Anyone feel the E350 is underpowered?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
2012 E350
The question is of course completely subjective. It all depends on what you buy the car for, what characteristics in a car you value over others (gas mileage, power, handling, passenger room, etc.) and your personal style of driving. The car either fits one's personal criteria or it doesn't and if it doesn't you shouldn't buy it as you won't be happy with it.
Maybe a better question would have been to ask everyone why they selected the E350 over other E class vehicles or even other MB cars. Of course then you're right back to it being a completely subjective question again. :-)
Maybe a better question would have been to ask everyone why they selected the E350 over other E class vehicles or even other MB cars. Of course then you're right back to it being a completely subjective question again. :-)
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
The zero to sixty and quarter mile times of a BMW 535D (D as in diesel) are the same as a E350 gas version.
In other words I think the E350 IS underpowered. Buy the E400 over the E350.
In other words I think the E350 IS underpowered. Buy the E400 over the E350.
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2010 e350 4matic with P1 and Luxury packages
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From: East part of Texas
2017 CLS550
I'm an older guy and don't need speed, power or anything of the sort - but I like it. I've had cars in my life that did all that such as my old 4 on the floor '72 Firebird Formula v8 that to this day is the most fun car I have ever owned.
My 2012 ML350 is just right for me now but I am looking for a sedan this time around and want something a little more powerful even if I don't need it. I live in the country and there are a lot of fun roads to drive with no traffic. Because of this I am going to look at a new E class 400 and will probably skip the 350. In fact, I am also going to look at the MKZ with their new 400hp/400lb torque motor when it comes out in a couple months. It is not a driver's car and won't be set up that way but with that kind of power it should be fun nonetheless.
My 2012 ML350 is just right for me now but I am looking for a sedan this time around and want something a little more powerful even if I don't need it. I live in the country and there are a lot of fun roads to drive with no traffic. Because of this I am going to look at a new E class 400 and will probably skip the 350. In fact, I am also going to look at the MKZ with their new 400hp/400lb torque motor when it comes out in a couple months. It is not a driver's car and won't be set up that way but with that kind of power it should be fun nonetheless.
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From: Nyack, NY
C300 Sport 4Matic
Significantly better mpg is a fair trade, but how much better is the DI 350's mpg than the NA or biturbo 550?
When I upgraded my outgoing car to an E550, I gained 100hp, 125tq and awd without a trade-off in real-world mpg. I'm consistently delivers ~21.5mpg (hand-calculated) with ~60% hwy driving. I'm absolutely delighted.
What mpg are you getting in your E350 with DI? Are you mainly city of hwy driving?
When I upgraded my outgoing car to an E550, I gained 100hp, 125tq and awd without a trade-off in real-world mpg. I'm consistently delivers ~21.5mpg (hand-calculated) with ~60% hwy driving. I'm absolutely delighted.
What mpg are you getting in your E350 with DI? Are you mainly city of hwy driving?
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Yes, underpowered, but did not really notice until I put my CLK550 away late one fall and hopped into my w212 E350 that had been in storage for the summer. Was missing that power and started looking for a E550 right away. Sounds like you (OP) do feel its underpowered or your wouldn't be asking the question....bottom line is....it's all what you're happy with..
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2012 w221
e350 should have been what e400 is now. When bmw had come out with n54 powered twin turbo 300 HP beast, MB should have responded with e400. E350, due to lack of torque feels under powered and slow. IMHO.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 515
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
2012 E350
Yes, underpowered, but did not really notice until I put my CLK550 away late one fall and hopped into my w212 E350 that had been in storage for the summer. Was missing that power and started looking for a E550 right away. Sounds like you (OP) do feel its underpowered or your wouldn't be asking the question....bottom line is....it's all what you're happy with..
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From: Bay Area, CA
2010 E550
My dad drove an E350 and thought it was weak so I specifically looked for an E550. I love the power, but admittedly I get an abysmal average of 16-18 mpg. I have the old naturally aspirated engine, not the new turbo one.
