2013 E350 Sport Wagon arrived Friday
02-25-2013, 10:03 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
2013 E350 Sport Wagon arrived Friday
Its finally here after being ordered on 9.27. The designo graphite is amazing and the black leather seating is very nice. I don't mind the perf in the front and not in the back at all. I turned our Audi 4.2 over to my brother in law and I just can't say enough about the overall ride and performance of this wagon. Very spunky and its hard to keep from wanting to kick down all the time but I will not go too hard on it until a few hundred miles get logged. Went for some of the extended maintenance and warranty options and the new Allstate wheel and dent insurance. I like the fact that even curb rash on the wheels is covered. Considering the AMG wheels this was a must.
The sport suspension is excellent. I don't think it is too aggressive at all, but if you are used to a hard ride and very flat body roll this is not that setup. I like it a lot. The pano roof is a trip, lets a lot of light into our all black interior. Black ash is brilliant, very subtle until the sun hits it just right. lighted door sills are really cool, P2 lighting is dramatically brighter than my old car and the way they turn with the wheel is really cool going into the garage at night. Wow this car is quiet, and I like the keyless entry and start features a lot. The HK stereo in this large space is outstanding. More pics of the paint when the spring sun comes along, you can almost see the subtle green hue in these shots, it flops a little depending on the light otherwise its a dark grey.
Cheers,
Bob
The sport suspension is excellent. I don't think it is too aggressive at all, but if you are used to a hard ride and very flat body roll this is not that setup. I like it a lot. The pano roof is a trip, lets a lot of light into our all black interior. Black ash is brilliant, very subtle until the sun hits it just right. lighted door sills are really cool, P2 lighting is dramatically brighter than my old car and the way they turn with the wheel is really cool going into the garage at night. Wow this car is quiet, and I like the keyless entry and start features a lot. The HK stereo in this large space is outstanding. More pics of the paint when the spring sun comes along, you can almost see the subtle green hue in these shots, it flops a little depending on the light otherwise its a dark grey.
Cheers,
Bob
Last edited by klobbr; 02-25-2013 at 11:12 AM. Reason: details
02-25-2013, 10:55 AM
#4
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2012 CLS63
wow designo paint?
congrats man! enjoy!
congrats man! enjoy!
02-25-2013, 11:14 AM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Yes, the paint is really nice. I was going to go black, but after a long debate I decided on the designo graphite option. That was really hard to do sight unseen, but I am pleased I did it. Puts this car in the 1 of 1 category unless someone else orders one in the next couple of months. Thanks.
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Thanks!
02-25-2013, 01:02 PM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
I love that color as well 
One great wagon , happy driving
One great wagon , happy driving
02-25-2013, 04:16 PM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes, the paint is really nice. I was going to go black, but after a long debate I decided on the designo graphite option. That was really hard to do sight unseen, but I am pleased I did it. Puts this car in the 1 of 1 category unless someone else orders one in the next couple of months. Thanks.
. love the license plate, too 
.
02-25-2013, 04:34 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
^ That plate always gets a grin at the DMV, we've had it for years. I have another vanity plate on our cabriolet: "SWERVE". Again, the DMV last year got a kick out of that. Thanks all.
Last edited by klobbr; 02-25-2013 at 04:42 PM.
02-25-2013, 08:26 PM
#18
Member
Thread Starter
If you have the time...I'll answer.
In 2000 Audi first stuffed the 4.2 V8 into the A6 C5 platform. It was different from the 2.8 and 2.7T because they had to extend the nose almost a foot past the sheet metal to accommodate the big 40 V lump. They flared the fenders and upgraded the discs, but since six of the eight cylinders lived in front of the axle those rotors were going to be short lived no matter what. Quattro was the winter road king in these parts, and I had to have it straight from the brochure. Light Silver metallic, all options, black leather interior.
I owned this car for 13 years and it was everything I thought and more. It sounded great and pulled like a ski nautique. It ran through 2 feet of snow, lead snowplows on I90, learned to drift at track days and went 60 miles flat out at Road America with the NA Audi club. It made it to 150K and only now does it show signs of its age. Side moldings are coming loose, the tints is suffering from human interaction, the seats are showing wear not only from us but the kids in the back. I love cars. This one was going to be hard to replace.
The wagon has no comparison in the line. Its only family competition is the AMG version and I doubt it will ever see one. MB of this decade have their problems, but all of the euro sedans do. I know this as you all do, the economy has mandated a different level of material quality. But when you do the research, you can find the formula that has the least impact on the brand or the driver. And in my pursuit the E Class Sport Wagon was not only the right choice, it was off piste enough to match the allure of the A6 4.2.
It should come as no surprise to you all that I am not totally new to the MB brand. I have a rolling restoration on a 93 300 CE Cabriolet. Last of the hand made E's. Its amazingly overbuilt, analog and durable. It and this wagon are a quantum leap from the Audi. Supercomputing can be found in the center of the speedo, the dash screen and with mbrace even on your phone. The Audi had a CD changer in the trunk. And a key fob. You could lock the doors from 4 feet away. Cool. The P2 package is killer. Keyless entry and active lighting is as amazing as it is simple.
Performance for the wagon is not ready for review. Although my first impression of the V6 is that it is enthusiastic and capable. It is only 7 lbft torques less than the V8 Audi, and it's sound is more superbike tenor that the A6 ski boat basso but it suits the car. I like the paddle shifters over the shift gate tiptronic, I like the AMG wheels, the chassis, the suspension is much more planted and rebound is refined, it still rolls in the turns but not like the 70s cop car imitation of the Audi, and the brakes are legendary. The sport wheel is a smaller diameter than the lux and it does change the steering input between the two. If you drive with your eyes up and can set the car into a sweeping turn its very steady. I wouldn't want anything more boy racer like in the rack because it will fatigue the crap out of you over the long haul. And that's what we got the wagon for. In fact, the pano roof, rear facing bench, auxiliary power outlet and extra airbags are all in there in lieu of video monitors in the headrests. My boys will look out the windows just like I did when we travel. Heaven help us, we're off to Yellowstone and Glacier in June so we'll see how poetic that sounds 200 miles into the 16 day trip. (iPads will be packed!)
