E53 - do not buy it if
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 76
Likes: 61
AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
To the original thread starter, I am sorry you don’t seem to be happy with your purchase. That is quite disappointing. I am sure you are looking forward to it and to be let down. I have had mine for just under a month, and tbh I can’t really agree with all your points.
- you are disturbed if the music starts out automatically on medium sound level when you turn on the ignition regardless if you have turned it off when you left the car
I can’t say I have had this problem. I am wondering if the sound personalization option has anything to do with it always being at a decent level when I get in (during the set up, you would tell it what level you think is low, etc.).
- if you are 189cm long and want to use the seat behind you (not even a 10 year old child could seat there because of the small space)
Well, I am 6’5”, which is about 198cm and close to 300 lbs. I do not know of any midsize car that leaves more space than my E53 does behind me; they are all about the same.
- if you need luggage room - it is useless with this 340liter space
I can hold several bits of luggage in the trunk. Yes, it is slightly smaller because of the battery, but I don’t see it as any real issue.
- if you are disturbed if the down shifts sound is coming purely from the speakers of the car
That’s subjective; you can turn the sound off inside the car as well.
- if you are disturbed if the hybrid mode is terrible (switching on and off continuously on the highway if the battery is down)
works smoothly for me, can’t say I am 100% comfortable with it in terms of setting the regen etc as yet though
- if you want a suspension which gives you either feedback from the road or old Mercedes style comfortable travel
Didn’t expect an E class level of travel from this car at all. The ride is stiffer, but I expected that in comfort. And in Sport+, I do get the feedback I need. It is quite fun actually.
- if you need good build quality and do not like if the dashboard and all the car is continuously clatter
As for this comment, I am surprised, because I have no build quality issues at all. I have the MBUX Super screen installed, and the initial navigation of the screen took getting used to. I also have the 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, which actually, tech-wise, is mind-blowing when you actually see it. I am yet to hear a rattle, a creek, or a squeak. Well put-together interior.
- if you would like to feel that you have spent your money well on something which is thoroughly tested and well designed and built with passion and love
I do. It has little things that make it feel almost living. If you are outside standing next to it in P, but the car is on, the "electric mode sound” that it makes almost sounds like it is breathing. I love it.
The Throttle House guys, I think, did a fair assessment. The only thing to me that is different in my opinion, I think, is I have the sound and heat-insulating glass, so the road noise is at a minimum. Now, it may seem like I am a fanboy, etc., but in my time with the car, I cannot agree honestly with the issues you stated. Maybe I went in with different expectations than you did, so I wasn’t disappointed? But overall, the things I wish is that I had the option for red stitching for my build and the fragrance option (not available with the AMG Performance Seat Package Advanced).
- you are disturbed if the music starts out automatically on medium sound level when you turn on the ignition regardless if you have turned it off when you left the car
I can’t say I have had this problem. I am wondering if the sound personalization option has anything to do with it always being at a decent level when I get in (during the set up, you would tell it what level you think is low, etc.).
- if you are 189cm long and want to use the seat behind you (not even a 10 year old child could seat there because of the small space)
Well, I am 6’5”, which is about 198cm and close to 300 lbs. I do not know of any midsize car that leaves more space than my E53 does behind me; they are all about the same.
- if you need luggage room - it is useless with this 340liter space
I can hold several bits of luggage in the trunk. Yes, it is slightly smaller because of the battery, but I don’t see it as any real issue.
- if you are disturbed if the down shifts sound is coming purely from the speakers of the car
That’s subjective; you can turn the sound off inside the car as well.
- if you are disturbed if the hybrid mode is terrible (switching on and off continuously on the highway if the battery is down)
works smoothly for me, can’t say I am 100% comfortable with it in terms of setting the regen etc as yet though
- if you want a suspension which gives you either feedback from the road or old Mercedes style comfortable travel
Didn’t expect an E class level of travel from this car at all. The ride is stiffer, but I expected that in comfort. And in Sport+, I do get the feedback I need. It is quite fun actually.
