Hey guys, I am looking to purchase a pre-facelift W212 E350 4matic. However, I test drove the base model and it felt dull. I am currently driving a 2007 Cadillac CTS 3.6L sport, and the handling is very sharp and very alive. I want the E350 to be somewhat of an engaging driving experience, not in terms of acceleration, but in terms of handling and feeling the road. I was wondering:

What performance-related parts are in a sport package? Namely, does it have a strut brace?

Any and all input will be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

I think the package just changes the tires, wheels, and front end. It might be slightly lowered too. Check mbusa.com. It can't be much because there is really no price difference when you add the sport package when building an E class.

 

Sport package adds the following:
Different wheels (same all season tires)
Lower suspension (about 0.6 inches)
Slightly stiffer springs
Different grill and lower air dam
Different side skirts on pre-face lift.

So if you test drove the luxury version, the sport will have slightly rougher ride in exchange for ever so slightly better handling. Not day/night difference.

I'm surprised you were able to find a luxury version to test and not the sport version, as it seems 90+% of what dealers have on the lot are the sport version.

 

I was afraid that the sport version is only/mostly cosmetic. How easy is it to sharpen the suspension? I don't want to ruin the ride quality of a Mercedes, but also don't want it to roll like a ball when I'm turning it.

If a W212 has the 3-line grill, does it mean it is a sport version?

 

Most of the time the 3 line grill with the emblem in the middle does mean a sport model on 2014 and newer. I highly doubt any new 2014 models on a dealers lot with that type grill will not be a sport. The dealer or someone would have had to change it. They do not come from the factory any different. Before 2014 models (pre face lift) the difference between a sport model will usually be in the rims, different ride height, and a few cosmetic things on the outside. Those are the things you can see.

 

On the pre face lift you can also tell by the grill. 3 lines and its a sport, 4 lines and its luxury. The grill is much easier to change on the pre face lift but I highly doubt a dealer would change that.
Also on the pre face lift, under the doors, if you see a single horizontal line from front to back then its luxury, if you see two lines at an angle then its sport.
The front lower air dam (bumper) is also slightly different between sport and luxury.

The difference between sport and luxury suspension is not night and day difference and can be easily missed if you're not paying attention.

I find on my 2013 E350 sport wagon that the handling is acceptable for what it is (large, heavy, luxury wagon). Ride is slightly on the harsh side but not uncomfortably so. It is very easy to drive fast with. Often on long highway cruises I think I'm doing 60 or 65 but I look down and I see 95 or 100 mph. (explains why everyone else seems to be going so slow). My nagging wife who usually nags when I go over 65 has never once nagged since we got the E350 wagon. The thing is so smooth and quiet on the highway she doesn't realize I'm going 95

 

I currrently drive a C300 4matic sport and was in the market for a 2010/2011 E350 amd while test driving the luxury found that it was a more gentler ride (FELT MORE DISCONNECTED) vs my C300 as well as vs E350 Sport. SO i settled with a 2011 sport (waiting for it to arrive in 7 days or so).

not sure what year you are looking at but the earlier luxury models had the 2 round fog lights and also the oval shaped tail pipes.