And the most unsung feature of the W212 is ...
05-05-2012, 07:29 AM
#26
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Ahh, the turning radius is ridiculous indeed. I've never been so fearless at making U-Turns. This thing can clear ANYTHING, especially for such a large-ish car.
Also, +2 on the door sound. Actually this is an M-B hallmark that disappeared during the W220-era. Old M-B's are known for their solid "clinks" and thuds when you close the door. M-B engineers made it clear that they brought it back with the W221/W204/W212 era, and IMO it's as much a necessity as anything else true-to-M-B on the W212. The sound that you hear really adds to the experience. I can say this on a personal tip because my W211 which I also adored had flabby and cheap sounding doors.... it annoyed me to no end, and made me jealous when I'd hear the "true M-B door sound" on the newer (and older) cars.
BMW's. Audi, etc. all have a more generic thwap sound, M-B's door sounds are unique enough to where you can hear it when you're not looking, and know that it's an M-B.
Also, +2 on the door sound. Actually this is an M-B hallmark that disappeared during the W220-era. Old M-B's are known for their solid "clinks" and thuds when you close the door. M-B engineers made it clear that they brought it back with the W221/W204/W212 era, and IMO it's as much a necessity as anything else true-to-M-B on the W212. The sound that you hear really adds to the experience. I can say this on a personal tip because my W211 which I also adored had flabby and cheap sounding doors.... it annoyed me to no end, and made me jealous when I'd hear the "true M-B door sound" on the newer (and older) cars.
BMW's. Audi, etc. all have a more generic thwap sound, M-B's door sounds are unique enough to where you can hear it when you're not looking, and know that it's an M-B.
05-05-2012, 07:58 AM
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2013 E350 4M Wagon & 2013 C350 4M Sedan
My favorite feature is the self opening and closing hatch. My hands never get dirty as my car always is. But overall, the exterior styling is the most impressive.
05-05-2012, 10:35 AM
#28
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When you all get the questionaire regarding new model changes and what you want to see, put a system like I mentioned with interior air exchange via solar powered fans. Very simple and very effective.
05-05-2012, 04:28 PM
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
While I don't have a need for it, I'd have to go with the rear sun shade. Yes, there are many other cars with this feature but I feel the w212 shade does a much better job of actually shading the sun etc. It completely covers the window.
Second I must go with the illuminated sills. By no means is this a feature I would order on a car but since I have it I do love em! Just adds a nice feeling of class and detail which are are large part of what Mercedes is about.
Second I must go with the illuminated sills. By no means is this a feature I would order on a car but since I have it I do love em! Just adds a nice feeling of class and detail which are are large part of what Mercedes is about.
05-05-2012, 04:40 PM
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2012 CLS63
not to mention I hardly drive at night or where it's completely dark....
but then again I have that night vison
, I forgot I even had it! haha...I had to remind myself what that button was for, LOL....While I don't have a need for it, I'd have to go with the rear sun shade. Yes, there are many other cars with this feature but I feel the w212 shade does a much better job of actually shading the sun etc. It completely covers the window.
Second I must go with the illuminated sills. By no means is this a feature I would order on a car but since I have it I do love em! Just adds a nice feeling of class and detail which are are large part of what Mercedes is about.
Second I must go with the illuminated sills. By no means is this a feature I would order on a car but since I have it I do love em! Just adds a nice feeling of class and detail which are are large part of what Mercedes is about.
and hell yes to the illuminated door sills......I really like the mellow blue color on my 550 versus the AMG.......which is a bright white....so bright it kind of drowns out the other interior lighting, but it could be modded pretty easily with some sort of colored film me thinks....or magic marker LOL
05-05-2012, 10:09 PM
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05-06-2012, 08:18 PM
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
I never truly had much of a chance to appreciate my car as I just got mine a couple of weeks ago, barely drove it, got rear ended and now it's sitting in a junk yard. With that said, I was really impressed with the flip down grocery hooks in the trunk that are easy to miss. Such a simple feature but very useful! The auto-park when shutting off the engine is a nice feature too as I'm used to having gear selection controls on the center console.
