dfordham

Likes:

Added power.

Handling, steering feel, and ride seem better - Other than by butt dyno, I have no proof of this but I like it.

Sound deadening seems improved.

Guide lines in rear view camera - Should have had this long ago

New Comand display

All changes to dashboard, especially the clock - the clock is my wife's favorite. Myself, I keep looking at the old location and it usually reads 10:15 (3/4 tank of gas and 90 temp)

Dislikes:
No compass in rear view mirror

Switching turn signal/cruise control stalks - This is my 4th Benz. On the way home from the dealer, I set the cruise control at every intersection where I had to turn! I know this is the standard position on most cars, but it seems to me that if you invented the car, you should be entitled to set some standards.

Less elegant stitching on door panels (with MB-Tex, don't know about leather).

Regards,
Don

BenzV12

Thanks for your comparison
How do you like gauges ? I loved pre FL models , on FL models namely white face looks cheap to me
I have not driven FL W212 but had a chance sitting in driver's seat ,I still think newer styling stalks have a better quality over pre FL W212 models ,they are thicker and have aluminum top at the edges as opposed to plastic top edges in pre FL models

For door panels , unless you go for leather or Nappa you would have to stick to those less elegant styling .
I believe,these can be swapped but is it worth ? Depends on the buyer I suppose

Happy safe driving

dfordham

Seems counter intuitive, but I seem to have more trouble reading the speedo with the white face in normal light. I think it probably has better visibility with the sun in your eyes than the old. This was a problem for me with the old gauges. I don't mind the aesthetics of the new gauges, though.

Oh, another thing I don't like is the loss of the pull-down hook in the trunk. This car has the "comfort box" and, while it works ok, it takes up enough room to make loading large items like golf clubs more difficult. I miss the hook!

Regards,
Don

El Cid

The front end turns me off. The large holes on either side of lower bumper cover serve no purpose and detract from the styling. Also, they will tend to get very dirty and be hard to clean.
The "E" Class is a mid-size luxury sports sedan and this car no longer looks like one.
MB has plenty of sport models where this would be appropriate.
This alone would keep me from purchasing another "E" Class.

dfordham

Based on photographs only (we don't see many Benz's in my town), I felt the same about the front styling on the sport version and was prepared to get a luxury. Then I saw them in person at the dealer and the sport grew on me quickly. They look WAY better in person.

Something I still don't like is the chrome strips under the front and rear bumpers. Seems a bit gaudy. I wonder if they are held on by double sided tape?

Regards,
Don

Mbenz260e

I like the old setup too, learned to drive on a car with that setup. I drive an '12 E with old setup, my wife's 13 GL has the new setup and I made the same mistake with the cruise for while wen we got the GL.

usamuscle

I love my 14 E550 . My first MB ever . I wouldnt have considred the PRE FL . =)
Love the new look.

Jeffy

So I actually like both. The pre-FL for its more classic and timeless looks and the FL for its more agressive and sporty look. OK and yes, I have both. But really, I like both. I do prefer the pre-FL dash though.

samkimg

I have many of the same likes/dislikes between my 2010 E350 and my new 2014 E350:

Likes:
* Easier (for me anyway) to read gauges in daylight. I can see the needles better in the 2014
* Power, Handling, overall smoooooothness and more quiet ride
* Leather seats seems nicer overall than in 2010
* 360 camera with rear "aiming" lines ... Parktronic sensors with active parking too cool!
* Active Driver seat controls in COMAND and on center console button
* Leather on standard steering wheel MUCH nicer (Nappa)
* The look of the people at night as they see the lighting pattern of the active LED lights pass them ... overall more people stare at the 2014 than ever did with the 2010

Dislikes:
* Missing hook in truck FIXED with * MB Tree Nail (Trunk Hook) - https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...tree-nail.html
* Swap of cruise control and turn signals. OK, OK I'm getting used to it now after 4 months, but I too accidentilly set cruise for many left/right turns

Tjdehya

Its funny that your number one gripe is the lack of the compass in the mirror. When my number one grip about the W212 was the fact that it was there.
We have the Nav and the center IC why do we need a third location? I just wished that we could turn it off if we wanted. And I guess you are wishing that you could turn it on if you wanted.
Mercedes cant please all their customers I guess. lol

DerekACS

Many thanks for this link and your instructions !!! Much appreciated ! I have ordered the part.

dfordham

+1

Regards,
Don

justdonating

I miss the compass in the mirror. The turn signal placement also takes getting used too.

kingscorpian27

DFWdude

I really like the larger size of the rear view camera, compared with my wife's 2014 Hyundai Sonata, which is small and inside the center stack. On the other hand, the Hyundai has had the bending guide lines all along, and I am surprised that the Mercedes previously did not.

I like the dashboard layout just fine, although I use my aftermarket HUD for most info. I do like having a traditional, analog clock in the central stack. Classy. And I'm happy that Mercedes chose to include it gratis, unlike the $10,000 clock in a Lambo, hahahahahahaha!

What prompted this post, however...

Switching the turn signal/cruise control stalks was a VERY welcome change, for me. My 2001 MB has the lower-mounted turn signal, and frankly, I remember it took FOREVER to get accustomed to it. With the switch, it is now where it should be, like on every other car I've ever owned. The shorter cruise control switch doesn't interfere (to my mind), although I now have to search for it (LOL). Just as well, as I want to think about using cruise before actually finding the stalk. (I don't want to think about where to find the turn signal).

My minor pet peeve is the (throw-back) return of the transmission gear shift lever to the steering control column. Since 1977, all my daily drivers (stick or auto, including the 2001 MB) have it in the console, and I'm quite used to reaching for it there. Now that it is positioned like in my 1970 Plymouth Duster () I find myself giggling while fumbling around for it. Just as well, though, since the console is now more usable in the bargain. I'll get used to it.

Darel

I think that whole aluminum center clock / vent deal is the biggest reason we bought the car!

2010 is better looking from the front and rear. New one is gorgeous but they nailed it perfectly on the previous gen.

Seat is horrible. I'm part of the whole big thread about trying to "fix" the 2014 seat.