Hi my father is planning on leasing the 2010 e350 4 and he is having trouble deciding between two cars.
One is the luxury and the other is the sport with the tire package.
He drives in the city a lot and is worried that the tires wont hold up for urban driving (NYC). He is inclined to get the sport though because he likes the appearance more.
Does anyone have something to say about their experiences and is the ride quality very different between the luxury and the sport?
Thanks

 

I have found the ride quality in both similar. In fact the suspension parts are the same, just tuned differently. As for the tires, one of the primary reasons I bought the luxury is that the very low profile tires on the sport are a major compromise in durability, life span and even in the ride. I also do not like to see myself coming and going and now there are tons more sports than luxury's. I am very happy with the luxury and the comforts it provides.

 

People typically have problems with low profile tires because they allow them to get under inflated .

 

Thats one part of the problem, however they do not have the sidewall strength or size to cushion the rims thus when hitting an object hard the rim is usually damaged also. They ride harder also due to design. They are a major compromise for looks and are not practical. They also have a much shorter mileage life.

 

That's my biggest issue with the 212 right now. I wish M-B did it like they used to, 3 levels for the E-Class: Elegance, Appearance, and AMG Sport, I'd gladly pay the Premium (I did) for a bit of an "exclusive" E-Class.... Aside from the actual AMG, for now.

Now, although it's nice everyone gets to drive in the cool AMG kitted cars, they lose their specialness. Like the W204 C-Class, very eye catching when they came out, but now, with all their AMG Packaged glory, they're about as interesting to see as Civics.

When I sell my 211, and start cross-shopping cars, the 212 will definitely be a competitor, I can get past most other issues I have with the car, but the biggest thing batting against it will be, the "everyone has the exact same equipped/looking car" effect.

 

So far i've seen more luxury models than sport ones around ny

 

Only enthusiasts and some MB owners know the difference. Most people don't know one car from another nor do they care. So what if they look all the same.

As far as tires are concerned, the 4Matic in Canada comes with all season low profile tires that should have the same life span as the regular tires on the Luxury model. The sport package with RWD in the US has the the low profile high speed tires. I agree those tires have a shorter life span. All Canadian E class come standard with 4Matic and only the Sport is available.

 

Sorry petee but you are mis-informed re the tires in the USA. All 212 models excluding the E63 come on all-season tires in either 17 or 18" sizes. That said, if potholes are a problem where you drive, get the luxury model as the sidewall will be less susceptible to damage given the higher profile.

 

True, people don't know the difference between a W210 or W212 For the most part. But still, IMO it's nothing fun when you get a Premium car, and you have exact clones sitting in the parking lot, scattered around next to yours (exactly how it is in Cali at least). Especially when it's a car with relatively grabbing exterior cues (makes you really notice it, then when it wears off, it doesn't wear off well). Most E-Class buyers are the last thing from Enthusiasts, but some are, and the clone-AMG-effect hurts in that regard.

I loved when you mostly saw boring E-Classes everywhere, then one out of a 100 would have an AMG Package, be it true AMG or "Sport".

All I'm saying is, I wish M-B would offer some more aesthetic variety for the W212, for the sake of enthusiasts. Like Bimmer is still doing with the M-Packs.

Jaymoney: Interesting, and glad to hear that. Maybe it's a SoCal thing, where vanity overrides everything, so Dealers order the cars as such.... Still, the AMG Package is practically a free Option.

 

I think it is nothing more then a market guiding the decisions of MB. People want more aggressive looking cars and if this sells more, what are they going to do? Daimler is in the business to make wonderful cars, sell them and make money. How can you blame them for following a successful strategy which equates to building a car the way people want them? OK, if you want something even more exclusive, perhaps an aftermarket solution is the only option. The good old days when almost everyone wanted the "sleepy" version of an MB are long gone. My 2 cents, which are only worth 1 these days.

 

No, you're right, it is exactly M-B's response to what people want, and you can't blame them for wanting to provide, and do what they can to make money.

Still, BMW is keeping the M-Sport Package exclusive, and I'm sure the F10 will sell like every 5-Series before it, i.e: Hotcakes.

I think Benz whoring out the AMG look will of course help Sales dramatically, but at the same time, it could hurt the "specialness" of AMG styling in the long run, it's just makes it common and plebeian.

I dunno, it's just upsetting to me, as once I'm in the market for a new car, as smart a buy as a new E-Class with a big Warranty will be, it's hard when you'll have Grandma in the next lane with your exact same car, aggressive-cool AMG bodywork and all.... Kinda kills it.

