Hello everyone,
As someone who’s been driving a 2024 BMW i4 for a while, I have to say — after buying a 2015 Mercedes C207 for my wife, I completely fell in love with the car. The absence of a B-pillar might seem impressive from the outside, but once you sit inside, it’s not just impressive — it’s also feels incredibly spacious and gives a real sense of airiness.

Of course, that’s not the only thing — other Mercedes traits also make themselves obvious.

Long story short, I think I’m starting to drift toward Mercedes. Don’t get me wrong — if you haven’t driven an i4 (or any 3 Series or higher from the last few years), you might think the Mercedes interior is extremely high-quality and its trim is amazing, but the recent BMW interiors seem far superior to both Mercedes and Audi in terms of material quality. That said, the Mercedes E-Coupé has a very special kind of charm.

Also, I’ve noticed something strange — I can’t drive the BMW slowly. It’s odd, but when I get into the Mercedes, I can cruise gently. I can do everything I need at 80 km/h, and the car seems to say:
“We’re going easy man— smooth and comfortable.”
Whereas the BMW seems to whisper:
“You can push harder if you want — how do you like my handling?”
And now that I’ve crossed into my mid-40s, I’m thinking — while saving up for a 911 Turbo, maybe I shouldn’t risk my life just yet. Until the next wild ride — by then, my son will be of age (so he won’t lose his dad too early — just kidding!) — I feel it’s time to focus on comfort for a bit.

So, I’m currently looking for a well-maintained (it might have higher mileage but hopefully loved) C238 with an EQ Boost engine.
I’ve chosen the C238 because it’s a bit more modern and feels more like a true E-Class compared to the older generation. However, after comparing the 2017 launch model with the 2021 facelift, I’ve noted a few differences — though I’m still unsure about some details and would like to ask those who know better:

Known differences:
Headlights and taillights
Front grille
MBUX instead of COMAND
Center console control layout
Removal of the analog clock on the console
Steering wheel design

These are clearly different — but in addition, I’ve come across a few claims, mentioned only by some reviewers on YouTube or in articles, that make me wonder. Here are the ones I’m particularly curious about and would love to hear your opinions on:

Claims I’ve seen mentioned (but not confirmed):
Improved sound insulation
Different (better?) suspension tuning
Better steering feel

Thanks in advance.
Safe travels!