Mercedes-Benz Unveils the 6th-Generation W214 E-Class
#877
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 486
From: Westchester, NY
2014 Mercedes E350 4matic Wagon, 2018 Fiat 124 Spyder Lusso manual, 2005 Acura TSX manual
#880
We checked out the new E350 at our dealership today. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was, the quality felt great and the cabin definitely exuded a very premium feel. Contrary to many people, I quite like the weight of the door handles and the vents. If you look for it, you can find some cheap scratchy plastic used in the interior but almost everything you will regularly be touching has stitched leather and padding which is what I would expect from a car this expensive.
The car drives surprisingly well for it's size and weight, very responsive. The E350 we drove was equipped with AIRMATIC and the rear wheel steering which we optioned as well so that probably played into it, the drive was very smooth. The air suspension soaked up bumps extremely well, my old 3 series tends to be a little on the harsher side so I was very surprised when I never even felt bumps that I knew were there. The E350 had the 20 inch AMG wheel I optioned and I liked the ride on it so I have decided to keep the 20 inch wheels. The mild hybrid system is extremely well integrated, I never realized that the car was doing Auto Start/Stop until I noticed the icon in the dash when trying to figure out how to do a brake hold. Back seat seems pretty roomy as well. All in all, it is a very usable car.
I was little worried after test driving an EQS previously as the handling and steering didn't feel as precise as my 3 series, I coughed it up to the size and weight of the car but driving the new E class has definitely put me at ease. It handles very well and I am very glad I went for the new E class over the new 5 series.
The only points I could ding from my short time with the car
The car drives surprisingly well for it's size and weight, very responsive. The E350 we drove was equipped with AIRMATIC and the rear wheel steering which we optioned as well so that probably played into it, the drive was very smooth. The air suspension soaked up bumps extremely well, my old 3 series tends to be a little on the harsher side so I was very surprised when I never even felt bumps that I knew were there. The E350 had the 20 inch AMG wheel I optioned and I liked the ride on it so I have decided to keep the 20 inch wheels. The mild hybrid system is extremely well integrated, I never realized that the car was doing Auto Start/Stop until I noticed the icon in the dash when trying to figure out how to do a brake hold. Back seat seems pretty roomy as well. All in all, it is a very usable car.
I was little worried after test driving an EQS previously as the handling and steering didn't feel as precise as my 3 series, I coughed it up to the size and weight of the car but driving the new E class has definitely put me at ease. It handles very well and I am very glad I went for the new E class over the new 5 series.
The only points I could ding from my short time with the car
- Some cheaper plastic used in the interior that is noticeable if you look for it.
- No 4 zone climate control.
- The door handles are cool but I get the feeling they might also get wonky but that remains to be seen.
- No AMG steering wheel, not that the regular one is bad in any way.
- Reliability worries (Mostly electrical systems) based on recent reports.
#881
#882
@hinckley , thank you sir. I think the Airmatic option is nice to have but costs a bit much. I would go with the basic version. At this time, the lowest price is for white color. If I want different color, it will be more money. I am not in a hurry to buy. Just wait and see how well it can sell.
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hinckley (03-03-2024)
#883
Thanks for the additional information. I agree that it is very annoying since other parts of the world have the AMG steering available. Frustrated with MBUSA for this and other reasons, especially that they can's have up-to-date information on the website like the confiurator. It is still not available for the new E Class even though they are being sold in the US! Crazy!
Don’t be too frustrated. Every review I’ve seen for the new E class and for other Mercedes with the AMG steering wheel have said the ergonomics of the AMG wheel are awful and all the reviewers prefer having the non AMG. The two levels of buttons make the AMG wheel extremely hard to use. It’s bad enough we’re stuck with the crappy touch controls on the wheel. I have them on my 22 e450 and always touch them by mistake when turning , and when I want to use them, they’re not precise enough to navigate the screens quickly
#884
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 486
From: Westchester, NY
2014 Mercedes E350 4matic Wagon, 2018 Fiat 124 Spyder Lusso manual, 2005 Acura TSX manual
Unfortunately, with taxes and everything, I expect it will be quite a while before discounts can get an even completly basic E350 out the door for 62K. By the way there are two free colors, so you can get black if you don't want white.
#885
#887
@BenjaminKohl, @Robert Falcone and @ssquared30, apologies for my apparent brain cramp. I went back to look at the car I drove and it did not have the AMG wheel. I don't know what I was remembering.
Was the AMG wheel available on the last-gen E350? Is it the sort of thing that will become available over time like 4-zone HVAC?
Was the AMG wheel available on the last-gen E350? Is it the sort of thing that will become available over time like 4-zone HVAC?
#889
#890
#893
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,124
Likes: 2,930
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
https://youtu.be/oA6qjir7S7s?si=F3PxIiUScf4TCMid
Great video, I really like this creator.
Great video, I really like this creator.
#894
The taillights still haven't grew on me the design of this E 53 is predictable and inline with what we all imagined will look like but a bump from 429? from previous gen to 612 is quite significant, I understand the weight is quite significant too but are they really discontinuing the E 63 or is that going to get 800 horsepower?
The power bump from the predecessor is the greatest increase from any AMG that I can think of in recent history (with the exception of the S63); absolutely love it. IF there is an E63, IMO, it would have to adopt a version of the hybrid biturbo V8 found in the S63. Not sure why it wouldn’t ..
Last edited by Zee$; 03-11-2024 at 09:39 AM.
#895
Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 225
Likes: 115
From: Maryland, USA
2022 C300 AMG-Line; 2020 E450; 2013 SLK350
Finally!
This W214 E53 AMG will be my next upgrade car to my current W213 E450 circa 2027. I am putting this right here now for posterity.
Finally, a W214 that speaks to me. MB, build it, and there will be buyers like me salivating to own one just off-lease in 2027, so I can get it at a decent price for my wallet... my typical MO.
This W214 E53 AMG will be my next upgrade car to my current W213 E450 circa 2027. I am putting this right here now for posterity.
Finally, a W214 that speaks to me. MB, build it, and there will be buyers like me salivating to own one just off-lease in 2027, so I can get it at a decent price for my wallet... my typical MO.
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Zee$ (03-11-2024)
#896
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 521
Likes: 167
From: SoCal, Cannes France
1986 Light Ivory R107 560SL, 2020 Lunar Blue W205 C300 AMG-line
My god the E53 is sexy. Their best looking sedan in the line up right now. The wagon is also to die for, please bring it to the states!
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Povitica3 (03-19-2024)
#897
Car and Driver now estimating the starting price of 2025 E53 at 84k. I’m sure their estimate is subject to change, but If that is accurate, that’s a very reasonable increase from the previous generation. Especially given the power increase amongst other upgrades.
https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/e53
https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/e53
#898
Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 225
Likes: 115
From: Maryland, USA
2022 C300 AMG-Line; 2020 E450; 2013 SLK350
Car and Driver now estimating the starting price of 2025 E53 at 84k. I’m sure their estimate is subject to change, but If that is accurate, that’s a very reasonable increase from the previous generation. Especially given the power increase amongst other upgrades.
https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/e53
https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/e53
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Zee$ (03-23-2024)
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fleuger99 (03-22-2024)