Most uncomfortable car ever.
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E350
Most uncomfortable car ever.
Have had our 2011 E350 Luxury with leather multi-contour seats and have finally admitted it is by far the most uncomfortable vehicle I have ever owned. I am 6'4" but have plenty of leg room and head room but the drivers seat just sux. Can never get enough lower back support and if it is anything over 80 degrees outside no matter what the AC is on my entire back is sweating within 10 minutes of driving the car. I am no where near fat either. Quite the opposite in fact. I would rather have my '96 Pontiac Trans Am back. Two Tahoes, a a Jeep Cherokee, a Trans AM and a 325Ci were all waaaaay more comfortable and my back never got soaked while driving. Oh, and none of them smelled like mildew every 9 months. Seriously thinking of a RX350 or X5 for the wife. She even admitted she can't get nearly as comfortable in the E350 as the 2002 325Ci. The E350 just isn't a very Comfortable car. I will take my 2007 Tahoe any day of the week. It may have a rattle or two but it smells clean and I don't sweat in it or have to continuously fiddle with the seat position. Haven't touched it in 6 years. In the E350 it is a constant tweaking of the seat during every drive over 20 minutes (which usually by that time my back is wet with sweat).
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I'm tall enough to where my head it almost touching the roof at even the lowest seat setting, yet even I think this E is one of the most comfortable cars to drive.
"Most uncomfortable ever" is just too much hyperbole, but hey, we all have different builds and desires, so one persons luxury couch can be another persons steel bench.
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CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
I'm tall enough to where my head it almost touching the roof at even the lowest seat setting, yet even I think this E is one of the most comfortable cars to drive.
"Most uncomfortable ever" is just too much hyperbole, but hey, we all have different builds and desires, so one persons luxury couch can be another persons steel bench.
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From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Have had our 2011 E350 Luxury with leather multi-contour seats and have finally admitted it is by far the most uncomfortable vehicle I have ever owned. I am 6'4" but have plenty of leg room and head room but the drivers seat just sux. Can never get enough lower back support and if it is anything over 80 degrees outside no matter what the AC is on my entire back is sweating within 10 minutes of driving the car. I am no where near fat either. Quite the opposite in fact. I would rather have my '96 Pontiac Trans Am back. Two Tahoes, a a Jeep Cherokee, a Trans AM and a 325Ci were all waaaaay more comfortable and my back never got soaked while driving. Oh, and none of them smelled like mildew every 9 months. Seriously thinking of a RX350 or X5 for the wife. She even admitted she can't get nearly as comfortable in the E350 as the 2002 325Ci. The E350 just isn't a very Comfortable car. I will take my 2007 Tahoe any day of the week. It may have a rattle or two but it smells clean and I don't sweat in it or have to continuously fiddle with the seat position. Haven't touched it in 6 years. In the E350 it is a constant tweaking of the seat during every drive over 20 minutes (which usually by that time my back is wet with sweat).
Perhaps you should go for one of those big new Ford F-150s.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Actually, I must say, driving my E lately, it feels unthinkably smooth (except for rough patches which turn violent quick). I was cruising yesterday and was in awe of how smoothly gliding and quiet it was.
My only issue is too tight of headroom for my height/torso especially considering the cars more Sedan-upright nature (you'd expect much better use of vertical space considering the cars dimensions).
My only issue is too tight of headroom for my height/torso especially considering the cars more Sedan-upright nature (you'd expect much better use of vertical space considering the cars dimensions).
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E350
Ride comfort is great. Especially with the luxury and 17" wheels. Seat comfort is horrible. I am just "squeezed" in the seat which results in lack of circulation and lower back support sux no matter how much I fiddle with the mult contour seat adjustments. They both seem to do the same thing. And yes, I have the active bolsters turned off and to the widest position. The seat is simply uncomfortable and hot.
Regarding Tahoe vs Benz, I would love to see who would walk away from a 30mph head on between an E350 and a Tahoe. Ill take the Tahoe.
Regarding Tahoe vs Benz, I would love to see who would walk away from a 30mph head on between an E350 and a Tahoe. Ill take the Tahoe.
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
On the flip side, the E-Class has a much lower fatality rate than a Tahoe (or Escalade, via statistical reports). Just 'cause it *might* fare better in a rare head on collision with a lighter/smaller car, doesn't make it a safer car. Not to mention, accident avoidance in itself is far more attainable in an E-Class.
?
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
I am not a tall person, but I have to admit that the driver seat in the w212 doesn't have very great lumbar support. On long rides, my back tend to get a little sore. And yes, I have adjusted the lumbar support.
