Dema

Today I had pleasure of seeing two black E class 09 and 10. I was zooming from back and the cars were merging in a line in front of me one by one. First I noticed very appealing tail lights of W212. I didn’t realize that it is W212 first, I just admitted that some Merc has nice tail lights. Then I could see badge E350. Next car coming after W212 was W211. Tail lights were less appealing. Actually whole back view of W212 was nicer. Note I have seen cars in the same color, so no color influence in look. I could pass the cars easily to get front view in my back mirror and again, W212 looked much more appealing for me, something more expensive and classy. My previous opinion was that W211 looks better, so it looks like I was wrong until could see both cars on road.

MBNUT1

I tend to think that the rear of the W212 looks better as well. Some day maybe I will come around regarding the front.

OceanView

Yes the W212 looks better than the W211.
I think it looks more masculine as well.
Until you see the 2 cars next to each other you don't realize that the W211 looks a bit dated.

aeggroup

One year ago, when I saw W212 first time in person at NY autoshow - it seemed to me so ugly, I thought i will never get this car. Now I have it already 5 months and like it. Time changes..and we as well..

RNBRAD

I totally agree. I still think the 211 is a hot car no doubt but just doesn't have the appeal of the 212. I thought I would never say that.

gaazmon

the front is the best, very "get out of my way". it's the side that bothers me. every time i see it from the side i think C class. damn of MB. the back is alright. i'm not a big fan of the back of any of the new benz's (CL, C, E) except the S

blazeone

I agree on the updated exterior but the largest difference to me is the interior. The go from a 212 to a 211 and you'll swear your in a C class. The 212 interior is physically and visibly much larger than the 211.

K-A

I agree with what you're saying, although I wouldn't say that makes it better necessarily.

Aside from the clever mind trick of added Luxury or whatever it may be, by making the interior more imposing and bigger (i.e making you feel smaller and more surrounded by it), I just can't understand how anyone can say the materials and quality (actual "build" quality, and tight fit aside) are in any way even matched with the W211. I haven't lived with both cars, so I dunno if there's some secret to the 212's inside that somehow can only be realized when you own one, but I just can't get past how plasticky it is, and how relatively "cheap" some of the materials are.

220S

The new E shares from the C class now, including interior bits. This parts bin sharing is something relatively new for Daimler AG and they brought it up in a press release many months ago.

Go to http://media.daimler.com (you have sign up to subscribe; it's for journalists.) In the meantime, I'll search for the release (I'm registered there.)

K-A

Yeah definitely. I actually read an article before where they stated that too.

All I know is, the next S better still use (mostly) exclusive materials.