05-06-2012, 11:10 PM
#34
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The solid sound that the doors make when being closed ... That is one feature that always stood out about a Mercedes ... I jst took it for granted, so I'm surprised to hear that the company got away from that solid sound for a while. I'm glad the W212 is back on track!
05-06-2012, 11:30 PM
#35
Actually I just yank peoples chain with this one. Not really a feature but as I've said in the past it should be one. Be very easy to do and some high end cars have this feature. It might be a patent idea infringement and if so we should see it in about 2 yrs.
When you all get the questionaire regarding new model changes and what you want to see, put a system like I mentioned with interior air exchange via solar powered fans. Very simple and very effective.
When you all get the questionaire regarding new model changes and what you want to see, put a system like I mentioned with interior air exchange via solar powered fans. Very simple and very effective.
actually, it really was an option on W211.
Last edited by leapingpoint; 05-09-2012 at 02:21 AM.
05-08-2012, 11:46 PM
#36
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OH!!! Had to mention this... I love it when you unlock and open the driver's side door, a frontal image of the E is smiling @ you from the instrument panel as you go to sit in your seat and your car (seatbelt) "hugs" you, as if to welcome you home!!! YES!!! 
I love it!
YES!!! I love it!
05-09-2012, 04:27 AM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Grr, rub in the 2012's cooler I/C display why don't ya. 
I like it enough that I honestly would take it over the 2012's engine! The colors, and overall refinement of the display just helps make for an extra soothing and luxurious driving environment, as weird as it sounds. The pre-'12's display is alright, and it's a very "we are ze Germans! we give you simple easy to read white writing on easy to see black (blue) screen, zat eez eet!", but it lacks pizazz that the 12's gives. My GF didn't like i as she said the gold/brown colors turned her off to it, but I think they're warm and elegant.
I like it enough that I honestly would take it over the 2012's engine! The colors, and overall refinement of the display just helps make for an extra soothing and luxurious driving environment, as weird as it sounds. The pre-'12's display is alright, and it's a very "we are ze Germans! we give you simple easy to read white writing on easy to see black (blue) screen, zat eez eet!", but it lacks pizazz that the 12's gives. My GF didn't like i as she said the gold/brown colors turned her off to it, but I think they're warm and elegant.
05-09-2012, 07:25 AM
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haha, I don't even notice the color display anymore KA......
05-09-2012, 01:59 PM
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Acura TSX
I could give the littlest damn about cup holders, but great Thread topic and thanks for sharing. I just don't use them too much and find that cup holders have become such a big stink amongst the buying public (some people can't even multitask drinking something while driving, as unfortunate as that sounds), that they've ruined the center area of the CLS's new interior in the U.S. In Europe, the CLS has an E-Class type of "door" that covers it, and for whatever reason, M-B left the eye sore cup holders totally exposed at all times on the CLS for the U.S market (caved into the American buying public).
On the E however, I will agree, best cup holder situation I've ever seen. Logically planted right into the bottom of the console, so they aren't flimsy nor can they break, and they are a good size and great location for easy and functional grabbing. Also, we have a WOOD DOOR TO CLOSE ON TOP OF THOSE UGLY THINGS!
Unfortunately, however, the doors sliding functionality is bad as it tends to get "caught" sometimes, forcing me to help it the rest of the way.
Agreed and good assessment on the ambient lighting! I feel the same way, and in fact M-B's press material on the W212 called the ambient lighting and interior to be designed to incorporate a "solid secure environment with lots of strong, straight horizontal shapes to get that point across" (design), and "A feeling meant to convey that of a high end Ultra Lounge" (ambient lighting).
On the E however, I will agree, best cup holder situation I've ever seen. Logically planted right into the bottom of the console, so they aren't flimsy nor can they break, and they are a good size and great location for easy and functional grabbing. Also, we have a WOOD DOOR TO CLOSE ON TOP OF THOSE UGLY THINGS!
Unfortunately, however, the doors sliding functionality is bad as it tends to get "caught" sometimes, forcing me to help it the rest of the way.
Agreed and good assessment on the ambient lighting! I feel the same way, and in fact M-B's press material on the W212 called the ambient lighting and interior to be designed to incorporate a "solid secure environment with lots of strong, straight horizontal shapes to get that point across" (design), and "A feeling meant to convey that of a high end Ultra Lounge" (ambient lighting).
