Raymond Lee

CynCarvin32
Thank you very much for your report. It has helped me a lot. There are information I have never thought about. I am sure I'm not the only one feeling that way.
Thanks again. I hope you share more information as time goes on.

Raymond Lee

mbluver111
You current insurance Co. will automatically cover you. No need to worry.

greasykid

Good to see all the above info.Have 2011 now. Recently drove a new 2012 and experienced many of the previous mentioned driving impressions. Have P-Zero factory tires now. 2012 had Conti Pro's. Noticed a more compliant ride. Both my 2011 and the 2012 are "Sports" First time I have heard about suspension upgrades for the 12.
Local dealer has a 2012 that I spec out on order for April delivery. I can either buy this car or pass on it. No obligations on it. It is E350 Sport, Black with ash interior and dash w/P2, Lane tracking and Multi-contour drivers seat.Could not locate a car like this ANYWHERE.
As far as price goes I am a USAA member and MBCA as well. USAA has a FEB discount of $3000 below dealer cost and MBCA has $1000 as well which would bring the it to $4000 below invoice. This is a good deal although I bought my 2011 for a total of $5000 below dealer invoice. Am waiting to to see what the March USAA discount will be.
Now it really boils down to what 2011 trade-in would be. Have P2 and fold down rear seats and about 5000 miles on it. As I am SENIOR senior this may be my last car purchase. Currently being offered $44000 for my 2011 by 2 dealers. Appreciate all comments.

K-A

This is interesting. Before chalking it up to suspension upgrades to the 2012 (which I had never heard of until a Member here recently stated it), I'd drive a 2012 with the same tires as your 2011. I had P-Zero's on my 2010 and they were incredibly harsh and rough for this car, the Conti's are a little bit softer and more compliant.

My advice is to NOT GET the 2012, unless you can make the swap for peanuts, or are unhappy with the color or features on your 2011 (more important than the slight changes to the 2012 I personally think). The changes are incredibly subtle, and to boot, the exterior is a downgrade up front. I'd love the new I/C graphics, the extra 34 HP, the extra few MPG, but none of them are anything that you will really notice much, or really make even a moderate difference in overall experience with these cars. If you're so eager, I'd wait it out and see how the facelift looks, so you can make a better informed decision as to which MY you want to stick with.

ImInPA

+1 K-A. I plan to keep my Bluetec until they put the new diesel in the E. I could be tempted on a CPO S Bluetec in couple years too.

Gravitas

My brand new 2012 E350 works for me!

ImInPA

We are all pleased that you are enjoying your larger *********. Remember, don't play with them too much during the break-in period.

Raymond Lee

ImInPA

"+1 K-A. I plan to keep my Bluetec until they put the new diesel in the E. I could be tempted on a CPO S Bluetec in couple years too. "

1+

Mbenz260e

+1 to the CPO S Bluetec in a few years as well...

bostonbenz

Let me start by saying that I upgraded to a 2012 E350 Sport AWD from a 2009 E350 Sport RWD. Needless to say, the difference was night and day.

My buddy got the 2011 E350 about 2 months before I got my 2012. The difference in the two is not night and day, but it is VERY noticeable.

First, the gas mileage in Sport mode is better on my 2012 than my buddy's 2011 is in Economy mode.

Winner: 2012

Second, the engine power difference (extra ~35 HP) is not subtle by any means. My 2012 blows my buddy's 2011 away any day, all day. Sounds 10 times better too in the cockpit. There is a very prominent ticking noise that my engine makes that my buddy's does not -- must be the DI. It is very noticeable.

Winner: 2012

Third, the navi/COMMAND is upgraded quite a bit from the 2011. I have 3D maps, full doppler radar, weather forecast, ski mountain information. The weather feature alone kicks the 2011's ***, the 3D maps in the city (boston) is very cool too.

Winner: 2012

To make this an even more clear decision, I paid less to lease my 2012 than my buddy did for his 2011.

The engine upgrades is enough to warrant any price difference IMO...the gas mileage, UI, and STRAIGHT LEDs are just added bonus.

2012 is the winner, hands down.

BenzV12

Thanks for your review boston, I am very happy to not buy 2010 E350 with a higher option package .
Another good thing is COMAND was upgraded to earlier model years

Paxfobiscum

I bought my E350 wagon just this December. Visited about 10 dealers in four states and did a TON OF RESEARCH before buying the car. Went to more than a dozen Internet sites on the pros and cons of buying cars. Even bought the Consumer Reports tips on how to negotiate price and all that jazz.