Black leather. You should opt for it. It smells better. It feels better. And it has a vertical pattern like the A6. Nice continuity there. The designo paint seems like a perfect replacement for my always black or silver exterior choices and it agian makes the car unique. The lighted door sills are super cool. Audi didn't do that back then. It frivolous but once you see them you are screwed. I knew I would regret not getting em, so I got em.
You guys know what an E class Benz rides like, this one is in that same sweet spot between sporty and refined. Its so quiet in the cabin. The tracking is heavy and planted, and the light duty I have given the tranny so far has proven it to be smooth and confident. The shift stalk is odd, I'll get used to it. The lane assist is great, as the B pillar seems fat when looking back to change lanes. The pano roof lets in an amazing amount of light which is great. I wish the shades were independent of each other, so far both open and close at the same time. would be nice to shade the kids but let the sun in on the parents.
The best part is that its a 7 seat sport wagon. Not an suv. Not a minivan. Its an icon that was almost deemed extinct by the euro carmakers as of late. I am so glad Benz didn't conform and discontinue their wagon like Audi and BMW. It makes me even more convinced that they are the brand for me. And that star on the hood. Come on, once ride behind that and get used to it, nothing else will ever do.
Cheers,
Bob
I owned this car for 13 years and it was everything I thought and more. It sounded great and pulled like a ski nautique. It ran through 2 feet of snow, lead snowplows on I90, learned to drift at track days and went 60 miles flat out at Road America with the NA Audi club. It made it to 150K and only now does it show signs of its age. Side moldings are coming loose, the tints is suffering from human interaction, the seats are showing wear not only from us but the kids in the back. I love cars. This one was going to be hard to replace.
The wagon has no comparison in the line. Its only family competition is the AMG version and I doubt it will ever see one. MB of this decade have their problems, but all of the euro sedans do. I know this as you all do, the economy has mandated a different level of material quality. But when you do the research, you can find the formula that has the least impact on the brand or the driver. And in my pursuit the E Class Sport Wagon was not only the right choice, it was off piste enough to match the allure of the A6 4.2.
It should come as no surprise to you all that I am not totally new to the MB brand. I have a rolling restoration on a 93 300 CE Cabriolet. Last of the hand made E's. Its amazingly overbuilt, analog and durable. It and this wagon are a quantum leap from the Audi. Supercomputing can be found in the center of the speedo, the dash screen and with mbrace even on your phone. The Audi had a CD changer in the trunk. And a key fob. You could lock the doors from 4 feet away. Cool. The P2 package is killer. Keyless entry and active lighting is as amazing as it is simple.
Performance for the wagon is not ready for review. Although my first impression of the V6 is that it is enthusiastic and capable. It is only 7 lbft torques less than the V8 Audi, and it's sound is more superbike tenor that the A6 ski boat basso but it suits the car. I like the paddle shifters over the shift gate tiptronic, I like the AMG wheels, the chassis, the suspension is much more planted and rebound is refined, it still rolls in the turns but not like the 70s cop car imitation of the Audi, and the brakes are legendary. The sport wheel is a smaller diameter than the lux and it does change the steering input between the two. If you drive with your eyes up and can set the car into a sweeping turn its very steady. I wouldn't want anything more boy racer like in the rack because it will fatigue the crap out of you over the long haul. And that's what we got the wagon for. In fact, the pano roof, rear facing bench, auxiliary power outlet and extra airbags are all in there in lieu of video monitors in the headrests. My boys will look out the windows just like I did when we travel. Heaven help us, we're off to Yellowstone and Glacier in June so we'll see how poetic that sounds 200 miles into the 16 day trip. (iPads will be packed!)
Black leather. You should opt for it. It smells better. It feels better. And it has a vertical pattern like the A6. Nice continuity there. The designo paint seems like a perfect replacement for my always black or silver exterior choices and it agian makes the car unique. The lighted door sills are super cool. Audi didn't do that back then. It frivolous but once you see them you are screwed. I knew I would regret not getting em, so I got em.
You guys know what an E class Benz rides like, this one is in that same sweet spot between sporty and refined. Its so quiet in the cabin. The tracking is heavy and planted, and the light duty I have given the tranny so far has proven it to be smooth and confident. The shift stalk is odd, I'll get used to it. The lane assist is great, as the B pillar seems fat when looking back to change lanes. The pano roof lets in an amazing amount of light which is great. I wish the shades were independent of each other, so far both open and close at the same time. would be nice to shade the kids but let the sun in on the parents.
The best part is that its a 7 seat sport wagon. Not an suv. Not a minivan. Its an icon that was almost deemed extinct by the euro carmakers as of late. I am so glad Benz didn't conform and discontinue their wagon like Audi and BMW. It makes me even more convinced that they are the brand for me. And that star on the hood. Come on, once ride behind that and get used to it, nothing else will ever do.
Cheers,
Bob
Last edited by klobbr; 02-25-2013 at 08:34 PM.
03-02-2013, 09:21 AM
#24
Fabulous car!
Just great to see there are still those who "get it" when it comes to wagons. They are truly a rare breed but make for a wonderful experience. I also think the design of the 212 actually works best on the wagon. Congratulations on your purchase!
