As you have no doubt discovered, sometimes this forum can deviate greatly from your original posts. You will also discover that many will divide into those who are very biased toward or against a certain make or model. Some of us are too quick to express opinions that probably aren't very helpful in assisting you with your concern.
Good luck on your search for a vehicle. Take a long time, try them all and do a lot of research-both online and in publications. It took me over a year to decide on an E350 Luxury sedan and I seriously considered six differnt makes and about ten different models. I did not ask for advice here-and probably better off for it.
Happy Motoring!

 

Exactly, let's stick to the OPs original discussion. Test drives on multiple makes and models are an answer for solving your question. There is no single car which fits everyone. You have to find the one that fits best to YOU esp regarding your driving style, ride comfort and perception of build quality (most are subjective). We all did the same and zeroed in on the E class. See which one works out for you.

 

So wow thanks everyone, I'm really grateful for all your thoughts.
El Cid; I'll look at the guides and reviews and I like the front end design alot on the face lifted E class especially the sport design.
C280sport; I would order the exact car as I plan on keeping it 5-7 yrs.
MBNut1; the extended warranty is likely with all the tech in these cars.
Sportstick; My volvo was the last rear drive wagon and ended up almost bomb proof over the last 18 yrs and 160K miles.
Arrie; the Q7 is on our list to drive.
Hyperion and K-A; my gut likes MB.
YYZ-E55; I have seen the reviews that suv's are truck based and the wagon is more like a car thanks.
Beshannon; understand your take on your BMW's being a money pit.
DerekACS; wanting a wagon, its obvious that MB is at the top.

As I said the E350 wagon I drove was amazing, didn't mind the Eco and understand it works only when engine temps, outdoor temp vs. inside temp and etc are in the guidelines. I found the paddle shifting alittle odd as my superduty has manual mode and only down/up shifts when in low/high rpm ranges. The MB allowed me to manual shift easy but after some 10 seconds it went back into auto mode, something I would get used to.
My dad's 3 series is very nice but the eco function is more obvious than the E classes. I have not tried the X5 yet or the others mentioned but we are working on this but the idea of euro delivery and etc is very high now on my list and some of the options like the X5 I believe are not possible that way...Thanks again everyone, I'll keep you posted......bob

 

To the OP: Compare Mercedes vs. BMW used prices and you'll see what the masses think. I've not driven wagon versions of these cars, but for the 5 series, I found the Merc E had a better road feel. The 5 felt too disconnected for my tastes. I'm a techie yet I found the BMW menus less than optimal. I also found the stop-/start on the 5 to be rougher.

Must be a regional thing... At least in my area, most people I know who've seen the new "sport" face of the car think it's hideous. And the idea of a Sport Taxi still is laughable in my mind.

That's why I ordered a Luxury version of it. Park it next to an S and at least from the front half of the car it's difficult to distinguish the two. Take a closer look and it'll be apparent, but not blatantly obvious.

I also think the new "sport" instrument cluster looks cheap, which fortunately is remedied with the Luxury trim as well.

 

I also have a beloved Volvo V70 wagon. My other cars are Mercedes and always will be. I am also a former BMW owner and I live in the town where they make the X series SUV's.

 

It is all a matter of personal choice, but I think you made a good one based on my experience with a 2010 Luxury sedan. Still think my car looks fantastic, both interior and exterior.
I think it may have been a market research deficiency of MB/DAG to redesign the front of the "E" without really asking the potential market and past purchasers what they thought. To me, the "S", "E" and "C" should share a familial design. Now only the "S" really has it, even if you get the Luxury version of "E" or "C."
Happy Motoring!

 

Lexus - Pure cloud luxury
Mercedes - Tight luxury
BMW - Sport/Luxury

 

I've always thought:
Lexus: Luxury and comfort
BMW: Performance and handling
MB: Great compromise between the two or blending of performance with luxury and comfort.

 

Interesting observation on the Luxury version for your area. It's the complete opposite in Canada, where I would guess that the Luxury version accounts for about 1% of E Class sales.

As for different instrument clusters, I'm not sure if this is correct. The instrument binnacles are identical as far as I can tell. Maybe you are referring to different dash trim ?

 

I agree with you guys, Lexus was always smooth Luxury to me, the only BMW I've driven was my dads 328i's very good luxury but more performance. I disliked the BMW's harsh ride ( wife hates it ) but I think somewhat the run-flats fault. The MB, yes performance and luxury in one, I will say that the wife loved the Sport front end and exhaust tips rear fascia detail better than the luxury edition styling.
CarolinaBluetec wifes M+D have a V-70 an love it, just wish they would bring back in some full sized wagons!!!!!!

 

Yes, I agree with your wife's styling assessment.

What a pity that Volvo, a once proud and innovative company, has fallen under the overlordship of the Chinese. Ford MoCo was so incredibly foolish to sell Volvo and transfer its advanced technology to Chinese 'investors'. The Chinese owners then made a serious blunder in abandoning Volvo's trademark wagons. Their SUVs do not really cut it, do they ?

