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What Single Styling Cue Prompted your W212 Purchase?
One Winter evening in 2017, I was driving my C320 at night (seldom done for this retired person) and came to a halt at a stoplight. I was the third car in line in my lane. Up pulls a Facelift E-Class, second car in the lane to my right. I was instantly attracted to the rear view of that car.
Mesmerized, I followed that car for the next 2 miles, admiring those "Ribbon" Taillights that dominated the image. I was due for a new car at that time, and decided right then and there that I would begin searching for a W212 just like it. In March 2018, I bought this 2016 lease-return car with 17,000 miles on the odo...
What SINGLE styling cue prompted you to buy your W212?
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 OM642 ; R107 M117, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by DFWdude
One Winter evening in 2017, I was driving my C320 at night (seldom done for this retired person) and came to a halt at a stoplight. I was the third car in line in my lane. Up pulls a Facelift E-Class, second car in the lane to my right. I was instantly attracted to the rear view of that car.
Mesmerized, I followed that car for the next 2 miles, admiring those "Ribbon" Taillights that dominated the image. I was due for a new car at that time, and decided right then and there that I would begin searching for a W212 just like it. In March 2018, I bought this 2016 lease-return car with 17,000 miles on the odo...
What SINGLE styling cue prompted you to buy your W212?
The rear of the facelifted W212 really is attractive. Much more so than the same generation CLS and any of the newer W213s
One Winter evening in 2017, I was driving my C320 at night (seldom done for this retired person) and came to a halt at a stoplight. I was the third car in line in my lane. Up pulls a Facelift E-Class, second car in the lane to my right. I was instantly attracted to the rear view of that car.
Mesmerized, I followed that car for the next 2 miles, admiring those "Ribbon" Taillights that dominated the image. I was due for a new car at that time, and decided right then and there that I would begin searching for a W212 just like it. In March 2018, I bought this 2016 lease-return car with 17,000 miles on the odo...
What SINGLE styling cue prompted you to buy your W212?
Last edited by spclagent7; 02-16-2019 at 02:50 PM.
Believe it or not my major tweak was the interior. I liked the instrument panel, over the 2008 models, and also liked the somewhat flat steering wheel. Still getting used to the cruise control stalk on the forward upper part and the column shifter. I go back and forth with my Explorer and keep trying to shift gears only to turn on the wipers. I like the instrument panel and the actual analog gauges, not the bar graph fuel gauge/coolant temp. One Drawback and again just me. the Fuel door is on the right, Is there anything wrong with basic logic that says if the fuel DOOR on the right side of the vehicle than put the fuel gauge on the right side of the instrument cluster.? Exterior wise styling I liked the front headlights. I would prefer more squared off headlamp lens assembly but definitely better than the 2008 models (Bug Eyes) I have the sport package and looks sporty and aggressive but not too outlandish. The Michelin Pilot Sports and the Tire rack Enkei Rims look the same, stylish but not overly aggressive. Slight flare out and not perfectly flush with fenders but I figure that is part of the rear staggered design. Inside layout is not perfect but definitely better than the BMW I traded in. Center console plain but functional. Not a lot of fluff and stylish design. COMAND Cursor, storage console, charging port for my phone and cup holders...…...The way the Labcoated, safety Goggled, engineers in Stuttgart intended it to be. …(CUP HOLDERS IN THE CONSOLE...NOT IN THE PATH OF AIRBAGS...HEAR that BMW?) Engine is not perfect design but seems a lot more driver friendly than the BMW/ Appears I can so some fairly minor-moderate level of work without some major drama. Spark plugs arrived maybe later today or next week. I have a new water pump, new thermostat arrived. I plan on waiting until the Drive Belt, tensioner and idler pulley kit arrive and plan on what could be considered a 100K mile fairly major service/overhaul. Again no record of recent maintenance other than the transmission filter/fluid at 35K. OLF seems up to date but now that I figured out that I can set up a FREE owners CARFAX account I can basically self disclose any work that I either do or have done. The Texas legal 25% all the way around and 5% eyebrow tint give it a sporty look. Styling wise looks about perfect. Slightly lowered for the sport suspension but not too low. Easy and Fun to drive.
I got my 2010 E350 two months ago with 40,000 miles. The style from all angles is beautiful and is what attracted me initially. However, the color combo of the interior sold it for me. I think they call it almond/mocha or beige/black. The beige seats/armrest/door inserts with the black carpeting is stunning. Plus it looking brand new inside. One thing I wished it had is the Pano roof, the ventilated seats and heating steering wheel. As for heated rear seats, I’ll be having those installed shorty.
The wood steering and the multicontour driver seat.
Bought a CPO car from a lease four years ago. Only maintenance in four years was a new battery and a set of tires. 61k miles on the car now. ELW expires end of next month after 7 years! I plan to keep the car for a long time.
I also have a W126 with 102K miles, and between the two cars the light switch, ignition switch, fuel door, cruise control, windshield wiper switch, turn signals, and a few other things are in exactly the same place! Makes my life easier.
