2018 E400 4matic sedan?
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I would categorize the E300 as adequate, but wimpy especially in acceleration from 50 to 80 mph used for passing. (Determined in an extended 2 day trial.)
The E300 also has some flat spots in the 30 mph area where the transmission seems to get confused about down shifting under light throttle. (From my day to day town driving.) That is why I kept my BMW for trips & highway use and my E300 for town driving only.
I would characterize the E400 as a moderate performer in most situations. The E43 is a good performer with a much stiffer suspension.
The E300 also has some flat spots in the 30 mph area where the transmission seems to get confused about down shifting under light throttle. (From my day to day town driving.) That is why I kept my BMW for trips & highway use and my E300 for town driving only.
I would characterize the E400 as a moderate performer in most situations. The E43 is a good performer with a much stiffer suspension.
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From: San Diego, CA
2024 EQE 500
I have a 2018 E400 Coupe which is similar to the sedan, and I have driven the E300 sedan for a few days as a loaner. The E300 is perfectly capable if you simply drive from A to B. ua549 correctly points out some areas/conditions where acceleration is leisurely. The E400 excels at freeway passing in my opinion, but of course that is subjective.
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E400,C200,C180,C280
I have a 2018 E400 sedan if u got the money go for it, there is a world of diference... just get the V6. You can add a Sport chip and get 410HP in total
Last edited by fogozito; Feb 2, 2018 at 12:59 AM.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
I have a 2017 E300. Impressions here are spot on. It is a comfortable, great looking cruiser that handles well and checks all the boxes. It definitely isn't a rocket - it runs out of steam between 50 and 80 and there are some flat spots around town under light throttle. I think it is expensive, but oddly worth it in a way that I can't describe. When this lease is up, I already want another one, and if business is good, I will go to the E400.
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2024 EQE 500
The E400 Sedan was a late offering in 2017 as a 2018 model. I think the base engine is the same 3 liter biturbo, but warmed over by AMG. It may have different turbos as well.
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
I took delivery of my 2018 E400 in January I drove many E300’s as loaners. I was buying a BMW 540 last year until I learned that the E400 was coming. I didn’t like the lack of performance of the E300, sound of the 4 cylinder engine when you pushed it at highway speed. The E400 is night day over the E300. For less than $4,000 you can have the E400 compared to the E300 4matic. The car is great.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
The 400 just became available as an 18 model. The MB plan was not to offer it in the US, but many buyers wanted a more powerful E than the 300 without having to spend the extra 43 cash. When comparably fully equipped the 43 is about 4 K more expensive. For that 4 K you get 70 more HP, significantly better brakes, bigger wheels and the AMG separate controls on the console (manual mode, separate suspension settings) plus the AMG version of the Command system. The big difference is base price, but of course, then there are a lot more 43 goodies that you miss like airbody control etc..... Personally I think its a redundant model given that if you are already spending a chunk of cash on a car a few K here or there are superfluous. A good example for comparison is that a fully loaded 300 is the same price as a base E43 so what is the need for an additional model in the middle?
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2017 E43 AMG
I agree with your logic. I picked up my 2017 E43 barely even broken in gently used with 800 miles on it for $70k. Not bad when the same model/options new is $78k to $80k. You can get crazy with the E43 and check all the boxes and the price balloons to $90k brand new. I think at that price even the E43 is not worth it compared to other equal priced competitors. However, you can get a very nicely equipped E43 between $76 to $78k or buy one slightly used if you can find one CPOd like mine.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
I agree with your logic. I picked up my 2017 E43 barely even broken in gently used with 800 miles on it for $70k. Not bad when the same model/options new is $78k to $80k. You can get crazy with the E43 and check all the boxes and the price balloons to $90k brand new. I think at that price even the E43 is not worth it compared to other equal priced competitors. However, you can get a very nicely equipped E43 between $76 to $78k or buy one slightly used if you can find one CPOd like mine.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
That is true. However, though its busier than the normal E class it is still far from harsh. The only time you can tell is on sharply cratered pavement. For that small compromise, you get e63 level handling. Ive taken mine to Road America and can attest that its definitely track worthy. The brakes are the only part that is not entirely up to snuff at the limit, not bad at all, but the 63 takes that crown easily. On the track the brakes dont have enough bite, they dont have much fade at all but you can tell they are not meant to brake from 130mph for hours on end either.
