I’m old enough to remember when Mercedes used the tagline “engineered like no other car in the world,” and no one questioned it. When the 1986 W124 E-Class was introduced, Car & Driver proclaimed it “the best car in the world.” In the quarter-century since, Mercedes’ position in the automotive pecking order has become less certain. Lexus came out of nowhere, and BMW has managed to successfully expand upward from the 3-Series and to become a provider of luxury as well as sport. For 2010 Mercedes has totally redesigned the E-Class. Any chance it’s 1986 all over again?
The styling of the 1986 W124 E-Class was timeless. Noting that the marque’s traditional virtues were no longer bringing in the buyers, Mercedes grafted four oval headlights onto the mid-1990s W210 E-Class to communicate “we’re not stodgy.” That ploy worked for a couple of years, after which many people were wishing the W124 had never been replaced. With the 2003 W211, timeless styling returned, and it hurt. Surrounded by Audiesque grilles and Bangled bodysides, no luxury sedan was easier to lose in a crowd. So, with the 2010 W212 E-Class, Mercedes has again opted for road presence and distinctive styling. Specifically, the new car’s chunkier shape is adorned with a quartet of rectangular headlights and pointless rear fender bulges. The W211 is easily the more beautiful car, but the W212 looks much more like $55,000, even if the design of the hood makes it appear misaligned.
The restyled E-Class interior resembles that of the current C-Class. The shapes are blocky rather than flowing and organic, and might appear overly basic or even cheap were it not for the obvious quality of the materials and subtle detailing. Very German.
Following BMW’s lead, the transmission shifter is an electronic stalk on the steering column, freeing up console real estate for an iDrive-like controller. While a console-mounted shifter no longer makes much functional sense, a car does seem less sporty without one.
The W212 continues Mercedes’ tradition of a relatively high driving position, for better forward visibility than in an Audi or BMW. The front seats continue another Mercedes tradition: they’re much firmer than those in a Volvo or Lexus. While shaped well for support, even the lateral variety, these seats lack the plush feeling many people will expect in a luxury sedan.
The W212 E-Class’s rear seat is an improvement over that in the W211, but continues to lag those in the BMW 5-Series and Infiniti M in terms of comfort and space. The thinking at Mercedes-Benz seems to be that those seeking an adult-worthy rear seat should spring for the S-Class. One thing the rear seat does do (optionally) that those in Asian competitors don’t: fold to expand the trunk.
The great majority of buyers in the United States will opt for the base engine, a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, and for good reason: it’s more than adequate. You can get just as much power in an Accord these days, and some competing sixes offer 300+ horsepower. But the fact of the matter is that most drivers won’t come close to tapping out the E350’s power potential in 99 percent of their driving. This wouldn’t be the case with an old-style four-speed automatic, but when there are seven ratios to select from the engine is always in its powerband. Unlike some earlier iterations of this transmission, the one in the W212 shifts smoothly and with an appropriate frequency.
Mercedes’ pricing can be baffling. In some cases an AMG body kit, sport suspension tuning, and upsized wheels can run over five grand. In other cases—including the 2010 E350—the sport treatment is no extra charge. Sport Package for free? That’s an easy choice.
The sport-suspended chassis behaves well, with good balance, admirable composure over rough patches, and minimal lean in hard turns. Through the seat of one’s pants, the car feels tight and precise. Then there’s the steering. In a word, it’s dead. Weighting varies from overly light to artificial. Road feel is absent. The suspension might be excellent, but this steering dashes any chance of a driver connecting with this car.
The E-Class’s ride is neither as firm as in a BMW 5-Series nor as absorbent as in a Lexus GS. It doesn’t feel cushy, but there’s no harshness. Nor are there any of the untoward, indecisive jiggles that occasionally mar the ride of the upstart Hyundai Genesis. The solid, planted feel Mercedes has traditionally been known for is certainly present in this car. As in just about any luxury sedan these days (with the notable exception of the Audi A6), noise levels are low.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class looks and feels solid and expensive. But if Mercedes wants to regain its earlier reputation, it needs to offer more than this. Aspects of the styling will appear dated by the time the lease is over. But that’s common in the post-Bangle era. More troubling, the combination of overly firm seats with zombie steering means that the new W212 E-Class excels as neither a luxury sedan nor a sport sedan. Who is this car for? Do even luxury sedan buyers want to feel entirely disconnected from the driving experience? Mercedes has been making cars longer than anyone else has. So why can’t they provide a decent steering system?
