Eva350

Out of curiosity, what do you prefer, the sport package or the luxury? From what I can tell, these are the differences:

Sport- wider 18 inch rims & tires, instrument panel is hooded, trapezoid exhaust, apparently stiffer suspension, 4 lamellas on Grill, aggressive chin spoiler and 'twist' side panels.

Luxury = softer 17 inch rims & tires, instrument panel is flush & not hooded, round exhaust tips, softer suspension, 5 lamellas on grill, less aggressive spoilers & side skirts, chrome on front & rear bumper.

Does anyone know if there is a significant difference in ride quality. I personally like the luxury look but fear that there may be too muchbody roll from the softer suspension?

Bollywood

i would get sport

DCist

I would consider Luxury if I were getting a white W212.

Since 350 does not come with adjustable suspension you should test both Luxury and Sport before making a final call. I have a 550 and I have been riding on Sport non-stop for the last 2 weeks (btw, be on the lookout for my extensive review this coming weekend ) The ride on Comfort setting in 550 is probably different from the ride in Luxury 350.

If you like the look then get what you like. Especially if you are going to get 350.

K-A

I've always liked the AMG/Sport package, but now with M-B putting them on all their cars as basically standard, or super a super cheap option, they've become the normal look for the car, i.e you'd "stand out" probably more in a Luxury edition in a newer MY M-B.

I'd say test drive both. If it were me I'd still stick with the AMG Package though. I thought both I.P's were hooded BTW?

gsrjc

i would get the sport. the luxury is too mooshy. i would recommending driving both as someone has suggested. i would also suggest driving the 4matic and non-4matic as there are slight differences in the steering.

QuadBenz

Sport, definitely. I personally don't like any (or at least most) of the non-sport bumpers MB designs (with an exception to the S600). They are making their regular designs a lot sportier/nicer, IMO, which I think is good.
Personally, I think the W212 has the UGLIEST regular bumpers MB has put on any of their cars.

bigevil

only redeeming quality of luxury in my mind was option to have burl walnut instead of black ash wood trim. that and the wood steering wheel are cool, but sport suspension & the slicker styling make the sport the way to go.

LETO

Sport by a mile. Unless you are of a distinguished age.

mac911

I had a new E Sedan as a rental for a week. It was a sport, and I loved it. The sport looks gorgeous inside and out.

Just look at the more aggressive front bumper, side skirts, etc. Get the sport. The inside black wood is so much more sophisticated and clean as well.

sunnySD

Are Luxury ones easy to find? I see the Sport ones on dealer lots all the time and haven't noticed Luxury ones. I'm guessing because they're the same price, dealers feel customers would buy Sport over Luxury?

silberrosa

In my opinion, the Luxury sedan and Sport sedan ride quality are not really miles apart. Even the Luxury sedan offers a very well controlled suspension with limnited body roll. This is something which is markedly different in the new E-Class as comapred to the previous version. I would attribute this 100% to the adaptive suspension system which is part of the new E-Class. The sport sedan, is slightly stiffer and also a bit lower. I would add that its 18" wheels contribute to the more firm ride of the sport sedan. To summarize, if you are concerned the Luxury Sedan will be too soft, dont be. However, the recommendation to drive them is the best one as this is the only way you can really know. Good Luck - you are choosing between 2 really nice cars.

K-A

I understand why M-B puts AMG kits on all their cars now (Sales), but am I the only one that thinks it sucks that they're killing the "exclusivity" per-se, of having an AMG kit on your own car? For example, you can't tell any W204's apart as they all have the same AMG package, and the W212 will be the same, unless you buy an E63 your car will look exactly like every other one on the streets.

I had to wait, and track down an AMG package pre-'09 W211 as it's pretty rare, and I told myself the only way I'd drive an E-Class, is if I had one that came from the factory in a way that would let it stand out compared to all the other ones on the streets.

