SolidGranite

With the looming 2012s about to hit US turf I'm having difficulty just staying happy with my 2009. What do you guys miss about your W211 that your W212 is missing?

For me it would be the following..

1.) Rear digital climate control.
2.) Gear shifter where it belongs.
3.) Push button start in gear shifter.
4.) Rear seat ambient lighting on the roof.
5.) Sunshade for pano roof. Think the new one is on the cheese side.
6.) Airmatic suspension. Unless they replace it with something similar or better I don't care.
7.) Elegant curved wood.

I think there is more but that's all I can think of for now. Anyone else?

threeMBs

Since you're not a W212 owner (yet) and do not have daily experience in the current E, you may disagree with my response:

Nothing at all (except I do agree current Pano "sunshade" is a joke).

IMO, W212 is a far superior car to W211 in every respect. Yes, some things I would change, like above mentioned Pano sunshade and keeping shifter in its "proper" loacation, among few others minor items. But as a car overall - specifically how it drives, holds corners and how steering feels - its a much better total envelope (and for a better price on top of that!).

Tjdehya

You guys are both wrong about the shifter.
MB and Jag have got it right.
Why would you want a big clunky shifter when you absolutely don't need one?
AMG only does it to satisfy the fuddy-duddies.

SixPak

I have had a 2003 E350 and then a 2008 E550 and while I enjoyed both at the time, there is nothing that I miss about the W211 with the exception of the power of the V8. My current S212 (estate) has a firmer suspension which I prefer over the W211 which is soft even with the sport (firmest) setting. Driving the W211 felt like driving a boat comparing to the current model.

SolidGranite

LOL!! I love having a shifter. It's fun to slam it back in to Drive when it's time to go. Not sure what it is but it's just a satisfying feeling to me.

EmE247

I triple that on the pano roof sunshade. Dunno why MB used that instead of what seemed more of a hard top cover for the pano on the W211.

Basically nothing else tho...

justdonating

I loved my W211, but I'm head over heels about my W212. I used to drive an 03 E500, then switched to a 08 E350, then to a 11 E350. Next time I'll definitely get the E550. That being said the W212 is a nice improvement over the W211

park423

nothing, W212 is better than the W211 in every way (course I had an early 03 W211 so there was a lot of complain about).

column shifter is better plus you have paddle shifters and it frees up very useful space in the center console

rotary dial is much better for the nav and of course BLUETOOTH!

well maybe one thing, W211 sport had 3 suspension settings, I would like another level of firmness on the airmatic.

ok another thing, could leave the trans setting on sport

K-A

I agree with everyone about the column shifter.... It's much better on a car like this, and exudes more of a luxury/sense of occasion element IMO.

Also, my cars rear upper dome light does in fact have ambient lighting (just noticed it last night).

I love the W211, but I guess there isn't much that I miss. The styling of the two cars is very similar and evolutionary, yet at the same time very different and polar opposite. I'll say that the W212 does it for me a lot more-so, but I still appreciate the W211's look when I see a well optioned and equipped model.

I miss the ability to turn the headlights off when I want to, I guess some of the carpeting in the interior where the W212 has plastic (although it makes the 212's interior much more durable and easier to clean).

All in all, the W211 ended its product run on a very high note, but the car was created and at its core built in the most un-M-B shoddy fashioned period, which aside from all else, in itself has made the W212 worth the extra coin to me.

I do understand what you're going through, and will say that if I were in your shoes, what I'd be saying to convince myself to keep the W211 (if you do want to) is that it's a well optioned/equipped model, will always have an instant M-B recognizable cachet and presence, has its own character from the W212, has a lot of nice/soft/elegant interior touches, and is a very timeless design that will and is aging very gracefully and well. The W211 is an amazing car, if it weren't built in such a disastrous period for M-B, it would even be that much better.

SolidGranite

Can anyone supply slalom times etc to prove the superior handling capabilities of the W212? Just seems unlikely to me only because the handling of my '09 is quite good when the suspension is dialed up. I would expect the W212 to be better...

BT works flawless in 2009 model.

Shifter.. Well, each to his own.

K-A: I've gotta say the rear ambient light in the W212 is no comparison to the W211. I didn't even know that little reading light back there functioned as an ambient. Is it adjustable?

What about the quality of surfaces, leather, plastics, roof liners, etc...? MB lowered the price of the E by $5000. That was not accomplished out of the goodness of their heart. The pano shade is a prime example. So is the lack of a rear deck trunk liner. PCMCIA slot instead of SD?? Why go backwards?