Michael Karesh operates TrueDelta.com, a provider of car reliability and real-world gas mileage information
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****While a console-mounted shifter no longer makes much functional sense, a car does seem less sporty without one.****
So true, though I wish more automakers would offer a DB9-style in-dash push button transmission or XF-style rotary knob.
For those that remember the w124 fondly the new C class appears to be the most direct descendent yet from Mercedes. They’re about the same size and weight, and it seems they’re trying to bring the quality back, which is good to see.
This new E… it’s too big, it’s not especially good looking… yawn.
Why would anyone pay $20K premium for this over Hyundai Genesis is beyond me.
I’m old enough to recall the days when any review of a Mercedes would mention the car’s granitic, one-of-a-piece feeling of solidity. My W124 certainly felt that way. My current W211, not so much. Is the new one any better?
I don’t understand why any car with an automatic ever had a floor- or console-shifter (nor did column-shift manuals ever make sense). The only function they serve is to mess up those of us who can actually drive a manual-transmission car. Good on MB (and BMW) for making a logical ergonomic decision.
If you’re driving an automatic, why would a console shifter be more “sporty?” You don’t have to touch it while you’re moving, so it should neither matter nor be in the way, as console shifters so often are in automatics.
I’m not really seeing a lot of Bangle here… what exactly is Banglefied about this model?
I recall the Mercedes tag line as being:
“Engineered like no other car in the world”
I don’t understand why any car with an automatic ever had a floor- or console-shifter
1. Cost. You get to keep the same console design and floor.
2. Column shifters are irritating to use. it’s far too easy to overshoot your intended gear.
I’d say that, unless you have sporting pretensions** there’s no reason not to use a Jag/7er/Prius interface. Modern powertrains rarely need to be forced to use lower gears.
My dad used to talk about the pushbutton transmission on my grandfather’s Plymouth Fury. Interesting that it’s never really come back.
** and even then, there’s paddles
Then there’s the steering. In a word, it’s dead.
Is it electric-assist? I know a lot of makes are having trouble with the move to EPS, with Mazda being the only one who seems to get it uniformly right. If some johnny-come-lately, front-drive econobox-maker like Mazda can do it, why not the Engineers Like No Other?
This is a car that I would really like. You see I test drove the previous version E with blutec extensively. I really wanted to buy it, but was completely floored by the M-B warranty and service. The warranty only covers items lubricated by oil or grease. WTF? Got a broken HVAC or Nav – too bad. The dealership’s service rate was $200/hour, and they were booking two weeks in advance. This is a car for rich people who don’t care. I guess I’m neither.
gettysburg,
Thanks for putting it politely. Seems I’m also old enough to have an imprecise memory. “Best engineered” was the implication.
maniceightball,
Bangle’s influence is indirect here, in the imperative to complicate the bodyside styling. I blame him for the rear fender bulge which looks like something off a badly designed pickup.
On the reliability front, I’d like TrueDelta to have quick results for the new E-Class like it did with the new C-Class.
To help with our Car Reliability Survey:
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
The Mercedes E class has always struck me as a luxury car for those without imagination. Over the past 15 years or so the Mercedes badge has been the most compelling part of the car, as it has not been more sporting, more luxurious, or more reliable than any of its competitors.
It seems like Mercedes is continuing to play it safe, which might not be a bad thing, as luxury car buyers are by and large image driven, and the Mercedes star still holds plenty of cache. Still, you could get a sportier experience in a BMW or Jaguar, a quieter and more luxurious ride in a Lexus, or a hell of a lot more value in a Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, or VW Phaeton (for those lucky enough to live in countries where those are still sold).
Michael Karesh — Hm, yeah, I sort of see it. I think that bulge could be toned down a bit, but I like it. It’d be a pretty drab design otherwise.
What? No reference, however oblique, to the doors closing like a “bank vault” . . . ? This used to be required in any review of a Mercedes-Benz. Is the reviewer slipping, or do the doors no longer close with that subtle kerthunk that reminds MB buyers what they paid for every time they get in or out of the car?
Go to a junkyard and find a ponton-bodied MB from the fifties or a fintail from the sixties. Unless the car was hit so hard it’s bent, the doors will still close that way no matter how rusty the car is.
I think my lease payment would go to the XF.
Nothing big against the E-class, but it seems like the mid-size luxury car equivalent of a Camry LE. I guess that means it’s a decent vehicle, but there’s not a lot to desire about it.
Why would anyone pay $20K premium for this over Hyundai Genesis is beyond me.
Wow. I certainly would. It’s the reason Mercedes will sell cars to people like me and Hyundai will sell cars to people like you. Thank goodness for freedom of choice.