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2024 EQE 500
At the end of the day the E300 sold plenty in the first model year (2017). There is, however, a reason they introduced the E400. Just like there is a reason that BMW offers the 540i and Audi offers the A6 3.0T. The E43 competes (ish) with the BMW M550i. That's how/why there is a need for the E400.
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That is true. However, though its busier than the normal E class it is still far from harsh. The only time you can tell is on sharply cratered pavement. For that small compromise, you get e63 level handling. Ive taken mine to Road America and can attest that its definitely track worthy. The brakes are the only part that is not entirely up to snuff at the limit, not bad at all, but the 63 takes that crown easily. On the track the brakes dont have enough bite, they dont have much fade at all but you can tell they are not meant to brake from 130mph for hours on end either.
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2017 E43 AMG
It's not as harsh if you go with the 19 inch all season tires. Not sure which one you test drove but the 20 inch wheels with thinner side wall tires can be a little jarring. The car handles extremely well. I have mine lowered as well with the renntech lowering module. Sets the stance of the car up perfectly. I came from a 2014 S6 which is no slouch engine wise. But the driving dynamics of the E43 clearly beat it. Not to mention the technology and interior is much advanced. I'm sure when Audi introduces their revised 6 and 7 series in 2019, they will be on equal playing field. Get a tune on the E43 and it should beat a stock S6. I got the Eurocharged tune on mine and am very pleased with the enhanced performance.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
It's not as harsh if you go with the 19 inch all season tires. Not sure which one you test drove but the 20 inch wheels with thinner side wall tires can be a little jarring. The car handles extremely well. I have mine lowered as well with the renntech lowering module. Sets the stance of the car up perfectly. I came from a 2014 S6 which is no slouch engine wise. But the driving dynamics of the E43 clearly beat it. Not to mention the technology and interior is much advanced. I'm sure when Audi introduces their revised 6 and 7 series in 2019, they will be on equal playing field. Get a tune on the E43 and it should beat a stock S6. I got the Eurocharged tune on mine and am very pleased with the enhanced performance.
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From: Tampa, FL
2018 E300
My neighbor can attest to the E300 suspension too. We went out for a couples dinner and when I hit the speed bumps in the parking lot he said "damn this thing is smooth, I've never felt a car this smooth" and he drives a 2015 Lexus ES350. They did a great job on the E300 suspension. It's what a luxury car should be. The E43 has the suspension it needs as well.
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2017 E43 AMG
Originally Posted by c4004matic
Thats a Trumpian level overstatement. On comfort the ride is better than it ever was on my C400 with airmatic thts despite the 20 in rims. It simply isnt plush. I often drive on sport mode, particularly on the highway since it competely eliminates any float which can happen in comfort. Even sport plus isn't harsh it simply totally clamps down on rebound. The 43 suspension calibration is superb. When you can mash the accelerator in hairpin and have the car drift under total control you know you are driving some real special. If you want a sport sedan that offers a decent ride comfort while offering trackworthy handling it simply doesnt get any better than the E43, its stunning period.
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
My cars were both ordered with 19in tires because I wanted all seasons to avoid buying snow tires. My wife found her car a little stiff so dealer reduced air in tires to 35lbs. Now she loves the ride. I stayed on spec for mine 41 rear, 39 fr. and
that works for me. As for the price, OP is correct. On a loaded car, there is approximately 4K difference.
that works for me. As for the price, OP is correct. On a loaded car, there is approximately 4K difference.
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E class, C class
Agreed, was going to point out this nonsense political reference. The E 400, with airmatic and 20" wheels still doesn't ride as smooth as the standard steel suspension on 19" wheels.
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17 E43; 21 GLS580
Just trying to make the point that the ride is really not crunchy at all. To appx I would say the 43 comfort is the 300, sport and so on.
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Not even close on Florida roads. A fire hydrant dot or a row of lane dots will hardly be noticed in an E300 sport mode with steel suspension on 17" or 18" tires whereas an E43 in comfort mode with 19" or 20" tires will definitely be felt through the seat as well as the steering wheel. Not only is the E43 suspension stiffer, the rubber band tires contribute significantly to a harsher ride.
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Not even close on Florida roads. A fire hydrant dot or a row of lane dots will hardly be noticed in an E300 sport mode with steel suspension on 17" or 18" tires whereas an E43 in comfort mode with 19" or 20" tires will definitely be felt through the seat as well as the steering wheel. Not only is the E43 suspension stiffer, the rubber band tires contribute significantly to a harsher ride.