K-A

About the rear ambient light, it's much more subtle than the W211's. In fact, you'd have no idea that it's there, unless you put your finger under it, and then you see the warm gold glow, I actually really like it (very classy), and of course it illuminates the rear area in a way that makes it look very natural.

For the handling stats, i believe both cars put up ver similar slalom/lateral times. What is really improved on the W212 is handling/steering feel and all around chassis/composure and steering/driving confidence. It feels like a W211, just tightened up a bit more (exactly how an E-Class should feel.... Like an E-Class, but just evolved).

The interior quality of the W212, I feel it is more quality than the W211 in terms of tactility, vastly improved fit/finish and ergonomics, and durability. The plastics and surfaces feel stronger and built to last, while the W211's feel a little more flimsy and dainty. At the same time, the W211's materials feel a bit softer, more plush, a little more refined (headliner, etc.).

As for the cost savings, it's kind of hard to pinpoint. Remember that the cars go up in MSRP every year, so the last year of the W212 will probably be as expensive, or more expensive than the last year of the W211, then the next E will be launched with a lower MSRP than the outgoing model, etc. etc. Where the E's cost savings greatly exceed that of any materials or possible unfinished areas would be the chassis sharing/modifying from the W204, component sharing with other M-B's that is happening now (VASTLY makes up for the MSRP drop and then some), and of course the simpler suspension setup.

RNBRAD

I still own and drive my 211 regularly and I just can't really think of one thing I miss when I drive my w212. The 212 is so much more refined and so much more advanced that it seems as it should be the w213 or w214 when comparing it to the 211. I still love my 211 cause really it's nicer than most cars on the road but it is really no comparison to the 212 in any way I can think of other than maybe sub bass performance.

SolidGranite

Comparing an E320 to a new E550 isn't exactly keeping things in the ballpark here but understandable. The thread says W211 and W212.

A few reasons why I'm not in agreement with the majority of the thread thus far...

1.) I have a 2009 W211 with the same COMMAND system which helps quite a bit when comparing to W212. I never even considered a W211 before 2009 because the electronics were so hideously out of date.

2.) I haven't driven a W212 yet. Well I did drive a 2010 E350 out of a parking spot a few weeks ago but that hardly counts. I did however spend several hours in that same E as a passenger scrutinizing every last detail of the interior.

Bottom line, I think I'll be test driving a new E550 extensively whenever the 2012s hit the dealers.

YYZ-E55

The COMAND is not the same in a MY09 211 vs 212. The MY09 211 uses NTG 2.5 with no control wheel. The 212 uses NTG 4.0-212, and the 2012 will use NTG 4.5. While the interface may look similar, the ability to control inputs is far superior in the 212.

If you want the rear climate control (THERMOTRONIC), special order code 581. AIRMATIC is also still available by special order - code 489.

Wig

Great info as usual YYZ-E55.

What is different about the NTG 4.5?

YYZ-E55

In broad strokes:
- Media Interface + USB port moved to center console
- Improved street name display
- COMAND online (europe)
- 10gb memory
- Coverflow
- Compass in top right corner (no longer in rear-view mirror)
- Navi shows cross-street name
- System will read off text messages (BlackBerry only)

I'm sure I'm missing something!

threeMBs

If electronics is that high on priority list, should have bought Japanese - much better electronics, but as cars...well its a different story.

That says everything. How can one argue if there's no credibility?

RNBRAD

Yea you need to puts some time in the seat of the 212. You are currently in the same boat that K-A was in when he still had his 211 and I had my 212. I can't put it into words how much nicer a car the 212 is over any model yr 211. You will continue to scratch your head and justify keeping the 211, but the only justification in keeping a 211 over a 212 would be totally financial. Electronics are definitely better cept for sub bass performance and the Logic 7 function.

SolidGranite

Way ahead of you partner. Had a 2005 C55 and loved it. Then had an Audi S5 and loved that car as well. Finally I had a Lexus GS350 and while it had pretty good electronics I hated that car. Switching to an E was the best decision I've made and have never once regretted it.

I'm also not arguing anything here. Just stating what I would "miss" in the W211. I'm looking forward to a test drive of the W212 once the 2012s hit.

sacguy

I miss nothing from the W211 and I liked the car, the W212 is vastly superior in every way that matters to me.