Now, why anyone would spend $35k on a Hyundai is beyond me.
A side crease from Bangle (yes, it’s diluted over how many generations of BMW’s shapes and the manufacturers whom all copied it – but it’s there)
A rear fender flare from a Subaru STi
And hump atop the center console that looks like it’s from a Lada.
Meh!
“Wow. I certainly would. It’s the reason Mercedes will sell cars to people like me and Hyundai will sell cars to people like you. Thank goodness for freedom of choice.
Now, why anyone would spend $35k on a Hyundai is beyond me.”
Well, some people don’t think it’s worth spending twenty grand to convince themselves they’re better than everyone else.
…or do the doors no longer close with that subtle kerthunk that reminds MB buyers what they paid for every time they get in or out of the car?
$5000 per year in repairs and whole lot of Dynamat stuffed into the doors?
1st – is there any way to “fix” the novocaine steering? There must be some good aftermarket solution. Sajeev maybe?
2nd – Honda has been making doors that make that same Mercedes Kerthunk since the mid 80’s, with a much lower cost of ownership. Glad the review is past that.
Well, Hyundai is doing something right if the Genesis is even being mentioned in an E-Class review.
I wanted to buy an E-AMG to replace my 2007 S-550 but there are things I perfer in my S-class that the E just doesn’t have.
While I liked the loaded E’s technology package, the car is UGLY. The rear end looks terrible and so do the side moldings. I just wish Benz had either kept, or redesigned the W211’s rear.
The E-class has more driver/front passenger space than most cars being released. For example, the E is more spacious than the BMW 7 up front(I was suprised about that). Its also larger than the Buick Lacrosse 2010 and the Lincoln MKS. The rear sucks but, most people buying this car aren’t planning to make it a limo. That’s what the S550 is for.
The car feels solid and well designed but I’d have perfered an interior that flows like the expansive dash of the S550.
I guess I won’t replace my S-class till the 2012 S class is released.
dgduris :
September 24th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
A side crease from Bangle (yes, it’s diluted over how many generations of BMW’s shapes and the manufacturers whom all copied it – but it’s there)
A rear fender flare from a Subaru STi
And hump atop the center console that looks like it’s from a Lada.
Meh!
You’ve forgotten the front headlights from a Lexus GS!
Austin Greene,
Where are you getting your warranty info? The mercedes 4/50 is as inclusive as audi, bmw, etc.
The headlights seem to be a poor imitation of the current gen Lexus GS. I’d take a Hyundai Genesis over this, or, if I needed some branding validation, an Infiniti M. When I see Mercedes, I instantly think the person should have either bought a Lexus if they wanted luxury or a BMW if they wanted sport. Or if they wanted to split the difference, suck up the service and buy the better looking Audi (although I agree the A6 is a dog in this instance).
The C class is almost competitive. The S class is actually competitive. But the E? There are just so many good cars in the segment, from the aforementioned Hyundai and Infiniti to the new Jaguar. They really needed to stand out more.
For me it’s all about the ride quality. The ride in a BMW/Lexus/Infinity just doesn’t feel as “special”. Compare the ride quality in a Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, VW Passat with the Infinty and Lexus and Audi and it feels very similar. Compare that to the Mercedes and there is something special about their ability to filter out harshness and provide a sense of “dignity” and refinement.
I guess I’ve just never known to allure of buying these new (BUT depreciation is SO bad that you can get a 5 year old E-class for pennies on the dollar…that is a good value). BMW offers a better driver’s car and a more compelling maintenance and warranty plan; Lexus has more gadgetry, better reliability, plusher seats, and the “I’m a smart luxury buyer” appeal; Genesis shows that you’re ahead of the curve and want E-class luxury for C class price; Audi (in the words of Top Gear) is the new douche bag car. I just don’t get it. Now the C class seems like a respectable contender…..
Re findude :
True that! Dad’s ‘58 220SE, even when 30 years old – sporting considerable body rust – all 4 doors made the appropriately solid ‘thunk’ when closing and still took a minimal effort to open. The door handle linkages still felt quite solid too – no slack.
That’s what you get when even the smallest parts start life as a forging and not just a stamped part.
I think the car looks pretty good, and the interior is also very well designed. Of course it’s not as beautiful as a W123 or a W124, but still very good for a modern design.
Here in Europe the base model is a 2.1 liter, 136 horsepower Diesel with a 6 speed manual. I guess they designed the steering for that, and forgot about the quicker models.
