Sat in a new MB E Class today, I was underwhelmed
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Sat in a new MB E Class today, I was underwhelmed
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...
#3
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I think the dual screen is a must for this car, its the show stopper. I wonder what color combo your test vehicle had? The standard MB Tex design on the seats is ugly IMO, and leather is a must to get the horizontal slats instead of the vertical. With the proper leather, and the proper wood choice (the matte colors), the car can look really good.
Also, I am extremely sad that only the luxury model gets the top stitch dash in MBTEX and it will not be available on the sport model. This small detail really changes the car, and the standard injection molded dash just doesn't cut it anymore.
Im pretty sure the E will be my next vehicle, getting rid of the C
Also, I am extremely sad that only the luxury model gets the top stitch dash in MBTEX and it will not be available on the sport model. This small detail really changes the car, and the standard injection molded dash just doesn't cut it anymore.
Im pretty sure the E will be my next vehicle, getting rid of the C
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It was a fairly basic white on cream, MB Tex car. Interesting that would be their demo.
The injection molded dash is crummy looking.
I hope I'm more impressed with a higher spec car.
The injection molded dash is crummy looking.
I hope I'm more impressed with a higher spec car.
#6
Lead Lap
So you definitely didn't sit in a E400, but rather an E300. Otherwise I agree it's not all that in most basic form. The fully optioned models impressed me when I sat in them though.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Cheap E-class variants exist to be turned into repmobiles and taxis in Europe, hence the MB Tex and cheapish dash design. Too bad they didn't keep the same dash design in all models like what Lexus does. The stitching really spruces up the interior.
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Its like all Mercedes models, unless they get the right packages and upgrades, they actually are pretty homely...I also have found that while I like Lexus, BMW and Audi models better in person than in pictures, in general I like Mercedes models in pictures better than in person. The exception is the S Class.
Originally Posted by chromedome
Cheap E-class variants exist to be turned into repmobiles and taxis in Europe, hence the MB Tex and cheapish dash design. Too bad they didn't keep the same dash design in all models like what Lexus does. The stitching really spruces up the interior.
If that car was $50,000 that would be one thing...
#10
Lead Lap
#13
I agree the W212 was a POS. I don't understand how somebody could sit inside a 5-series, A6, or GS then sit in the Benz and think it was even at par for the class. Cheapness abound w/ a very ugly design. That car didn't age well inside or out.
Mercedes as a whole were very mediocre since the Chrysler years. It was only at the time of the new S-class and subsequent C and E redesigns where I started feeling that Mercedes is back on track. Their SUVs still have a long ways to go.
#14
Massive improvement in both design and quality.
I agree the W212 was a POS. I don't understand how somebody could sit inside a 5-series, A6, or GS then sit in the Benz and think it was even at par for the class. Cheapness abound w/ a very ugly design. That car didn't age well inside or out.
Mercedes as a whole were very mediocre since the Chrysler years. It was only at the time of the new S-class and subsequent C and E redesigns where I started feeling that Mercedes is back on track. Their SUVs still have a long ways to go.
I agree the W212 was a POS. I don't understand how somebody could sit inside a 5-series, A6, or GS then sit in the Benz and think it was even at par for the class. Cheapness abound w/ a very ugly design. That car didn't age well inside or out.
Mercedes as a whole were very mediocre since the Chrysler years. It was only at the time of the new S-class and subsequent C and E redesigns where I started feeling that Mercedes is back on track. Their SUVs still have a long ways to go.
#15
Lead Lap
Massive improvement in both design and quality.
I agree the W212 was a POS. I don't understand how somebody could sit inside a 5-series, A6, or GS then sit in the Benz and think it was even at par for the class. Cheapness abound w/ a very ugly design. That car didn't age well inside or out.
Mercedes as a whole were very mediocre since the Chrysler years. It was only at the time of the new S-class and subsequent C and E redesigns where I started feeling that Mercedes is back on track. Their SUVs still have a long ways to go.
I agree the W212 was a POS. I don't understand how somebody could sit inside a 5-series, A6, or GS then sit in the Benz and think it was even at par for the class. Cheapness abound w/ a very ugly design. That car didn't age well inside or out.
Mercedes as a whole were very mediocre since the Chrysler years. It was only at the time of the new S-class and subsequent C and E redesigns where I started feeling that Mercedes is back on track. Their SUVs still have a long ways to go.
For the record, I think the W221 S-class aged extremely well and was still very competitive right up until the end.