The steps to lift the wipers per the user manual.

1/ Turn ACC on.
2/ Start the wiper manually.
3/ When the wipers fully moved to the vertical position, turn off ACC.
4/ Lift the wipers off the windshield.

I don't get why anyone should complain about the thumb pads. I got the hang of it almost instantly during a 30 mile test drive, personally I think they're brilliant. A marked improvement over the previous button design. Being able to control the multimedia interface with the right thumbpad also gets a solid A. The new command which uses only one drop menu bar is also a wholesale improvement over having to figure out over choosing from top or bottom of the screen. Its still overwrought and cumbersome but better than before.

I've bought more than 50 new cars. All were made to order. Not one of them was driven prior to purchase.

I'm pretty sure they did that to improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise from the wipers. My old BMW Z3 had the same wiper design where they would slightly hide under the hood.

I can certainly see why you've gone through 50 of them then!

Many cars use the same design. In fact, there is a very simple way to raise the wipers; simply grab both wipers and drag them up the windshield till the "joint is exposed (don't be afraid they are made to do that) then simply fold them away from the windshield like any other wiper. I do it all the time. Don't forget, you have to drag both wipers simultaneously.

Picked mine up one week ago and I am very pleased with it. After coming out of a 2015 E350, the performance of the Turbo 4 and 9 speed transmission is very good. I cannot understand the negative comments from some. I enjoy a fast car and the E300 meets my needs.

Entirely agree. If you crave a more potent version the E43 will serve you quite well, if track worthy performance is required, there is one for that too, the E63! Who can complain when the model goes from well powered to superbly powered to insanely powered Its good to have choices!!!! All it takes is $$$$$ I have to laugh when people start complaining about price when the price of admission starts at more than 70K. There are wonderful fast cars that cost a lot less like STIs Mustangs Corvettes etc. If the AMG versions are too pricey, there are lots of cars to choose from! I don't think MB is losing to much sleep about how expensive their cars are. If the E 43 is too pricy there is always the C63 a "true" AMG for about the same price.

You missed the point. Only if you buy a car from dealer inventory can you drive it prior to purchase. An "ordered from the factory" car must be bought before it is built.

Yes, I bought 3 cars every 4 or so years until I retired. Now I buy 2 cars when they reach ~50k miles or have serious maintenance issues. My daily driver is an '08 BMW 535i that just turned 50k miles. It will be replaced with a 2018 E400 (if available) or a 2018 BMW 540i.

The problem with the E43 is that it is too sporty. Even the E43 comfort mode lacks the smooth ride of an EU model E400. Insurance costs are doubled because of the AMG badge. The mid-range model E400 is missing from the E Class lineup in North America. I want a touring sedan with more power than the E300 and less power than the E43. The E400 fills that gap nicely.

There is a massive difference between not driving the actual car you end up purchasing because it was made to order and not driving an example of that car model before ordering one (which is what this thread was related to originally). You made it sound like you'd bought 50 different cars without ever sitting in an example of one first. Which to me, and most others, is considered to be a very, very, stupid thing to do.

Well, this "older driver" would have known the engine capacity of the car and whether it had a CD player before ordering the car. Probably best not to conflate age with being tech savvy.

Most of those cars I purchased without taking a test drive. Instead I rely on the brand, specifications, derived attributes such as power-to-weight ratio and published test results and articles from Auto Bild, Motor Trend, etc.

Some times the vehicle is so new that none are in distribution. That was the case when I bought a GLE450 Coupe before the price was even set. There is nothing stupid about it unless you don't know how to negotiate a purchase contract with a repurchase clause. OTOH I don't complicate things with loans or leases. I pay cash for everything.

Same as the current BMW 5 Series.

Thanks for the info on the wipers, I did not know that other manufactures are doing it as well. Only had Benz's for the past 15 years..

For most people buying a car is the second most expensive purchase they'll make, after a house. I have liked the spec of many vehicles on paper then disliked or outright hated them during a test drive. Uncomfortable seat, poor ergonomics, unpleasant engine sound, door opdoorg too narrow, boot too small, didn't like the ride, numb steering. All sorts of things that spec sheet will ever tell you. It's nothing at all to do with negotiatng, it's everything to do with making sure it's a good fit and it's what you want. If I couldn't return a pair of shoes i wouldn't buy them. Routinely buying cars having never been near a real one is just madness.

I agree that a car is a major purchase as with a house. However, I would never go into debt to purchase something I can't afford or pay for upfront.

Returning a car if I don't like it is why I negotiate a repurchase clause when I buy a car. Same with shoes. I avoid the "all sales final" mentality.

Your concerns about poor ergonomics, door openings, etc. can be discovered in the detailed specs of a car, not the marketing overview.

Browse through the W213 forum and see how many people bought an E43 before the first one was imported. I'm sure that their sales contract allowed them to reject the purchase if they didn't like the car when it was delivered.

But I test drove the e300 before ordering an e43. Very similar car just more power and some other modest tweaks. I would agree that I would never buy a car before checking out basic ergonomics, there are so many other nuances that one discovers after purchase and that's enough! Regards. Ned.

I was lucky I got to drive the E43 when I did. It seems that contrary to the C400, MB appears to be making sure that dealers have at least one E43 to serve as a tester. Thinking if it, it makes sense since many E class buyers will be opting for a V6. In my short drive of the 43 I can verify your impression the 43 is simply a noticeably more powerful, sharper handling E with a nice engine growl, nthing more nothing less. In addition it includes some of the nicest options as standard.

A techie that's looking for a 'CD player'? umm A techie that can't use streaming ? If the OP really hates the car then trade it in and stop whining.

I can't fathom how someone can claim that they veered into another lane while changing a song because "it is truly distracting" (page 3 of this thread), especially when there are at least 3 possible ways to change songs/radio stations without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel.

I've ordered three cars...and in each case I was still able to drive them before I purchased them. One of them I actually did not buy as there were issues with the NAV system...I've never heard of an "ordered" car must be bought before it's built...I only needed to place the order and leave a refundable down payment on one...the other two I just placed the order.

You've never purchased a car for factory (European) delivery. They want payment in full weeks before delivery. When I purchase a car (always cash) I include a clause for the dealer to repurchase the car if it isn't satisfactory upon delivery.

I was in the technology industry for 20 years. One of the things I look for when I buy a car is technology. This is my 5th E Class over a 12 year span. When I get the car I tell the technology guy at the dealers how things work. I am not brilliant, but I am knowledgeable.

I want my car fully loaded but the dealer never has one on the lot. Special ordered the 2017 with everything but designo leather and upgraded stereo coming in just under $78k. Disappointment started on the first day. Several major systems did not function. How it got through factory, delivery Port and the dealer inspections was beyond me. 6 months later many systems still have problems and MB doesn't know how to fix them. It appears many of the systems were designed by a committee who did not talk to each other. Others I am sure were designed by some kids who should be graduating high school in a few years. Apparently MB does not understand user interface and ergonomic design. I thought I was buying flash and bang but instead I got smoke and mirrors. When I tell the voice command to "Navigate to home" it responds by giving me a choice of every city named "Rome" in the USA. Really!

Disappointed you say? Gross understatement. Can you say Chevy Cruze.

Ive yet to find a nav voice system that understands go home. In fact, its by design, the last thing any owner would like is for their car to show a thief home given that the car will also open the garage for them too! You will not find a home setting anywhere in the nav system, furthermore, Nav systems from other car makers that use to include a home setting dont do so anymore.