2011 Vs. 2012 MB E350
03-05-2012, 08:07 AM
#101
MBWorld God!
Join Date: Jul 2010
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2012 CLS63
do it
07-26-2012, 12:47 AM
#102
Newbie
Thanks for your helpful answers. I will test drive both the luxury and sport sedan to see which one I prefer so I can make my final decision. By the way, those of you who bought a new 2011 or 2012 model, did it come with a 50,000 mile warranty or 100,000 mile warranty?
Now, as for our "new" 2012 E350 sport sedan: In-service 11/11, it has 8400 miles, used exclusively as a dealership loaner, pristine condition and 100K CPO. Paid $48,000+TTL today 7/25 for pick up 7/28. I will definitely spend the money later for the extended CPO simply for the calendar, because this car will never see more than 8K miles per year.
Before deciding on this one, we drove a 2011 E350 sedan. Nice ride, adequate power, but nothing special. Then tried the 2011 E550. Wow! At 388 hp, I would have selected this, but my wife thought it was far too much power for her needs (and it does like its gas), and we're buying it for her. So, we tried the 2012 with the new 302hp engine. Perfect. Sold!
On the other hand, the 2012 E550 coupe with the more efficient (relatively speaking) 402hp engine and glass roof is very seductive. It's sitting in the showroom with a $69K window sticker. I'm dreaming about trading in my 2006 M roadster w/17K miles. But I'll be more likely to buy a new fully optioned E350 4MATIC wagon when they kick it up to 330hp. That will be a lovely car. With USAA I'll get it well below invoice and no need to negotiate. And I'll get to keep my M. It's a challenge to drive that car!
07-26-2012, 09:42 AM
#103
Very informative post. Thanks for the information.
It's nice to hear from drivers who are more interested in a cars performance (engine, transmission, ride, handling), versus cosmetics (COMMAND and LEDs).
It's nice to hear from drivers who are more interested in a cars performance (engine, transmission, ride, handling), versus cosmetics (COMMAND and LEDs).
I have been waiting to see if anyone posted about the differences between the 2011 and the 2012. I will start by saying the 2012 (in my eyes) is light years better. The small changes really addressed all I disliked with my 2011 and its now a car that can compete with BMW and Lexus without feeling like Sunday nights left over dinner.
I had a 2011 with 17k miles and MB had a mind boggling 8 month early pull forward to I got into a new 2012 for nothing out of my pocket other than the 795 acquisition fee.
I noticed 3 great changes that I think made the car distinctly better. These things are small items but when taken together I feel the whole character of the car changed.
1) The 34 hp difference is huge. Sure the E63 drivers will still laugh at the E350 but the old 3.5L motor was very long in the tooth and it lacked low end torque, refinement, and its MPG rating was deplorable.
The new motor loves to rev, makes an easy 6 mpg more on the highway, and has low end torque that feels as if there were a small turbo on board. I think the motor alone is worth the added cost.
2) The transmission is 100% improved. The 2011 car could not get into 7th gear fast enough. The motor lacked torque and it shifted at 1500 rpm because Obama's MPG regulations forced them to take all life out of the car. When you wanted to actually make a quick start the transmission slopped around wondering what gear to use and it still upshifted before actually getting into its power band. Every time I drove the car I wanted to write a letter to MBUSA saying how revolting the TCU tune was for a car in this class. I think the transmission killed all ability to enjoy the car as it only cared about keeping the MPG rating out of the gutter. Also, to top it all off, it still had all sorts of 7g shifting issues that have been around since 2004. The new 7g plus is fantastic. When you want soft seamless shifts its perfect but also wakes up at WOT and actually snaps off redline shifts in an effort to keep forward momentum going.
3) Ride and Handling: Again a small change here has made the car feel more solid, more responsive and more stable on uneven surfaces. I know ball joints were changed for 2012 and the shock/spring rates clearly were modestly revised. Every year MB will make small changes to the suspension and this update really feels nice. The old car became sloppy if the road surface became rough as you pressed along a twisting road. The new car still feels connected with the road and tries to react a bit more like a W204 and that is a good thing.
Sure I could talk about the NAVI system being better and everyone seems to be tied up in the LED lights for some reason. I think those items are almost pointless to discuss but the three things above really made the 2012 a great car. The 2011 was a fantastic car quality wise but the 2012 is just a step better. Buying the old car saves you a couple bucks in a lease payment but the updates make it worthwhile to get the latest and greatest.
2012 is a better car. And the 2013 will be even better with the coming facelift and other interior improvements. Time never stands still.
I had a 2011 with 17k miles and MB had a mind boggling 8 month early pull forward to I got into a new 2012 for nothing out of my pocket other than the 795 acquisition fee.
I noticed 3 great changes that I think made the car distinctly better. These things are small items but when taken together I feel the whole character of the car changed.
1) The 34 hp difference is huge. Sure the E63 drivers will still laugh at the E350 but the old 3.5L motor was very long in the tooth and it lacked low end torque, refinement, and its MPG rating was deplorable.
The new motor loves to rev, makes an easy 6 mpg more on the highway, and has low end torque that feels as if there were a small turbo on board. I think the motor alone is worth the added cost.
2) The transmission is 100% improved. The 2011 car could not get into 7th gear fast enough. The motor lacked torque and it shifted at 1500 rpm because Obama's MPG regulations forced them to take all life out of the car. When you wanted to actually make a quick start the transmission slopped around wondering what gear to use and it still upshifted before actually getting into its power band. Every time I drove the car I wanted to write a letter to MBUSA saying how revolting the TCU tune was for a car in this class. I think the transmission killed all ability to enjoy the car as it only cared about keeping the MPG rating out of the gutter. Also, to top it all off, it still had all sorts of 7g shifting issues that have been around since 2004. The new 7g plus is fantastic. When you want soft seamless shifts its perfect but also wakes up at WOT and actually snaps off redline shifts in an effort to keep forward momentum going.
3) Ride and Handling: Again a small change here has made the car feel more solid, more responsive and more stable on uneven surfaces. I know ball joints were changed for 2012 and the shock/spring rates clearly were modestly revised. Every year MB will make small changes to the suspension and this update really feels nice. The old car became sloppy if the road surface became rough as you pressed along a twisting road. The new car still feels connected with the road and tries to react a bit more like a W204 and that is a good thing.
Sure I could talk about the NAVI system being better and everyone seems to be tied up in the LED lights for some reason. I think those items are almost pointless to discuss but the three things above really made the 2012 a great car. The 2011 was a fantastic car quality wise but the 2012 is just a step better. Buying the old car saves you a couple bucks in a lease payment but the updates make it worthwhile to get the latest and greatest.
2012 is a better car. And the 2013 will be even better with the coming facelift and other interior improvements. Time never stands still.
06-13-2013, 09:45 PM
#104
Newbie
Occasional fast idle
I am in So. California, and have a 2013 E Class Bluetec. I have about 4500 miles on it, and it has been great car! Most of the time it idles between 550 & 600 RPM, but occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes at the time it idles around 800 to 850 RPM.,temperature here on the Coast ranges from 55 in the evenings to the low 70's during the day.
Has anybody encountered this issue, and found a remedy for it?
Would appreciate any feedback.
Has anybody encountered this issue, and found a remedy for it?
Would appreciate any feedback.
12-23-2013, 05:27 AM
#105
Member
2011 E350 with AMG sport package
I am loving it, I just wish I added that option for the sexy bikini chauffeur
Last edited by theteeman; 12-23-2013 at 05:43 AM. Reason: Add signature