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I have always gone for the bigger displacement MB cars, with the exception of my C32 AMG. I just like the power and sound from them. It's a personal thing. I have driven an E350 and I wouldn't say that it felt underpowered, but I have no desire to own one as my daily driver.
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2019 E300
I have driven quite a few E350 loaners and used to have a 2012 Audi A6 and 2014 BMW 535i, compare to the competition, the E350 feels under powered. I agree with a previous poster, Mercedes should have gotten rid of the E350 and offer a 4 cylinder turbo, 6 cylinder turbo and a 8 cylinder turbo. Both the A6 and the 535i used forced induction engines which had a lot of torque at low RPM. The E350 on the other hand has to rev up really high to get any torque out of it.
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2014 Mercedes E550
Test drove the 350 and to me it feel just right on power and that was an issue for me. I didn't want just right, the Lexus gs350 or acura tl was just right. I wanted more and when I open it up put a smile on my face and the 350 didn't do it. But when I took the 550 out, I was grinning from ear to ear. Really depend on what you want, E350 was fine but I just wanted a bit more so wasn't for me.
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From: Houston
2014 E350 sport
Test drove the 350 and to me it feel just right on power and that was an issue for me. I didn't want just right, the Lexus gs350 or acura tl was just right. I wanted more and when I open it up put a smile on my face and the 350 didn't do it. But when I took the 550 out, I was grinning from ear to ear. Really depend on what you want, E350 was fine but I just wanted a bit more so wasn't for me.
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
That said, I think the E350 is perfect balance between power and efficiency.
I'm still impressed that it can get a 2.2 ton AWD wagon from 0-60 in under 7 seconds and still return 31 mpg highway if you follow the speed limit, or 28mpg highway if you go 15 to 20 mph above speed limit all while carrying 7 people.
That said, rumors that the new W213 wagon will be a E400 with the 3.0 TT V6 is even more exciting. Hopefully that extra power won't mean more fuel consumption.
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From: Chicago
2012 E63 AMG, 2013 E350 4matic (SOLD), 2006 C55 AMG (SOLD)
I was pretty content with the performance of the E350 until I floored the car one day during a long road trip. I thought the car was somewhat sluggish. So I decided to trade in the E350 after 7 months of ownership. 
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From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The times I've driven the 2016 E350 it didn't feel under powered but it felt about right. Nothing great but nothing to complain about. Idk but I felt like the 2016 C300 had just as much pep going 0-60. Either way I could not own either of them since I think the 550 has spoiled me slightly. I drive a lot on the highway and I push my car pretty hard. So it would be a huge change for me personally if I had to downgrade power.
I got my wife her Murano before I got my E and I thought that was fast (270Hp) and now I rarely drive it since it feels like I'm driving in sand :0
It's all a matter of preference I guess.
I got my wife her Murano before I got my E and I thought that was fast (270Hp) and now I rarely drive it since it feels like I'm driving in sand :0
It's all a matter of preference I guess.
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Houston
2014 E350 sport
The times I've driven the 2016 E350 it didn't feel under powered but it felt about right. Nothing great but nothing to complain about. Idk but I felt like the 2016 C300 had just as much pep going 0-60. Either way I could not own either of them since I think the 550 has spoiled me slightly. I drive a lot on the highway and I push my car pretty hard. So it would be a huge change for me personally if I had to downgrade power.
I got my wife her Murano before I got my E and I thought that was fast (270Hp) and now I rarely drive it since it feels like I'm driving in sand :0
It's all a matter of preference I guess.
I got my wife her Murano before I got my E and I thought that was fast (270Hp) and now I rarely drive it since it feels like I'm driving in sand :0
It's all a matter of preference I guess.
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2019 E300
The CLS550 and the E550 is much quicker, 0-60 in mid 4 sec. while the E350 is around 6 seconds. The CLS550 and the E550's twin turbo makes it feel even faster than that, I think the V8TT engine is a bit underrated.