 

Other than the white gauges on the Sport, what's the difference? It's still a 3-pod cluster correct?

 

To each their own. I like both (but the sport version better) and would never say no to a luxury version. After all it is a true Benz. I don't think any of them looks cheap or ugly. Just my two cents.

 

Wonder if anyone knows what the actual sales numbers in US and Canada are for "E" luxury vs. sport? As for the instruments, I think the luxury has black facing vs. silver for sport or something to that effect.

 

I'm not positive but I thought I read somewhere that the sport vs lux sales in US is approximately 5:1.

 

I guess that would be 20% Lux sales. One factor I discovered is that most dealers obtain Sport versions and that is what's on the lot. When I was looking, the five closest dealers had zero Lux models, but plenty of Sports. Had to order mine.

 

Took a while to find my luxury!

 

@El Cid: I've always thought of Mercedes as a well-balanced car. It excels at nothing, but instead chooses to do everything well. At least that's how I remember them. Should be interesting to see what my new one's like after being away for 20 years.

@DerekACS: The luxury trim gives you black-on-black gauges, very much like the VDO gauges Merc's used since the 1970s. The white gauges with all of the idiot lights showing 24/7 just reminds me of nasty Dodge/Chrysler cloud car dash.

It's not that people WANT the sport models over the luxury ones, it's just that you generally can't get ahold of a luxury model because the dealers are all ordering Sports. 99+% of E-Class cars are bought off the lot.

In the 10 months I spent looking for a used E-Class, the luxury models were almost impossible to come by, and that's back when the only noticeable difference between a luxury & sport was a black headliner on cars with lighter interiors.

I'll do detailed photos of my '15 Luxury when it finally comes in and we can all play a game of "What's different in the two pictures."

 

I agree to this. I much prefer the 09-13 E front than the 14+ front.

The older has a much more rimless design and the newer one will look older faster.

 

I also prefer the 09-13 front ends. Even with the luxury grille, the '14 front does not look as good to me. The four headlights distinquised the "E" Class from all other MB's. More importantly to me, is the large, non-functional holes on either end of the lower fascia. They are not proportional to the rest of the car.

 

They are the intakes for the ion motors coming with later years...

The new front looks so stupid I would never buy one. Absolutely too futuristic. Fits only on the AMG with power under the hood to match the looks.

 

Oh interesting - I didn't know about this difference so I had to go investigate. Here are photos from two 2015 E350s for reference:

Luxury:


Sport:


And re the OP's original question, my two cents is go for the MB wagon! I'm not sure if you're limiting yourself to wagons (sounds like not), but all I can give you is my extremely wagon-biased opinion. My husband and I have owned 5 BMWs between us for the last 15 years, and they have been mostly great - especially my trusty 2002 325i touring with manual transmission that I'm never getting rid of. That said, we haven't owned the latest generation of rolling computers - our "youngest" car is a 2005 645, at least a generation or two older than current. I've been ready to get a bigger wagon since about 2010, and could never bring myself to pull the trigger on the E61 5-series wagon with its N54 engine issues. (I lurked in the BMW forums for years, and it was dismaying to read about the same problems with brand new cars for several years straight....I did get the impression that BMW incorporates new car buyers/owners as part of its R&D process...I'm not up to date on any issues with latest BMWs though.)

BMW's decision to stop bringing the latest 5-series wagon to NA was hugely disappointing for me, but going to an SUV (or BMW's GT abominations) was not an option because I feel more secure and confident as a driver when I have a lower center of gravity (and I find wagons really attractive). I had always thought I'd be a BMW loyalist, but I realized I was more loyal to the body style so I started looking at other wagons available from other marks. I did drive the newest 3-series diesel wagon, but it felt more cramped inside than my E46, although I did drive it after driving the smooth and spacious MB E350 wagon. I had never considered MB before, but being forced to look at other wagon options was a blessing in disguise because I could approach everything with a degree of detachment and skepticism - although the MB really grabbed me early on and emerged as the clear choice, and one which I'm very excited about! As far as North America is concerned, the MB really is "the only wagon in its class," as it claims.

Good luck with your decision, and keep us posted!

 

It's funny when the W212 came out I didn't like the front end as well as the W211. Then it slowly grew on me. When I built 2009-2013 online I always went for luxury to get monochromatic interiors. The 2014+ I like the sport body a bit more, but it's a touch choice.

Back to the OP topic the E-class wagon is the best in class (I'd take a wagon over the same E sedan). Shame BMW stopped importing the 5-wagon to (try) sell GT. I wish MB would import and stock some more wagons; I've seen 1 and it was sold.

 

I was pleased by the 2014 E350 Wagon as loaner car. I the 17" wheel and tire package is comfortable.

If you do a lot of driving then you should PM fellow mbworld member GregTR, he purchased his 2014 wagon and put 20k miles within the first year. He will have the best real user input for you.

 

BMWUSA forgot to bring the 5er wagon here.