The E is a luxury contender in the "middle management" segment. Because of its size it also is the most common taxi with one of the smaller diesels, but the 350 and 400 clearly vie for the car of choice for middle management.

Remember that almost all cars in this segment are company cars with the C being bought for entry level mgmt, the E for middle management and the S for upper management. These cars are certainly in the luxury category and are ordered primarily with cloth or leather. - but seldom with Artico.

 

It's insane how when you travel the world you see E-Classes as basically the worldwide Crown Victoria. It seems the 90% of the E's in Europe are taxis..... they're everywhere. It's amazing how the car can still retain cachet and appeal in those places considering that.

 

But not the standard of luxury per se, just a middle range model. Luxurious compared to a similar position Ford, but it's not an S-class. Previous models have not been more luxurious, IMO.

Artico is an extra cost option at least in Germany - so someone must see it as worth something, unless it is intended only for commercial use. I wonder if MB perforated the material, if most customers could even tell the difference.

 

I think some markets have respect for the commercial and industrial uses these cars can handle - a sign of toughness and durability. North America might look at MB different than other areas.

To be fair, you'll find 5er taxis in Germany too, just not to the level of Es. I suspect they are miled up ex rentals.

 

I agree about the respect garnered through durability. Being used as Taxis is kind of like a durability seal of approval, as well as a comfort one. Like the cars are constantly being extensively R&D tested for you.

Yeah in Germany you'll see all kinds of Taxis. I can't remember any 5ers but I'm sure there are some. Though nowhere near as prevalent as the literal sea of E taxis. I remember this vividly as I was in London/Germany/Paris last year and the year before when I had my W212's and my initial reaction was "Oh, cool! My car as a Taxi!". After about a zillion of them it started bugging me and playing with my Americanized perceptions. In Paris especially it wasn't only E's.... though they're the most ubiquitous. There were C Taxis all over, most in a very egg-yolk yellow-ized Arctic White (only in Germany did I see that distinctive "pee-yellow" M-B Taxi color which is actually a wrap, not actual paint, which gets taken off and the cars sold as "like brand new paint" models. It seems like Paris M-B Taxis were just normal colors), and even S Class Taxis all over in the city.

My most vivid W221 S Class taxi memory was a banged up faded black SWB model (they're all heavily banged up out there) with a sleazy guy driving, hollering and then subsequently picking up a Hooker right next to le' Arc De Triomphe. Gotta admit it kind of ruined that car to me.

London has these classic looking British Cabs, which were actually new cars. Kind of blew my mind and are very cool in keeping with a hereditary distinctive character of London. I came to find that they're actually Chinese cars (?). Though they had their fair share of E Taxis as well.

 

I think the locals respect the durability, and it is maybe a heritage thing too, as a mid-lower MB has been a common taxi in Germany especially for generations. I figure if it doesn't bug them (where a comparably equipped E is much more expensive than in NA and they still sell), it's not a problem. In my memory I've rode in B/C (wagon)/E taxis in Germany, along with VW vans. It's cool finding an E with a manual there - many taxis are automatic, but manuals are there. Also seeing older taxis - in Berlin a couple years ago, I saw taxis going back to W123 still in service.

I've seen S, 7er, A8 taxis, especially in larger cities, and lots of S taxis in Zurich. I'd wager a lot they are cars with a defect enough to kill them in the private market.

Yeah, the London Cab manufacturer is a Geely subsidiary now (I think), but I believe they are still made in England. I suppose buying something is better than copying/stealing.

 

Hello everyone, MB brand is in my family for three generations and I'm continuing this tradition with some mixed feelings. Since 1997 my wife and I are driving E-Klasse and M-Klasse. We owned a total of eight MB's. All vehicles were with leather seats accept the last two. My 2012 E-350 Sport driver seat vinyl started cracking at the seam on bottom cushion, inner and outer bolster. My wife's 2014 M-350 started doing the same, also on driver's lower cushion. We are both in normal range of weight; 175 lb for me and 145 lb for my wife. We get in and out of vehicles twice a day. When we were purchasing each car there was not a single E or M on dealer's lot equipped with leather. I love leather for the feel and durability. I do not care what everyone says but the leather is superior if maintained (cleaned and oiled) every six months. I should never listen to the sale associate telling about vinyl's advantages over the leather because there is none. Vinyl is economical or cheap and that is the only advantage. I'm greatly disappointed with MB using vinyl in their $60k plus vehicles. I have made a huge mistake by not waiting and ordering both vehicles with the leather. I should be a little more careful next time and not to listen to salesman. The worst part of my story is that MB is not supporting their product and not covering seats under manufacturing four years warranty. Also, I'm tying to contact MB Rep almost on daily basis for the past three weeks and appears that they are ignoring me or hoping I'll go away. The MB Regional Rep is not returning my calls. Also, my last post with pictures was removed from this forum most likely by MB Forum moderator. I guess MB is afraid that their customers are communicating about quality issues or reporting porting problems. Hopefully this time they will let everyone to read about my experience with the MB Tex seats.

 

Why can't you clean MB Rex with microfiber cloths? What should I be cleaning it with?

 

Hello, because microfiber cloth is abrasive and acts as a fine grade sandpaper on soft surfaces as vinyl, leather, plastic etc. The microfiber will remove a top layer of your seating surface if is used regularly on prolong basis. It will make your vinyl appear dull and will remove grain lines or leather imitating patter. Please use soft cotton cloth instead.