Well, I've hit the 7 month mark with my 2008 E350 4 Matic. I figured I'd do a little review on the car for those interested (maybe looking into getting one). These are just my opinions and I really would prefer not getting attacked if someone disagrees.

I should preface that as a point of comparison I came from a 2006 Audi A6 so some of my observations are obviously skewed a bit due to the comparison.

Exterior design

Although a bit dated (and the fact that I see 500 of them a day on the road), I still love the way the car looks on the outside. The design, fit and finish, color (Sienna Black) is still what attracted me to the car to begin with.

Interior

Though nicely appointed, number one is how does a car that is over $60K not have leather seats? Yes I knew that going into it, but it still astounds me. Overall very classy, very pretty, but I think being that it is a dated model (with the new one coming out this year) it doesn't live up to it's competitors. The "ambient lighting" looks like an orange toilet bowl seat. In the back it's a bar-neither of which light much of anything. By comparison the Audi had blue lighting under each door's window sill, under the dash and under the seats. The effect was everything below eye level had a blue "glow" that was not only attractive but allowed you to see in the car without being distracting. The wood is top notch and the fit and finish in the car is excellent. Positioning of the controls/screen is poor and you really have to take your attention away from the road.

Performance

Overall the car performs well. Handles decently, has a nice ride, etc. To me it sorta seems half way there though. It's a 268 HP engine, yet revs high but doesn't seem to really wanna go anywhere-especially at higher speeds. It handles well, but gives a bit of a weak feeling around really tight curves (I should say I have the sport package). My personal belief is that if you're comparing it to an American or Japanese car it is top notch, but having owned comparable Audis and BMW's, it doesn't quite offer the performance that those two cars do. The tranny (5 speed) is in my opinion terrible for a car of this class. If you let go of the gas for example to turn, when you depress it again, it hesitates dramatically. Hit the gas harder and lots of rev, but no major movement. The ride however is much smoother and more comfortable than the Audi or the BMW so it is a trade off.

Technology

This is where this car is lacking versus it's competitors and even moreso in the price class. The sticker on this car was $62,780. My Audi A6 was $56,000. This car is not "intelligent". It comes with BlueTooth, but it isn't all that great. If the car is running, and you get out, you have to re-connect to the car. If you are dialing via the screen and hit the hang up button on the wheel, it changes the song, and doesn't hang up. To control the iPod requires you to learn various commands and key combination that aren't intuitive. Again, I know I'm being picky here, but the Audi and BMW both have on screen systems that are smarter. In the Audi, the phone never disconnected even if you got out. If you used the screen to dial, you could still hit the wheel controls to hang up or answer. If a call came in you had the option to ignore (on the Benz, it rings until you answer or goes into VM). The other cars also allow you to customize your experience-lights, sounds, volume levels for the various functions were all adjustable. The Benz, that's it, that's your lot.

The parking brake is still manual and not electronic. It's amazing, becasue the car has features that others don't, like power closing trunk, pana roof, etc. But basic functionality and intuitiveness is lacking.

Overall impression

I very nice car. Nicely equipped. Beautifully designed and crafted. Lot's of toys but it isn't very intuitive. Again, I know I'm being picky because I came off a car that worked very well, but that's the point. The Audi is thousands less, The Beemer isn't anymore, but both are more intuitive for the driver. For $62,780 you expect it to work better than it does. Don't get me wrong I really like the car. If I came off of a Chevy I'd be in love. But in it's market niche, sadly I wouldn't recommend it.

Now you'll ask why I didn't get another Audi? Insane lease programs.

 

Good write-up. Overall, I like the car, but agree with most of the points you've made. Inevitably, every car will have its shortcomings.

 

I really like the styling also, but you're right. When you've been seeing so many of them around every day for the last 4-1/2 years, it makes it seem as though the design has been around much longer, and therefore a bit dated -- even though it is very attractive, and still fresh.

 

I have the wagon also, out here in California/Nevada there are so few of these cars. I see a few of the 210 wagons and I have only seen one other 211. For me the car seems fresh and different. Good write up!

 

I've got a 2 month old E350 4Matic (w/sport package) myself. My own comments are:

Bluetooth phone: Don't know why you're having those problems. I can dial by screen and hang up via wheel with no problems or changing of stations, etc. It just works. I can also have it autoconnect if I choose - I just choose not to because it's not my only BT device. I can also "ignore" a call - forget how do do that but I remember doing it. To be clear, I can dial via wheel and hang up via screen - dial via screen and hang up via wheel, etc.

Lighting: I really didn't like the Audi lighting at all. Personal preference.

Handling: I really prefer the E to the Audi in a huge way. Frankly, I drove the Audi and within 50 feet knew I didn't want it. Too "light" a feel. Just didn't feel firm to me. The BMW 5 certainly handles better, but doesn't have the highway manners to me. Just personal preference. I actually bought the E because I prefer it's handling over both the Audi and the Infinity. Again - I just didn't like the Audi at all.

