walter34payton2

Hey guys.....I own a 2006 E350 Capri Blue Metallic. I love the car and think it was one of the most beautiful cars ever made. With that said, I went to a few dealerships with a friend as he was looking at some car options. When I got to BMW, I looked at my car from the lobby and noticed it looks a bit boxy from the rear as most of the newer cars I had been looking at were very sleek in the rear and always very curvy. I felt like it was possible that the w211 I had parked in BMW's lot looked just a bit aged. What do you think? Is the design looking old or does it still hold up to today's newest designs?

komp55

The W211 design is timeless and still looks great today. One of the best proportioned sedans ever designed. The E60 BMW five series design, OTOH, is among the ugliest designs ever brought to market. It was the car that ended my 18 year streak of nothing but BMW ownership. I wanted the latest variant of the M5, but would have had to put a bag over its head to drive it. So I picked up a W211 and never regreted the decision. And still find myself admiring its great style today.

lkchris

IMHO 2006 W211 only looks "outdated" from the front--this because the grilles are changed (larger) on facelift W211s and followon W212s. Even S-class.

And, IMHO first-gen taillights are nicer than facelift W211 taillights, especially when LED versions. So, nothing wrong with rear of W211 and I'm not convinced rear of W212 looks that much better, but it is for sure different. Yes, the latest thing is trapezoid-shaped versus oval exhaust extensions, although again IMHO W211 looks best with none.

It's apples/oranges comparing BMWs and Mercedes and there's sure no "requirement" for either to look like the other.

sunny_j

i think the facelift w211 has a timeless design

charliele729

I agree with Sunny, my AMG sport front bumper still winks back at me everytime I give her a wink.

LOVEMYBS

+1

Sgooter

+2...proof: While posing next to my E350, I heard someone comment that "it really makes him look better than ever."

Ninjaryder

German,American,& Japanese cars all age worse than an American president in their first term IMO. It's just nature of the beast to continually redesign autos to ensure new buyers. The German & American auto makers are indeed in a more difficult position where they need to sell more emotion and passion vs. the Japanese selling cars like appliances. It's always best to be happy with what you have and forget what others think.

Barry45RPM

The Pre facelift 211's tail lights ARE nicer than the 2007>. The 212s outside proportions & look are really sharp, but the dash top (in particular with its "added on looking" Nav screen dash overhang) & console/column shifter are a definite misfire. The wood location & execution on the 211 is more artistic than the 212s "Pinewood Derby" looking wood treatment also.

The 211s don't look outdated, they look like another Class of Benz If you feel they look outdated, park next to a 210, which looks like it is out of the 80s with its big wheel & rough hewn dash/interior.

Our cars are not the hottest, unblemished 19 year old Chick, but rather a sophisticated, sure-footed, experienced 35 year old Woman who knows her stuff & will never embarrass you or let you down... except maybe for her SBC.

HE22WA

I love W211's design up to this day

EKG1

Our cars are not the hottest, unblemished 19 year old Chick, but rather a sophisticated, sure-footed, experienced 35 year old Woman who knows her stuff & will never embarrass you or let you down...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

tashakes

I think the W211 will be "current" for many years still. The design is modern enough and classy. I still smile when I see a W210 E55 AMG, and I believe a well executed W211 will look great for a long time. Me? I always liked Audis and wanted something bigger, so that is why my E500 was replaced with an A8. But class for class, I think the W211 is way better looking than the 5-Series BMW or A6.

Cheers.

C280 Sport

A W211 is no where near dated. A W210 yes. The only way a W211 would be dated is if it was a real stripped down version then you could say its some what dated.

Shadow5501

I actually like the style of the 210 better than the 211. The 210 introduced the round headlight theme and is, I think, the purest example of it. I also think Mercedes styling should be a bit stody and upright - but when I started driving them, the 123 was the latest and greatest car ever...

The 211 isn't bad looking by any means. But to my eye it looks like the wind tunnel dicated its shape more than the designers and stylists. It's sleek, but there's not a lot of character there either. I think it will age well, but without ever really standing out either. My wife says it looks like a boring old farts car, and that's her opinion of the AMG version we own...

lkchris

Not enough time has passed to verify this.

Wait 'til it's two generations old.

chokaay

I agree with this. I like the 2007+ W211 facelift look much better than the pre-facelift (a bit more modern looking IMHO).

I don't particularly like how the W212 front looks, but IMHO it looks better than the pre-facelift W211 to me because it looks more modern (although less "refined").

Facelift 2007+ W211 is still the best though IMO!




But IMHO I like the facelift rear look (LED brake lights, elongated chome strip, oval AMG style exhaust, etc).

The pre-facelift rear looks pretty good too (maybe a tad more sophisticated, less "blingy").

I do not like how the W212 rear sedan looks at all... coupe is a little bit better... and wagon looks pretty good actually!

K-A

My Girlfriend said the same thing about my old W211, and that was with the AMG Package. I never understood it, I thought the car looked hot. I figured it was the "Mercedes stigma".

She thinks my W212 on the other hand looks incredible and hot from the front and sides (the White color and Pano Roof help I think her see the car as something less "stodgy"), but like a "Rental Car" from the back.... Which is being mended by some Tinted tails and a rear spoiler, the back is definitely the cars weakest point.

To the O/P, it's funny, I always HATED the W212, and it was one day, parking my W211 next to one at the Bank, that I felt like I wanted to cry, as all of a sudden it looked pretty boxy, and less "curvy" than the angular W212.... Which shocked me.

Anyway, I think the F.L W211 with AMG Kit is still a head turner, as I find myself admiring that design on the road even now. I've actually STOPPED AND STARED from my W212 at beautiful W211's.