TREZ63

Hey guys,
We're looking to get the wife out of her E350C and into a 4 door this week (Baby on the way).
Looks like we're gonna eat our lunch on the resale of the E350C (2011 with 18k miles) but that's another story.

I've been away from the MB camp for a few years since my CLS63 so I haven't really kept up. I like the idea of the Diesel motor so the 250 sounded good.

Given they're about the same price, it seems like I basically get better fuel economy and less power with the 250 rather than the 350. Is there any other reason I should go with one vs. the other if we're doing a 3 yr lease?

Dema

Unless your wife is a racer with a baby on board, power of E250 is adequate. Only reason of getting E350 is huge discount offered for it. So it can be buying E350 you save more than on fuel economy of E250.

telemakhos

If the residual value of the diesel is much higher than the gasoline version then it should be reflected in the monthly lease payment and it might sway you. With all the baby paraphernalia you may wish to consider the wagon version.

TREZ63

I would LOVE the Wagon but she won't go for the Wagon at all. It's a non-starter. She hates it.

Okay, so it seems like the payments on the E250 will be about $90/mo higher on a 3 yr lease, and you get less power ... So maybe the E350 is the way to go. I can STFF but is there any major issues with the 2014s that have reared the ugly heads yet? Any must have options? Looks like $10k off is standard right now. I wonder if I can get them to throw in the service as well.

dbtk

I considered an E250 and loved the idea of 40+ mpg on the freeway. However, after driving it I found the E350 to be more indicative of what an E class should be. The 250's engine just was not as refined as the 350's. There was a constant vibration which I thought to be more representative of an SUV. For me, I would easily forgive the engine harshness on a truck (GLK, ML, GL) than on an E.

DBV

I just test drove an E250 today and felt no vibration and thought the engine was great! I was really impressed by the car.

DerekACS

I have yet to read of any professional review of the E250 BT that mentions any engine vibrations. For example, the latest review by Car & Driver describes the car as "sneaky fast" on the highway.

The C & D author stated: "the car is quiet, it's easy - too easy, really - to look down and find you're motoring blissfully along at a pace that exceeds most posted speed limits. Be warned !"

No vibrations - just 'sneaky fast' and very frugal on fuel !

E Classy

^ that was one of the worst reviews i've ever read. they must have phoned it in by stating the MPG figures both estimated and achieved. you'd have to really mash the pedal full-time to only get low-30's mpg in this car.

it is a diesel, which purrs way more than the petrol - but i wouldn't go so far as to say unrefined. the luxury version is almost too comfortable to drive around. from stop you can pull away quite fast and hill climbing is not even noticeable.

i looked down and saw this on saturday:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101887197@N08/11522947324/
i love this car. it's fantastic. not sure why anyone wouldn't at least consider it, in this segment. maybe it's the "E250" label on the back - pretentious americans are definitely put off by that. only 195bhp? how dare they. 4 cylinders?! why i never. i guess people are too important to buy one?

DerekACS

Thank you for sharing your impressions of your new E250 Bluetec ! That fuel consumption figure in your car's info display is the equivalent of 62.8 mpg/imperial - awesome !!!!

Perhaps Canadians are less pretentious and more conscious of fuel consumption, given that our fuel prices are about 30% higher than in the USA ? As a result, the new E250 BT 4Matic is selling very well up north (no RWD version is offered).

When I ordered my E250 BT two weeks ago, there were none available for a test drive @ any of the four factory dealers in my area; every car comes in pre-sold ! This is not surprising, given that we northern folk have been quicker to adopt modern diesel cars and with the introduction of 4Matic + diesel, the E250 becomes an attractive choice for our climate. This car is also more competitively priced in Canada, costing less than it does in the US.

Another example of diesel popularity here is the GLK250 BT, now accounting for 80% of GLK sales in Canada !

Mbenz260e

I am jealous on what you guys are getting on the E250s compared to my 2012 BTC. I am intentionally trying to not drive an E250 as I want to hang on to my car for a while...

Strange the E250 is coming up higher on the lease though?

Raymond Lee

Mbenz260e,
Your E350 BlueTec is a rock solid car so try to stay in your car!

Mbenz260e

Thanks bro definitely am!

rovinrail

3 months in on my E250.

Average ~30 MPGs in mixed driving (but then, I'm in Germany, and my regular cruising speed is just over 100 mph on the autobahn, or half my commute).

It definitely lacks a little "oomph" for passing uphill compared with my V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee (interestingly, the two vehicles weigh very close, just a couple hundred pounds off), but I can count the number of times that that's been an issue on one hand.

Overall, if you want the extra gas mileage, hit the E250. If you want to burn rubber, you need the 550 anyway.

3 months and 3500 miles in, I'm sold on the E250.