E wagon experience??
anyone here have a 2012 E wagon and care to share your experience??
I'm seriously thinking about it instead of the ML. I drive a 2005 ML 500 SE and like it a lot but the E wagon seems to have a lot of things goings for it.
The new V6 gasser seems like it is a sweet motor and that 27 MPG hwy rating is right up there in ML BlueTec territory.
E wagon BlueTec would be the ultimate highway cruiser......give it to the US Mercedes!
E rear cargo area with seats folded is 57.4 cft vs about 70 for ML.
If you drive an E wagon, especially a 2012, care to share your experience?
Pictures would be wonderful too.
Bob in Mn
Last edited by MinnBobber; Jan 4, 2012 at 08:16 PM. Reason: addition
I hope that helps.
Ultimately I wanted the AMG wagon...however price and the fact it would be my wife's car kept me away from that. Why should she have the 500+hp rocket on the autobahn?
2012, dark blue, ash interior, luxury model, p2, leather.
We chose it to replace my wife's 9-year-old audi a4 avant. We wanted an a6 avant, but they stopped shipping them for 2012. Interesting that one of the other posters also did that -- I wonder how many audi is pushing to MB.
So far, it's proving to be amazing. A lot of power, and the mileage is very good for something this big and this quick. It is very elegant looking, if not as attractive as audi wagons. We are also very pleased to have chosen p2 for the headlights (incredible, including the auto adjusting of high beams). Finally, very happy we chose luxury as its ride is still firm enough and handling reasonably tight (for a family car), but not at all jarring. Local dealer talked about anecdotes of big issues with sports -- tire bubbles and front air dams...but I don't know how much of that was really just to make us happy with the decision for luxury. It's also nice that the luxury interior has the light headliner -- in our case it is also ash, and the car is very bright and airy feeling.
I'm 6'4, and people can comfortably sit behind me, so the extra length one class up in size is very useful. And, around here at least, it's a rare car. Two people have commented on how they didn't know you could even get them as wagons. Apparently 3 folks tried to buy ours when it was awaiting us at the dealer.
2012, dark blue, ash interior, luxury model, p2, leather.
We chose it to replace my wife's 9-year-old audi a4 avant. We wanted an a6 avant, but they stopped shipping them for 2012. Interesting that one of the other posters also did that -- I wonder how many audi is pushing to MB.
So far, it's proving to be amazing. A lot of power, and the mileage is very good for something this big and this quick. It is very elegant looking, if not as attractive as audi wagons. We are also very pleased to have chosen p2 for the headlights (incredible, including the auto adjusting of high beams). Finally, very happy we chose luxury as its ride is still firm enough and handling reasonably tight (for a family car), but not at all jarring. Local dealer talked about anecdotes of big issues with sports -- tire bubbles and front air dams...but I don't know how much of that was really just to make us happy with the decision for luxury. It's also nice that the luxury interior has the light headliner -- in our case it is also ash, and the car is very bright and airy feeling.
I'm 6'4, and people can comfortably sit behind me, so the extra length one class up in size is very useful. And, around here at least, it's a rare car. Two people have commented on how they didn't know you could even get them as wagons. Apparently 3 folks tried to buy ours when it was awaiting us at the dealer.
Let me guess... you live in Long Island, New York?
.
I like the GL a lot but realized that 1) we don't need another big car as my wife has a Sienna for the kids and long trips (have NEVER used the 3rd row seats) and 2) we're not in Dubai so the amount of premium petrol it drinks makes me cringe!
So we're considering the new ML as the alternative but I'm also pushing for the E-class estate as I've always liked the looks and practicality of this segment - now left unoccupied other than by Mercedes-Benz thanks to the shortsighted marketing plans for BMW and Audi here in the U.S.
My folks have an '03 W211 E500 4matic estate that has served them quite well and has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer, so we have a good reference for it.
My wife, however, is less than enamored with the styling and prefers the saloon is we were to get the E-class. We'll see what happens...
And to a previous poster, yes the E63 version would be a hoot - I had a W211 E63 AMG before my GL450 and found it a frustrating car to have here in the metro NY/northern NJ area with the awful roads, high traffic, and the enthusiastic local constabulary enforcing these conservative speed limits!
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On the packages -- my lovely wife does not like cars that feel "nervous", and roads we sometimes drive (especially in PA and in Quebec) can be wheel-busting. The big thing that turned me to luxury, though, was the front air dam. My business partner has a diesel sport package, and he is constantly worrying about pulling into parking spots with concrete curbs at the end. Just didn't want to go there.
Don't get me wrong -- the sports are pretty, and if it were just mine I'd consider it much more. But I like the way the luxury looks and drives, and my wife far prefers the interior.
I like the GL a lot but realized that 1) we don't need another big car as my wife has a Sienna for the kids and long trips (have NEVER used the 3rd row seats) and 2) we're not in Dubai so the amount of premium petrol it drinks makes me cringe!
So we're considering the new ML as the alternative but I'm also pushing for the E-class estate as I've always liked the looks and practicality of this segment - now left unoccupied other than by Mercedes-Benz thanks to the shortsighted marketing plans for BMW and Audi here in the U.S.
My folks have an '03 W211 E500 4matic estate that has served them quite well and has less than 50,000 miles on the odometer, so we have a good reference for it.
