Test Drove '14 Facelift W212. Pics side-by-side of Sport & Luxury w/ pre-facelift
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W212 FL
K-A , thanks again for your shots these side by side shots will help me judge who is the best .It's ,however, I already prefer pre FL model but at different angles new headlamp design never looks funny, angry as it does to pre FL model .
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From: Canada
W213, C238
The FL sport looks okay in the black side by side shots with the pre-FL.
Except the nose. 'Star in grill' has no place on an E-Class, except maybe the E63 AMG. As I've said before, why is MB going after the 'sporty' buyer? That market is sewn up by BMW and Audi, the E isn't 'sporty' to drive, and it's traditional customer base may be turned off by the new styling.
Except the nose. 'Star in grill' has no place on an E-Class, except maybe the E63 AMG. As I've said before, why is MB going after the 'sporty' buyer? That market is sewn up by BMW and Audi, the E isn't 'sporty' to drive, and it's traditional customer base may be turned off by the new styling.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I love me some good side by sides so when I caught that video of the black cars, it was like a gift from the car gods.
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From: Northern VA
2012 E350
Another thank you!
I appreciate the time you put into this. You covered every question I had. As a former 2005 745Li owner, and now a 2012 E 350 owner, I've spent alot of time comparing various models. I really enjoy your take on things.
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Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
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2014 S550, 2014 Porsche Turbo S, 2013 Bentley GT Speed W12
The interior looks best suited for a much older audience.
I am super disappointed in the new E-Class. I'll be switching over and joining you on the BMW side, KA.
I am super disappointed in the new E-Class. I'll be switching over and joining you on the BMW side, KA.
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Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Seriously, if you have any q's on it let me know. How it's Optioned is especially key.
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From: INA
Serpent S966
K-A, very well worth of good info, thanks.
I'm trying to replace wifey Lexus RX350 with something, the face lifted E was considered but not anymore now.
This is the first time ever that I find myself to not liking a car's facelift.
In fact, looking at the FL, I hate it even more than when trying to warm up with the w212 design first time it came out.
I'm trying to replace wifey Lexus RX350 with something, the face lifted E was considered but not anymore now.
This is the first time ever that I find myself to not liking a car's facelift.
In fact, looking at the FL, I hate it even more than when trying to warm up with the w212 design first time it came out.
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From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
Thank you for the side-by-side pics. I've seen the models in person and must say that the facelift is growing on me. Already, the pre-FL looks dated to me.
In six months, owners will be considering tail light swaps.
In six months, owners will be considering tail light swaps.
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From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
I don't know where to begin. It almost makes me sick. I can live with the tail shape but the accentauted rear clip meh, not appealing. That front end looks like it come from another car. Kind of reminds me of when a police sketch artist is putting a rough face together. You know you pick out the eye shape, mouth, nose etc but it doesn't blend well till the artist blends it. That's the analogy of what I see. Go to the junk yard and put a car together with several other cars.......I like each section individually but there is no cohesion or fluidity. It's like wearing an elegant dress and a pair of Nike cross trainers.
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ML430
I saw the 2014 in person, today, at the dealership. Sport front doesn't look as garish as I thought it would be. There were not any Luxury models in the showroom.
I'm coming from a non-MB sedan ownership history, perhaps I'm already accustomed to the oversized 3 point star on the front of the SUVs.
I'm coming from a non-MB sedan ownership history, perhaps I'm already accustomed to the oversized 3 point star on the front of the SUVs.
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S350 BT 4MATIC
More pic from one of my local dealerships. I have:
a pic of the 2013 and 2014 wagons side by side (2014 on the left)
silver luxury next to the black sport model
closeup pic of the front end of the wagon
a pic of the 2013 and 2014 wagons side by side (2014 on the left)
silver luxury next to the black sport model
closeup pic of the front end of the wagon
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2012 E350 Cabriolet 2013 BMW F10
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Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I actually was thinking that the luxury had a nicer grille than the pre-facelift W212, considering the luxury at least has a solid evolution of the pre-F.L's grille. However after seeing your pics of the luxury and pre-F.L together, I think I like the originals grille better as well! It looks stronger, more commanding. M-B seems intent on making their new cars look like cartoon doodles or something. The new grille is too round and overly "3D" that it almost doesn't look right. Though I do like the luxury grille on the facelift all in all. I really wish they would have offered that in the Sport Package, might have been a winning facelift in my eyes then.
Also, I just can't stop feeling that the 4 eyes have such a more individual and interesting presence.
K-A, very well worth of good info, thanks.
I'm trying to replace wifey Lexus RX350 with something, the face lifted E was considered but not anymore now.
This is the first time ever that I find myself to not liking a car's facelift.
In fact, looking at the FL, I hate it even more than when trying to warm up with the w212 design first time it came out.
I'm trying to replace wifey Lexus RX350 with something, the face lifted E was considered but not anymore now.
This is the first time ever that I find myself to not liking a car's facelift.
In fact, looking at the FL, I hate it even more than when trying to warm up with the w212 design first time it came out.
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2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
Took a 2014 sport E350 out for a drive yesterday and didn't think it was too different driving than my 2010 E350 sport. Two things caught my attention:
1. They have swapped the turn signal and cruise control stalks. With the turn signal stalk now on top, it felt a bit weird after the last three years.