05-09-2012, 05:47 PM
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05-09-2012, 06:39 PM
#42
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05-10-2012, 01:34 AM
#43
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I was looking some videos on the MBUSA site and liked this feature
You can't lock the driver's door pin with the door open , this may sound understatement but if anyone has such a mistake as the video narrates then it could be a life saver too
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
and this combination switch feature :
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
You can't lock the driver's door pin with the door open , this may sound understatement but if anyone has such a mistake as the video narrates then it could be a life saver too
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
and this combination switch feature :
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
Last edited by BenzV12; 05-10-2012 at 01:36 AM.
05-10-2012, 05:23 AM
#44
MBWorld Fanatic!
I was looking some videos on the MBUSA site and liked this feature
You can't lock the driver's door pin with the door open , this may sound understatement but if anyone has such a mistake as the video narrates then it could be a life saver too
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
and this combination switch feature :
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
You can't lock the driver's door pin with the door open , this may sound understatement but if anyone has such a mistake as the video narrates then it could be a life saver too
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
and this combination switch feature :
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners...007c184335RCRD
.
05-11-2012, 08:56 PM
#45
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.
05-20-2012, 06:36 PM
#46
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Forgive me, but had to point out one shortfall in the E that I don't get @ all...kinda bothers me. So, one thing that disappointed me about the E is the lack of true driver memory that is currently featured in my SUV and Acura (Acura we traded in for the E). Both offer personalized settings correlating to each individual keyfob/driver. And the settings fully auto-adjust according to who's keyfob unlocked the driver's side door. Although, both of these other vehicles only have two settings (driver side only), and the E adds a third setting + passenger (nice, but not used @ this point), I absolutely don't like the fact that I have to press and hold the button on the door until all my driver settings fully adjust. What's M-B waiting for on this? Tried to rationalize it in my mind, but can't figure out why they haven't made the move to match the competition...? 
Last edited by hofb99; 05-20-2012 at 08:01 PM.
05-20-2012, 07:41 PM
#47
Forgive me, but had to point out one shortfall in the E that I don't get @ all...kinda bothers me. So, one thing that disappointed me about the E is the lack of true driver memory that is currently featured in my SUV and Acura (that we traded in for the E). Both offer personalized settings correlating to each individual keyfob/driver. And the settings fully auto-adjust according to who's keyfob unlocked the driver's side door. Although, both of these other vehicles only have two settings (driver side only), and the E adds a third setting + passenger (nice, but not used @ this point), I absolutely don't like the fact that I have to press and hold the button on the door until all my driver settings fully adjust. What's M-B waiting for on this? Tried to rationalize it in my mind, but can't figure out why they haven't made the move to match the competition...?
I agree with u, I thought it was weird that we have to press and hold the button. But then I realized it might've been a safety concern, because I've seen photos of two W212 E got into fire accident due to the automatic seats. How? Smokers dropped their lighters in between the seats center console, and while adjusting their seat position, accidentally ignited the lighter.
05-21-2012, 01:25 PM
#48
Forgive me, but had to point out one shortfall in the E that I don't get @ all...kinda bothers me. So, one thing that disappointed me about the E is the lack of true driver memory that is currently featured in my SUV and Acura (Acura we traded in for the E). Both offer personalized settings correlating to each individual keyfob/driver. And the settings fully auto-adjust according to who's keyfob unlocked the driver's side door. Although, both of these other vehicles only have two settings (driver side only), and the E adds a third setting + passenger (nice, but not used @ this point), I absolutely don't like the fact that I have to press and hold the button on the door until all my driver settings fully adjust. What's M-B waiting for on this? Tried to rationalize it in my mind, but can't figure out why they haven't made the move to match the competition...?
05-21-2012, 02:22 PM
#49
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haha, another reason I am glad my wife has her own car!
05-21-2012, 10:38 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Same here, lol. I have never used any of those memory controls, and never plan to (nobody else will be driving my ride. ). As far as I'm concerned, M-B could take it back and give me some cash for it!
). As far as I'm concerned, M-B could take it back and give me some cash for it!