Performance other than handling: Considering the 4Matic, for me it drives quite well and is at least on par with the A6.

Electronics: Suck. GPS is barely basic. I knew it going in but MB has become an embarrassment in terms of technology with respect to logical controls, features and functions.

But for me, the conservative, well mannered and solid performance of the car plus its comfort made up for it. But - I would no way pay anywhere near $62K. My sticker was around $60 and I paid far less than that. Like almost $9k less. So, for me I'm very happy with the car.

 

i purchased a certified pre-owned 2006 e-350 with 31k on it. it has the premium package, nav, wood/leather wheel, ect. not a fully loaded car, but well equipped. i've had the car for 4 months now, the nav is basic and other manufactureres offer better, but it works, overall i am very happy with the car. i had a 2002 clk430 that i traded to get some "new technology and styling". i have to say, i would have never purchased a new one for a new car price because other company's do give alot more. I could not agree with you more on that.

 

Great info LR, I'm going 9 months with my E350 and so far it has been an awesome experience. I use to own american vehicles like the Pontiac (WS6) and Ford but this car is just amazing and way different from the others. I wouldn't just say its performance but its the ride and luxury that attracts me and what I love so much is the interior which comes with blackbird maple trim. I agree on the NAV and other features but I think MB can do a better job. Probably on the next W212 they will improve on that but we will just have to wait and see. MB did a great job on the S-Class, once the lease is up on the E350 I'm looking forward on the S-Class, just for its superior appearance, style and comfort.

 

While I agree w/ you the telematics on the car are dated, these were introduced in 2004 and haven't been updated since. Its interesting, however, that i'm reading the GL's electronics will be upgraded next year (3years into the body) so maybe MB has realized that they need to keep up w/ the competition in this regard. I have an 05 E500 4matic and its by far the best driving car i've ever owned. Yeah the nav is nothing great, but it works, so i'm happy w/ it and i use it all the time.

One feature i thought was a gimmick w/ the airmatic suspension - was I wrong! It really changes the character of the car and i find i use it often to go from lux cruising to sport mode.

Anyway, i can't wait for the W212, that will replace this one but in the meantime i will keep putting miles on this one and see what happens w/ reliability. BTW - my 2005 E500 4matic had a list of appx 65K, picked it up for 55K.

Aceman

 

Of course some of the observations are a matter of preference. I agree the Audi felt lighter, much lighter. When I test drove this car I immediately noticed the weight to the car-I commented that it felt like a tank. The Audi to me was more nimble it also accelerated MUCH faster - so to me the extra "weight" was a negative, not a positive. I almost didn't get this car as a result of it. That's just personal tastes of course.

If you can find out how you get the Bluetooth to work so well please let me know. Mine is goofy. Just to be sure I understand what you mean, mine will allow me to pick up or hang up through the wheel, if the dash menu is set to phone. If it's set to Audio (iPod), and I use the main screen to dial the call and try to hang up on the wheel, it changes the iPod setting instead of hanging up the phone. It is also set to "auto connect" which it does if you're first getting in the car. But if you get out while the car is running and get back in, the phone is no longer connected. And yes, please let me know how to ignore a call. The screen only shows "answer" for incoming calls.

For me, that's the rub. Here we are discussing and trying to figure out how it works-when it should just work.

I didn't pay $62,000 I paid less, my point was the sticker was almost $7k more then a fully loaded Audi and as such in my view should work as well - especially at this "level" of car.

I also test drove the infinity (did you drive the M35/45?). It was very "cozy" inside, lots of toys-camera, etc. But it crapped itself in the handling department. Very Japanese. Quiet, comfy but not very aggressive. The other thing that struck me was the controls for the menu's, so far up on the dash that you'd need to be an orangutan to reach them comfortably. Did you feel the same way?

I'm looking forward to the new E. My guess is that they should catch up with everyone else at the very least but that you'll also pay through the nuts for the updates. When I got my Audi no one had one, Audi wasn't selling cars and the "new" body style was out for about a year - so I got a great deal on it. Once the A4's were flying off the lots and A6's started to and was winning awards for it's interior, Audi jacked up it's costs dramatically. The car I had jumped almost $300 a month more than I was paying. It was like "we're popular now so we can get it".

 

Bluetooth: To be very clear, no matter what the information display (dash display or COMAND) says if I'm on a call regardless of how I initiated it - pressing the wheel control to hang up actually hangs up. The only real odd thing I have with BT is that the dialed and received calls that are displayed are not accurate. I don't have mine set to "autoconnect" because there are times I may be around the car when I don't want it on. I never use the steering wheel controls to initiate a call because the address book (mine is large) is too cumbersome that way. To be honest, however, I have not tried hanging up from a call with an iPod active. I rarely use the iPod connector. It could be something unique to that particular configuration.

