RohithT

Edmunds E350 First Drive

It may take some time to load; their site seems slow today


Highlights (some, or all, of this is old info):
- 51 hp bump over the E320, to 272; torque to 258
- Fuel economy jumps a 1/2 mpg with the 7Gtronic (neat trick)
- AWD models still get the 5 speed auto
- 0-60 in 6.9 (MB est.)
- Sports Pack (available on the wagon, too; and the E500, I would guess, but they don't say) includes shift buttons on the steering wheel, firmer suspension, 10% quicker steering (14.7:1), the same size wheels as the E55 (245/40 in front; 265/30 in back on 18's), better bolstered seats, and stainless steel pedals
- Supposed to be available in March

ATS

It looks great.. With the sports package? Does it come with airmatic?

They also, don't mention, the sports package come with some nice exhaust tips.

Also, anyone have the part # for those pedals.. They look great.

outtadaloop

Damn...should of waited

khaug

Hmm. The E320 CDI is still quicker.

GDawgC220

probably will even be quicker when the V6 CDI comes out

khaug

Yes, no doubt. Our previous car was a BMW 528i, bought just before the car metamorphosized into the 530i. Seems to be the story of my life.

Brian_I.

Can we please stop all these threads highlighting the great features of the E350?!?!

I'm starting to think I should have waited a few more months.

Heffel70

Wow, nice write up. Maybe I'll get to test drive when I look to trade the 2000 MB in late 05, early 06.

Catelo

Damn, that thing looks nice, love the 50HP bump and the sport package. Does anyone know what base price is going to be for this baby.. I am jelouse now...

LILRAJA

damn, i am waiting. I was gonna get the e320 in mid February. But with this, I will definately wait.

Raja

marcos

Does anyone know if the sports pack will be offered with a dieasel engine or not?

jhh

The picture of the interior that Edmonds is showing for this car (over to the right of the article) shows what looks like the old split-top, fold up armrest-style console instead of the sliding tambour-style console currently being put into the '05. Interesting -- I wonder if this is an old-pre '05 interior shot? Or if they are planning on changing the center console again for the '06 refresh?

ATS

I may be wrong but they are testing it in Europe.. Only in North America where people whined about the cupholder did they change the design..

SAguirre

You know, I bought the E320, but I don't feel so bad about the 350 since it will still have a 5 speed transmission for the 4 Matic. If they made a 7 speed for the 4 Matic, then it would be a bigger deal to me since I like the 7 speed.

At least the body style is the same and most people have no idea what the numbers mean on the trunk lid. Also, in Europe, the 320 is considered a huge engine anyway.

Now I would love the new CDI with a 7 speed and 4 matic. Also, if they made the E400 CDI 7 speed 4 matic I would immediately trade! Otherwise the very reliable and proven E320 will have to do for me.

Steve

Brian_I.

Thank you for those comments. It just made my day!

mbchris

I've decided that from now on, I'm only going to buy the second generation of any model, to get the best benefit from that model. You also typically pay less by doing so as well (similar price, better spec, more equipment etc.). I too was going to get the E320 with those end of year fabulous offers, but my wife suppressed my primeval urges - thanks (I think)!

Consider this:

MB E320 / E350
MB ML320 / ML350
BMW 528i / 530i
BMW 325i / 325i
Ferrari 360 Modena / F430
etc.

I would say in 90% of the time or more, given all factors, I would hands down prefer to buy the later version. Perhaps there will be less problems as well, since the first release bugs are better ironed out.

However, I do also appreciate that many people due to leases coming up, immediate family needs etc., do need a car right away, and pick what they think is best at the time.

But, I'm going to try and hold out as long as I can for that new model, planning accordingly! Suppress the impulse buy.

Just my opinion.

MBchris.

SAguirre

You bring up very valid points. However, I would not consider buying the very first year of the E350 or of the new V6 CDI. The main thing is to have a current body style (I think). If you get the E350, you are getting a new engine that MIGHT (note the use of MIGHT) be more problematic at the start. If you can wait, then wait even longer for a 2006 E350. By then, they should have most bugs out of them.

Remember, the E320 had terrible oil consumption problems when they started the FSS oil changes and they did not use synthetic oil. This was not an engine flaw, but it was definitely a growing pain issue. There are tons of innovations on the E350's engine. This engine is also not popular at all in Europe, so the US market will be testing the engine! Like it happened with the E320. As for the V6 CDI, that will be much more popular in Europe and should have the bugs out of it sooner than the E350. Remember, Europeans don't go for big gasoline engines, but the US market likes them.

However, I can totally relate to where you are coming from. The 528 was totally gutless at this altitude and the 530 was much much better. Also, do you know about the old BMW V8 problems in the US? The E350's 7-speed transmission should be OK since it has been in production for a while, but that engine seems to be brand new.

When you get a second-generation car (or the same body) you are also experimenting. The safest way to go is to buy one of the last models of the body generation, but then it looks outdated when the new body comes out. There is no simple solution.

Just my opinion,

Steve A.

Silver_Lana

Just FYI to you chaps, the new "350" engine is quite different from what most of us are used to. It is far more willing to "rev" and responsive to agressive gearing.
Those who get the E350 are in for a very pleasant surprise.

Cheers!

Brian_I.

I think I would rather just wait at least two years into production and then drive the current body style longer.

nyca

this E350 will be the best car for the money in the MB lineup.

dacbiet

It seems that buying a new car is similar to buying the latest and fastest PC; the minute you take it home its obsolescence is already looming around the corner with a newer and faster replacement. You go crazy trying to keep buying the latest and greatest version. Some people with E320s are lamenting the arrival of the 350. In due time the folks with the 500s get to look forward to the same thing.

jhh

In its brief anouncement/review of the E350, Autoweek (issue of January 10, 2005, page 9) reports that "Mercedes is also introducing an optional sport package on all E-Class models in a bid to raise the sales appeal against more contemporary rivals like the impressive new Aidi A6 and BMW 5-Series." I think the article may be specific to the U.S., and I have no idea what will be offered else where.

SAguirre

This is very true, especially with high-end European cars. If you are talking about domestic products though, there are not many changes. There are some, but not nearly as many as there are with Mercedes Benz.

If you are one of those who likes to always have the newest best thing, you will be in eternal flux.

Steve A.

BudC

And broke

BTW, I sincerely hope it doesn't happen with the new CGI engines but at IBM we always talked about *leading edge windburn*. Some early owners of the E350 could very well experience it.

GGM

Could you please elaborate on "leading edge windburn"? What is it? Any examples?

Thanks.
GGM