dbtk

Finally I was able to drive the 2011 E350 4Matic. I am impressed. I was reluctant to get this one after renting a 2010 from Hertz last year. For some reason it drives and rides much more composed and serene than I remember it to be (albeit this one is a late 2011 Sport versus the rental which was a early 2010 luxury). The E is very stable over rough roads, which reminds me of my previous 2007 S550 but without the wallowness (is that a word?).

The E's interior is very well done, especially with leather (which matches my 600's interior color--Cognac). While not as luxurious or finely appointed as my late 2007 CL600 it does have a more appealing touch and feel than the MB-tex interior of my old C (which I returned for this E lease) and I believe betters the S550. The new center screen is soothing and easier on the eyes than the old mono-tone LED based system. It is even more entertaining than my old S and CL screens (which trumped the E only by their TFT style speedometers).

Seat-of-the-pants acceleration feels as if it has more pulling power than my old C300 4Matic despite more heft. And it delivers higher fuel economy for the same route--23 mpg for the E versus 21 mpg for the C. This from a 300 mile car...do you think it has the new 7G-tronic Plus transmission? (It's strange to me that a brand new, unbroken-in car would deliver stated EPA mileage.)

Overall, the E350 is an easy car to drive--no drama, well-designed, solid. I am impressed with this E. Now, I understand every one's enthusiasm on the W212 forum for this car.

CedarZ4

Fabulous car, looks great!

Question though, since you've owned an S class before...
Debating between the S550 and the E350 MY2011 or MY2012. Which one would you recommend? Taking into consideration price, since the S is 30ish grand more expensive than the E. Thanks!

CedarZ4

PS, that's the new center command with color right?
How is it compared to the old B/W one?

I dig a lot more than the one in my Cayenne! '09 model but black on orange font? Whaat theee..... hope the '11 Turbo isn't like that

dbtk

Thanks.

I really like the W221 S-class. The S is a great cruising car rich with features. The E is slightly more of a driver's car (not like a BMW, but getting close, especially when compared to the new 5-series). In realty the E is a great value. I am leasing which is a good thing for the E since it has a 66-69% residual over 33-36 months. That said, on a monthly basis the E is amazingly affordable. Monthly, I was paying double for my old S550 as I do for the E350 4Matic.

dbtk

CedarZ4,

The 2011 Cayenne screen is also a color LCD, albeit not as stylized as the new E (June 2011+) screen. I don't think I have ever seen the previous Cayenne screen. I would imagine that the 2011 Cayenne's screen is more soothing than orange on black. Here are some screen shots of my CTT guages and LCD monitor.