Zavato

Of course my question was subjective. It will always depend on "compared to what" but I still think there are some absolutes. For instance, 1984 Nissan Sentra with an automatic transmission (my ex-wife's first car) was I thought dangerously underpowered in the sense you really had to time things based on the car's ability to accelerate

Arrie

100% agree. Went with E550 after a year with E350.

HAILERS2

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.

Salacak

Not at all, i feel this car has plenty of power when you needed and can do 0-60 in 6.6 sec. I really believe power is just about right for this type of vehicle, more than enough.

shortspark

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.

MBSebas87

Highway 30-31mpg city 19-22mpg. I try to use 93 when available

CarolinaBluetec

No. The E350 is fine for daily driving. If i want some giggles I take my SLK.

Airmousam

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..

T.H.Carrera

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.

Zavato

i don't feel the E350 is underpowered at all, but seeing what i view as an ever increasing focus on more and more hp, I was curios as to how many would conclude that who 300 hp was simply wimpy. I got my answer.

Peachy

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.

KEY08

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.

The G Man

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.

badbenzz

Got rid of my 2014 E350 for a 2012 E550 and could not be happier, the cars are night and day in performance

AllenOU

I have a 2014 model and its great. Not as fast as my 2008 G35, but plenty of power and great gas mileage

LINKBXQ

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.

AllenOU

Comparing a TL to an E class is pretty laughable. The Gs350 is an awesome car, but I just hate the interior. Feels cheap. I don't think people buy an e350 for speed lol. Of course I'm older now and like to cruise, plus don't want to mess up my wheels!

Groganm@live.co

The center counsel has a selector switch for (E) economy or (S) for sport. The sport mode makes the engine much more responsive. Try it, you'll like it.

thenew3

The engine is the same, it alters the transmission shift point to make it feel more responsive.

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.

silvers2k

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.

sunnySD

I think it's fine. Like others have said, if one wants more power in the E class there are options. Driving on SoCal highways, it's enough power to get up to speed or pass other cars.

jahquan3

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.

AllenOU

I mean its 306 HP. The car is heavy, but its not made to "go fast" I cruise on the toll road at 100-120 MPH almost daily and its great. Put it in sport mode and it has plenty of acceleration for me, and I also have a Z06 vette that I drive sometimes. All personal preference really. I would say it is definitely not underpowered, you juts have to realize its a luxury sedan and not a sports car. They make AMGS for a reason!

shortspark

How does the CLS 550 figure in all this? I have never driven one of those.

The G Man

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.