Why The 2014 Facelift Ruined The W212 (Opinion)
#78
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2013 Mercedes E350 Luxury
I prefer the 2013. I waited for pics of the 2014 E class before rushing to pick up a 2013E350 Lux. Very much like the grill, quad lamps of old, and enjoy seeing the standing star on the hood when I drive
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2013 Mercedes E350 Luxury
Also getting back to this form after a really long time. Glad to see folks like Hyperion still here. There used to be a prolific poster called 'KA' who switched to that 'other luxury brand' Will read thru some other threads.
#81
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2012 CLS63
^oi! it's been a while,
welcome back to the zoo
welcome back to the zoo
#82
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My first Benz was a W211 back in 06, and it has a soft spot for me. I love that classic 4 headlight design. I had a pre-fl, but prefer the post FL grille on the W211. Don't like how Kia ripped off the styling with the Amanti, but there are a lot fewer of those on the road today
#83
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K-A used to be pretty prolific in the BMW forum as well. From what he wrote there, he hated his E-class. He is probably in the Porsche forum trashing BMW and Mercedes now.
#84
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I kinda miss him, repeated himself a lot but he was pretty entertaining....he knew a ton about MB...
#85
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He was not a very technical person, but he knew a lot about the car he drives. He loves to write if I remember right, his posts in the BMW forum reads like a novel. I bet you can find in the Porsche forum now.
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Porsche will wonder why there is a sudden spike on KA's page
#95
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2015 ML350+2021 E350
One vote for facelift
Just to add my two cents...I like the facelift version.
Obviously, the front end is the most controversial change. I didn't dislike the old version, very traditional and all. The new is just younger, fresher and bolder. BTW, those who comment about the stand-up hood ornament could always change it. Inexpensive and easy to do.
The rear, IMO, is much improved on the facelift cars. Got rid of all those extraneous body and bumper creases. The FL car looks cleaner, longer.
The facelift interior is slightly improved from the original 2010 (which is what I have) interior. I happen to like the "bright work" in place of basic black, and you 'gotta love that polar ambient lighting.
The AMG spoke wheels are stylish enough, but the early version is just silver painted. Not very awe inspiring for a "luxury" car. Might have to upgrade those.
Obviously, the front end is the most controversial change. I didn't dislike the old version, very traditional and all. The new is just younger, fresher and bolder. BTW, those who comment about the stand-up hood ornament could always change it. Inexpensive and easy to do.
The rear, IMO, is much improved on the facelift cars. Got rid of all those extraneous body and bumper creases. The FL car looks cleaner, longer.
The facelift interior is slightly improved from the original 2010 (which is what I have) interior. I happen to like the "bright work" in place of basic black, and you 'gotta love that polar ambient lighting.
The AMG spoke wheels are stylish enough, but the early version is just silver painted. Not very awe inspiring for a "luxury" car. Might have to upgrade those.
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2015 E250 BT 4M
The rear, IMO, is much improved on the facelift cars. Got rid of all those extraneous body and bumper creases. The FL car looks cleaner, longer.
The facelift interior is slightly improved from the original 2010 (which is what I have) interior. I happen to like the "bright work" in place of basic black, and you 'gotta love that polar ambient lighting.
The AMG spoke wheels are stylish enough, but the early version is just silver painted. Not very awe inspiring for a "luxury" car. Might have to upgrade those.
The facelift interior is slightly improved from the original 2010 (which is what I have) interior. I happen to like the "bright work" in place of basic black, and you 'gotta love that polar ambient lighting.
The AMG spoke wheels are stylish enough, but the early version is just silver painted. Not very awe inspiring for a "luxury" car. Might have to upgrade those.
Although I do still like the front end of the pre-2014, to me, the awkward rear quarter fenders and the chrome side strip overly complicate the side profile of the car. Also, the standard 5-flat spoke alloy wheels of the non-AMG pre-2014 version look dreadful.
Lost in this thread, which seems to be a paean to the pre-2014 version, are the numerous technical upgrades incorporated into the facelift W212. The more important ones include a revised 7 spd transmission (shifts faster and smoother), improved ride, tighter steering and upgraded chassis strength to achieve highest Crash Safety rating (Top Safety Pick+). The 2014+ versions offer much more than just styling changes.
#97
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^^^ too bad they added the fake scoops and dropped the 4 lights. The front end is dreadful and looks like it's trying way too hard. Swing and a miss... Do like the rear tho. Can't wait to see the full refresh, generally never a big fan of a tweener refresh
#98
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Ponton
As for the chrome strip, I like it. Sort of breaks up the flat surface area. I also remember when chrome side trim was the mark of upscale versions of cars.
Happy Holidays and Happy Motoring to all!
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2015 E250 BT 4M
Maybe you and the other members who dislike the 'fake scoops' should take a closer look @ the front end of the 2014+ W212. If you did so, on each side, you would see 4 rows of functional louvers behind the mesh screen. These vents allow cooling air to flow through !
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2015 E250 BT 4M
The Ponton rear quarters looked fine on the 1950s W180 Series, but when they re-appeared on the 2010 - W212, they became the most widely criticized styling element by numerous automotive journalists. So it was no surprise to me to see them eliminated from the face-lift version.
It often occurs in automotive design that retro-stying elements are NOT as successful as they might have been originally.
Last edited by DerekACS; 12-13-2015 at 01:30 PM.