- if you need good build quality and do not like if the dashboard and all the car is continuously clatter
As for this comment, I am surprised, because I have no build quality issues at all. I have the MBUX Super screen installed, and the initial navigation of the screen took getting used to. I also have the 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, which actually, tech-wise, is mind-blowing when you actually see it. I am yet to hear a rattle, a creek, or a squeak. Well put-together interior.
- if you would like to feel that you have spent your money well on something which is thoroughly tested and well designed and built with passion and love
I do. It has little things that make it feel almost living. If you are outside standing next to it in P, but the car is on, the "electric mode sound” that it makes almost sounds like it is breathing. I love it.
The Throttle House guys, I think, did a fair assessment. The only thing to me that is different in my opinion, I think, is I have the sound and heat-insulating glass, so the road noise is at a minimum. Now, it may seem like I am a fanboy, etc., but in my time with the car, I cannot agree honestly with the issues you stated. Maybe I went in with different expectations than you did, so I wasn’t disappointed? But overall, the things I wish is that I had the option for red stitching for my build and the fragrance option (not available with the AMG Performance Seat Package Advanced).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
W206 C43 ; W214 E53
It is very hard to say anything because the car itself is a good car but doesnt worth that amount of money. 10 year ago for the "same" amount of money you got a Mercedes E class with higher built quality, less multimedia issue, better drivetrain, more confortabl suspension, twice bigger trunk, etc....
In general this car is not a stepup from the previous version or some other cars like RS6 or M5 but a step back and you pay a very high price premium for that.
In general this car is not a stepup from the previous version or some other cars like RS6 or M5 but a step back and you pay a very high price premium for that.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 6
W206 C43 ; W214 E53
To the original thread starter, I am sorry you don’t seem to be happy with your purchase. That is quite disappointing. I am sure you are looking forward to it and to be let down. I have had mine for just under a month, and tbh I can’t really agree with all your points.
- you are disturbed if the music starts out automatically on medium sound level when you turn on the ignition regardless if you have turned it off when you left the car
I can’t say I have had this problem. I am wondering if the sound personalization option has anything to do with it always being at a decent level when I get in (during the set up, you would tell it what level you think is low, etc.).
- if you are 189cm long and want to use the seat behind you (not even a 10 year old child could seat there because of the small space)
Well, I am 6’5”, which is about 198cm and close to 300 lbs. I do not know of any midsize car that leaves more space than my E53 does behind me; they are all about the same.
- if you need luggage room - it is useless with this 340liter space
I can hold several bits of luggage in the trunk. Yes, it is slightly smaller because of the battery, but I don’t see it as any real issue.
- if you are disturbed if the down shifts sound is coming purely from the speakers of the car
That’s subjective; you can turn the sound off inside the car as well.
- if you are disturbed if the hybrid mode is terrible (switching on and off continuously on the highway if the battery is down)
works smoothly for me, can’t say I am 100% comfortable with it in terms of setting the regen etc as yet though
- if you want a suspension which gives you either feedback from the road or old Mercedes style comfortable travel
Didn’t expect an E class level of travel from this car at all. The ride is stiffer, but I expected that in comfort. And in Sport+, I do get the feedback I need. It is quite fun actually.
- if you need good build quality and do not like if the dashboard and all the car is continuously clatter
As for this comment, I am surprised, because I have no build quality issues at all. I have the MBUX Super screen installed, and the initial navigation of the screen took getting used to. I also have the 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, which actually, tech-wise, is mind-blowing when you actually see it. I am yet to hear a rattle, a creek, or a squeak. Well put-together interior.
- if you would like to feel that you have spent your money well on something which is thoroughly tested and well designed and built with passion and love
I do. It has little things that make it feel almost living. If you are outside standing next to it in P, but the car is on, the "electric mode sound” that it makes almost sounds like it is breathing. I love it.