From the side the new E class looks like a Honda Accord and at the front the tear drop and trapezoidal lights look awkward. So the W212 is neither sporty nor luxurious nor engineered like no other car in the world. Mercedes has really lost their way with this car. They must be counting on all the people who buy a Benz simply because of the three pointed star on the hood. It was that kind of thinking that got GM into its current state.
@IGB :
September 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Why would anyone pay $20K premium for this over Hyundai Genesis is beyond me.
Wow. I certainly would. It’s the reason Mercedes will sell cars to people like me
Now, why anyone would spend $35k on a Hyundai is beyond me.
Because you never driven one yet? And it precisely because of people like you MB can get away charging $20k premium.
@ Michael Karesh:
Mercedes has been making cars longer than anyone else has. So why can’t they provide a decent steering system?
Nothing new there! Growing up, my family had several Mercedes cars – a ‘75 450SE, an ‘85 300TD, an ‘85 190E, and an ‘88 300E. All had that same feel the new E-class does – a too-large steering wheel, too-heavy action, and a lack of precision.
But the flip side: that same heavy steering is an absolute BOON in high-speed highway driving. Not indecent, but definitely not sporting.
drifter :
September 24th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
@IGB :
September 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Now, why anyone would spend $35k on a Hyundai is beyond me.
Because you never driven one yet? And it precisely because of people like you MB can get away charging $20k premium.
True, the Genesis offers a pretty solid package for the bucks. But which one will still look good in 20 years? My money’s on the Benz.
Regarding the steering/seats:
Remember who this car is built for: It’s for businessmen who drive a lot on the Autobahn. So what you need when you drive for hours at high speeds in a straight line is
a) firm seats to support your back so that you won’t be in pain after an hour behind the wheel, switching lanes at 200 km/h, and
b) a somewhat detached steering wheel, because if it’s more direct, it can become extremely tiring since you need a lot more concentration. Try to drive a sports car at 200+ km/h for an hour on the Autobahn and you know what I mean. You need to readjust your steering wheel after every tiny bump, every other second, which means that you have to be extremely alert all the time. This kinda thing is very tiring and I can’t do it for too long myself. Now an E-Class on the other hand is still easily manageable at 200+ km/h and you don’t need 100% concentration but are free to let your thoughts wander about and think about the business meeting that’s about to take place.
I guess I’ve just never known to allure of buying these new
You can get a new E350 for a little over 40k (they have 10k on the hood). In 5 years it’s worth 15. Cost per year 5k.
If you buy a 5yo E-class for 15k and keep it for 5 years it will be worth 5k. You will loose $2,000 per year. Now, the question if it’s 5yo and 75k miles how much will it cost in maintaince to keep it on the road for 5 years and a total of 150k miles?
$1,000 per year? More?
If maintaince is $1,800 per year then buying the new Mercedes would only cost $100 extra a month.
Personaly I’d rather just pay the $100 a month and not have to deal with an 8,9 or 10 yo Mercedes.
But the flip side: that same heavy steering is an absolute BOON in high-speed highway driving.
As others have mentioned it’s all about the highspeed autobahn crusing not carving up the corners.
“Now, why anyone would spend $35k on a Hyundai is beyond me.”
Ah, the miracle of branding at work; separating fools from their money.
I’ll take a gently used 2007 E63 sliver, panorama roof for $45,000 thank you very much.
Twotone
Wow. Mercedes fails again.
I am so disenchanted with modern German cars. They lack the DNA that the splendid iterations of the 80s had.
I had really high hopes that the new E class would harken a return to those bank vault solid, tactile-licious, 1980ish to 1988ish versions.
But nein.
Not only do we not get those sensational cars of yesteryear, we get utterly complicated (unnecessarily so?) features and maddening reliability issues…
I see a giant gaping hole for someone to dive right in and deliver a crushing blow to Deutschland’s best.
Really, why spend so much on this vehicle, as someone else said, when a Genesis gets you 80% of the goodness at 60% of the price?
Hell, a CTS looks mighty fine, also, and they’re blowing those out in base form for 28k where I live.
p.s. – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I’d like to know if there’s a single beholder that finds the E class remotely “beautiful.” Yuck.
Really, why spend so much on this vehicle, as someone else said, when a Genesis gets you 80% of the goodness at 60% of the price?
May I introduce you to the works of one Thorstien Veblen author of “The Theory of the Leisure Class” in which he famously coined the phrase conspicuous consumption.
He defined conspicuous consumption as the waste of money and/or resources by people to display a higher status than others. One famous example he used was the use of silver utensils at meals, even though utensils made of cheaper material worked just as well or, in some cases, better.
