New Merc owner, first timer!
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
New Merc owner, first timer!
Just wanted to say HEY to MBWorld! I'm a first time Merc owner ... decided I couldn't live without a '12 E550 4Matic. I've been been surfing your site for a few weeks now, but still have a ton to learn. Take it easy on the newb driver! 
Iridium on Black - Dark gray or dark blue would've been nice, but silver is good to go. Interiors have to be black in my book.
P2 w/Command navi, Harmon Kardon, Keyless Go, lighting pkg, adaptive brights, bi-xenons, media interface, rear shade, folding rear seats, trunk closer and Parktronic.
No air susp or dynamic seats. Wished I had the massaging driver seat, but decided the air susp wouldn't be as reliable as old school springs. Not even Lexus has perfected a reliable air susp.
Pics to follow... plus newb q's that I can't figure out w/"search." [Oops! Mine is Iridium and not Palladium.]
Iridium on Black - Dark gray or dark blue would've been nice, but silver is good to go. Interiors have to be black in my book.
P2 w/Command navi, Harmon Kardon, Keyless Go, lighting pkg, adaptive brights, bi-xenons, media interface, rear shade, folding rear seats, trunk closer and Parktronic.
No air susp or dynamic seats. Wished I had the massaging driver seat, but decided the air susp wouldn't be as reliable as old school springs. Not even Lexus has perfected a reliable air susp.
Pics to follow... plus newb q's that I can't figure out w/"search." [Oops! Mine is Iridium and not Palladium.]
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Oct 9, 2014 at 12:11 AM.
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
I'm going to debadge my trunk lid - taking off the model and 4Matic designations but leaving the Merc star. They're just stuck on with adhesive, right?
I'd also like to debadge the blue efficiency designation on the front quarter panels. Are they stuck on with adhesive OR is there a hole in the fender keeping it in place?!
I'd also like to debadge the blue efficiency designation on the front quarter panels. Are they stuck on with adhesive OR is there a hole in the fender keeping it in place?!
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W212 FL
Welcome,
A pleasure to hail new members and MB Owners
I don't think those BLUE EFFICIENCY badges are bolted or drilled . Some W212 models pre FL didn't come with these badges either .
Those drilled badges should be a thing of past as well
A pleasure to hail new members and MB Owners
I don't think those BLUE EFFICIENCY badges are bolted or drilled . Some W212 models pre FL didn't come with these badges either .
Those drilled badges should be a thing of past as well
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Thanks!
Another question: When I go from ECO to Sport on my '12 E-class, I understand the tranny gets a bit more aggressive ... but, what about the steering or anything else?
Another question: When I go from ECO to Sport on my '12 E-class, I understand the tranny gets a bit more aggressive ... but, what about the steering or anything else?
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E 350
Congratulations on your new car and welcome to the club. You've got a stunner of a car with you. Great choice.
I don't think there's any further change in driving dynamics between sport and comfort mode (other than transmission shifts). This is not a sports car by any stretch.
I don't think there's any further change in driving dynamics between sport and comfort mode (other than transmission shifts). This is not a sports car by any stretch.
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
congrats on the purchase You will enjoy the car. Use heat gun to remove decals Go slow and carefully. Use a plastic scraper to help it along . The plastic will not hurt the car.
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e550
I'm going to debadge my trunk lid - taking off the model and 4Matic designations but leaving the Merc star. They're just stuck on with adhesive, right?
I'd also like to debadge the blue efficiency designation on the front quarter panels. Are they stuck on with adhesive OR is there a hole in the fender keeping it in place?!
I'd also like to debadge the blue efficiency designation on the front quarter panels. Are they stuck on with adhesive OR is there a hole in the fender keeping it in place?!
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 993
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From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
Congrats on the new ride. Sport does not change anything but the transmission shifting. You got a nicely optioned car with a nice color combination. What color wood do you have?
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Black ash! Love it especially in the light when it shows some grain otherwise it looks piano black which is ok. Burled walnut is nice, too - but I figured different is ok.
Thanks for the info on the E/S button. I was hoping it would reduce the crazy light steering.
Agreed the E550 is NOT a sports car. Not sure it's even a sports sedan to be honest. I was hoping it'd be better than it is, but I'm not a corner carver so whatever. By the way, I'll tell you the '09-14 CTS-V with its trick MR suspension can really dance but that's another topic!
Thanks for the info on the E/S button. I was hoping it would reduce the crazy light steering.
Agreed the E550 is NOT a sports car. Not sure it's even a sports sedan to be honest. I was hoping it'd be better than it is, but I'm not a corner carver so whatever. By the way, I'll tell you the '09-14 CTS-V with its trick MR suspension can really dance but that's another topic!
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
Black ash! Love it especially in the light when it shows some grain otherwise it looks piano black which is ok. Burled walnut is nice, too - but I figured different is ok.
Thanks for the info on the E/S button. I was hoping it would reduce the crazy light steering.
Agreed the E550 is NOT a sports car. Not sure it's even a sports sedan to be honest. I was hoping it'd be better than it is, but I'm not a corner carver so whatever. By the way, I'll tell you the '09-14 CTS-V with its trick MR suspension can really dance but that's another topic!
