E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

E500 Impressions

Old Aug 24, 2002 | 09:09 PM
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E500 Impressions

I drove the E500 a couple of times at the Emotion event in DC today. Looks a lot like the C class. Great acceleration and braking. The handling was a little soft for me. I think you really need more time to get to know the car.

It did not exactly floor me -- but definitely better than what they did to the CLK!!! It is now a chick car. It looks small and Acura-like. I hope the E55 is more impressive.

I did love the looks of the display E model right before you exit the tent. I believe it was either Tectite or Opal Black. The test rides were flat black, silver and Desert sand. The silver looked best with the pano roof.

Saw a silver E55 with VA plate W210 AMG. Anyone?
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Old Aug 24, 2002 | 09:41 PM
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What it needs is a really nice set of wheels (staggered setup), minimum 18s.....other than that, I was impressed with the car. The build quality was really nice, although I could do without the intrusive trunk hindges (fairly low rent for an expensive car).

Last edited by Beltfed; Aug 24, 2002 at 09:45 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2002 | 10:11 PM
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whats up hmrdwn..

i made it to the 3pm event at FedEX today. i wish the E55 was mine, but i'm sure you equally impressed with my bone stock c280 as well. lol. i was very impressed with the e500. the breaking system was phenomenal! stops on the dime! i was also impressed with the e500 on display as well. it had the sports package. the metalic paint danced under those lights. i liked the rims on that model better than the split spokes on the test models. the massage was great also!. i too look forward to the e55's intro next year!

Last edited by jamesp; Aug 24, 2002 at 10:40 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2002 | 11:10 PM
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hmrdwn, how did you like the pano roof?
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Old Aug 25, 2002 | 07:53 PM
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rayscar - I like the pano roof quite a bit. I think it looks great from inside and out. And it give the car something not really available on other cars. I will most likely get it. Though I am interested in how much weight it adds to the car...and I wonder if it has much effect on the torsional rigidity of the body.
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Old Aug 25, 2002 | 08:15 PM
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Originally posted by hmrdwn
rayscar - I like the pano roof quite a bit. I think it looks great from inside and out. And it give the car something not really available on other cars. I will most likely get it. Though I am interested in how much weight it adds to the car...and I wonder if it has much effect on the torsional rigidity of the body.
I too was concerned about the rigidity of the car. My dealer said that it has no effect since it is just the center of the roof that is replaced by glass. The main structure of the car is in tact.
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Old Aug 25, 2002 | 08:53 PM
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my dealer sys it is safe, buds adds a noticable amount of wind noise...i mean if you look at the top of a c230k, the back of the back.,...where the glasss meets the steel is really bad, there is like .75 of an inch!
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 10:49 AM
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I was there for the 3:00 showing on Saturday. I parked my silver E55 way off near the corner with no cars around me, but I have DC vanity plates. When I left there was a Black E55 next to me and I did not have my digital camera.

The E500 in the tent was Obsidian Black Metallic. My Girlfriend who does not know or car anything about cars and seeing it for the first time in person or pictures was not impressed. She thought that it was just plain looking. I am still not really that impressed with the exterior overall. I am only impressed with the new technology and the new features. My only driving complaint was the car was too quiet for a V8.

The car should have been a couple inches longer to match the increase in wheel base. The current and new Honda Accord sedan is the same length. That bugs me!
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 03:27 PM
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I attended the event on Sat. I liked the new E, but was not impressed. The E500 was fun, braked well, but was very loose in the turns, as to be expected. I must agree with Kev, and that it was better than the outgoing E430, still miles from my E55, I guess I will have to wait until next summer to be impressed!!!
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 03:35 PM
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was it smooth and quiet though?
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 03:39 PM
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Why go to the Event if you knew you wouldn't be impressed?.......I wouldn't have even bothered if it was me.

I did get this off another board.....guy writes for a VAG publication.

"Some of those cars were suffering quite badly in the heat. That was clearly obivious. Also a LOT of the cars had the A/C on full blast for most of the runs. That event was effectively a torture/hot weather test for them. Also noticed the water temps didn't rise much at all which was good b/c they were concerned about that after beating on them then coming in for a quick stop to sit there idling. ANY car under that situation would eventually overheat. None of these did."

Last edited by Beltfed; Aug 26, 2002 at 03:48 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 03:42 PM
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I went to my local M-B dealer today as they just got the first 2003 E class cars, one E320 in sand and the other E500 in silver. The salesman was very interested in my reaction to the look of the cars. I AGREE with others who think the car looks too much like an Acura. The front end is fine, the side OK and the back too Japanesque. I found the interior to be quite nice. I nearby S500 with Sport Package looked MUCH more masculine and aggressive and quite frankly a lot better. I'm first on my dealer's list for the 2004 e55 AMG but I might pass if it is not more aggressive looking.

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Last edited by spitze; Aug 26, 2002 at 03:45 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 03:54 PM
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You guys with girlfriends who are unimpressed need new girlfriends. j/k, of course...




My impressions: The technology is amazing. I just saw some down at MB Manhattan. Cars are there. Brochures are not... Looks-wise, though, I am more a fan of my 210, and I still adore the W124.

To my eyes, the W211 actually appears smaller than the W210. I once read a review of the C-class that equated it with an S-class standing on its tip-toes. I almost feel the same way about the new E.

I really do not like the new instrumentation, btw.
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 04:24 PM
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Originally posted by bmms8
was it smooth and quiet though?
YES! too damn quiet for a V8. Of course it is smooth, same engine from S500. The quiet was my only complaint - I like a little V8 growl.
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 04:27 PM
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Originally posted by BenzE
You guys with girlfriends who are unimpressed need new girlfriends. j/k, of course...


Yeah, sound like the way to go! You have any in mind or any extras lying aroung. HE-HE!
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Old Aug 26, 2002 | 04:28 PM
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I would have to agree with all of you. The V8 sounds too quiet, not enough growl to show what lurks beneath the hood.

Too much like the sound of the S-Class. I wish for more growl and deep bass, maybe an exhaust system should do the trick
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