schvetkaaks

I had the opportunity to drive a sweet E500 w/sport (thanks to DiabloJoe from this board) and really was surprised at the lack of room in the back seats. It reminded me of the current 5-series, where a tall driver or passenger can make it so that an adult wouldn't have a prayer about sitting in the back seat. Remember, this isn't with the seat all the way back...

Does anyone else find this odd in a vehicle of this size and considering how much effort they put into its design??

jhb

Nope. I am just over 6 foot and with the driver's seat of our new E500 in a comfortable driving position for me, I tried the seat behind it. I was pleasantly surprised, especially with the knee spaces molded into the rear of the front seats. When we have entertained other couples using the E500 for transport, there has been no problem.

Clearly, this is not a limousine sized car, I consider it a sport sedan. If I wanted a limousine, I would have gone for the S500. But then I would sacrifice the sport feel and drive. (Don't get me wrong, the S500 is great, just not as nimble IMO as the E500). The principal use of the backseat of our E500 is to carry us and other couples for an evening out. We occasionally carry children in the rear seat as well. We find it perfect for both uses.

I assume that the other trade-off MB might have made was to limit the rear seat depth in order to provide the larger trunk. It is outstanding. I would not sacrifice the nimbleness of the car or the trunk size for a deeper rear seat, when it is ample anyway.

Benzoid

I have had several adults ride in the back and comment that it was very comfortable. I sat in it and found it to be nice. Ditto comments of jhb.

I have no idea what you are comparing this car to if you think the back seat is anything but comforable and adequate. I am sure the S is better but you are giving up some performance and spending a lot more money. Maybe you should buy a Crown Victoria or something.

schvetkaaks

I'm very confused - if all of you had no problems, could it be that the split folding rear seat feature takes away some space? This particular car had the split folding rear seats, and even with the seat up to nearly an uncomfortable position (I'm 6'2") with a feeling that I was sort of IN the ****pit, not looking at it, I myself could barely crawl into the back seat and when I did, my knees were literally plastered to the knee cutouts in front of me! I'd really like to consider the E55 (or E500 sport, if I wuss out of the E55) but there has to be room for adults back there if needed. I'm accustomed to a Volvo V70 and Audi A6 interior, and I don't want to go as big as the S-class either - I prefer the sporty feel...

ElDiabloJoe

After sitting in the front passenger seat and actually watching Schvetkaas climb into the rear seat behind the driver, I agree that he had very little leg room (about 6 inches, 8 inches max).

As for me, welllllll, that's why I bought it. So I won't have to sit in the backseat

EDJ

jhb

Nope again, mine has the split fold down rear seats. Maybe you are long in the leg and short in the torso, thus making your needs different than those with a different make up. You should be considering this: how many times will you have someone who is as tall as you having to ride behind you? Is your significant other as long in the leg as you? If not, unless you are taking a couple of very tall people out all the time, you can really have the taller of the two others ride behind your significant other. If that doesn't work, then you need the S class or your choice of cars.

No car is absolutely perfect in every way. Life is full of compromises. As I indicated above, all other things being equal, I would prefer more leg room in the back seat without a longer or less nimble car, a lower price without sacrificing features and style, etc. etc. But, I am thrilled with the E500 and if there is a rare occasion for my wife and I taking two really tall (6' 4" or over) folks out at the same time (once every couple of years, if that often), I'll take one in our E500 and my wife can take the other in our "03 SL!!!!

schvetkaaks

Actually the odd thing is that my build is opposite - long torso and short legs (32" inseam)...don't understand how I experienced something so different...

Juke-box

the backseat IS smaller than my other 98' E430..some of the "toe" space is missing from the car, but to me the back seat is just a storage area for my jackets and textbooks...

Dema

I didn't notice big difference in space comparing to previous generation of E. But since trunk is much bigger and car just inch longer, I can expect that backspace a bit squeezed. Anyway, a big trunk is more important for me than backseats.

Richard / E320

M-B E500 / Volvo V70 Wagon / Audi A6 Sedan

Wheelbase: 112.4" / 108.5" / 108.7"
Length: 190.3" / 185.4" / 192.0"
Height: 57.0" / 58.7" / 57.2"
Width: 71.3" / 71.0" / 71.3"
Front Headroom: 37.4" / 39.3" / 39.3"
Front Legroom: 41.9" / 42.6" / 41.3"
Rear Legroom: 35.6" / 38.7" / 37.3"

While the Volvo and Audi have a slight edge in interior room, I wouldn't push my M-B out of the garage to make room for either one them... not that their not nice automobiles, of course.

drb

When my wife first sat in the back of my 03 E320 today she said the roof is lower and curved more inward than the 01 E320.

