ESIX3POWER

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...r-ratings.html

"If an automaker pours millions of dollars into a redesign, you expect the new model to be better than the one it replaced. But that’s not always true. In the last few years, we’ve found that several redesigned models scored lower in our tests than their predecessors"

I'm really surprised that the new E350 would be part of this list.

According to CR - Steering, ride, fuel economy have gotten worse with the new model.

Tjdehya

I agree that the steering got worse. I had to get the 4matic to get the same steering feel that I had in my W211.
I strongly disagree with the other two mentioned.

mbuster25

Why would the steering feel different in RWD vs 4matic?

K-A

I posted the article a long time ago, when they Tested the W212, and wrote its minus points up, VS the W211.

It mainly was about the ride. However, another flub by MBUSA practically forcing the Sport Package on the E-Class masses (and not keeping it as a rarer Enthusiasts Option) for free (apparently very low stock of Luxury at Dealers) is that lots of people, and things like CR, will drive the car, and find it oddly rough and fussy for an E-Class Mercedes on rough roads.

CR certainly tested the available/standard Sport Model, and compared it to what was a then available/standard W211 Luxury Model. Thus, the dings on points in the ride.

As for steering, they're crazy, one thing where the W212 felt instantly better is the steering. More precise, better weighted, more confident, etc. However, I had a pre facelift W211.

Fuel Economy on my car is a little worse than my W211, and it's really annoying. I don't know whether to chalk it up to a less broken in motor (7K Miles). Pretty lame considering M-B has it rated as getting higher MPG.

hyperion667

I averaged 22.4 mpg on my last tank.......guess that isn't terrible

BPhillyBenz

The old saying stands true for Consumer Reports. "Opinions are like as#holes, everyone has one, and most of them stink". For me, I love the car.

K-A, IMO your point is right on target regarding the models that they tested against each other!

threeMBs

I had both pre-facelift (2003) on post-facelift (2009) W211s. The steering difference is night and day. IMO, 2009' steering is perfect for me - heavy and quit quick/precise. IMO, W212/W207 (both are 2010 MY) steering is both better than W211's - even more precise, and worse - much lighter. IMO, more precise and at the same much lighter effort steering make for a nerveous handling that some complained about.

220S

K-A, the pre-face lift that you owned is very different than the later W211s. As threeMBs says the steering was improved and more weighted (and with the AMGs even much better over the non-AMGs.)

Although the W212 may feel more precise, it does feel too light. And that is why it's one of the main "complaints" in the auto press (not just Consumer Reports.) MB is trying to cater to those who are looking for cushy rides with less steering feedback yet still not go overboard (like with the pre-2007.) So it's going to be a compromise in order to not entirely displease certain buyers.

The steering in the E Class has always been its Achilles heel but MB seems to be content enough with sales to not risk anything in an attempt to make it different.

MB will never go to the true "sports sedan" feel with the E Class, it's just not part of the car's DNA and never will be.... (there are better choices including some of the AMGs. And Jaguar now has more steering feedback with much better weighting.)

Tjdehya

I have no idea why they did that. But it’s a secret that MBUSA intends to keep. You will not find this information ANYWHERE! You will only know when you drive the rwd and 4matic because they feel like two completely different cars.

The 4matic has speed sensitive steering like the E550 W211 did, while the W212 rwd does not. I don’t know if the E350 4matic has it too but it’s like night and day between the E550 4matic and rwd. The rwd W212 steering is too light and I didn’t like it. When they replaced my car with a 4matic I was happy about the steering but unhappy about the 4matic. My biggest complaint about the MBUSA E-class is the Un-availability of "Available" options. I just don’t get it. If I want it and I am willing to pay for it why can’t I have it?!?

threeMBs

Agree. 4matic's steering is more weighted than RWD's. Is it because front wheels are also "driving" wheels (4matic) in addition to just steering (rwd)?

threeMBs

Why?

petee1997

The W212 steering works for me in the 4Matic. I can't speak to the RWD since it is not available in Canada. After a few years driving a BMW which is the other extreme,I prefer MB. Although my preference may be age related, I think I represent the segment of the market for this car. MB will not make changes to please the auto press. They know their base audience.

BenzE350

Well, I don't think anyone can honestly say steering, ride or fuel economy are strenghts of the E350.

Tjdehya

To me the E550 4matic feels subdued when compared to the E550 rwd. The engine feels unresponsive almost as if the power is there but the car is refusing to give it to you. On paper it seems as if there is not much difference but going by the "seat-of-the-pants" the car feels about 50hp weaker than the rwd. Not a big deal but 4matic does absolutely anything for me here on the west so I can’t wait to trade it for another rwd E550 or maybe the CLS550. Either way this is my first and last 4matic that I will ever own (unless I move back to the NE or Canada).

