I have owned at least one W211 since 2018. (Late to the game, I know) A car from the mid 2000's may not be old enough for many people to deem it "old school" but hear me out.

My favorite design element of the W211 is that it was designed before many of the latest crash standards were put into law. This means that it has amazing visibility! Sit in a new E class and adjust the seat to the floor and then do the same in a W211. The difference in immediate visibility over the hood is staggeringly better in the 211 even when compared to its successor the 212. Also try hanging your arm out of the side window of a newer car when you are cruising, the belt lines are so high that the bottom of the window now comes up above my shoulder...

I suppose the market demands that automobiles be over run with technology these days, however it takes away from the overall luxury aesthetic imo. To me Mercedes is wood, leather, then everything else. This sedan is new enough that it has all the technology to keep my comfortable yet the look and style that still screams old school. Burled walnut, tufted leather, and physical buttons! My God how nice it is not to have to access every feature through a screen!

When it comes the the exterior, what the hell happened to stainless exhaust tips? The AMG tips on my E350 sport just add to the style of the vehicle. Now Mercedes hides the exhaust behind the rear bumper and it just looks cheap and lazy.

I could wax poetic about this car all day long and I realize this is mostly personal preference but I am happy to be able to own this beautiful car that doesn't shut its engine off at every stop, or decide for me if I am too close to a lane strip. The W211 the last e class that lets the driver be the driver. I love this car!

Every X model is “now” the best and last decent MB. Rinse repeat every 10 years.
w212 will be the best in 2030.

you can say the last drivers car was before they got rid of the steering box that removes a ton of road feedback. Then now with electronic rack & pinion is considered the “drivers” feedback. You get the idea.

For me it was the W124 and now that I have two W212s... I find I drive the W212s more.

I've yet to ride in a car that talks back and rides on a cloud like my '85 300D W123. It oozed class, even though it felt like there was a boat anchor behind it.
THAT was a driver's car. Didn't even have a cup holder.

A little too floaty or disconnected in my opinion, but I agree it was like riding a well handling "cloud". Miss my old 300CD with wagon turbo and 240 4spd. The lack of features, diesel racket and power... yea, good memories. No regrets on moving on. For me the W124 was just about right in ride quality. Though our '11 E550 with airmatic rides very, very comfortably... whereas our E350 wagon with AMG package is harsher on anything but a newly paved road.

A while ago, we almost got a W212. We just hate the fact that Mercedes moved the Gear Shifter to the Steering Column. That was a deal breaker for us. Still a great ride though.

Haha, switching between wagons I find sometimes I reach for the "wrong" shifter...

The W211 is a timeless design. Besides the poorer quality interior, the car is amazing - especially a facelift AMG spec. The W212 is downright ugly and still is. I have owned both. If I can find a nice 07-09 E550, I would get it over any W212.

I just honestly love how the w211 looks. There is something about it that I just have always loved, even when I was younger. I do really like the interiors of the new MB, but I am not a fan of the exterior looks at all. They all look very very similar. Almost to the point that I can't tell if it's a c class or an e class until it passes me.

I like our interior but they are dated on the inside. Ride though is nice and smooth and there is just something about the profile of the car that I just love. I'll probably keep the car for a long time just like I do with all of our other cars. It will probably eventually be my DD once my trusty Solara kicks the bucket..lol

-Nigel

I have owned 2 W211 V8s (03 E500 and 07 E550), since 2018 as well. My dream car was a W140 S500 until I bought the E500. Was never really a fan of the W211 until I bought one (I needed a car and a friend of my Dad was selling it for cheap and had been ridiculously maintained though high mileage). W211s grew on me after that. I now think it’s one of the best looking Mercedes models of all time. Unfortunately that car was totaled (would still be driving it today otherwise) so I bought my E550. I plan on buying a 211 E55 AMG soon. I love my E550.. It’s fast as hell, and very comfortable and looks badass, and is SAFE. My car turns a lot of heads too even though it’s 15 years old. Still doesn’t look outdated at all to me.

I drove a friends 94 E300 a few months ago. The ride quality felt just as good, if not better than my 2007 E550 and it had over 250k miles on the odometer and regular spring suspension! I was impressed by such an old car. I want one now

The W211 is proving itself to be timeless as the years pass by. The interior may seem dated but I suppose that is why I prefer it. I live analog gauges in the instrument cluster and tactical buttons to push in order to use the radio/ac. I realize this come down to personal preference and this is mine. The W211 has a tight turning radius, and fantastic visibility compared to newer models. Love to see love for the W211.

The 211 body style is ageing wonderfully. Last of the classic quad round headlights. I've noticed the pre facelift 212 is looking pretty dated, never cared for the styling anyhow.

I have had mine 11 years here in UK, it`s a late 2005 model done 140.000 miles. Keep thinking about changing it but never do. In the last 7 years I have only spent money on servicing and tyres, nothing has gone wrong. I do love these cars.

I would agree from the forum thoughts on the w211. The fact you have others car makers trying to emulate the formula of Mercedes speaks volumes! The soft brakes of the w211 I can do without, however when walking up to my car its a joy and honor to say " That's my benz"!
R,
2Merks

This right here. I've heard it so many times. The last great Mercedes is whatever Mercedes gives you a stiffy.

My 211 is a 2008 E350 Sport package, owned by my father, which was his first and now mine as well. It has 99K miles and in great condition. The quad oval headlamps, the fog lamp details, and the oval shape that was carried through the interior design of buttons and overhead lighting pods as well, is a timeless, classic MB look.

2008 E350

Yes, they still look very good today and most others cars are beginning to look the same. I think the W211 will go up and value and become collectable

Lovely looking car, I like the amber marker lights you have on front fender, we dont get those in the UK. I noticed on my photo of the rear there is a mud flap missing. I went out to look and they are all gone, pulled off by someone 😁 Also I had to put a flat badge on my bonnet because people keep pulling off the star which is a shame because I love driving and seeing that .Thats the down side of living in a city with no private parking I guess

om648 [and then there's (still) the hood ornament! ]

This is a great video about the endurance record

I seem to recall that this was with the om642 (V6). I'm an "I" guy: inlines (VW ALH, Cummins 5.9L and, of course, the om648) BUT, it's still an W211 with the hood ornament!

Love this engine! Unfortunately it's paired with not so great automatic transmission (on a stock form), and vehicle around it keeps rotting away.

Yup. I've got a 5spd manual. Being in the PNW things tend to hold up a bit better. Suspension, though, is always a weak spot with Dodge/Ram (it's like it's in the design criteria).