I got the current MB Club of America magazine the other day and thought: "Look! They have my new E350 on the cover"! Then I read the caption.

Do you think MB is taking this unified design language philosophy too far?


Regards,
Don

 

Yes!

Its sad but it works for Audi/BMW/Cadillac/etc.
So why go through the trouble of designing 3 different sedans... Just design one sedan and sell it in Small/Medium/Large.
At least the Small Mercedes sedan (formally known as the C class) has a unique interior. Lets hope that the W213 Medium Mercedes sedan (currently known as the W212 E class) will also have a unique interior.

 

Absolutely. Only decent looking MB sedan now is the "S" Class, which is largely unaffordable by most people.
All MB's are beginning to pretty much look the same. Take the star off and can't tell them from Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, etc.
Positive view is that the 2010-2014 "E" sedan is last of classic MB mid-sized sedans.

 

I do not like the big snout at all. Reminds me of a Lamborghini Gallardo, which would be a nice comparison, bit the design is from 2004....

 

Yup. Mercedes is going way to deep with the unified designs. Its getting harder and harder to uniquely distinguish one Mercedes sedan from another. Hopefully Mercedes will address this issue in the future.

 

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I wish they could have found a way to keep the twin headlight concept on the E Class. That was unique to the E for so many years that it would have clearly differentiated the new E from other models regardless of the other similarities.

Regards,
Don

 

Even the new C-class is being redesign much more luxurious looking like S-class

 

I believe the one on that cover looks stunning! More of a bland between the current facelifted e and CLS but it looks very grand!

 

Yes, I agree with you that the twin headlights were a distinctive identifier for the E Class. The 2010-2013 W212 front end, to my eyes, seems like the best looking E Class since the W124. The luxury version of the 2014 (Eclassy) comes a close 2nd, but I have yet to see one in the flesh.

It is puzzling to me why MB wishes to follow in the footsteps of BMW/Audi with the same styling theme for each model, making them almost indistinguishable from each other , e.g. the rear ends of BMW 3,5 and 7 all look so much alike.
The front end of the 2014 W212 Sport version looks almost exactly the same as the new 2015 C Class.

Whilst the 2014 W212 Sport version front end seems to have been well received in the market, I'm not convinced that this trend of MB's to merge the models' styling will serve them well in the long term.

Part of the E Class appeal in the past has been its distinctive styling within the Mercedes oeuvre and amongst the competition. Now it seems that there really will be no external distinction between a C Class and an E Class. Perhaps I am one of the few who feels that the E Class star should remain on the hood ? Maybe it's a good thing that I'm driving a MB diesel, known for their longevity !!!

 

YES !! No other car on the planet has that distinctive STAR on its hood !
But, wait a minute, the senior executives @ Daimler voted to ditch their most identifiable trademark from their most profitable model, the E Class, and place it inside the grill so as to make it look like a lessor C Class. Brilliant decision !

By the way, I think you meant to write '2010-2013 "E" sedan as the last of 'classic' MB mid-sized sedans'. It's the sad truth !

 

I completely agree. The dealership offered me a 2014 for only $5k more than what I paid for my '13. I like the look of the '13's face so much better because of the split head lights and star that it made the decision a little easier. Now don't misunderstand me, the '14 is still a gorgeous vehicle and I would be proud to own one and I enjoy Eclassy's photos of his E. Just splitting headlights,,,,,um, I mean hairs on preferences.

 

Saw one at the dealership the the other day, not feeling it... SA called it a complete redesign, and also had no clue what w212 meant..sharp as a tack that one

 

FL W212 E Class seems to have no longer quad lights in front end but MB designers somehow manage to keep it so distinctive . I can see hundreds of meters away a FL W212 is approaching thanks to it's DRL headlamps design .
You may think "Hey, you already own a MB E Class you may know how it looks like " .Nope, it's not only about that lol
I am surprised to see W205s look like a baby S Class but W222 is unmistakable overall .
I hope to see next gen E Class will have different look in comparison with W205,W222 yet keeping traditional E Class and MB design

 

If you wish to see the "E" Class design changed, contact MBUSA NOW! DAG and MBUSA believe that the new all look the same front ends are accepted by everyone and the way to go.
BTW, I think the new "S" class retained the traditional sedan front end styling. Maybe MB is trying to "encourage" "E" Class owners to pay the extra $40,000 and get an "S"?
I have seen the new 2014 Sport and Luxury versions side by side. Personally, I wouldn't purchase either of them because of the front ends. Mainly those two gaping holes on either side of lower grille.

 

As a potential MB convert, that Sport front end on the 2014 E is what is pulling me in. I think the front end and rear treatments on the Sport are killer.

 

I guess no one remembers the 80s or 90s? Every mercedes looked the same, just different sizes, right up until the 1996 W210, which was universally panned by all mercedes enthusiasts.

 

+1. Ten years ago you can just easily identified by its models, whether its C/E/S/SL/M or GL-Class. Nowaday, the body style looks so similar. For example, if you put the ML & GL next to each other, you can't tell the difference by a quick glance.

 

I like the new look. More modern and aggressive.

 

Unless one's goal in purchasing an MB is so that everyone else knows you don't have the C but an E, then I can alsmost understand the disappointment. If, however, you are buying for all the virtues of the vehicle, then I have no clue what the issue is. It does not bother me in the least that the C class has so many design cues from the S. I do not think it cheapens the marque in any way. Just my 2 cents. Your opinions probably vary.

 

One of the "virtues" of a vehicle that I like is its exterior design.
While the nobody on this forum buys based solely on the fact that it is an E-Class.
The E-classes distinctive design may have been one of the "virtues" that influenced their purchasing decision. If it wasn't one of yours does not mean that they were wrong!
So this thread is discussing the fact that some of us feel that the distinctive "virtue" is now gone. That is what the "issue is"

 

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huh, just got mine today I always go straight to the back of the issue to look at all the cars for sale....then work my way through the 'zine backwards......
I'm saving the rest for tomorrow because I just got some new books tonight
the design:
it does not bother me that bad because I can tell the difference from model to model......
I should work for Benz in some capacity
the new C class looks awesome if I say so myself

 

I purchased my "E" Class because of the exterior and interior design. As for performance, reliability, features, options; everybody else pretty much has the same things. This included the "E" being distinctive from other MB sedans.

 

Market shift time across the line as product

S moved up closer to where Maybach left it
New kid CLA comes in and allows C to moved up market closer to E
E is the next for refresh and define the new executive saloon market.