TTAC Review of the E550
01-22-2013, 07:14 PM
#1
TTAC Review of the E550
The Truth About Cars finally did a review of the 2013 E550. Wasn't pretty:
Looks:
The basic shape of the E-Class could hardly be more staid. While Audis and BMWs are increasingly curvaceous, Mercedes has been going in the opposite direction, with sharper edges and clear corners.
The E550’s interior styling is similarly rectilinear. Fine materials and plentiful details help it look expensive, but not luxurious.
Comfort:
The E-Class sedan’s seat bottoms continue to be unusually firm for a luxury-oriented car.
Engine / Transmission:
All of this torque is theoretically available at just 1,800 rpm, but my gut didn’t detect serious shove until about 3,000. Add in a lazy throttle and taller gearing than should be necessary with seven ratios, and from zero to 30 mph acceleration underwhelms.
Handling:
This being a “sport” E-Class, it has a sport suspension. In casual driving the chassis feels taut (through the seat of your pants, not the numb steering). The ride could even be too firm for those seeking luxury. Push the E550, though, and the motions of its rock-solid body become sloppy, its nose plows, and its stability control system forcefully communicates that you shouldn’t be driving a 402-horsepower, sport-suspended, big-braked sedan this way. Some cars feel better the harder you push them. The E550 is not such a car.
Summary:
It’s a Mercedes, but it costs less than its archrivals. Its passé three-box body is gilded with AMG bits. Its interior includes some luxurious elements, and some sporty elements, but no distinct character.
Looks:
The basic shape of the E-Class could hardly be more staid. While Audis and BMWs are increasingly curvaceous, Mercedes has been going in the opposite direction, with sharper edges and clear corners.
The E550’s interior styling is similarly rectilinear. Fine materials and plentiful details help it look expensive, but not luxurious.
Comfort:
The E-Class sedan’s seat bottoms continue to be unusually firm for a luxury-oriented car.
Engine / Transmission:
All of this torque is theoretically available at just 1,800 rpm, but my gut didn’t detect serious shove until about 3,000. Add in a lazy throttle and taller gearing than should be necessary with seven ratios, and from zero to 30 mph acceleration underwhelms.
Handling:
This being a “sport” E-Class, it has a sport suspension. In casual driving the chassis feels taut (through the seat of your pants, not the numb steering). The ride could even be too firm for those seeking luxury. Push the E550, though, and the motions of its rock-solid body become sloppy, its nose plows, and its stability control system forcefully communicates that you shouldn’t be driving a 402-horsepower, sport-suspended, big-braked sedan this way. Some cars feel better the harder you push them. The E550 is not such a car.
Summary:
It’s a Mercedes, but it costs less than its archrivals. Its passé three-box body is gilded with AMG bits. Its interior includes some luxurious elements, and some sporty elements, but no distinct character.
01-22-2013, 08:32 PM
#2
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2012 E350 4 Matic
Dont agree...
I really don't get where the statements about the E-class being staid... I considered and drove all three of these brands and quite frankly I think the Mercedes is the best looking of the 3 cars. That takes nothing away from either BMW or Audi... I just prefer the looks of the E-class.
The Truth About Cars finally did a review of the 2013 E550. Wasn't pretty:
Looks:
The basic shape of the E-Class could hardly be more staid. While Audis and BMWs are increasingly curvaceous, Mercedes has been going in the opposite direction, with sharper edges and clear corners.
The E550’s interior styling is similarly rectilinear. Fine materials and plentiful details help it look expensive, but not luxurious.
Comfort:
The E-Class sedan’s seat bottoms continue to be unusually firm for a luxury-oriented car.
Engine / Transmission:
All of this torque is theoretically available at just 1,800 rpm, but my gut didn’t detect serious shove until about 3,000. Add in a lazy throttle and taller gearing than should be necessary with seven ratios, and from zero to 30 mph acceleration underwhelms.
