W212350

Diesel, open your hood and try slamming it pretty hard, see what happens. Also take a look at your grill and make sure it is centered evenly between where it meets the hood on the upper left/right sides of the grill. The latches on my car needed adjustment.

220S

That's debatable, of course. You say tomahtoe, I say tomaytow.

You like white, I like black.

Each to their own.

fwiw, it's not a joke, it's not a contest. It's just someone's belief.

p.s., I like that you chose an older W211. And not the last model 2009 W211

DieselNY

I will try that. Just a note, the rest of the front, hood, etc all look fine and streamlined but I did notice or felt that the gaps seemed larger than usual.

mm9351

Diesel; photo looks exactly like mine did. Rather than trying to close the hood "pretty hard" I had the dealer re-adjust the latches. Note that the hood latches at 3 locations, so the slightest "out of tolerance" condition will cause one of them to not close fully. Good luck.

patrick_y

To original poster: Even though you leased your car, you have every right to be dissatisfied with your car's misaligned hood and other malfunctions.

However, you have to realize that Mercedes-Benz is making a mass-produced product these days, and nothing is perfect. I often notice there are some small imperfections on many vehicles, and unfortunately my family has owned all the vehicles we've purchased since new.

If it makes you feel any better, your car is leased. You'll be in a new car soon! However, this still isn't an excuse for Mercedes-Benz to lease you a slightly defective vehicle. You should complain to your dealer and Mercedes-Benz and write both of them a letter.

K-A

To each their own. To me the 211's interior design is waay superior than that blocky hard thing. Saying it looks "old" is a cheap shot without providing any basis, to me the 212's has a retro theme itself.

As far as materials, I stated some, unless you like hard plastic. And mind you, many people/Reviews have stated that the 212's interior is a bit less elegant/refined. 212's has a lot of "popping smoke effect" going for it, that can fool people into "ooh/ahh, bigger wood, it must be fancier".

Dash to me feels cheaper (like the C-Class).

A-Pillar material is cheap "appliance" like, much different than the lining on the pre F.L 211.

Plastic along the bottom of the center console replaces nice carpeting on the 211.

Plastic on bottom of doors replaces nice fuzzy material in the 211.

Plastic window/weather stripping inside, replaces nice carpeting in the 211.

-Radio unit is a basic kind of cold "corporate unit", almost identical to the C-Classes, the buttons also aren't all that impressive in feel.

M-B Tex models have hard/cheap feeling door panels and the area with the buttons looks too industrial IMO compared to the 211's wood wrapped buttons. As well, the area you rest your arm on is very hard, much unlike the more plush, soft area in the 211.

I can go on. Enough with the "your car sucks because it's old" stuff, it's worthless, at least I'm providing points, no need to get all fussy. And FYI, just because I like my car more than a 212 doesn't necessarily show that I'm "in love with it".

To be fair, I can name areas in the 211 that are downgraded from other models as well. I call it as I see it, "that looks old" really doesn't always mean much to a car enthusiast....

K-A

As well, c'mon, I don't know how you can look at that squared, sharply-cut and non flowing interior as "beautiful", yes that are many great things you can say about it, but "beautiful" isn't even its intent. Same goes for the exterior, the 212 isn't, nor isn't supposed to be a "beautiful" car, in the true sense of the word, or how it is generally applied to cars. True, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", however beautiful wise, to me no contest that goes to the 211, the lines, surfaces, design just goes for that. For the 212 there are different descriptions that fit the look better: aggressive, sharp, staunch, sophisticated (although I think 50/50 on that), from the head-on angle: sinister, etc. I can understand using the word "handsome", but beautiful, gracious, I'm sorry but fans of it can look at it like they do a child of theirs, but those it is not, nor do I think it is intended.