My wife, however, is less than enamored with the styling and prefers the saloon is we were to get the E-class. We'll see what happens...
And to a previous poster, yes the E63 version would be a hoot - I had a W211 E63 AMG before my GL450 and found it a frustrating car to have here in the metro NY/northern NJ area with the awful roads, high traffic, and the enthusiastic local constabulary enforcing these conservative speed limits!
I think one of the reasons they are so rare -- beyond the US stigma on wagons, especially premium wagons -- is that they are apparently up to $10k more expensive than a comparable ML. Add their rarity (so a dealer either doesn't have any to see / test, or they have only one or two that may not be set up with the options wanted), and you end up with a rare choice.
I love my wagons.
Note new luxury wheels (I didn't think I would like them, but do) and the dark blue with ash. Also, because we have p2, even though it is luxury it has the 3-bar grill.
I live in Lakeville and have 2011 E350 Estate sport. I had two Mls and did not like the SUV size. Looked at Audi and did not like them.
It has been a year and 21,000 miles since I took delivery and I love the car. It can carry anything and the ride is perfect for me. Hwy MPG is 25.
Purchased it a Maplewood Imports and the service is excellent.
I will purchase another when this one reaches 100,000 miles.
I receive many compliments on the car.
cheers
Thanks. There are so few wagons, it is difficult to get feedback on them. And difficult to see in the flesh. Sears MB had a nice 2012 but it went out the door hours before I got there.
Do you happen to be a cyclist? Will a road bike fit in the back, with both wheels on, lying on its side (on a blanket)? I'm guessing it will.
25 mpg would be great AND the 2012 remarkably upped the HP by 30+ and the hwy mpg rating from 2011 24 mpg to 2012 27 mpg. As I said before, that's only one tick off ML Bluetec hwy rating.
Minor nitpick. Does your 2011 have the rear-facing child seats? Wish that was not standard on 2012s as I'd MUCH RATHER have those spaces they fold down into as extra storage. I rarely have a 2nd person so need for 7 seats.
Is the V6 motor smooth? My ML 500 V8 is reaaally smooth.
Bob in W. St. Paul
I once bought a refrigerator (still in a box) and slid it into the wagon and was still able to close the rear hatch. Nothing is longer and bigger than the wagon rear. It is bigger than the ML and the GL.
Thanks. There are so few wagons, it is difficult to get feedback on them. And difficult to see in the flesh. Sears MB had a nice 2012 but it went out the door hours before I got there.
Do you happen to be a cyclist? Will a road bike fit in the back, with both wheels on, lying on its side (on a blanket)? I'm guessing it will.
25 mpg would be great AND the 2012 remarkably upped the HP by 30+ and the hwy mpg rating from 2011 24 mpg to 2012 27 mpg. As I said before, that's only one tick off ML Bluetec hwy rating.
Minor nitpick. Does your 2011 have the rear-facing child seats? Wish that was not standard on 2012s as I'd MUCH RATHER have those spaces they fold down into as extra storage. I rarely have a 2nd person so need for 7 seats.
Is the V6 motor smooth? My ML 500 V8 is reaaally smooth.
Bob in W. St. Paul
The v6 is very smooth -- maybe not v8 smooth, but close. And the 2012 does it without balance shafts as it's a different angle.
Unfortunately all US cars have the kid seats in the far back. They are very useful if you ever carry kiddos, and we leave them up because they leave a useful well (for the kid's feet) that is exactly the right size to hold a half-dozen grocery bags. If not, they look like they could be removed altogether easily enough (the bottom just lifts out for spare tire access). I'm thinking you could order the non-seat parts from Europe and put them in easily enough. Let me know if you want pictures.
I once bought a refrigerator (still in a box) and slid it into the wagon and was still able to close the rear hatch. Nothing is longer and bigger than the wagon rear. It is bigger than the ML and the GL.
My bike needs to go inside. It's 54 cm carbon/ti combo so I don't want to leave it on roof rack or hitch rack. Too easy of a target to disappear.
I know I would sometime forget about the roof rack too, and my garage would turn it into a 24 cm

Adrien, that was news to me that Euro E wagons don't have the kid seats-thanks. That would make it much easier if proper parts existed. I was thinking one would have to "unbolt" seat bottoms and backs and leave covers----if that's even possible.
I should probably test drive the 2012 E sedan as ride/handling should be very comparable to the wagon.
For some reason, I find the wagon much more attractive than the sedan....
I hope one of our 3 local MB dealers gets a 2012 in to check out.
Bob
Adrien, yes pictures of the kid seats would be nice. No hurry. With seats up/in place and something that shows how big the storage space would be if seats weren't attached to lids. Big area? Would it hold a lot of misc bike things like shoes, helmet, small cooler, raingear, etc? Did someone say spare sits at bottom? Thanks.
I always have trouble posting pics on forums so if you cannot, I'm at bsmutka@gmail.com
Last edited by MinnBobber; Jan 12, 2012 at 09:36 PM. Reason: addition


Bob
I always have trouble posting pics on forums so if you cannot, I'm at bsmutka@gmail.com
I never drove one before mine arrived.
As stated before, I love the car and will buy one again when I need it.
Cheers