W211's are like Honda's out here, but at least to me, having an AMG Pack keeps it at a more prestigious level than the rest, and many people do notice the difference too FYI, as in, they'll notice something a bit "special" about the car, as it looks a bit more different and defined than the ho-hum W211's there eyes are trained to, all over the place.

 

Actually around here and I believe in the entire US its about 7 Sports to 3 Luxuries or so I am told. My dealer usually has lots of Sports and last time I was in only one Luxury.

 

Well said and I have to give you credit, you clearly understand the situation. I too wish sometimes there was still a bit more exclusivity. For a long time BMW didnt even offer the M sport packages and now they are just going this direction. I think it is a balancing act to not go overboard as it reduces the exclusivity of the AMG styling and also could threaten the AMG model itself given the styling differences get so much closer - at least to the untrained eye. Oh well, that's why we have so much fun talking about it.

 

Agreed.

Yeah, I actually gotta say, aside from the E55 (which is identical practically to the W211 Pre-Face-Lift AMG Sports, the W212 E350's look so so close to the E63's. Aside from the badges and slightly more aggressive fascia, it's really hard to tell a difference. Even the interiors aren't leagues apart (without the suede headliner and all), although the gearbox in the 212 is a total giveaway. If I was in the market for a new E63, aesthetically speaking, I'd be kind of bummed as every Jane in an E350 has all that similarly aggressive AMG bodywork as well.

Oh well, indeed, it is fun to talk about, and where else can we do it, at least I know if I bring it up to my GF, I get massive eye-rolling treatment.

 

I did not know that. I assumed a sport package rwd would automatically have high speed tires. As far as potholes are concerned, our roads are a series of potholes stitched together to make a road. So far so good. I have not damaged a wheel yet. I do agree however that the 17" would be more practical for our road conditions.

 

I see more Sport models in NYC. I agree - low profile tires are a problem if you drive in NY area, but it can be easily solved if you buy wheels and tires insurance. I bought mine and repaired two rims already - no charge from my pocket. If you don't wanna buy insurance - I'd avoid Sport model in NYC unless you ready to pay for repair/change of wheels or tires. But...luxury model looks ugly..at least for me..

 

Why not just buy a sport model & change out the 40/35 series tires to 50 or 60 series tires?

 

Having seen both the W212 E350 and the W212 E63 side by side in the showroom, I have to disagree with you. The E63 looks so much more aggressive and hunkered down compared to the E350.

But then, you never do have anything positive to write about any version of the W212. It's just endless and boring diatribes from you against the W2i2. Maybe its time for you to shop for a new Malibu and join a GM Forum !

 

It seems Canada has much better dealerships than US. I can't find E63 in any nearby dealership. If you want the car you can order without a chance to see it.

 

Ohh here we go, so defensive about your precious W212 you can't take valid criticism against it. Nothing I say is the slightest bit slanted due to a (especially reason-less) personal vendetta against the car.

Was it a Sport model next to the E63? Of course it'll look more aggressive and Sporty next to each other. My point is, they do look close enough, and most people couldn't tell a difference (even those who could between a Luxury model and an AMG equipped one). M-B whoring out the AMG look hurts the exclusivity of even the real AMG models, IMO.

 

 

K-A give me a break. The sport package is just a little cladding and a lower stance. The AMG certainly has a more robust look to it and if you open the door you are in a totally different world. I doubt AMG owners are buying the look. I think performance is the main attraction. BMW offers the M package for show but at a price. Your main beef I think is that it is free on the E350. These cars are not exclusive and were never intended to be. Keep in mind they are only one step up from the MB taxi pack car in Germany.

 

He decided on a white luxury with pano, p2, parktronic, and wood steering wheel.
Didn't pick it up yet, but I hope it's a nice car.

 

Excellent combo IMO . After picking up the E sport the other day I would assume one would be better off with the luxury wheels in an area with poor roads.

 

I agree Petee. The true AMG certainly does take it to another level (and IMO, with the 212, the interior is actually disconcertingly way too close to the plebeian E's this time around IMO, aside from the gear-selector console area). However, I still think that the AMG's looks are close enough, to where it blends the new E63 in a bit more..... Which some owners do very much prefer, and which as you said, doesn't matter, as most are all about the performance.

E's are definitely very common (and Euro Taxi), but I personally appreciated the multiple Packages M-B used to offer to "personalize" them in a sense, kind of catered to enthusiasts. And BMW does treat the "M" Package with lots of respect, considering they don't even release the M-Sport Pack until they do the M5 (so none avail yet on the F10), and charge a pretty penny for it.

Oh well, each have their own pluses in this area. Bimmer = you gotta wait, then pay for it, but get the "exclusivity" factor. M-B = "Just give them the Package they want, now, and keep it extremely affordable".