Finally, I was informed. As I went through all the dealers, from New York to California, I was given a gamut of choices between 2011s and 2012. Price differences were subtle and options were varied. I did not budge on my option requirement. Had to be a white wagon, with P2. Eventually decided to buy a 2012. It was a tad more expensive than every single 2011 being offered to me but the difference in options and features (although subtle as someone here puts it) was compelling for me. I wanted to have a car that would not make me look at another car and say "wish I got that instead". I am so glad I got the 2012. No my ***** are not bigger and heavier (as someone here puts it - a joke that is not necessary) but I am happier.

Everyone has a personal reason for wanting one over the other. Let's keep it at that guys and respect each other's preference.

.

K-A

Regarding the sound, I take it you mean the motors wail at higher RPM's sounds better, but the ticking is on a separate note? I couldn't imagine anyone actually having anything less than disdain for that sound. Do you hear it inside the car, or just when standing outside? I've heard it from outside and it sounds very similar to a Diesel to me.

Also, what are the MPG differences you guys recorded, between the 2011 and 2012, that you mentioned?

bostonbenz

From Boston to Foxwoods:

My 2012 averaged 24.9 MPG on SPORT mode the whole way.

Vs.

My buddy's 2011 averages 23.8 MPG in Economy mode the whole way.

Regarding the ticking noise: You can ONLY hear it from the outside, but it is very noticeable - Some people do ask if its diesel due to the sound and the "Blue Efficiency" badging that looks like the diesel badging..

The engine sound from the inside is a much more throaty, deep sounding engine than the 2011. The power difference is noticeably apparent, any who says otherwise is lying.

bostonbenz

I should also note that we both had passengers and I do NOT have the panoramic roof (must be an extra few hundred lbs. right?)

YYZ-E55

Having traded a 2010 E350 4MATIC for a 2012 E350 4MATIC, I can confidently say that while you won't sway those E350 petrol owners who are self-rationalizing, you're absolutely right on all points.

K-A

It's not "self-rationalizing", unless someone says the 2011 has a better powertrain.

If someone says that the powertrain differences are extremely subtle, and not worth losing a few grand over, then that's just speaking from a specific persons individual opinion.

Actually, the MPG difference isn't so drastic at all, and I personally don't see any MPG improvements in E mode from S mode. The car itself is so good at coddling us from outside sounds, so I didn't pay much attention to the wail of the new motor, but I have no doubts that from inside it does sound better. From outside, that's actually a funny statement about the "BlueEfficiency badging and engine tick" because even I confuse them (Diesel and Gas) now if I walk by a new E, until I see the badging.

As for performance, when you get on it, you do notice the extra punch and aggression of the 2012. However, the motors feel very much alike, I feel like the '12's is just angrier when you step on it, a more violent push off the line, and a more linear pull. However, the differences are completely unnoticeable to be during the vast majority of my driving.

As for the LED's, that's down to personal taste. I feel the one area the 2011's have an undisputed victory in is the LED's. When I see the '12's, I feel some of the road presence and individuality of the E-Class is gone.

If I was buying now, and had both offered for equal pricing, of course I'd take the '12.

ImInPA

I was in Boston around Thanksgiving with my E350 Bluetec. Mine is a 2011 and I have 3-D maps too. Boston is done very well in the system.

Dema

Get W212. I jumped from W211 to W212 and happy. I still consider body style of W211 is better. otherwise nothing to regrets.

K-A

Lol. He means 2011 or 2012, not W211 or W212.

On another note.... Uh oh.... just found out that the new 3.5L M-B V6 shares the same DNA as the new Pentastar 3.6L in Chrysler's lineup, though Chrysler's I believe doesn't have D/I. Apparently the motor was a joint development between M-B and Chrysler when they were still married.

So, get the 2011! It's a TRUE M-B!!!! Not a Chrysler!!!!



Kidding, kidding.

ngerstman

I know it is a personal taste issue, but I couldn't disagree with you more. I think that the 212 e is buy a wide margin the nicest looking e ever. The 211 was an evolutionary style change from the 210, which I still think is a classic look, more so than the 211. The 212 e is a leap forward in design. Gorgeous. Regards. Ned.

ngerstman

Or save some money and get the Chrysler!! Regards. Ned.

ImInPA

Or save even more money and get a Fiat.

Raymond Lee

ImInPA
+1

Dema

My bad, 2012 is certainly better. I checked it about a month ago and was really impressed. The minor model changes from 2011 to 2012 made it awesome. It was so tempting to buy it, so I froced myself to run out of the dealer.