ua549

The E300 is under powered compared to my '15 W212 E400 with its basic 3 liter v6 engine (not the tuned E43 version). Sure a majority of drivers are happy with low end performance, but there is also a huge mid-performance group of drivers that Mercedes has abandoned with the current W213 product line.

gooner

I don't think they plan to permanently eradicate the E400 but considering the W213 arrived much later in the US than in other markets, I assume they thought it pointless in introducing the E400 with a V6 only to replace it a year or 2 later with an I6

ua549

Riiiiight. The GLE 450 was a single year product. It arrived in 2016 and died in 2016.

The Mercedes E Class product line gap may permanently eradicate many of its loyal customers. I've bought about 50 Mercedes since 1959. While I and many others such a NGerstman are forced to buy another brand to fill the gap, Mercedes risks losing us permanently. I will wait until the 2018 models arrive this summer before buying my next batch of cars. Right now I'm leaning heavily toward the 2018 BMW 5 Series models arriving in August 2016.

mjsbenz

Just trying to point out how your posts are coming across to me (and I suspect others as well).

You are welcome to express your comments but it has become very repetitive. After owning the car for 10 days, the power is just fine and the technology and innovative interior makes it a winner.

I too like fast cars. Grew up with Mopar and GM muscle cars. Drove competitively with a RX-7, and for more than 20 years drive Carreras. I appreciate fast cars but more than that, I appreciate a well packaged, designed E300.

HBerman

For those who have money to burn for a few seconds of acceleration, I understand your frustration. However, remember once you get up to cruising speed, the only thing that matters is the quietness of the car and how it handles on the road. I am enjoying my E300 much more than any previous E-class that I've had.
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Cao Black

No argument there. That was twin turbo'd as I recall. The issue is that Mercedes has left a gap (so far) in available engine choices on the new E class. It just seems that the comments meant to say that are actually "slamming" the 4cyl E300, which is a very adequate replacement for the older E350. The E400 and E550 owners will have to be patient or look elsewhere.

Personally, I would have looked at a 6cyl if it had been available, but it wasn't and I didn't want to wait. I wouldn't pay the premium for an E43 no matter what. Just not my driving style anymore. More power to those who want that level of performance and can make an agreeable deal with their local dealer. But, again, it has nothing to do directly with the E300. However, rumor has it that a new, mid-performance as you call it, I6 is coming. I just wonder how that will affect 4cyl sales given that car manufacturers are under huge pressure worldwide to reduce emissions and consumption.

Mike450

The model just debuted. Other variations and engine choices are planned.

Not so much you Ned, but if you strolled into many of these threads without knowing some facts, you'd come away thinking the E300 was it for the w213 line according to some opinions here.

This is a typical new model roll out plan. Nothing new.

beejAMG

complain once...youre an unhappy consumer.
complain again, and again....and again. youre a whiner.

move along. MB will not lose sleep if you dont patronize them. youre probably the only ones losing sleep over it. i think all members here knows you dont like the E300 from the minute they opened this sub-forum. you should be over that by now. its just getting old. its ok fellas, life goes on...

Mike__S

Well, besides CAFE staring everyone in the face, a strictly 4-banger E300 makes all those coupes, convertibles and the aging CLS line positive bargains. (Just in case one wonders what MB was thinking)

HBerman

The government fuel standards will impose more and more restrictions on the volume and types of vehicles that can be produced. I would more expect that the next offering would be a E300e plugin hybrid, 4-cyl engine with a 52hp electric motor which can travel 20 miles on the battery. Of course, that will make V8 engines only coming from AMG in the E63 and the inline 6 cyl to be very limited (and expensive) production.

HBerman

All of your arguments are market-driven issues with MBUSA. They are making the decision of what to import into the US marketplace. When I ordered my 2013 E550, I had to special order the airmatic suspension which had been std on the 2011 E550. However, in 2014, the airmatic suspension became std again in the E550's last year. All the while, the airmatic could be ordered in other countries with the E350 w/o needing the V8 option. Personally, I would like to have a Ferrari in my driveway along with the E300 for my daily driver.

ngerstman

I never said that it was underpowered for you and others, I said it was underpowered for what I want in my e class Mercedes. I own a 2011 e550 and owned a 2001 e55 with Kleeman modifications. Once again, all I said was that I was unhappy with Mercedes for not offering a six option not an overpriced amg badged production car. And imo I preferred the feel of the six in last year's model with 306hp through more of the power range. Regards. Ned.

threeMBs

Are you sure about that? Totally false. Airmatic was still a rare option for 2014 E550 4matic as well.

HBerman

​​​​​​Excuse me! I meant that you no longer needed the SPC code inorder to specify the option.

cetialpha5

I don't think it's been properly pointed out, but you have it completely backward. Just look at the raw cost of aluminum vs steel. Aluminum is more money. There's a reason they make planes out of aluminum, it's lighter. But it also costs more, not less. Otherwise all car makers would be using it because aluminum doesn't rust like steel does. It's also harder to work with which is why you need body shops that know how to work with aluminum.

c4004matic

The most uninformed part of all of is the fact, that truck manufacturers have began using aluminum. Aside from the frame, the f150 is 100% aluminum. Aluminum is a better material than steel for essentally all parts of a car, the issue is cost and forming complicated parts. In fact, there is very little regular steel which has poor strenth to weight ratio. A lot of what isnt aluminun is high strength steel which has a much betyer ratio.

ua549

The only drawback to aluminum for the owner is that more often than not a crumpled aluminum panel must be replaced rather than repaired. BTDT with my BMW's and Audi's.

c4004matic

Correct. However, dents and the like can be fixed fairly easily, you simply need a shop that has trained personnel. MB dealers have any info you may require to get anything repaired.

dieseldoc

Have had dents taken out with PDR on aluminum panels. My MB dealer has a great shop for working on aluminum.

MBNUT1

My kind of Benz owner. I'll bet you remember when Mercedes were so rare that owners would beep at each other when they saw another one coming.

I can't claim to have bought that many over that period of time but only to have ridden in or driven that many over the same period of time. Seeing the quality of my Dad's '59 180 sealed the deal on this 56 year long obsession.

And to the OP's post the W212 is a great car. Today when I pulled in into the garage I thought what a nice car (mine is 7 years old and 100k on the clock and it still feels for the most part like new). I do wish it got four cylinder fuel mileage. I also agree that the W222 is an absolutely beautiful car so I can't fault him for loving it.

Haven't driven the W213 so can't comment on it. The only thing I can say is that people bad mouthed the W201's and from my experience they were also a fine automobile. I know I loved mine.

ua549

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a 2018 E300 as a grocery getter. I'm keeping my E400 for highway use until I see how capable the E300 actually is for my style of driving.

ProtonCharlie

When is it supposed to start production? I was thinking they wouldn't start on those until this summer?

ngerstman

Wow, that's a change of heart! I guess you have Mercedes in your blood. And given that you've been buying Mercedes since 1959, by my calculation, time may not be on your side! I'm sure you'll love it, at least pulling out of your driveway. Regards. Ned.

ua549

I'm looking at a late July or August delivery.

ua549

I'll still drive the E400. This is for my wife instead of her BMW 535i. If she doesn't like it, she'll have to wait a couple of years for a better model to arrive.

I've got plenty of time. My family folks are very long lived at 100+ while I'm in my early 70's. That's the new 50's.