The Throttle House guys, I think, did a fair assessment. The only thing to me that is different in my opinion, I think, is I have the sound and heat-insulating glass, so the road noise is at a minimum. Now, it may seem like I am a fanboy, etc., but in my time with the car, I cannot agree honestly with the issues you stated. Maybe I went in with different expectations than you did, so I wasn’t disappointed? But overall, the things I wish is that I had the option for red stitching for my build and the fragrance option (not available with the AMG Performance Seat Package Advanced).
- you are disturbed if the music starts out automatically on medium sound level when you turn on the ignition regardless if you have turned it off when you left the car
I can’t say I have had this problem. I am wondering if the sound personalization option has anything to do with it always being at a decent level when I get in (during the set up, you would tell it what level you think is low, etc.).
- if you are 189cm long and want to use the seat behind you (not even a 10 year old child could seat there because of the small space)
Well, I am 6’5”, which is about 198cm and close to 300 lbs. I do not know of any midsize car that leaves more space than my E53 does behind me; they are all about the same.
- if you need luggage room - it is useless with this 340liter space
I can hold several bits of luggage in the trunk. Yes, it is slightly smaller because of the battery, but I don’t see it as any real issue.
- if you are disturbed if the down shifts sound is coming purely from the speakers of the car
That’s subjective; you can turn the sound off inside the car as well.
- if you are disturbed if the hybrid mode is terrible (switching on and off continuously on the highway if the battery is down)
works smoothly for me, can’t say I am 100% comfortable with it in terms of setting the regen etc as yet though
- if you want a suspension which gives you either feedback from the road or old Mercedes style comfortable travel
Didn’t expect an E class level of travel from this car at all. The ride is stiffer, but I expected that in comfort. And in Sport+, I do get the feedback I need. It is quite fun actually.
- if you need good build quality and do not like if the dashboard and all the car is continuously clatter
As for this comment, I am surprised, because I have no build quality issues at all. I have the MBUX Super screen installed, and the initial navigation of the screen took getting used to. I also have the 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, which actually, tech-wise, is mind-blowing when you actually see it. I am yet to hear a rattle, a creek, or a squeak. Well put-together interior.
- if you would like to feel that you have spent your money well on something which is thoroughly tested and well designed and built with passion and love
I do. It has little things that make it feel almost living. If you are outside standing next to it in P, but the car is on, the "electric mode sound” that it makes almost sounds like it is breathing. I love it.
The Throttle House guys, I think, did a fair assessment. The only thing to me that is different in my opinion, I think, is I have the sound and heat-insulating glass, so the road noise is at a minimum. Now, it may seem like I am a fanboy, etc., but in my time with the car, I cannot agree honestly with the issues you stated. Maybe I went in with different expectations than you did, so I wasn’t disappointed? But overall, the things I wish is that I had the option for red stitching for my build and the fragrance option (not available with the AMG Performance Seat Package Advanced).
We are having RS7, S90 Volvo, BMW 535xi in the family and there is not any area where my E53 would exceed those cars and cost 30-40% more and it does not mean that it is a bad car but the others are being a much better overall package and that is why I am very disappointed. E53 is having the smallest trunk, most uncomfortable and less responsive suspension, worth drive-train, less comfortable seats....poorest built quality,,,,,, I do not know whether you have driven the new 5 series or A6 they are much much better in every field.....and it does not mean that I would change my E53 to them but I am feeling that this car make me to have a lot of compromise and for that amount of money it is a cheat or steal.
One very imprortant point to the end. This is the highest level of AMG which Mercedes provide and you can buy now so it should represent that in every field (drive train, suspension, transmission, break)but it is on average level in every field. You cannot find any review or comparison where E53 would not be the less favorable compared to RS7 or 540i, etc....it is having the worth brake, worth engine, worth suspension, etc.....poorest sound...compered to the others...
Last edited by oncsy; Jan 19, 2025 at 06:10 AM.