2. The ECO feature is cool! I stopped at the first light, set the HOLD feature as I normally would and then I realized the engine had stopped. Driving off, there was a microscopic delay that I didn't feel was excessive at all.
I also think that it looks better in person, and I was admiring the front when a new C class pulled up next to it. They DO look very similar, a sort-of big brother, little brother kind of way. I was unimpressed at how similar they looked.
So, now I'm thinking a luxury look with the 18" sport wheels might be a better way to go to avoid being another C class lookalike. The luxury front with the LED lighting system has a nicer front end. I'm gonna have to take another couple of test drives.
1. They have swapped the turn signal and cruise control stalks. With the turn signal stalk now on top, it felt a bit weird after the last three years.
2. The ECO feature is cool! I stopped at the first light, set the HOLD feature as I normally would and then I realized the engine had stopped. Driving off, there was a microscopic delay that I didn't feel was excessive at all.
I also think that it looks better in person, and I was admiring the front when a new C class pulled up next to it. They DO look very similar, a sort-of big brother, little brother kind of way. I was unimpressed at how similar they looked.
So, now I'm thinking a luxury look with the 18" sport wheels might be a better way to go to avoid being another C class lookalike. The luxury front with the LED lighting system has a nicer front end. I'm gonna have to take another couple of test drives.
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Out Of Control!!
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Glad to hear yet another person commenting on them driving basically identically. Just what I thought. I nor the salesman who has 2 W212's could notice even the slightest difference really. I think M-B's marketing dept is the only one feeding any buzz about different driving aspects. If anything I think the 12 & 13's got some slight suspension reworkings to make for a slightly softer ride over rough roads, which goes along with the slightly higher ride height, and the '14's simply carried what the '12 and '13's already "snuck in" (i.e M-B never marketed or notified the press officially about any changes) over.
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2012 SLK 350, 2014 E 350
I've been driving my 2014 E 350 Luxury for 5 days now and my thoughts are:
Road noise is lower than my 2010 Luxury, with (surprisingly) no added harshness from the run flats.
Steering is a tad lighter.
Eco stop start is almost seamless.
Lane tracking package works very well. It will now be a necessity on future cars.
Interior changes add refinement.
I really have not found any area where I prefer my previous ride to the new one. The pre face lift is already starting to look slightly dated by comparison now. The new version looks much better in person than on a computer screen. I do however agree that the sport grill does not integrate as well with the rest of the body.
Road noise is lower than my 2010 Luxury, with (surprisingly) no added harshness from the run flats.
Steering is a tad lighter.
Eco stop start is almost seamless.
Lane tracking package works very well. It will now be a necessity on future cars.
Interior changes add refinement.
I really have not found any area where I prefer my previous ride to the new one. The pre face lift is already starting to look slightly dated by comparison now. The new version looks much better in person than on a computer screen. I do however agree that the sport grill does not integrate as well with the rest of the body.
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From: Atlanta
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
Nice review. My dad has an E60 M5 and is trying to decide between a 2014 competition package M5 or the new E63 S.
I really like the all wheel drive and performance numbers for the new E63 S, but can't get over the bland Kia like styling.
Thanks for helping make the decision much easier, looks like he will be sticking with a new M5!
I really like the all wheel drive and performance numbers for the new E63 S, but can't get over the bland Kia like styling.
Thanks for helping make the decision much easier, looks like he will be sticking with a new M5!
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Nice review. My dad has an E60 M5 and is trying to decide between a 2014 competition package M5 or the new E63 S.
I really like the all wheel drive and performance numbers for the new E63 S, but can't get over the bland Kia like styling.
Thanks for helping make the decision much easier, looks like he will be sticking with a new M5!
I really like the all wheel drive and performance numbers for the new E63 S, but can't get over the bland Kia like styling.
Thanks for helping make the decision much easier, looks like he will be sticking with a new M5!
Glad you got something from the review. If I had to have just one current car for the rest of my life, I have to say it would have to be an F10 M5 I think. I've been driving my 2014 E 350 Luxury for 5 days now and my thoughts are:
Road noise is lower than my 2010 Luxury, with (surprisingly) no added harshness from the run flats.
Steering is a tad lighter.
Eco stop start is almost seamless.
Lane tracking package works very well. It will now be a necessity on future cars.
Interior changes add refinement.
I really have not found any area where I prefer my previous ride to the new one. The pre face lift is already starting to look slightly dated by comparison now. The new version looks much better in person than on a computer screen. I do however agree that the sport grill does not integrate as well with the rest of the body.
Road noise is lower than my 2010 Luxury, with (surprisingly) no added harshness from the run flats.
Steering is a tad lighter.
Eco stop start is almost seamless.
Lane tracking package works very well. It will now be a necessity on future cars.
Interior changes add refinement.
I really have not found any area where I prefer my previous ride to the new one. The pre face lift is already starting to look slightly dated by comparison now. The new version looks much better in person than on a computer screen. I do however agree that the sport grill does not integrate as well with the rest of the body.
I know some people like light steering, but I'm REALLY surprised to hear that M-B made the steering even lighter, considering I now find my previous E's steerings to be very light already. IMO M-B is going too far with steering lightness, namely in the ML and GL's which feel like a feather thrown at the wheel will spin it full rotation. Reminds me of an old School Bus if anyone ever flipped a wheel on those.