One Winter evening in 2017, I was driving my C320 at night (seldom done for this retired person) and came to a halt at a stoplight. I was the third car in line in my lane. Up pulls a Facelift E-Class, second car in the lane to my right. I was instantly attracted to the rear view of that car.
Mesmerized, I followed that car for the next 2 miles, admiring those "Ribbon" Taillights that dominated the image. I was due for a new car at that time, and decided right then and there that I would begin searching for a W212 just like it. In March 2018, I bought this 2016 lease-return car with 17,000 miles on the odo...
What SINGLE styling cue prompted you to buy your W212?
100% agree with you I love the taillights, they were definitely a styling driver for me.
However for me maybe is a controversial choice, but the front bumper, specifically the fake intakes on the left and right. Something about them just make the car look very aggressive and I like it.
For me, I had the 2000 CLK430, which is basically an E class coupe of the Era. I always wanted the new V8 E coupe, but I had a baby, so time came to buy a 4 door. I probably would rather have the CLS 550 style wise, but the sloping rear roof line makes it difficult to maneuver small children into a car seat. So I settled on the 4 door E550. I prefer the face of 2014, but didn't want to spend the cost at the time in 2015 when I got a 2012 for only $24,500.
For me it was the Sporty fenders and lines of my pre facelift W212. The sharp edges and long creases attracted me to purchase this car. I do very much like the Facelift taillights though.
For me it was the Sporty fenders and lines of my pre facelift W212. The sharp edges and long creases attracted me to purchase this car.
Yup. This. I love the angular face and the sharp edges. In my opinion it looks much more aggressive than the newer Es. (That's not to say they look bad by any means.) I'm not super duper impressed with the interior of the car, but it's also not bland. I would say it's just a touch above average. But I try to keep it very clean to help it look as good as possible.
The styling cue that most caused me to buy my first and only Mercedes was the famous hood ornament.
The cue that drove me to the 2012-13 W212 models in particular was the pre-facelift body design having the 302 DI engine -- namely, the classic double headlights, the straight line running lights, the body creases, the ponton rear fenders, and the raked stance appearance.
For us it was the whole aluminum center analog clock / vent assembly. Hands down. I can't stand the rear and rear 3/4 view of the car because it looks too much like a Subaru Legacy. I am CONSTANTLY going, "oh look, another W212.....noooope...another Subaru".
The front fascia is great though. Love our Sport with the big emblem and the chrome splitter (that I've now replaced once and have to replace again due to pulling up too close to curbs).
Least favorite? The way ALL MBs have the hidden cupholder thing. Seriously, they are ALWAYS going to be open, whether it's for a coffee or a cellphone or some Ray-Bans. Just design them to look nice open. The way it is now you always have to look at them open and it's cheap black plastic with all the workings and such for the sliding door.
Same even goes for the '19 E300 I have for a loaner right now. Totally different dash and cupholder design, still a hatch you have to open, and this one even sticks up out of the console when it's open. At least ours disappears when it's open.
The styling cue that most caused me to buy my first and only Mercedes was the famous hood ornament.
Oooh yeah. Forgot how much I love looking at that silver ornament sticking up from the front of my hood. Makes me smile every time I pull up next to another MB that doesn't have it.
Originally Posted by Darel
Least favorite? The way ALL MBs have the hidden cupholder thing. Seriously, they are ALWAYS going to be open, whether it's for a coffee or a cellphone or some Ray-Bans. Just design them to look nice open. The way it is now you always have to look at them open and it's cheap black plastic with all the workings and such for the sliding door.
Very valid gripe. My MKZ's cup holders look (relatively) nice despite the fact that they can be covered. The Benz's look cheaper.
I actually don't like the current model's aesthetics. It's too low slung and leave me very little air above my head. I always wonder what would happen if I'm in a crash where the car flips over and the roof caves in about a couple of inches........ cracked skull? I actually prefer the simple front end design and higher roof profile of something like this: https://assets.nydailynews.com/polop...-sl-pagoda.jpg
and the real reason why I bought the car is because how all the mechanical pieces work in harmony. The transmission shift points are perfect, blind spot warning light comes on just at the right moment, LED lighting (and how it turns) is simply accurate and helpful, handling is predictable (even when pushed to the limit), instrumentation is excellent, wipers wipe super hard (doesn't leave bird poop streaks), and braking action is predictable and confidence inspiring. In other words, drivability is top notch. My other car, Lexus has all of the usual safety gadgets. But its blind spot monitor is way off - I can't rely on it and I have to look behind. The traction control comes on too late. The heat comes on too late on cold mornings. the sun visor leaves about 1/2 inch of window (side) uncovered, Understeers like mad. suspension squeeks. parking warning beeps come on AFTER you hit something. You get the idea. Lexus doesn't break down that much but standard operating condition isn't much to brag about to an OCD person like me.
02-16-2019, 09:57 AM
What Single Styling Cue Prompted your W212 Purchase?