Ah well, just my rant for the day. On the plus side for '10 buyers, the AMG pack on my car cost $5K, now it's free, lol.

bigevil

it's not exactly "free" what you get with the sport styling is split 5 spoke 18" amg wheels. to get the split 6" spoke with the sport steering wheel its a $750 upgrade to the "wheel package" and even that is FAR from true AMG styling. It's like when BMW allows the "M styling" option, or "M wheels" at a added cost. You get a few of the little accents but it's far from a M car.

the E63 AMG looks WAY different, those AMG wheels are not a factory option (certainly not for free) and in addition the accented interior and exterior features certainly make sure people know you spent a lot of money on the vehicle(which is the whole point right?)

K-A

True. It isn't free, but such a great bargain, looks like 90+% of W212's will be sold with the AMG Package.

I'm sure the E63 will (hopefully) stand out from the rest of the 212's a bit, but what I meant was, unless you buy an E63, it's impossible to get your 212 to look much different than all the other ones that will be on the road (without aftermarket stuff of course), much like the W203/W204's have been (as they all sold with AMG Packs too, and all blend in with each other).

The cool thing about older M-B's (and some new ones like the W221, etc.) where the "AMG Sport Package" costs a pretty penny, is you can at least have a car that will look a bit more identifiable to you than most of the others driving down the street.

Again, there are trade-offs, as if you're a buyer of a 212 who wouldn't have paid the extra $$ to get the AMG styling, you basically get it as a free-bee

Anyway, I'm sure most buyers don't care about stuff like this, so M-B is obviously making the smarter business move.

sunnySD

MB wants to be known as a safety leader but the only way to get Xenon headlamps is with the P2 package. I'd say leave the AMG packaging as an option for the enthusiasts and provide the safety feature for free.

K-A

Exactly, agreed. Give more standard features, especially Safety wise, and leave the AMG Package for the enthusiasts who'd like to tell their car apart from the thousands on the road, and are willing and happy to pay that premium.

In reality, M-B are trying to reel in the younger buyers as much as they can, and young folk care more about cool AMG bumpers over most of those "boring" other features.

Eva350

thanks for everyones comments. I decided to get the Luxury model. May be because I am getting on in years and the luxury model recalled feelings of nostalgia (my dad had a 1986 200e). I also preferred the wood steering and non-cowled instrument cluster. For me, the sport just seemed too aggressive looking and I went for the more stately/subtle look. It just comes down to personal choice.

On driving impression, the ride did not feel too far from the sport model, although there is some softness, but for me, that is preferred on the long daily commutes I have. Beautiful car overall. Nice job MB.

silberrosa

Sounds like you made the right and informed choice for what you are looking for. Best of luck a I am certain you are going to love it.

MBNUT1

The thing is the sport package doesn't really cost MB any more.

K-A

Congrats, I'm sure you'll love it. And I'm sure if you already prefer the looks of it, you'll be happy when you realize you have 1 Luxury model out of every 100 Sports that drive by.

I didn't know the cluster was different actually, does anyone have a pic?

vynell

I am still on the fence . I am driving a 2006 E350 4matic which does it compare more to the Sport or the Luxury? Any other input greatly appreciated.
I love my 2006 but the Upgrades on the 2010 are enough to make me trade it in and get the new model. I think the Sport looks nicer but ride wise I am not sure. Thanks all

MBNUT1

I can tell you this I drove a 2010 E3504matic and it drives better than your 2006 in every way imaginable. I think that it had 17 in wheels because I didn't want to drive one with 18's

emilner

Only one answer, drive it. For a while. No one can tell you what you prefer. For me it is not a question- sport all the way. It is far more aggressive looking and firms up the very mushy suspension. I find even in the E550's sport mode it is not firm enough.

sosh

I ordered the luxury. I prefer the look, the ride and it does not have the low profile tires which I dislike. None of these cars are race cars, they are sedans andluxury touring cars. Why make it look like something its not.

K-A

Because it's the American way.