K-A

Agreed, and I'm in love with this car as well! At the very least they should have mentioned why they came to this conclusion on ride: Testing a Sport VS Luxury. However, their ignorance on the subject now makes for a plague of possible misinformation.

Interesting. I knew of the steering changes, but I thought that the facelift W211 got lighter. I MUCH prefer a heavy, "strong", substantial steering on an E-Class. I like it to feel like a Luxo car when I'm driving it, i.e heavy and substantial, however, nimble when it needs to be, which I thought the W212 kind of nailed. Now I can't remember if my pre-facelift W211 had a lighter feel or not, but I kind of want to say it did.... Although it felt definitely heavier in the turns, and when it needed to get nimble.

Funny thing is that "Ride" should be the biggest strength of the E-Class, and it should be far and away the best in its Class (or more) in that regard. And taking in comparable models (i.e Sport VS Sport, Luxo VS Luxo), I think it does have the best, and definitely quietest ride in its Class. Problem is, a Sport E-Class might ride rougher than a non Sport version of a competitor.

I really think M-B is messing with the E lineage by offering the Sport suspension as standard. I'd choose it anyway, and I'm someone who'd pay extra for it, but it is NOT very smooth at all on rough roads, and is unbecoming of an E-Class to many. Not to mention, with roughness it leads to tire blowouts, bent rims, etc.

Hopefully MBUSA is paying attention.

El Cid

I worked with five different dealers and could not find a luxury model to test drive. Finally one borrowed a car from a customer for me to test. It rode better than the Sports model I had tried. Had to special order the Luxury to get one. This is real poor marketing by M-B and its dealers to force-feed only one version.
I disagree with CR re: their rating of the E350, even considering the ride, etc., but the one thing I do support them on is their reliability ratings. While it only considers their subscribers who complete the surveys, it is still the best out there. If the E class had not gotten an above average on reliability, I would not have bought the car.
BTW, the Sports package is not free. They build the cars in Sindelfingen either with the Luxury set-up or the Sports set-up. No significant difference in cost to M-B either way, even with larger wheels on Sports. Neither M-B nor the dealers are going to give anything away for free. It just sounds good to say Sports package is free.

threeMBs

I experienced exactly the same feeling. That is why I could not understand why you switched from E550 rwd to E550 4m. Beside improved steering feel of 4m, it sounds like drivabilty of rwd (except in poor traction conditions) is superior. Or am I missing something?

Tjdehya

I agree 100%. I was offered the 4matic as a quick replacement for a troubled rwd. I took the 4matic Vs the longer wait for a rwd E550 replacement. The 4matic had better steering and I was also living in NJ at the time so 4matic could have been useful in winter if I stayed. At the time the only negative I could think of was the 1mpg gas difference. I am sure that the 4matic is just as fast/powerful but it just doesn’t feel like it.

threeMBs

Thanks, got it. I might have missed that thread.

K-A

Actually you are getting a bit more drivetrain loss due to the 4-Matic, so you're indeed getting less power to the wheels, definitely not as high as 50, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was around 20-30-ish, maybe more, maybe less.

Tjdehya

So the 4matic does in fact put down less power?
So why are the numbers so close? When looking at the numbers I assumed that the difference was due to the extra weight.
Also I assumed that the lack of power feel that I get is due to the power being distributed between 4 wheels Vs 2.
I have seen other car manufacturers claim that under heavy acceleration ~100% of power is routed to the rear wheels. Apparently the 4matic does not do this.

K-A

Yeah, 4-Matic's will always sap more power unfortunately. Also the added weight, and the power having to be distributed to all 4 wheels, etc., is why you'll feel it being slower.

Wig

Although heavier, Mercedes 4Matics have similar or better 0-60 times etc. because of the 4 wheel traction. Going round bends is a different story. The rwds should be better because of being lighter and having better weight distribution.

In Canada, it's 4Matic only in the sedans, unless you get an E63. I would have got the 4Matic anyway, but there must be those who'd prefer the choice.
I would also have considered the Luxury for the ride, but it's sport only here in the E350. It's odd that the choice is more limited than the U.S.

K-A

Yeah, traction wise, and off the line, the 4-Matics will always come out the box ahead (then the RWD version would catch up and pass due to more available power to the wheels, weight, etc.). I was talking about power though technically. For example, in a 1/4 Mile run, you'd see the RWD version of the same car trap a few or so MPH's higher than the 4 wheel drive counterpart. This is through my experiences at least. I haven't looked up Mag times for these two in question, because it'd be pointless unless they were raced on the same day. Too many variables makes comparing 1/4 times on different days and in different locations generally inaccurate.

WEBSRFR

I'm surprised about the 4Matic remark also. If not for 4Matic I would not have bought my E550. It is incredible to have in snow and even a severe rain storm as you have so much traction. Next to ABS/ESP it is perhaps the best safety feature you can have.