Car & Driver Luxo Sedan comparo: E-Class finishes last?
#26
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I agree with the boring part. I'm not sure I can take it much more. I love the idea of an E63 but too rich for my blood and I'm not sure I want to pay the fuel bill. Any other suggestions? How does the solidity of the E63 compare with the E350? One thing I can't stand about the E350 steering is while it is dead as a doorknob feel wise it is more that happy to transmit all kinds of road texture especially at low speed.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I agree with the boring part. I'm not sure I can take it much more. I love the idea of an E63 but too rich for my blood and I'm not sure I want to pay the fuel bill. Any other suggestions? How does the solidity of the E63 compare with the E350? One thing I can't stand about the E350 steering is while it is dead as a doorknob feel wise it is more that happy to transmit all kinds of road texture especially at low speed.
The first thing I noticed with the E63 was that it took rough roads a lot smoother. A much more solid feeling and yet very smooth.
Has a lot to do with Airmatic DC, but of course with more expense over time in maintenance/repair, etc.
Airmatic set in Sport I/II mode makes the car feel even more planted and with a lot less body roll (and the E350 had a lot of roll.) Also, the AMG Airmatic is calibrated differently than the E550 Airmatic. The E63 handling and steering is also much improved over the earlier E55.
Overall, the steering is a lot more precise and allows for much more confidence. I used to think I was going out of my lane when I was driving the E350 at a modest pace; it got really frustrating. Now I can take the curves and know exactly where the wheels are pointed. The car is even more comfortable than the steel spring E350. Again, no doubt it's the Airmatic.
It wasn't until about three weeks ago that I took the E63 up into the mountains where I normally drive the Porsche. For a big, heavy sedan it does pretty good. Still not the best confidence builder going into the tight turns but you can point it in and it stays pretty well planted (with ESP on
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So, for spirited driving it's head into the corner, downshift and brake, and then really punch it coming out sort of thing. There's good throttle control when the rpms are up there. Not a lightweight Lotus that's for sure, but still a lot of fun. That kind of hp can get you from A to B really quickly.
Drive like Grandpa it's smooth and comfortable. No suspension compromises there. 17 mpg in Grandpa mode. 20-22 mpg with freeway cruise control. Wild Grandma mode and I can get it down to 10 mpg.
One thing that helped a lot with the E350 was better tires. I put on some PS2s and it made a difference. Turn-in felt a little sharper and road noise wasn't as noticeable.
The V6 is okay, but the V8 is definitely noticeably smoother, imho. Overall the E63 feels more planted and solid and having that power gives you a lot of confidence in passing, freeway merges, and getting out of danger, etc.. The seats are also way better bolstered for spirited driving.
The E350 is a very good comfortable daily driver, but nothing extra special, imho.
Last edited by 220S; 09-05-2009 at 03:13 AM.
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With all the complaints out there, I still love my airmatic. Do I worry about it? Sure, but I made sure to get a 320 with it. I'm always in Sport II mode with tranny in S.
#29
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2010 E350 4Matic
K-A Thanks for the feedback. I agree I like the luxury feel to just disappointed with the lack of high frequency isolation. I appreciate your comment because it tells me that nothing is uniquely wrong with mine. Since you had a S500 how good of a job did it's steering do in terms isolating the road texture relative to your E350 and what size wheels did it have?
#30
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2010 E350 4Matic
I went directly from a 2009 E350 to a 2009 E63.
The first thing I noticed with the E63 was that it took rough roads a lot smoother. A much more solid feeling and yet very smooth.
Has a lot to do with Airmatic DC, but of course with more expense over time in maintenance/repair, etc.
Airmatic set in Sport I/II mode makes the car feel even more planted and with a lot less body roll (and the E350 had a lot of roll.) Also, the AMG Airmatic is calibrated differently than the E550 Airmatic. The E63 handling and steering is also much improved over the earlier E55.
