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Cars are never perfect.
Largely because car design is a compromise.
For example, it's going to be very difficult for the E Class above with fold down rear seats, to be as quiet as a sedan with sealed rear seat back rests.
And if the seat base could flip forward into the rear foot well area to allow a fully flat folding backrest, then the NVH would be even more compromised.
Thus, the more a car has of A, the less it will have of B.
There is no one car that does everything.
Each car is a set of compromises.
I would prefer if in the next six months, more comparison tests were neutral like this comparison below, citing the pros and cons of each model, and allowing the individual to decide what best suits their needs, wants and tastes: https://www.dpreview.com/news/364002...on-d5?slide=11
But, as usual I wouldn't be surprised if Car and Driver or Road and Track come up with: (1) Winner Xxxx, (2) 1st Runner Up Yyyy, (3) 2nd Runner Up Zzzz, etc.
Sulu, this type of conclusion is what we call an "opinion", because it will vary from person to person - another person who rates handling highly may rank: (1) Zzzz, (2) Yyyy and (3) Xxxx etc.
Notice how the pros and cons of each car is often quite factual.
However, the overall ranking and purchase decision of a car is mostly an opinion, which depends on the individual's needs, wants & tastes.
As good as the new E Class is, its reputation, its name and following, it won't suit everyone's tastes, and that's why there are so many models to choose from in the midsize luxury market.
Even Microsoft can only command 90% of the market; they can't command all 100%...
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Yes Steve, I'm sure new E is very quiet.
New E may even handle very sharply without using 4GS's firm springs too - simply by using a hi percentage of aluminium.
Thus there are multiple factors involved.
So although fold down rear seats compromise NVH here, they can "compensate" for that in other areas to result in overall low NVH.
I'm just talking about general principles only, eg all else being equal, fold down rear seats will have greater NVH.
And that's why S Class & LS generally don't have fold down rear seats.
Furthermore, S Class & LS have very thick backrest cushions which make it more awkward to fold down.
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So although fold down rear seats compromise NVH here, they can make up for that in other areas to result in overall low NVH.
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Like others have said, you are over thinking things and you are clearly missing the point. The E class has fold down rear seats because the A6 and 5 Series both have them.
I'm not really discussing "why" the E Class has fold down rear seats.
I'm only discussing "compromises" in design.
We can "compensate" here and there, but "if all else was the same", then the basic rules still follow, eg fold down rear seats compromise NVH etc.
Likewise, by using 50% aluminium content, new E could handle just as well as 5 Series or GS without their firmer suspension etc.
However, if all else was equal, and 5 Series gets 50% aluminium content in 2018, then we are back to square one, and firmer suspension still minimises weight transfer to the outside wheels to give sharper steering response, and greater terminal grip.
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And the reason the LS and S Class don't have fold down rear seats is not because of NVH, its because full sized luxury sedans have options for a lot of technology, power reclining, memory, cooled and heated rear seats with audio controls, etc. Its not just an ordinary rear seat.
SAD, SAD, SAD that, short of an $90k AMG, the only engine available in Mercedes' mid size luxury sedan, is a 4 cylinder. If I'm going to spend 70 large a a luxury sedan, I will NOT be buying a four cylinder, period.
SAD, SAD, SAD that, short of an $90k AMG, the only engine available in Mercedes' mid size luxury sedan, is a 4 cylinder. If I'm going to spend 70 large a a luxury sedan, I will NOT be buying a four cylinder, period.
Relax- the AMG E43, the second tier AMG, will not cost $90k. But I too am curious why MBUSA product planning decided on this strategy.
Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
I'm confused, where is the E400 sedan? The Coupe (previous gen) is still around as the E400 and E550. It's not like they have to shoehorn 3.0 liters
Looks like MBUSA decided the C-class strategy (C300, AMG C43, AMG C63) worked well enough. I do know the take rate on the non-AMG upgraded motor for the standard E-class of the previous generation was shockingly low.
Relax- the AMG E43, the second tier AMG, will not cost $90k. But I too am curious why MBUSA product planning decided on this strategy.
Looks like MBUSA decided the C-class strategy (C300, AMG C43, AMG C63) worked well enough. I do know the take rate on the non-AMG upgraded motor for the standard E-class of the previous generation was shockingly low.
Interesting. Is there a time table as to the US spec AMG E43?
The way I look at it, Mercedes is taking a card from Audi and Cadillac. A7, S7, RS7, CTS, CTS V-Sport, CTS-V. You essentially have an entry level, mid-spec sport level, and full fledged performance model. I've mentioned over the past few years how it would be cool to see Lexus F-Sport take on this formula and be better differentiated than firmer suspension, grill and badge.
Interesting. Is there a time table as to the US spec AMG E43?
The way I look at it, Mercedes is taking a card from Audi and Cadillac. A7, S7, RS7, CTS, CTS V-Sport, CTS-V. You essentially have an entry level, mid-spec sport level, and full fledged performance model. I've mentioned over the past few years how it would be cool to see Lexus F-Sport take on this formula and be better differentiated than firmer suspension, grill and badge.
SAD, SAD, SAD that, short of an $90k AMG, the only engine available in Mercedes' mid size luxury sedan, is a 4 cylinder. If I'm going to spend 70 large a a luxury sedan, I will NOT be buying a four cylinder, period.
A 4 cylinder in a E class is just lame, making it the only engine available for now is just puzzling. This whole trend of sticking 4 cylinders in larger luxury cars is awful. When they finally do offer a 6 cylinder in the E class it will surely carry a pretty hefty premium compared to previous 6 cylinders too because they are already charging so much for the 4 cylinder and it is now standard.
08-07-16, 01:48 PM
