Driving new E350 4Matic
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
Driving new E350 4Matic
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.
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.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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2012 E350 4Matic, 2009 Porsche Cayenne S, 2007 E550 4Matic
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!
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!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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2012 E350 4Matic, 2009 Porsche Cayenne S, 2007 E550 4Matic
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
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,097
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
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.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,097
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
600 SWB
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.
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.