K-A

Sorry for the 3-Post, but that part just IMO shows the bias and takes away the merit from your views here. You are totally right and deserving to like your new car better, but that to say interior quality is "not even close", when there are more than a few others who say the older is in fact more "quality". I'll bet you can't give more than a few areas where the 212 uses better/fancier/more "plush" materials. Design is subjective, "looks old" is subjective, and "looks stale" is actually a compliment IMO, as I like clean, understated styles.

Sometimes it's good to be a little critical, my initial point was to show how M-B buyers don't pay attention to the details and jump on the new thing sometimes for the status (look at how well '03-'04 W211's sold, for example). I can name areas in the 211 that I can't stand, like I said. Again, try and save from getting offended and jumpy here, I can talk and criticize/compliment cars and little details 'till I'm blue in the face (fingers), not just 212's.

220S

I go to Pebble Beach each year just to look at stuff "that looks old." Along with Jay Leno and other car enthusiasts with obviously very bad taste.

K-A

Haha, indeed. I passed by a bunch of "old car Dealers" when I was out of town this weekend, somehow they got me out of my car to search around more than any New Car Dealer has in a while!

I like choosing to keep an old body style.... that ages gracefully at least, gets you out of the "I'm better than thou" rat-race, and allows you to enjoy the car you own (if you appreciate it this much) and treat it as a car aging toward being a classic. Plus it shows character in the car enthusiast sense.

My favorite is Jerry Seinfeld, if you watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, he's been on the last few Episodes, ALWAYS in a different Porsche, sometimes newer, sometimes a regular ol' 10 year old model, sometimes a stunning Classic, etc. (we all know how you Porsche guys are )

BTW, Jay Leno has the worst collection of cars.... I mean, HOW many of those things are ollld? He should just scrap them and keep only the brand new gen body-styles.

ipp

Aren't we off topic deluxe now? There must be a better forum discussing whether or not the W211 is going to be a classic... I think your arguments are well constructed and I agree with most of it, but I think it's annoying when thread after thread here turns into my "w211" is better than your "w212" discussions.

K-A

You're right. However my comments weren't really out of line in regards to cost-cutting, and wasn't intended to compare any particular models, rather the gens as a whole, however answers have resulted in debating, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to read my arguments.

I'm honestly not trying to get into a "which is better" thing, as that's foolish, the 212 should damn well win in all objective categories, I just like talking some of the subjective stuff, and seeing why/if others can see the things the things that I'm pointing out.

Constructive criticism of course is good, and it is what gets companies to keep the products progressing, M-B gave lots of pluses with the 212, but they didn't get by me with the obvious little areas that were cost cut.

I hope any of my comments directed at how putridly horrid the interior of the W204 is for any M-B has been noticed by them, as that one didn't get by me at all, and I'm hoping they fix it for the F.L.

petee1997

K-A you and 220S have more postings on the W212 forum than anyone. Neither one of you have many current postings(last three months) on the W211 forum. My question is Why? I understand 220S likes to pontificate on his vast knowledge of everything MB. However K-A you are a true W211 enthusiast and would be much more comfortable conversing with your little buddies on the W211 forum. You have expressed your opinions many,many times on the W212 and will not be able to contribute further until you own one.

W212350

Excellent post. You're 100 % right. Your post would actually make a perfect default reply for any post issued by KA and 220S on the W212 board ( I think they both drive W211s ) coincidentally.. Maybe some one can arrange that ? I have long since stopped reading into his drivel and non stop Trolling.. I've said it before and I will say it again.. KA is like a woman who hates Versace but yet hangs out in Versace boutiques all day long discussing their designs.. Makes sense ? A total loser.

petee1997

What are we to take from that? If some of us find the W211 past its' prime we can't also be enthusiasts who enjoy the great cars at Pebble Beach?

220S

Sorry, Pops. I'm primarily on the AMG forum and not the W211 boards. And on the MB AMG Private Lounge. I just come on here once in a while to see what's going on.

And guess what? I may actually buy a W212 E63 AMG Estate if they get over here. Looks a lot better than that Hyundai looking W212 sedan, imho.

