I rented Focus diesel econowagon 17 years ago while on vacations in France.
Great wagon, that clocked 230 kph on 1.6l engine.
My new Ford truck is great vehicle so far too and I hope it will be reliable.
Live traffic on gps, 360 cameras. no engine noise in the cabin.
The only turn off is lack of adjustable suspension on pick up that is design to have very drastic changes on rear axle.
MB makes adjustable rears on wagons for like 50 years, so when Ford will catch up?

 

All well said comments!

While I have always loved/bought Mercedes, and probably always will...I agree with OP that it is sad that Mercedes can't keep up with simple, common-sense tech and features that I can get on a car that costs 1/3 or ever 1/4 less!?!?! Being a finely executed car is no excuse for the lack of simple features that should be standard (i.e. navigation, leather, xenon lights, list goes on and on). I get that some "cool extra features" (such as Parking Assist or Distronic or Steering Assist or Multi-contour massaging seats) should remain optional, but the basics? Come on MB!! I guess it's the same as all the leaders in their markets (Apple didn't/doesn't include HDMI ports on their MacBooks, something other PC had been doing for years; Starbucks made you pay a premium...but for what?; Louis Vuitton has a 15 day return policy, but Calvin Klein has a 30 day...etc etc).
We have become the droids of luxury brands...

 

MB have always been conservative with technology and would not jump on new stuff unless it was proven reliable.
I was comparing BMW in era when car went digital and still remember horror stories when BMW malfunction door switch would put transmission in limp.
Than there is different market for everything.
US require all gadgets to be idiot-proof and some stuff like Webasto heating simply will not last here, while Scandinavian people love the option.
My Ford truck has electric cabin heating for those cold mornings. But there is no driver control for it. The computer applies it at will.
While manual pickups in US have lower tow ratings that automatic twins? The drivers would burn 3 clutches before warranty expires.
Educated driving is a culture, that needs to be developed over years.

 

I believe US has less towing ratings for any vehicle, when compared to EU.
Also, the lighting Lumes are also less.

For instance, on top of my head:
Watch at 3:01mins into the video..!

Even though there is tech to not blind other people, and no proper street lights within the city, I can't use more light from my car.

I hated it, when I owned a motorcycle, in Charlotte, NC (same with Alpharetta, GA). After 7.30pm, I can't see **** on the road. I upgraded my bulbs on my fz6, still not enough for those streets.
I started using underglow LED setup on my motorcycle, at least I will be visible for other drivers.

 

Years ago I bought 1969 Ford LTD from my California neighbors and later bought 1965 Airstram trailer from them, what made me 2nd owner for both of them.
When they bought the set- Canadian native neighbors pull the trailer all over the continent using 2-door Ford with 190 hp engine in it.
It was perfectly legal and normal at the time.
Don't know when US start making restrictions on car using for towing, but I guess high population of pickups and SUV makes for it.
My Ford Truck is rated for pulling 26,000lb trailer on the hitch, more on 5th wheel and I can pull RV of that weight with my Class A.
In EU any vehicle 3.5t or over require commercial DL (even for RV) and good luck finding a pickup there

 

May be, as someone said, the truck industry forced those regulations for pick-up truck sales?

 

Just like to add my opinion, last year I was in a rear end motor collision, parts had to be shipped from Germany and it took awhile. Insurance put me in a 2017 Ford Fusion (I drive a 2010 E550), the Fusion I drove didn't have all the options as there was no blind spot assist, but after being stuck with the Ford for a month, I found myself to really miss my E550, 5.5L vs a TT 2.0. With the Ford there was a lot more electronic goodies you could say, but Mercedes has a high class appeal that Ford will never reach, when I got my car back, best feeling in the world.

 

Similar to you I recently (2 months ago) had to go without my car for a month. Some pot holes damaged two rims and I had a huge headache trying to get replacements. Long story short, I was with a 2016 Chevy Cruze for the bulk of that time (Elantra for 1 week Cruze for 3). It had so many features compared to my E that I sorta wish I could swap out a few items and put them in my car. However it was a 4 banger and I felt like people could walk past me if they tried lol. That alone and the lack of space was enough to want my E back. Honestly I felt the same way when I had a 2016 E350 & C300 Loaner. The power was the primary reason to want my car back. If I had a Dodge Charger 2016 I think I would've been ok for a while longer for sure.

 

^potholes...man you must either live in VA, PA, or NJ...lol

 

Yeah North NJ. I had two blowouts a year ago and then a couple of months back two more blowouts and wheel damage.

I try to memorize all the potholes on my route but every now and then new ones pop up lol

 

To add to anyone who feels threatened from the abilities of Ford Fusion/Focus. Remember if you pulled up in a fancy 4-5 star hotel and by coincidence a Ford Focus/Fusion was arriving at the same time, the valet would probably help you first, and be more courteous towards you (driving the Mercedes). Lastly remember not everyone can afford a Mercedes like you can, where I live there is only 4 E classes, (Silver E550 Sedan, Facelift Black E550, E350 Silver Coupe, and my Black E550 Sedan) and there are dozens and dozens of Fords on the roads. You will always stand out from the crowd, who cares if it has more features all you have to say is "I drive a Benz and don't care about how much I spend on gas" (for E550 owners you know what I mean).

 

Yes, I was first put into a tiny Chevy car, little longer than the smart car, the transmission was a nightmare clunky as a horse ride, second car was Ford Fusion cool to see, looks like an Aston Martin which is dumb, and lastly a Chevy Cruze, all these cars had noooo power.

