K-A

I can attest to the new 3-Series being a blast to drive. Though nothing is more fun than a V8 RWD Mustang.

jmatero

So... Just came back from a test drive: E350 Sport Sedan, AMG wheels, P1, Folding rear seats, spoiler.

Comfort: VERY comfortable seats, and the steering wheel is a dream... Thick and substantial.

Power: More than adequate... And I'm coming from a 5.0 V8.

Transmission: Amazingly smooth, and VERY fast paddle shifting.

Handling: One heavy car, for sure. BUT... Secure handling and while it leaned some during spirited driving, It felt no worse than my old GTI and that's saying a LOT considering the E's size and weight.

Steering: To me, this is the E350's Achilles heel. Over assisted to say the least. But it was definitely better than the 2011 Luxury I drove last year. Better on-center feel, and I didn't have to turn it as much for minor adjustments. It also felt more responsive on the highway.

So, fabulous vehicle and on my short list for sure!

K-A

Nice. Definitely go check out a 535i and an A6 if you like the styling of either enough to consider them, and report back with your thoughts. Curious to hear how you'll like them.

jmatero

One car that was VERY impressive was the Genesis. But I felt like Zeus behind the wheel of the Merc today.

K-A

Nice. I'm with ya on that.

Those who don't have the standup star on the hood are missing out, it further adds to the effect!

jmatero

From Wikipedia:

K-A

Forgot that it's a Chrysler engine. Maybe that's why Ned and I like the underlying "feel" of the older one.

jmatero

LOL. Actually, that Pentastar is an awesome motor by most accounts.

hyperion667

sure 350 is probably fun....have not driven one, but 550 or 63 would be better and more fun, good luck! post the pictures when it's done

ngerstman

I can attest to the great feel of the new Chrysler drivetrains. I had a Chrysler 300 as a rental in March and loved the car. Great value for the money for a large American cruiser!!! Unfortunately, the design and reliability could be issues for many. Regards. Ned.

ngerstman

Did you consider a used 2011 e550? Regards. Ned.

samkimg

I drive my 2010 e350 as a daily driver and I find it thoroughly fun to drive. It gets me out of tight spots with a twitch ( not a stomp) of my foot.

Do I rocket off the line? No.

Do I blow away the pocket rockets around the curves? No.

But do I have the comfort knowing that I am in a solid, FUN car that can take care of me regardless of what the road brings? YES.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't need a big V8 to get me in trouble with the local constabulary.

jmatero

So, checked out the 528i, 535i, and A6 3.0 Premium Plus.

5-series: Believe it or not, the 2.0L turbo 4 is more than adequate to move the car around and it's quite responsive. The downside, however, is the sound. It's loud (not in a good way) and very rough at idle. The 6-cyl is amazing and better suited to the car. Tried both the regular and sport seats and they were fine but still not as comfortable as the standard MBTex seats in the E350. And the headrests in the 5-series were terrible. From a driving standpoint, the steering is only slightly more communicative than the E350. Handling was great, but again, not THAT much sportier than the E350 Sport. Odd as this is a BMW. They definitely went softer with this version of the 5-series. Interior was great, however and impressive. In the end, though, It didn't feel very "special". In fact, it's nothing like a 3-Series... it was a very "generic" experience.

The A6 is an amazing vehicle... no doubt. The sportiest of the bunch without question. Comfortable, thin A-pillars, amazing amazing amazing powertrain. The 3.0 supercharged motor has torque all over the place. And the ability to adjust the steering resistance and suspension to suit your mood is not a gimmick. It works and the changes are not subtle. Want a boulevard cruiser, BAM. Want to sharpen it up on the twisties, BAM. HOWEVER, the downside to the A6 (for me personally) is that it looks and feels HUGE and feminine. It's certainly a very attractive car but even the interior feels feminine. I realize that's just my perception but to each his own.

In the end, I'd love the E350 with the Audi Motor and steering. I think that's what the BMW was attempting to create with the 535i but something got lost in the translation. It's trying to be all things to everyone and it doesn't work.

The Benz is what it is and doesn't apologize. The Audi is amazing for sure. The BMW is an odd bird. I bet the 550i with M-sport is a hoot but out of my budget.

Lots to ponder!

vdubpower

i drove one yesterday, it was ok, nothing special, speed is there, but not as quick as a v8 of course.

its quite quiet, which im not used to because of our plethora of v8s.

so is this engine the same engine that the c350 w203 and w204 had in the late 2006-9
or is it a different engine all together

is there a turbo version coming soon like with all the other mercs

K-A

You need to hang out here more man.... you know your cars! I've driven all those cars as well and literally agree SPOT ON with every single one of the things you said.

Get the E!

MCF

Friend of mine just got a new Audi A6 loaded. I really thinks it beats the E350 in every aspect. So much I would take an A6 over the 350 OR 550 any day of the week. Only BIG question mark is the reliability of all the gizmos over time. And the supercharged motor.

MCF

Oh and the E350 leather seats are probably some of the most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in. My wife agrees. And be sure to get blind spot assist cuz the car has them no matter how you adjust the driver side mirror.

jmatero

Seats, like colors, styling, and everything else... are different for everyone. One person's too hard is another's too soft. Personally, I don't mind a harder seat if it's contoured nicely. For me, the MBTex standard seats are damn near perfect. And one thing I appreciated in the Merc over the A6 is the feeling of solidity. It feels more substantial to me. I have many friends with late model Audis (A6, A5, S4) and they all complain about unresolved electrical gremlins and interior rattles which raises warning signs... Particularly after just going through a lemon case.

jmatero

I went back and drove the E350 tonight and I thought I was losing my mind. It was a different car, but still with the sport and amg wheel pkgs. the first thing I noticed was tire noise higher than I remembered but brushed it off. Then, around the same off-ramp I drove yesterday... At the same speed... The tires were screeching loudly.

Then, upon inspection of the tires, I was surprised to see half the cars on the lot had Continentals (like what I drove tonight), and the other half had Pirellis (what I drove and liked yesterday).

BenzV12

I have Continentals but my full size spare tire Pirelli too lol

Good to see you had some fun , I believe you should be able to smoke out many cars around w/o little effort with V6 engine

I love V8 engines too but I doubt MB V8 engines sound as good as Ford , GM V8 engines .
For ins: I dislike msutangs but I love the way these engines sound

samkimg

To each, our own.

I traded the stock Pirelli's for Conti Pro-Contacts and will never go back.

jmatero

And you're right about that. I reversed the two brands. The Pirellis were the loud, screeching and the Contis were the better. TireRack agrees.

K-A

I hated the PIrelli's on my 2010, very harsh and hard tires. I'd assume due to being "Pirelli's" they should be more performance oriented, but comfort oriented they were not. The Conti's seem to be a bit softer/better in that regard.

brauhaus313

They're both crap tires. Spend on some nice tires that are comfortable, quiet, and perform well if you're gonna get the car.

hyperion667

it's all Michelin for me