Anyway, just ignore and don't read the posts. It's easy. And hey, there's always BenzWorld.

p.s., maybe try posting some actually informative info once in a while. Be helpful and answer some questions, or at least contribute to the MBWorld community instead of only grumpy old man posts.

You have a nice car. It's very pretty. It is good. Congratulations and enjoy it.

Cheers.

petee1997

Wow!!! An AMG wagon no less...your friends, neighbours and all your relatives will be so impressed. And think of all the space you will have for all those Mercedes shop manuals. I really, really envy you 220S.

PS By the way, here's something informative. Pebble Beach does not have cars that look old. What it has, are old cars that look new.

Quadcammer

quite frankly neither the 211 or 212 is really gonna blow you away in material quality. Its better than the C class, but its not exactly soft touch vinyl. Furthermore, the door pins in both the 211 and 212 are embarrassing.

The new car is solid and the interior is functional and acceptable for the class of car.

ipp

220S

Thanks for the tip. The wagon is off my list. I want my neighbors to envy me. I would never buy a car solely to satisfy my own desire. What do you suggest? A 997 cab with tiptronic?

Hmmm, all this time I thought Monterey only had new cars that look old. Thanks for the info.

Hey, Pops, why not just empty out all your **** and vinegar, stop being so cranky and old, and join in with the community?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...rd-thread.html

220S

+1 on the door pins! They're a joke. The E Class is nothing but a basic sedan. When I think of MBs I think of the S Class and the CL. The AMG versions add some punch. But yep, you are right.

I really like real performance wagons. Functional, yet true sleepers. I had always hoped for the M3/M5 estate and RS4 estate here in the US.

aeggroup

You guys are spoiled motherf****s....LOL
Try to go somewhere out of USA and live there for a couple years. May be after this you will value the luxury you got to drive MB E class with the amount of money you paid for it...

petee1997

220S you should be more careful not to push arrogance to imprudence. You know what dogs do to big wheels.

220S

Yeah, you're right, with the price of cars here it's a whole different game. We definitely do get spoiled.

On the other hand, I lived in Europe for 8 years and just about every taxi was an E Class.

But the reality (at least here) is that MBs depreciate like a rock and you can get them for next to nothing on the used market. Look at the price of 2-3 year old S Class and CLs.

The MB cache is pretty meaningless if you ask me. And it's also pretty stupid, imho. I wish they didn't have that stigma. I think I'd feel weird owning one in a rural area. I like MBs for their technology, history, racing pedigree, and real world daily driveability. The status garbage I could well do without.

Here in LA you have homies and ballers driving MBs. Soccer moms, too. There are everywhere. I think the E Class is the default car around here.

Hey, we all know that driving a car to make your self look better is not a good reason (unless you're Hank Hill's neighbor, Khan Souphanousinphone. LOL) Buy and drive what you truly honestly want. Anyway, status is short lived and is pretty meaningless in the bigger context of humanity.

That said, the door pins are still pretty cheesy

K-A

Most of you guys' posting are simply biotching about my postings.

Ignore it if you don't like it. I know all I need to know about the 211, I don't come to car Forums to stroke my E-Car-Ego non-stop, I like learning, and debating various aspects.

So you buy your car to impress others? Hmm, no wonder you label any old design as simply "old", and believe that to be supposedly the worst labeling any car can ever get. If you want to impress neighbors, don't get an E-Class. Sure it carries the "M-B" name, but in a year, your car will look identical to all the other E's on the road, AMG package and all.

Sorry, but those cars don't look "new", they scream their generations, however timeless designs do that without look "dated". Like beautiful pieces of art. Fact is the 212 is meant to grab more attention, the 211 is purposely more subdued, one will age gracefully, one will look dated fast. It's not just the story of the 211 & 212, it's car designs. Just look at the E39 and E60.

"Past its prime" c'mon now, what are we talking, athletes here?