Performance: Honestly I didn't feel the Audi performed that well. The steering felt light - the car did not. The E350 to me had more power - but a heavier more stable steering feel. Maybe it was just the increased engine noise, but I honestly was not impressed with the A6 - and I had expected to be. This was the 6cyl - not the 8cyl. It's too bad because there were things about the Audi that I really liked - they just ended when I drove it.

I drove the Infinity EX, G35, M35x and M45. My wife also drove all of them. She liked the EX somewhat but didn't like any of the others. The M35x and M45 had a similar "light" feel to the steering that the Audi did. However, as noisy as the Audi was - the Infinity was REALLY noisy. It was comfortable, but the actual driving experience was too different for me. It was just personal taste - the Infinity is probably from a value perspective a better car. I also thought that the controls were way up in the middle of the dash (for the electronics). However, they were far more intuitive and feature rich than anything that MB has.

 

Could be the iPod configuration because that's pretty much all I use.

Yes, the Audi's steering certainly felt lighter, less road feel. I had the 3.2 6 Cyl and I think it was the 7 speed tranny that made the car much faster out of the gate than the E350. There was no hesitation. The only car I've driven that performs better is the BMW 535-faster, more power and much tighter, heavier feel with better grip (but a much harsher ride).

I looked at the Infinity because of all of the praise heaped on it in terms of value (consumer reports who I generally DO NOT follow, said so many good things I had to at least look). To me the M35/45 look too generic Japanese-there is nothing unique about the styling. But once I drove it I hated it. Mind you I'm not racing or doing slaloms.

I like this car. I think it's really attractive and it does drive well. I just liked the Audi better probably because of all of the technology that actually worked. I never had to "think" about anything. The controls were all in comfortable reach, the car went immediately when you hit the gas, I could adjust just about everything in the car to my own personal settings (you could even make the Nav voice male female, high pitch low pitch, etc). I know it sounds silly, but it really does make a difference when you go from one extreme to the other. Ironically the MMI gets slammed because it's too complicated-I found it to be the opposite.

Personal preference.

 

[QUOTE=LRM1;2759749]Well,

Performance

Overall the car performs well. Handles decently, has a nice ride, etc. To me it sorta seems half way there though. It's a 268 HP engine, yet revs high but doesn't seem to really wanna go anywhere-especially at higher speeds. It handles well, but gives a bit of a weak feeling around really tight curves (I should say I have the sport package). My personal belief is that if you're comparing it to an American or Japanese car it is top notch, but having owned comparable Audis and BMW's, it doesn't quite offer the performance that those two cars do. The tranny (5 speed) is in my opinion terrible for a car of this class. If you let go of the gas for example to turn, when you depress it again, it hesitates dramatically. Hit the gas harder and lots of rev, but no major movement. The ride however is much smoother and more comfortable than the Audi or the BMW so it is a trade off. (Quote)

After reading your comments about your E350 4Matic's performance, what a pity you didn't go for an E320 Bluetec.
Compared to your 350 4Matic, the Bluetec is faster, far more economical to drive, equipped with the superior 7 speed transmission and it leaves virtually all other cars in its dust when it comes to highway performance. There is nothing quite like having 400 lbs.ft. of torque under the hood ! The only downside to driving the Bluetec is the lack of a sport package, but a wheel upgrade to 17" alloys was easy.
For winter driving, I mounted a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins on the original 16" alloys. On several winter trips, including -15C hard pack snow, my car averaged 40 mpg (imperial) traveling at 80-110 km/h. The handling of the rear wheel drive Bluetec in winter conditions, equipped with 4 snows, is outstanding. The 4Matic option has, in my opinion, been vastly oversold by MB and other manufacturers.

 

[QUOTE=DerekACS;2765940]I had asked about the Bluetec when I was looking and was told "it wasn't out yet" which was probably BS, but considering what the dealer had to go through to get me the car that I wanted, he would have been better off taking an order.

I really think the 7 speed vs 5 speed tranny makes a huge difference.

And I agree all of the 4 wheel options offered are partially smoke and mirrors. Not to sure about this car because it really only snowed once this year (and I was home) so I don't have much experience with the 4 matic yet. The Audi's was just "ok"=I still slid around, just not as much as I had in a BMW 525 RWD

 

[QUOTE=DerekACS;2765940]Interesting comments. The Bluetec is slower at highway speeds where it's torque falls off. It's faster in "around town" driving where the heavy torque pays off. Plus, it has locally gotten to the point where diesel fuel is frankly problematic (and it appears that the price differential in the US will continue to grow for some time). I looked actively for a Bluetec or CDI (though I would have had to purchase an '07 or earlier because an '08 can't be registered in PA). However, after fully considering everything I chose to pass on the diesel.

The 4Matic in SW PA (where it is not flat) is very nice to have. It is not essential, but it's also not without value. I frankly drove both the 4Matic (w/5spd) and non (w/7spd). I personally saw very little (pretty much no) difference in performance. However, I also don't experience the "delay" or "hesitation" in shifting. It's not my M3, however to me it outperforms the A6.