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W212 FL
W212 is the most comfortable car I have ever driven along with BMW 7 Series 
I am fine with headroom , legroom better than most other cars but there is something odd because me and my dad's seat settings are same in all other cars so neither he nor me do have to fiddle about the seat buttons but my dad feels uncomfortable in my W212 seat adjustment so he says he needs to raise the seat but this time he is complaining about headroom
It took some getting used to finding a decent driving position for me but once I found my ideal position I have been very happy since then
I am fine with headroom , legroom better than most other cars but there is something odd because me and my dad's seat settings are same in all other cars so neither he nor me do have to fiddle about the seat buttons but my dad feels uncomfortable in my W212 seat adjustment so he says he needs to raise the seat but this time he is complaining about headroom
It took some getting used to finding a decent driving position for me but once I found my ideal position I have been very happy since then
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
W212 is the most comfortable car I have ever driven along with BMW 7 Series
I am fine with headroom , legroom better than most other cars but there is something odd because me and my dad's seat settings are same in all other cars so neither he nor me do have to fiddle about the seat buttons but my dad feels uncomfortable in my W212 seat adjustment so he says he needs to raise the seat but this time he is complaining about headroom
It took some getting used to finding a decent driving position for me but once I found my ideal position I have been very happy since then
I am fine with headroom , legroom better than most other cars but there is something odd because me and my dad's seat settings are same in all other cars so neither he nor me do have to fiddle about the seat buttons but my dad feels uncomfortable in my W212 seat adjustment so he says he needs to raise the seat but this time he is complaining about headroom
It took some getting used to finding a decent driving position for me but once I found my ideal position I have been very happy since then
What makes it little difficult to me to find a comfortable seat position for a 4 - 6 hour drive is that the gas pedal is too close to the seat. On a long drive I want to keep my legs straight but the gas pedal position does not allow for this. Moving the seat back does not help either as the steering wheel does not come out far enough.
For shorter drives it is excellent though.
Last edited by Arrie; Sep 16, 2012 at 03:25 PM.
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Tesla Model S P100D
Not sure what you are complaining about the AC system. It is VERY good.
I can understand the seats somewhat... They are really not as comfortable as the seats in my Volvo S80. The Volvo seats are much better designed ergonomically IMHO and support my back (and even my neck!) much better. Having said that the W212 is a very comfortable car and I'm surprised you did not realize the "deficiencies" you are complaining about when you test drove the car.
In any case, good luck!
I can understand the seats somewhat... They are really not as comfortable as the seats in my Volvo S80. The Volvo seats are much better designed ergonomically IMHO and support my back (and even my neck!) much better. Having said that the W212 is a very comfortable car and I'm surprised you did not realize the "deficiencies" you are complaining about when you test drove the car.
In any case, good luck!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
in defense of test driving: it's kind of tough in that instance to REALLY get a long term feeling of the car.......there's the euphoria of the 'test drive' haha, the salesman yabbing
at your ear about 'this and that' haha, the fact that you're constantly comparing the ride and build quality to the 'window sticker' haha, and about 41 other things that we all can think of.....
seems we all agree the seats are not the cars best feature.....hell, I agree with websrfr about the volvo seats......my 01 s40 had KILLER comfortable seats.......
very not-like the seats in our W212's.....
but I'd still rather have that beaut out there than my s40 lol
AND, the seats in my cls are really nice and comfortable
they got it right with that one....
at your ear about 'this and that' haha, the fact that you're constantly comparing the ride and build quality to the 'window sticker' haha, and about 41 other things that we all can think of.....
seems we all agree the seats are not the cars best feature.....hell, I agree with websrfr about the volvo seats......my 01 s40 had KILLER comfortable seats.......
very not-like the seats in our W212's.....
but I'd still rather have that beaut out there than my s40 lol
AND, the seats in my cls are really nice and comfortable
they got it right with that one....
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
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From: Paradise
w212 E550
Not sure what you are complaining about the AC system. It is VERY good.
I can understand the seats somewhat... They are really not as comfortable as the seats in my Volvo S80. The Volvo seats are much better designed ergonomically IMHO and support my back (and even my neck!) much better. Having said that the W212 is a very comfortable car and I'm surprised you did not realize the "deficiencies" you are complaining about when you test drove the car.
In any case, good luck!
I can understand the seats somewhat... They are really not as comfortable as the seats in my Volvo S80. The Volvo seats are much better designed ergonomically IMHO and support my back (and even my neck!) much better. Having said that the W212 is a very comfortable car and I'm surprised you did not realize the "deficiencies" you are complaining about when you test drove the car.
In any case, good luck!
! spacious and comfy seats, even the back seats. i still like that body style .
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
I did test drive a 2011 E350 before ordering my 2012 E350. The seats felt fine, in the test drive, but I'm not happy with the compliance in the seat cushion on my 2012. Maybe, the problem is that my car has vented seat where the fans take space used for cushioning in the standard seats.
My wife loves the E350 so I have no plans to replace it. At the same time, I had a GLK350 loaner for several days and I felt that the ride was much better in the GLK and there was less road noise than in my E350.
My wife loves the E350 so I have no plans to replace it. At the same time, I had a GLK350 loaner for several days and I felt that the ride was much better in the GLK and there was less road noise than in my E350.
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E350
Is it just me or do the two buttons that are supposed to adjust lumbar support on the multi contour seat (one for up and down and one for in and out) seem to do pretty much the exact same thing?? I never really feel that I get the support to raise or lower, only stick out in the middle of my back using either of the two buttons.
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Is it just me or do the two buttons that are supposed to adjust lumbar support on the multi contour seat (one for up and down and one for in and out) seem to do pretty much the exact same thing?? I never really feel that I get the support to raise or lower, only stick out in the middle of my back using either of the two buttons.
Or, you can do it in reverse. Suck the air out, then push it DOWN and FORWARD/DOWN (try both and see what brings the lowest part of the seat forward) till you get the max amount of lower-lumber support. THEN push it completely forward, where you'll feel the low-mid section come out to support your back a lot.
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
Is it just me or do the two buttons that are supposed to adjust lumbar support on the multi contour seat (one for up and down and one for in and out) seem to do pretty much the exact same thing?? I never really feel that I get the support to raise or lower, only stick out in the middle of my back using either of the two buttons.