Overall, the steering is a lot more precise and allows for much more confidence. I used to think I was going out of my lane when I was driving the E350 at a modest pace; it got really frustrating. Now I can take the curves and know exactly where the wheels are pointed. The car is even more comfortable than the steel spring E350. Again, no doubt it's the Airmatic.
It wasn't until about three weeks ago that I took the E63 up into the mountains where I normally drive the Porsche. For a big, heavy sedan it does pretty good. Still not the best confidence builder going into the tight turns but you can point it in and it stays pretty well planted (with ESP on
) And you can really fly coming out of the corner with all that torque. And the brakes are superb (but yeah, I know, pricey to replace.) If you've ever tracked a car, you know good brakes with little fade are super important.
So, for spirited driving it's head into the corner, downshift and brake, and then really punch it coming out sort of thing. There's good throttle control when the rpms are up there. Not a lightweight Lotus that's for sure, but still a lot of fun. That kind of hp can get you from A to B really quickly.
Drive like Grandpa it's smooth and comfortable. No suspension compromises there. 17 mpg in Grandpa mode. 20-22 mpg with freeway cruise control. Wild Grandma mode and I can get it down to 10 mpg.
One thing that helped a lot with the E350 was better tires. I put on some PS2s and it made a difference. Turn-in felt a little sharper and road noise wasn't as noticeable.
The V6 is okay, but the V8 is definitely noticeably smoother, imho. Overall the E63 feels more planted and solid and having that power gives you a lot of confidence in passing, freeway merges, and getting out of danger, etc.. The seats are also way better bolstered for spirited driving.
The E350 is a very good comfortable daily driver, but nothing extra special, imho.
The first thing I noticed with the E63 was that it took rough roads a lot smoother. A much more solid feeling and yet very smooth.
Has a lot to do with Airmatic DC, but of course with more expense over time in maintenance/repair, etc.
Airmatic set in Sport I/II mode makes the car feel even more planted and with a lot less body roll (and the E350 had a lot of roll.) Also, the AMG Airmatic is calibrated differently than the E550 Airmatic. The E63 handling and steering is also much improved over the earlier E55.
Overall, the steering is a lot more precise and allows for much more confidence. I used to think I was going out of my lane when I was driving the E350 at a modest pace; it got really frustrating. Now I can take the curves and know exactly where the wheels are pointed. The car is even more comfortable than the steel spring E350. Again, no doubt it's the Airmatic.
It wasn't until about three weeks ago that I took the E63 up into the mountains where I normally drive the Porsche. For a big, heavy sedan it does pretty good. Still not the best confidence builder going into the tight turns but you can point it in and it stays pretty well planted (with ESP on
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So, for spirited driving it's head into the corner, downshift and brake, and then really punch it coming out sort of thing. There's good throttle control when the rpms are up there. Not a lightweight Lotus that's for sure, but still a lot of fun. That kind of hp can get you from A to B really quickly.
Drive like Grandpa it's smooth and comfortable. No suspension compromises there. 17 mpg in Grandpa mode. 20-22 mpg with freeway cruise control. Wild Grandma mode and I can get it down to 10 mpg.
One thing that helped a lot with the E350 was better tires. I put on some PS2s and it made a difference. Turn-in felt a little sharper and road noise wasn't as noticeable.
The V6 is okay, but the V8 is definitely noticeably smoother, imho. Overall the E63 feels more planted and solid and having that power gives you a lot of confidence in passing, freeway merges, and getting out of danger, etc.. The seats are also way better bolstered for spirited driving.
The E350 is a very good comfortable daily driver, but nothing extra special, imho.
#31
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I took delivery of a W212 E350 4 Matic last Saturday. At low speed the steering is very soft and great for city handling. At high speed on the highway the steering goes into direct steering mode and the handling is superb. Power from the V6 is as I expected,smooth and comfortable. This is not a E63,Porsche or BMW335. I own the latter two and the E350 for a daily driver has them all beat. The 997 is a toy and if I had looked at my birth certificate before purchase I would not own it. The BMW has awful run flat tires and a transmission that is never sure of dowshifting or upshifting at low speeds. Take this opinion with a grain of salt as I am 60+. If I were 30,and I was once, my opinion could be different.
