Opinion.. E350 shifter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
Who needs that big phallic shifter on the console anyway? (More room for good cup holders, which is what cars are designed around.)
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
another love for the 4 on the tree....
it is nice and clutter free down there....
but for someone who isn't used to it I could see the irk it would cause..
I'm so used to it now...
the opposite is true on my AMG.....but hey.....it's an AMG...who cares where they put it
it is nice and clutter free down there....
but for someone who isn't used to it I could see the irk it would cause..
I'm so used to it now...
the opposite is true on my AMG.....but hey.....it's an AMG...who cares where they put it
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
On a car like this, a Luxury Car, I really love it. Adds to a sense of occasion on the car, makes everything feel very Loungey, open, airy, and simplified. This ain't a Sports Car, which is where the phallic shifter (lol) is necessary.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 48
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2010 e350
I'm not a fan of it, but used to it now. IMO a popout dial like on the new range rover evoke would be more elegant. Also, every time I drive my wife's q5, I always reach for the wiper stalk to swift lol
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 48
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2010 e350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
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From: Paradise
w212 E550
not used to it at the very beginning especially i was putting my right hand on the shifter all the time before and now my right hand has nowhere to put...unless i have a hot one sits next to me . kind of get used to it now.
. kind of get used to it now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 0
From: Bergen Co,NJ
14' CLS550
It took some time to get used to.. I love the fact that the center console is nice and clean, but i feel like the steering wheel is a little cluttered now.
Last edited by bigigg; Jan 23, 2012 at 07:19 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
I can't say that I have a strong opinion one way or the other.At first I wasn't sure I'd like the "electronic" aspect of it (this being my first "electronic") but now I'm used to it.I do think that the uncluttered center console is pretty good,however.
Last edited by listerone; Jan 23, 2012 at 10:18 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: New York, Westchester
2017 GLE 350 W4, 2016 C 300, 2012 E 350 W4 Lux, 2006 ML 350
I had this feature in my '06 ML and love having it in the E as well. As a matter of fact if the E still had the shifter on the console it would have been a deal breaker for me. I can see if it's a manual shift but for automatic, I think it's only in the way. The C class will be next. 
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 3
From: California
i535
I like column shifter. Actually my first car with manual had column shifter, and manual gear box had only 3 speeds. Later I drove Chrysler LHS with column shifter as well. So I was really glad that Mercedes came with column shifter for E class. For modern car shifter is something really not used frequently, so why get so much real estate of center console for redundant thing? You will find that other car makers are trying to get rid of traditional shifter, for example jaguar. I have only one problem, when I try driving wife's lexus I always activate wipers instead of change gears. Really funny.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Paradise
w212 E550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 3
From: California
i535
I guess car makers keep some controls in place like steering wheel, brake pedal and some other to reduce learning curve at getting a new car. i would prefer they keep radio and volume controls in same place on steering wheels, BMW and MB use exact opposite location, so when I switch cars I always change volume insted going to next track and opposite.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
E350 4matic
The only reason I can think of is that the signals self cancel with the turning of the steering wheel. Seems like they could probably do that with sensors but it might be easier to just stay with the old fashined way.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
1. I really prefer the on column shifter. Leaves a lot more space on the console. Shifters were put on floor for two reasons - manual or to make people think car is sportier. Never really made a lot of sense technologically.
2. Turn signals are optional in S.C. based on the number of people (including law enforcement) that don't use them. However, I use mine a lot to make sure distracted drivers behind me might notice I am turning, changing lanes, etc.
Column is probably the best place for them. Too many buttons on steering wheels already.
2. Turn signals are optional in S.C. based on the number of people (including law enforcement) that don't use them. However, I use mine a lot to make sure distracted drivers behind me might notice I am turning, changing lanes, etc.
Column is probably the best place for them. Too many buttons on steering wheels already.