When’s the wagon coming our way, and with what engine(s)? The Asians don’t do those, and BMW insists on putting those ghastly run flats on every car they sell. Also, unless Bimmer have upped their game with respect to laser cruise from a few years ago, MB has it all over them.
Lexus did NOT “come out of nowhere.” Acura, perhaps.
I’d be interested to see how the new look translates in person…saw my first new ‘E class coupe’ today (E550 coupe in dark metallic grey) and I have to say, it was much more sleek and dynamic in person than in photos…definitely looked like big money…cuz it IS big money, I guess, but it had much more presence than the old CLK coupe.
Agreed with other posters that Mercedes designs it’s cars for high-speed autobahn cruising over carving corners…nothing, NOTHING beats a Benz at that secure, effortless feel of high speed cruising…these cars come into their own over 80mph, like a long distance runner just beginning to hit his stride.
Previous model more understated and classy. That used to be the goal when spending $50K+ on a car, but I guess not since Bangle was employed at BMW.
Why does the front of the new E class look like the front/face of a Transformer car?
Thorstein Veblen! sounds like one of those durned socialists I’ve been hearing about. what’s he doing here?
Oh yeah, Mercedes is made by Germans – another bunch of crazed socialists. Why, they’re everywhere it seems.
Who’s next, Vance Packard?
Anyway, why buy a Mercedes if the steering wheel isn’t white?
If i was looking for a big sedan, the Merc would definately be my choice.
I remember fondly my friends W211.
It felt like i was sitting at home in my favorite chair, looking at the world go by through a big panoramic window.
Somewhat disconnected from the world but very relaxing.
Hyundai???
I don´t wear an asian made watch, just swiss time for me :)
@FreedMike :
“True, the Genesis offers a pretty solid package for the bucks. But which one will still look good in 20 years? My money’s on the Benz.”
>>> Wow. You drive one car for 20 years? In my town, luxury car buyers change their car in every 3 years. if you are rich person, you don’t need keep a new car for long. E-class is not a ‘rare’ car. It is a ‘mass market’ luxury car. if drive outdated 1980s benz, it looks strange.
—————————
‘Luxury car’ is no more difficult to modern auto makers.
Hyundai made Genesis, Toyota made Lexus, Chrysler made 300c.
I’m not sure how mercedes can survive in 21 century.
jmo – I like your math approach, but I think the numbers are fuzzy.
First of all, you’re brand-spankin’ new MB has 15K, 30K, 45K, 60K maintenance (which will run you about $300-600 at the dealer) plus regular oil changes. So it’s not free to own a new MB.
Second, I’m highly skeptical you could get a new E Class for 40 grand. I’m thinking 50 easy because it’s hard to find one with no options (MSPR on the base E350 is right near at $49K). I know two people who work at MB dealers and other than occasional lease deals they aren’t budging on prices much.
Third, I just did a quick Craigslist search for the Portland area (where I’m from) and found a 2005 E320 with options and 35K miles for $21K private party – assuming you can talk them down to $20K that’s a savings of $30K (versus new) for a car with only 35K miles. That’s serious depreciation, especially compared to your Hondas and Toyotas.
Finally, and finally, I’m doubting $1800 a year for maintenance on a 35K mile car….maybe $800/year until it hits about 90K miles (thats when BMWs and MBs seem to really have problems).
Again, I reiterate…I just don’t see the allure of buying these new. But that’s just me. I’ve never been a Mercedes guy and don’t see MB excelling in anything other than brand-cache (sp?)
Two things about the E-class.
The rear fender hump is a quote — Mercedes is trying to create a feeling of heritage by reminding us of the W120 from the fifties,
http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Mercedes_180_2_h_sst.jpg&filetimestamp=20050930170453
Who knows why quoting heritage is so important that you’d do it in a way that looks like an afterthought.
The other thing about the E-class is that it is supposed to be an unequaled high-speed cruiser. A car you can drive all day at 120mph with very little stress. I haven’t driven the W212 so I can’t tell you whether it fulfils that promise. But I can tell you that just about every Japanese (not to mention Korean) car I have taken to the autobahn feels less planted, less secure, less feedbacky, and not as easy to drive quickly, than a good E-class.
Martin – great point about Autobahn cruising – I just watched a documentary on the AB and you quickly learn why German cars feel so planted to 90MPH+…they’ve been designed that way since Hitler’s day! And the AB is statistically safer than American freeways. When you drive over there, you realize why – wide lanes and wide lines; beautifully maintained roads; no long, droning, sleep-inducing straightaways; and motorists who truly do pay more attention. Sorry for the thread jack.