Handling:
This being a “sport” E-Class, it has a sport suspension. In casual driving the chassis feels taut (through the seat of your pants, not the numb steering). The ride could even be too firm for those seeking luxury. Push the E550, though, and the motions of its rock-solid body become sloppy, its nose plows, and its stability control system forcefully communicates that you shouldn’t be driving a 402-horsepower, sport-suspended, big-braked sedan this way. Some cars feel better the harder you push them. The E550 is not such a car.
Summary:
It’s a Mercedes, but it costs less than its archrivals. Its passé three-box body is gilded with AMG bits. Its interior includes some luxurious elements, and some sporty elements, but no distinct character.
Looks:
The basic shape of the E-Class could hardly be more staid. While Audis and BMWs are increasingly curvaceous, Mercedes has been going in the opposite direction, with sharper edges and clear corners.
The E550’s interior styling is similarly rectilinear. Fine materials and plentiful details help it look expensive, but not luxurious.
Comfort:
The E-Class sedan’s seat bottoms continue to be unusually firm for a luxury-oriented car.
Engine / Transmission:
All of this torque is theoretically available at just 1,800 rpm, but my gut didn’t detect serious shove until about 3,000. Add in a lazy throttle and taller gearing than should be necessary with seven ratios, and from zero to 30 mph acceleration underwhelms.
Handling:
This being a “sport” E-Class, it has a sport suspension. In casual driving the chassis feels taut (through the seat of your pants, not the numb steering). The ride could even be too firm for those seeking luxury. Push the E550, though, and the motions of its rock-solid body become sloppy, its nose plows, and its stability control system forcefully communicates that you shouldn’t be driving a 402-horsepower, sport-suspended, big-braked sedan this way. Some cars feel better the harder you push them. The E550 is not such a car.
Summary:
It’s a Mercedes, but it costs less than its archrivals. Its passé three-box body is gilded with AMG bits. Its interior includes some luxurious elements, and some sporty elements, but no distinct character.
01-22-2013, 09:12 PM
#3
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Curious if they test drove a 4matic with or without AirMatic. Loving the soft ride of the car yet has all the power.
01-22-2013, 09:41 PM
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2011 E550 4Matic & 2010 Audi Q5 & 2015 C63 507
At least in 2013, E-class doesn't look like a C-class. But that's not the case for BMW 5 and 3 series. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
01-23-2013, 05:24 AM
#6
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W212 is the best looking car made by MB for me . I still doubt it could supersede W124's legacy though .
Look at earlier models , they look simple and simple is that is something you can find everywhere but W212's complex design is what I am sold on lol
Seats are comfy but if you like something like Buckingham style then choose Multicontour seats
OK, that's enough for me and thanks OP for this finding
Look at earlier models , they look simple and simple is that is something you can find everywhere but W212's complex design is what I am sold on lol
Seats are comfy but if you like something like Buckingham style then choose Multicontour seats
OK, that's enough for me and thanks OP for this finding
01-23-2013, 07:03 PM
#7
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01-24-2013, 09:29 PM
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01-24-2013, 11:08 PM
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2011 E350 4Matic Estate in Mystic Red
TTAC aim / mission is to try to be as negative as possible about all cars and the car industry, while peppering their "reviews" with medical references. Their reviews are not balanced by any means.
01-25-2013, 07:57 AM
#10
Senior Member
You will never find a positive TTAC review of a Mercedes product. They spend their time poking fun at the "overpriced" rich man's toy while they revel in driving around in a 1999 Mercury Marquis Panther class and acclaim it as the ultimate car.
They recently did a review of a GLK 350 that listed for $55,000 plus. The majority of the article was spent ridiculing the entire car because of the price while completely ignoring the fact that 90% of the actual sales transactions for that model are $40,000 or less.
They are a collection of small minded second class journalists that can't find a real job that actually pays!
They recently did a review of a GLK 350 that listed for $55,000 plus. The majority of the article was spent ridiculing the entire car because of the price while completely ignoring the fact that 90% of the actual sales transactions for that model are $40,000 or less.
They are a collection of small minded second class journalists that can't find a real job that actually pays!
