Spent some time with the 2014 E class...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
I think it's fair to say that the FL E is made for a different customer than the pr-FL. More than likely the guys who liked the pre-FL will not like the FL and visa versa.
I tried to like new E but it that new MB language does not blend at all with the current E.
The new design language looks good on the CLA, S, and the C. But it looks hideous on the E.
I tried to like new E but it that new MB language does not blend at all with the current E.
The new design language looks good on the CLA, S, and the C. But it looks hideous on the E.
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
It also looks so doughy up front now, not as sharp or aggressive as the pre-f.l with that hard edged evil grin. IMO the facelift E's in their attempt to graft on soft and friendly fronts onto what is inherently and originally a hard and boxy design actually look less aggressive. More "sporty" yes, if you want to call it that, but the W212 design inherently doesn't look sporty at all as it wasn't intended to, so you're not getting an actual "sporty" looking car anyway.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 274
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From: .
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For luxury I'd stick with the pre-FL but for sport the new one. I love them both but I've gotten more compliments when pulling up for gas plus it seems more fitting for my age. I believe age matters to some extent on the taste but to each their own. Some will love it, some will hate it, nothing new here. Only distaste I have with MB is that the E always had the quad lights and now it's on almost every future model coming up? Disappointing. Although I wont blame them, those headlights are by far the best I've ever had.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Chargin Falls Ohio
2014 E 350 SPORT
Regarding the FL, I can recall the fire storm that was created in the forums about the Chris Bangle designed BMW 5 series. Granted it was a new model not a FL, but terms like Bangle Butt , and the new light shapes, filled the internet. There will always be criticism to new changes in design approach on a long loved and excepted look.
Let me if I may give my humble opinion into what MB might have been thinking. For the past decade or so many Asian cars have knocked off the MB front grille. I can remember seeing a Korean car that I had to double take as I thought it was a MB. The change to the Star Grille which has adorned many classic MB coupes though the years to me is a cool retrospective return to MB's better days, and a exit from the knock off, look a like styling of lesser manufactures.
I am looking forward to refinements and integration in this look on the new E Class model. All I can say is the FL really caught my eye at the 2013 Detroit auto show.
Let me if I may give my humble opinion into what MB might have been thinking. For the past decade or so many Asian cars have knocked off the MB front grille. I can remember seeing a Korean car that I had to double take as I thought it was a MB. The change to the Star Grille which has adorned many classic MB coupes though the years to me is a cool retrospective return to MB's better days, and a exit from the knock off, look a like styling of lesser manufactures.
I am looking forward to refinements and integration in this look on the new E Class model. All I can say is the FL really caught my eye at the 2013 Detroit auto show.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
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S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
I still like the pre facelift style more (I've always liked angular over too curvy or round on modern cars) , and think the new front and back looks disjointed - but now I "get it" more. That's because I've had exposure to the W222, and now can grasp the revised fascia as a link to the new S. I think that's what it's all about.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
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From: California
i535
It is exactly what I feel. Same problem was introduced in Jaguar XF, front and back looked as from different cars. New S looks like a sausage for me, so you not always can tell from which side you look, so it is a perfect balance.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 573
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
At the dealer lot that I visited this weekend, 1 out of 20 FL E's are luxury model.
I find the darker Palladium Silver and Steel Gray color blend/hide the new nose job better.
Polar White or Ir Silver will shows sharper contrast out of the extended nose.
I find the darker Palladium Silver and Steel Gray color blend/hide the new nose job better.
Polar White or Ir Silver will shows sharper contrast out of the extended nose.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Exactly. The XF got it to a lesser extent to the E. It's as if the designers pay no mind (or don't have the budget and are forced to haphazardly "fix" cars that corporate deem are underperforming) to the concept of "balance" and "harmony" when they graft on these totally off-beat fronts and rears (and in the E's case, shockingly an entire quarter panel) to cars that otherwise have absolutely no harmony or make no sense with them.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Chargin Falls Ohio
2014 E 350 SPORT
Exactly. The XF got it to a lesser extent to the E. It's as if the designers pay no mind (or don't have the budget and are forced to haphazardly "fix" cars that corporate deem are underperforming) to the concept of "balance" and "harmony" when they graft on these totally off-beat fronts and rears (and in the E's case, shockingly an entire quarter panel) to cars that otherwise have absolutely no harmony or make no sense with them.
1) They didn't change the rear only added cool looking LED lights
2) They removed the sadle bag hips ala Bently rear quarter panel, nice move
3) Increased frontal crash area to better comply with Euro pedestrian crash spec's as did BMW on the F10 to maintain there 5 star rating.
Understand I feel the FL is a look to future and I believe they will refine this slightly disjointed change in the next E Class model.
Last edited by drz; Nov 5, 2013 at 09:48 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
No doubt this "look" will look refined once the next E comes out. However, IMO it will further render the facelift W212 as an instantly dated and awkward confusion of "halfway here, halfway there", like a haphazard and forced space between a solidly-themed pre-facelift W212 and presumedly solidly-themed W213.
To me the pre-facelfit looked exactly how this body style was supposed to, then corporate wasn't happy with sales and forced the designers to come up with something different, no matter how discordant and imbalanced. It ruined the future legacy of the W212 generation as it obviously points to un-confidence by corporate over their own creation.
That's my thoughts on it, to each their own. IMO the pre-facelift W212 is a much better looking design especially from a holistic level.
To me the pre-facelfit looked exactly how this body style was supposed to, then corporate wasn't happy with sales and forced the designers to come up with something different, no matter how discordant and imbalanced. It ruined the future legacy of the W212 generation as it obviously points to un-confidence by corporate over their own creation.
That's my thoughts on it, to each their own. IMO the pre-facelift W212 is a much better looking design especially from a holistic level.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Chargin Falls Ohio
2014 E 350 SPORT
Everyone is entitled to there opinion of the FL E Class.
But the facts are there is a 23% increase in E Class sales over same period in 2012.
People vote with their wallets.
But the facts are there is a 23% increase in E Class sales over same period in 2012.
People vote with their wallets.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
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From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
Plus I'm getting a wagon so the whole looks thing is a don't care it's all about utility.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
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From: California
i535
It can be just lucky circumstances, like end lease for many previous buyers. MB is also giving currently amazing discounts up to $12k, so if you do cross shopping like BMW, Lexus, Jaguar, Audi, then more likely wallet will vote for Mercedes. However if forget about appearance, Mercedes is currently the best choice considering features offering. For example fully loaded A6 doesn't have power trunk close, distronic, hold...