 

I also had loaners for a month recently, both 2017 models Impala and Kia Soul... Have to say the only thing I liked about both cars was handing the keys back to the rental company. Their colors looked nice too, I guess. Got the Impala for the first week, returned it to pick up my car, discovered it wasn't done right, had to take it back. Got the panty-dropper Soul... or Soulless, as I call it... super glad to have my car back now. Out of those two, the Impala was a "premium" car, and it was okay... blind spots on all corners, but the infotainment system was decent. The Kia got me from A to B and that's all it was good for.

 

I've admired the look of the Impala from afar. I have a friend who just bought one but I've yet to meet up with him to see it in person. Does is have power and ride good? I've always looked at Impala as a slight step down from sport/muscle cars like Mustangs or Chargers.

 

This thread didn't catch my attention when it started. But ironically after 20+ years of driving only Mercedes - I bought a Ford Focus. I have a Focus ST, which is the "hot hatch" version competing against the VW GTI, Subaru WRX, etc. - very much a niche product.


My experience after 26 months and 25K miles is this:
- The driving experience is fantastic. The steering has zero play, is quick and accurate. It turns in fast and sticks like crazy in the corners. The brake pedal is firm and has so much feedback you can read the coarseness of the pavement through it. Shifter and clutch are good, and engine is flexible and sounds good. Not much to complain about if you like this sort of thing.
- No repairs of any kind required, not even an alignment or tire balance.
- The flexible service system (I forget Ford's name) gives me 10K miles between services. The dealer charges $85 for a service, which includes the upgrade to full synthetic oil. After Mercedes, it feels really inexpensive to service and operate.
- Ford has very good human factors design. The switches & controls, voice commands, navigation, and infotainment all work intuitively and very well. Making a phone call consists of pushing the voice button and saying "call Scott Foster" - it just works, even with my overseas colleagues that have quite interesting names. I use the thing as a bit of a rolling office so it's very convenient.
- All the switches are lighted at night, all four windows are auto up/auto down, etc. It doesn't feel too much like they cheaped out.
- No run-flat tires, and it has a full size, speed rated spare tire.
- Hatchback utility. It will carry my road bicycle in the back. My record is 16 bags of shredded bark garden mulch. Since it's a Focus, you don't worry about loading it up with such things.


Of course, there are a few downsides:
- The ride is quite firm. It isn't any worse than others in this segment, but it's definitely not for everybody.
- It's not quiet. The big summer performance tires are noisy, and it has the same level of sound insulation as any other econobox.
- Build quality is meh, at best. Panel gaps and paint quality are not the strong point. Not sure it's below anything else in this segment, but it sure isn't put together like more expensive cars. One plus here is that if you need to get any paint work done, it doesn't really detract from the value of the car going forward. A decent bodyshop does better paintwork than the factory.
- Interior is plastic and cheap. I drive a lot of rentals on business, and it's not any worse than anything else at this price point - but not any better either. Interiors definitely improve when you spend more money.


Finally, my spouse refuses to ride in it because she hates the Recaro seats so much. I couldn't decide whether to put this one in the pluses or minuses column...

 

I also like the way the Impala looks. Mine was a burgundy-red color that looks real good on that car. Power was just okay, nothing spectacular or particularly confidence-inspiring (for merging)... although I'm coming from my tuned E550, so I am biased. It was a lot better than that Kia though, for sure. It felt like a solid car, very smooth and comfortable (soft Caddy-like suspension), but the steering was so light and effortless, it's hard to tell how much to give it... always felt like if I sneezed I'd be like this:



Mine had the V6 in it, so I'd say it's comparable to the E350, but still falls short on the fit and finish (although it was close, TBH). Had leather seats, touch screen (but no nav), most of the controls made sense, bluetooth connectivity, decent sound (not as good as the HK system in the MB though). My biggest gripe with it was the blind spots. The A and C pillars are absolutely massive... I almost ran over a couple pedestrians because I couldn't see them past the pillars without craning my neck, which you'd have to do constantly if you're driving in the city where I live. The rear window is unbelievably tiny for the behemoth of a car that it is, and the forward rake of the suspension means you can't see anything out of the rear window anyways unless your head is crammed against the headliner.

But I'd rather be blind and reckless in that car than driving that awful Kia.

 

Both of these statements have me dying over here lol.

 

LOL Good one!

 

My S class is better than your Phord Phocus

 

My butthurt went to sky high levels, but settled after reading your full post!

 

A year later - my youngest son bought new Ford Focus
Took him about 10 days and coming from his work late at night the radiator hose come off and drop all the coolant.
Son did not want to tow the car to dealer and loose it for whole weekend, so called friend for help and fixed it himself.
I rented couple of Ford Focus over the years and have pleasant memories, but I would hope Ford would learn how to tight hose clamps>

 

I've owned several Fords. They are fine cars, but not of the same build quality as the European makes. Among all the US makes, Ford has been the most open and willing to learn from the Japanese. The problem is they've emulated only the Japanese and not the Germans, too. All of my Fords, Hondas, etc, developed rattles and squeaks from 50K miles plus. Count on replacing a head gasket around 75K miles (especially any Ford Focus). The A/C and auto-tranny will need a rebuild by 90K miles. The list goes on...

My 2001 C320 is now 17 years-old. Not a squeak or rattle to be found, and mechanically it's still going strong. My daughter drives it now. She's hard on cars, but I think the Mercedes will take all she wants to dish out, and still be around in 10 years. This has given me confidence to continue on my journey with a newer E-Class. Can't dream of that with any American made car.

 

For a lot of folks, it is. For me, it's not even close.

 

Wait, did someone say FORD?

 

For(d) a good laugh