01-30-2013, 11:41 PM
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2012 E350 Bluetec
I had a 535i with M-sport package on order but when I tried to show this car to my son who wanted to see how "his new car was going to look like" at the dealer, I pointed out the wrong car three times (328i and two 335i's)....Monday morning order for 535i canceled and the next day, my E350BT ordered! Could not be happier!
01-31-2013, 08:58 AM
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2013 CTS-V, 2017 Audi Q7 / Past MB's: 2011 ML350 & 2012 ML350
I had a 535i with M-sport package on order but when I tried to show this car to my son who wanted to see how "his new car was going to look like" at the dealer, I pointed out the wrong car three times (328i and two 335i's)....Monday morning order for 535i canceled and the next day, my E350BT ordered! Could not be happier!
01-31-2013, 01:26 PM
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2011 E350 4Matic Estate in Mystic Red
I have never looked at the (new) 5 series, but I have to admit that the some of the materials inside the E-class leave something to be desired. For example, the seat heater buttons do not feel very nice when you press them, and the rear cupholder / armrest has plastic bits that feel very cheap.
Hopefully, with the redesign, they have addressed (as it seems) some of the issues with the interior. Mercedes was too complacent and now they are paying the price. A healthy competition is needed to allow them to gain their former glory.
Hopefully, with the redesign, they have addressed (as it seems) some of the issues with the interior. Mercedes was too complacent and now they are paying the price. A healthy competition is needed to allow them to gain their former glory.
02-07-2013, 02:29 AM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
"Fine materials and plentiful details help it look expensive, but not luxurious."
I find that to be very true. The E's interior always felt *Premium* to me, as in the tactile quality, perceived durability and fit/finish are second to none.... however it just lacked in some plushness and "Luxury" that started getting to me.
The journalist is panning "3 Box" designs, but he's not clearing up what he means enough. Fact is, the 5er, A6, etc. are all "3 Box" designs. The best looking cars IMO are 3 Box designs. The W212 is just an insanely true homage to how a 3-Box caricature should look, and that's what the reviewer is panning (the 5er and A6, for example, do more to make their cars appear more swoopy and less "box"). The only alternative 4-Doors to 3-Box's are fastback/hatchbacks (please, no), or to a lesser extent, "4 Door Coupes", which are still somewhat technically 3-Boxes, but more-so disguised, and IMO still overall more awkward looking (and far less functional) than a proper "3 Box" design.
The W212 shape (not details, but shape) IMO is an homage to the W126, just an upright, stately, formal, conservative one. The details on the other hand try to compensate against that to add some flash and fuss. IMO that's what makes the W212 polarizing if you can call it that, as some will love the dichotomy of characters trying to work as one, which to them will give it a dynamic essence that can kind of be one of two characters when needed, and some will find it off.
I find that to be very true. The E's interior always felt *Premium* to me, as in the tactile quality, perceived durability and fit/finish are second to none.... however it just lacked in some plushness and "Luxury" that started getting to me.
The journalist is panning "3 Box" designs, but he's not clearing up what he means enough. Fact is, the 5er, A6, etc. are all "3 Box" designs. The best looking cars IMO are 3 Box designs. The W212 is just an insanely true homage to how a 3-Box caricature should look, and that's what the reviewer is panning (the 5er and A6, for example, do more to make their cars appear more swoopy and less "box"). The only alternative 4-Doors to 3-Box's are fastback/hatchbacks (please, no), or to a lesser extent, "4 Door Coupes", which are still somewhat technically 3-Boxes, but more-so disguised, and IMO still overall more awkward looking (and far less functional) than a proper "3 Box" design.
The W212 shape (not details, but shape) IMO is an homage to the W126, just an upright, stately, formal, conservative one. The details on the other hand try to compensate against that to add some flash and fuss. IMO that's what makes the W212 polarizing if you can call it that, as some will love the dichotomy of characters trying to work as one, which to them will give it a dynamic essence that can kind of be one of two characters when needed, and some will find it off.