#32
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
K-A Thanks for the feedback. I agree I like the luxury feel to just disappointed with the lack of high frequency isolation. I appreciate your comment because it tells me that nothing is uniquely wrong with mine. Since you had a S500 how good of a job did it's steering do in terms isolating the road texture relative to your E350 and what size wheels did it have?
I can't really recall feeling that kind of road feel with the S500. That car was super smooth, I remember when I got the E, I thought it handled like a Sports Car, and thought that it rode like one too (shows how they compare, also to note I have the AMG Sport/Suspension).
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The "AMG sport suspension" is purely a marketing thing. There's nothing AMG at all about the E Class. It's a comfort luxury car first and foremost.
They probably should have called it simply a "sport(ier) suspension" option. Although BMW also tends to do the same thing: "M package," bits and pieces on non-M cars, etc.. And Audi with "S Line" bits and pieces versus actual S cars.
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2010 E350 P1+P2+Distronic
ETA on my E350 end of September.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
If I were a AMG, M, or S car owner, I wouldn't like it when they offer an AMG package, M package, or S Line package. My argument would be that those body kits and components should be reserved for those cars. I mean it adds to the distinctiveness of that supercar The body kit is how most (general) people can tell it's one of those.
Last edited by gaazmon; 09-06-2009 at 01:42 PM.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
In hindsight (after owning the 2009 E350 with "AMG sport suspension") I find it interesting that it's labeled as such. It's not a suspension found in any of the AMG cars. It's either AMG tuned airmatic (and/or ABC) or a different suspension/chassis (ie, the C63.)
The "AMG sport suspension" is purely a marketing thing. There's nothing AMG at all about the E Class. It's a comfort luxury car first and foremost.
They probably should have called it simply a "sport(ier) suspension" option. Although BMW also tends to do the same thing: "M package," bits and pieces on non-M cars, etc.. And Audi with "S Line" bits and pieces versus actual S cars.
The "AMG sport suspension" is purely a marketing thing. There's nothing AMG at all about the E Class. It's a comfort luxury car first and foremost.
They probably should have called it simply a "sport(ier) suspension" option. Although BMW also tends to do the same thing: "M package," bits and pieces on non-M cars, etc.. And Audi with "S Line" bits and pieces versus actual S cars.
#38
My problem with all such steering systems--and Mercedes is far from alone here--is that the transition from numb to direct tends to occur at a much higher speed than I'd like. Once above 10 MPH I'm ready for direct.
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'15 E63S wagon
Call me crazy (again) but I think C&D got it right. The E350 is a blah car IMO. It's impressive what AMG does with the chassis & engine to take it to such high levels. Having driven a new E350 I was underwhelmed...deeply underwhelmed, for a car of its price. Gorgeous, yes. Nice interior, yes. Powerful and effortless like a MBZ should be, no, not in my opinion.
#41
I think they should incorporate something like what Audi has on the new S4. With Direct Drive it allows you to customize the steering boost to what you like along with the suspension and throttle. Even the differential can be customized.
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Lazy to read the article since I did recent shopping and consider exactly all these cars, but MB was 09. So my order was:
1st 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350
2nd: 2009 Jaguar XF
Third: 2009 Infiniti M45
4th: 2009 BMW 535i
5th: 2009 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro
So it looks like I share C&D opinion. Why 2010 made this order upside down, I do not know. I guess editors of C&D drink a good kefir.
1st 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350
2nd: 2009 Jaguar XF
Third: 2009 Infiniti M45
4th: 2009 BMW 535i
5th: 2009 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro
So it looks like I share C&D opinion. Why 2010 made this order upside down, I do not know. I guess editors of C&D drink a good kefir.