E55 KEV

When I first sat in the rear I was disappointed also. I am 5'11" and wanted a noticeable difference in head and legroom over the W210 and it was not there. The car should have been made bigger inside and outside. I don't like the fact that the Mid-Size Mercedes has equivlalent exterior dimensions and less interior room than the 2003 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Camry trunk is 17 cu ft and the W211 is only 14.

jposhea3

I thought the W211 trunk was 15.9cu ft?

Looking at it during test drives it seemed like the trunk (and to a lesser degree the rear seats) had plenty-o-room.

Looked massive to me, definitely bigger than my Maxima's trunk - deeper and wider.

rayscar

That's right. The trunk is 15.9 cu ft.

E55 KEV

15.9 cu ft is size per MBZ and 14 cu ft is from the EPA per www.autosite.com . Sometimes the manufactors rating and the EPA ratings are different. Even at 15.9 that is smaller than the trunk listed for the Camry listed as 17 by the EPA.

The EPA rating for the interior volume is only 97 cu ft for the W211 and the Camry is 102.

Not good enough for a such expensive mid-size sedan.

jposhea3

I'd like a little more room inside in some ways. During my test drives I felt a bit obstructed on the driver's side B-pillar, which might have been better had the pillar been slightly further aft (ie more room in the front half of the cabin).

I'm coming from a Maxima and made a deliberate choice about a tiny bit less room inside the vehicle. While in Singapore this summer I rode in the back of a few W210 E-class taxis and was surprised at the room I had, which was what got me thinking about swapping up to the E.

I also sat in the back seat after my 2nd test drive and poked around, and it seemed like the headroom and legroom was fine (I'm 5'11"/32" inseam). MB gets more effective room in the rear seats by sinking the passenger's butts back into the trunk slightly. My Maxima's back seat was more of a flat bench.

So I guess the biggest difference is that the side cushions are 'closer' to the front seats than they would be if the entire back seat were 'flat', equidistant from the front seats. By that measure, the back might seem a bit closer

But I don't recall thinking hard about footroom, which has been a common observation on these boards.

AMGLAB

The new 211 style does seem smaller to me except for the trunk. I know the car is aprox. 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than last years model, however the back seat leg room seems smaller, the glove box is smaller, the counsel storage is smaller, and last but not least, the cup holder is smaller. I can't figure that out. The exterior also looks smaller to me but that might be from the much larger headlights and taillights.

abhansali

I was in Belgium for 1 week in August (just before the US E-class launch). I was there for a family wedding and the family had rented an E240 (with a driver) for the bride's family to use.

I talked to the driver about his feeling about the new E, and he made the exact comments made by jposhea3 about the B-pillar and W210 room. I have not spent a lot of time in a W210, but I can see what everyone means about the B-pillar on the W211. However, leg room wise I am quite pleased with the new E.

cdiken

Just climbed into backseat of CDI for the hell of it, never been back there yet with 3,400 miles on the car.

OUCH my head rides the ceiling. I'm 6' 0"

IF I lean forward, my hair (non-afro) rubs it with an annoying "nails on chalkboard" scrubbing feeling.

I pity the fool over 6' that has to go more than a mile or two back there.

I WISH a CDI engine was offer in a 2-door. Like maybe S400 CDI 2-door,
CLK CDI, or CLS CDI.


Might as well delete the rear doors and give that room to the front seats. Just leave a little portal door that opens airplane style or van style so you can insert you briefcase and hang your coat.

mhh

Interesting discussion. We have just traded a Volvo V70 for an E500 wagon, and I think (and the kids do too) that the MB has more rear seat room than the Volvo.

Of course, the rear seat in the wagon is unlikely to be identical to the sedan, but I thought I would mention it as the V70 was quoted in comparison.

plocjim

Overall I think the back seat is adequate, but nothing to rave about. I have a couple of friend who are in the 6'2" range and they aren't real happy with the back seat room. Of course, they're comparing this to my buddy's older S420, but I still hear the complaints - especially when sitting three across.

Barry45RPM

3 Across? That middle upholstered hump is no seat! Ouch!

plocjim

I Agree!! But when people see the 3 headrest across the back, they assume that we can use my car - then they complain!!! I actually keep the middle headrest down!

E320Star

A380 have more room and lots of speed. That is an Air Bus A380 that is.

hoffyvortex

I have not had the same experience as far as rear seat room is concerned. I find the back seat room to be consistant with other cars in the same class. I just got my E500 and it compares similarly with the 2001 A6 4.2 I had previously, and has more space than the Lexus GS400 I had previous to the Audi. I have a friend with a BMW 530i and it is also similar.

My E500 has the folding rear seat (which is awesome, btw) and the rear seat space does not appear to be any different than one of my business associate's E320 without the folding seat. I think if you need more rear seat room, you really are looking to step up to the next category of car, A8, S class, or 7 series.