2012 E350 purchase help!

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Apr 29, 2014 | 05:17 PM

#26

CaliGal

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2012 E350, prior '06 E350 & '99 E320

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjdehya

For the E550 with Airmatic the difference is Appearance only
For E550 without Airmatic the difference is Appearance and softer suspension for the Lux, firmer suspension for the Sport.
For the E350 the difference is Appearance, Softer suspension with 17" wheels for the Lux, and Firmer suspension with 18" wheels for the Sport.

Actually, the E350 luxury has some features not on the E350 Sports (split fold down rear seat, wood-trimmed steering wheel, pop-up basket in trunk) and other things I have yet to find!

Apr 29, 2014 | 05:47 PM

#27

Tjdehya

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From: NM

2023 AMG EQS

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefisch

My parents are Lexus fans and the first time they rode in my car (11 E550 Luxury with 17" wheels and Airmatic) they complained about the rough ride. So I switched the Airmatic from Sport to Comfort (~.5 inch higher) and raised it up to the high setting (~1 inch more) and they were blown away by how it floated like a Lexus. That's the first time I made the adjustment since first driving the car. I tend to leave it in sport suspension so I don't feel as old.

Oh, yes I forgot, it wasnt till 2012 till 17" wheels can no longer fit on the E550. So the 2010-11 Lux E550 has 17" wheels and the sport has 18's

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliGal

Actually, the E350 luxury has some features not on the E350 Sports (split fold down rear seat, wood-trimmed steering wheel, pop-up basket in trunk) and other things I have yet to find!

None of those are exclusive to the Lux, all of them can be optioned on any W212.
The W212 can include up to $20k worth of options.
Your Lux may have these when the sport you had before didn't, that's only because that's the way they were optioned when built and not because one is sport and the other is Luxury.

Apr 29, 2014 | 06:30 PM

#28

MBNUT1

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From: Cincinnati

2010 E350 4Matic

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliGal

UPDATE: I returned the car! The sports package was not right for me - too stiff, the suspension was very rigid & too firm/uncomfortable to drive on the bumpy streets around town.

Took the car back last night & traded it for 2012 E350 Luxury package - an even swap! The mileage on new car is lower but the remaining warranty is less. The acceleration is the same but the ride is 100% smoother & the car is quieter.

Overall, the switch was a good choice for me - luxury package much better ride than sports imo.

This is an interesting turn because I was very conscience of the reports of the different ride qualities between the sport and the luxury and have driven both and also found the ride of the luxury preferable to the sports prior to driving my sister's car and now I'm not so sure. The ride is not luxurious smooth but I suspect that the sport imparts more of an old school Mercedes character to the ride. I enjoyed watching the emblem move up and down as the front end tracked the road undulations. I also found the handling to be pretty confidence inspiring, which was the total opposite with my W211. Interesting though my sister complained about the quality of the roads where I live. I enjoyed experiencing the chassis solidity as I drove the car slowly over the rutted roads.

Apr 29, 2014 | 07:05 PM

#29

CaliGal

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2012 E350, prior '06 E350 & '99 E320

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNUT1

The ride is not luxurious smooth but I suspect that the sport imparts more of an old school Mercedes character to the ride.

Quite the opposite. My 2006 E350 was much more similar in handling & suspension to the 2012 Lux model. The Sports model rode more like a Nissan Nismo or similar sports car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNUT1

I enjoyed watching the emblem move up and down as the front end tracked the road undulations.

See pic below. The Lux model has an emblem on hood.

Apr 29, 2014 | 08:40 PM

#30

SLpat

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From: Sugar Land, TX

2011 E550

The E550 with airmatic seems to offer both options. I typically drive in sport mode which feels to me more like my Infiniti M35 that I used to have or a BMW 5 series. For a long trip on the highway the comfort mode was very nice.

Apr 29, 2014 | 09:15 PM

#31

Tjdehya

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From: NM

2023 AMG EQS

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLpat

Airmatic is coming to the W205 C Class so I would assume that its safe to say that the W213 E350/E400 will have ability to add Airmatic as an option too.

Apr 30, 2014 | 12:56 AM

#32

thenew3

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From: Central Coast, CA

2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliGal

See pic below. The Lux model has an emblem on hood.

Actually the pre-face lift sport also has the emblem on hood.

Apr 30, 2014 | 09:37 AM

#33

El Cid

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From: Southeastern USA

2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)

The Luxury grille has four bars instead of three and "chrome" trim on both front and rear bumpers. Also, the front bumper cover has a different styling that IMO better follows the line of the hood and front end.