Thanks for the info on the E/S button. I was hoping it would reduce the crazy light steering.
Agreed the E550 is NOT a sports car. Not sure it's even a sports sedan to be honest. I was hoping it'd be better than it is, but I'm not a corner carver so whatever. By the way, I'll tell you the '09-14 CTS-V with its trick MR suspension can really dance but that's another topic!
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e550
Could be wrong and I am willing to be corrected.
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Yeah, I think the air susp models go lower and/or firmer than non-air susp models. I don't have air ... to be honest, I was scared of having to fix it one day sooner than later.
I've got P-Zero A/S tires and they were skewered by Car & Driver versus Continentals. The Pirellis took significantly longer to stop and dramatically lowered the skidpad rating. When time comes to replace them with another set, we'll see what happens...
I'm LOVING the "hold" braking feature. The Lexus LS has a button on the wheel to activate it, but I think Merc's solution to engaging it might just be easier.
And the multi-function speedo LCD is cool, too. It's not a replacement for the navi screen, but gives a busy buddy (me!) another screen to look at, fiddle and adjust.
And the twin turbo V8 ain't bad either! Did I mention it's kinda fast?!
I've got P-Zero A/S tires and they were skewered by Car & Driver versus Continentals. The Pirellis took significantly longer to stop and dramatically lowered the skidpad rating. When time comes to replace them with another set, we'll see what happens...
I'm LOVING the "hold" braking feature. The Lexus LS has a button on the wheel to activate it, but I think Merc's solution to engaging it might just be easier.
And the multi-function speedo LCD is cool, too. It's not a replacement for the navi screen, but gives a busy buddy (me!) another screen to look at, fiddle and adjust.
And the twin turbo V8 ain't bad either! Did I mention it's kinda fast?!
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From: SoCal
07 E63 AMG / 07 C230 / 14 E350
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
With winter approaching here in Utah, I'm debating getting a set of snows (Maybe the Blizzak WS80).
My 4Matic is currently wearing a 1/2 worn set of Pirelli Nero A/S tires. I like the idea of powering all four wheels, but am concerned that my tires will let me down. Will they be good enough?! Will I be impressed with my Pirelli's ability in the snow?!
My last car was RWD and wore A/S tires, which led to a number of white knuckle outings in the white stuff every year. My driveway is quite steep, but short, and it never could make it with any amount of snow. Even a skiff was too much. Once I got onto the open road in the white stuff, my car couldn't accelerate to save its life. I was generally the slowest one out there.
My 4Matic is currently wearing a 1/2 worn set of Pirelli Nero A/S tires. I like the idea of powering all four wheels, but am concerned that my tires will let me down. Will they be good enough?! Will I be impressed with my Pirelli's ability in the snow?!
My last car was RWD and wore A/S tires, which led to a number of white knuckle outings in the white stuff every year. My driveway is quite steep, but short, and it never could make it with any amount of snow. Even a skiff was too much. Once I got onto the open road in the white stuff, my car couldn't accelerate to save its life. I was generally the slowest one out there.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Algonquin, IL
2011 E550
Welcome to the forum.
This is my first winter with the E550 but I will be running all seasons. Winter tires will always outperform but I've had several awd cars and all seasons have been just fine for me. Running Continental ExtremeContacts BTW.
You'll also have to look at some tuning options. I unfortunately have a '11 so not too much aftermarket for me, but the '12 is a whole different story.
This is my first winter with the E550 but I will be running all seasons. Winter tires will always outperform but I've had several awd cars and all seasons have been just fine for me. Running Continental ExtremeContacts BTW.
You'll also have to look at some tuning options. I unfortunately have a '11 so not too much aftermarket for me, but the '12 is a whole different story.
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2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
Isn't "AWD" a bit of a misnomer on these, and most, cars?
I'm not entirely sure how MB sets up the system. Does it send a percentage of the power to the front all the time, or only when it detects rear wheel slip? Also, do they have any sort of limited slip differential front or rear?
I'm not entirely sure how MB sets up the system. Does it send a percentage of the power to the front all the time, or only when it detects rear wheel slip? Also, do they have any sort of limited slip differential front or rear?
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E 350
Isn't "AWD" a bit of a misnomer on these, and most, cars? I'm not entirely sure how MB sets up the system. Does it send a percentage of the power to the front all the time, or only when it detects rear wheel slip? Also, do they have any sort of limited slip differential front or rear?
There is no limited slip differential in the regular E class cars, unless you opt for the AMG versions which have them.
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2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
Agreed, I was aware that the RWD cars don't have a LS differential - except the AMG cars.
Are you saying that the 4Matic cars do have LS diff's front and rear? If they don't, how is power applied to all 4 wheels all the time?
Just curious really, I haven't looked into the technical details behind the system.
Dan
Are you saying that the 4Matic cars do have LS diff's front and rear? If they don't, how is power applied to all 4 wheels all the time?
Just curious really, I haven't looked into the technical details behind the system.
Dan
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E 350
