me hope of an E400 sedan though.
06-24-16 | 08:07 AM
#40
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From: NY
One bratwurst, different lengths
06-24-16 | 08:11 AM
#41
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From: Washington
...so what part of my post do you disagree with? Just because you like it (and apparently can't pay for it) doesn't make it any less borderline irrelevant from a sales or competition standpoint. The wagons sell in tiny numbers compared to the sedans and they really don't have much competition in the U.S.
06-25-16 | 09:25 AM
#42
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From: MD
06-25-16 | 07:08 PM
#45
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As the title says I stopped by the MB dealer today and sat in their E400 demo. I didn't drive it, they had somebody they were working on getting ready to drive it, but I got to sit in it and spend some time walking around it, and really checking out the interior.
I was really underwhelmed. The car didn't feel special at all, I wouldn't rate it inside or outside any more appealing, better made, or as having better materials than the 5 Series, GS, A6, etc. This particular car was pretty low optioned, but the seats were thin and not well sculpted, the bottom of the seats were flat. Materials were very typical for the segment. This particular car did not have the TFT cluster and the basic gauges look horribly cheap and tacked on.
Reminded me way more of the C Class than the S Class, all the materials inside are very similar to what is used in that C, and not at all as nice as what is used in that S. I'll reserve final judgement for when I see one higher optioned and get to drive one...but right now I wouldn't choose this car vs the GS, 5 or A6 based on what I saw today.
Bummer...
I was really underwhelmed. The car didn't feel special at all, I wouldn't rate it inside or outside any more appealing, better made, or as having better materials than the 5 Series, GS, A6, etc. This particular car was pretty low optioned, but the seats were thin and not well sculpted, the bottom of the seats were flat. Materials were very typical for the segment. This particular car did not have the TFT cluster and the basic gauges look horribly cheap and tacked on.
Reminded me way more of the C Class than the S Class, all the materials inside are very similar to what is used in that C, and not at all as nice as what is used in that S. I'll reserve final judgement for when I see one higher optioned and get to drive one...but right now I wouldn't choose this car vs the GS, 5 or A6 based on what I saw today.
Bummer...
gotta pay up for options if you want it to be really nice.