Your wife and the S class
 

Hey guys its been a long time since I have posted on MB world. My wife is thinking of replacing her beloved w211 E350. for a newer 212 E, we hate the 213. I am pushing her towards a lightly used w222 or a new S450. but she says its too big. looking at them in the lot last night the S seemed only about a foot longer. I know its wider but is it the much more unwieldy than the E. I want to buy the car for her for Christmas but am unsure if she could handle it. :) My first car was a 77' sedan de ville so I personally like a big car and the smoother ride it can provide. Can anybody compare the two? Is it too much of a learning curve for a female going to that much bigger of a car?

Thanks Guys!

Chris

She should be so lucky! :) just kidding. I also want it for me to drive on the weekend but on the other hand you are probably are right.I just think that it is the only car that MB makes right now that I like.

This is only my opinion. We have a W222 which is mostly driven by me. Then we have a Tesla, which is my wife's primary car. Although she does feel the ride is better with the MB, she really prefers to drive the Tesla. One reason: the MB is too big. In fact, over time (we've had the Tesla for 2+ years and the MB 3+) she has actually become less and less interested in driving the MB. So my 2 cents is, don't lead her any particular way; jointly test drive various cars you find acceptable, and let her make the choice, if it is primarily going to be her car.

May be you need to buy something in between ;)

With the Surround View camera system on our Maybach it is the most easy to park car I ever owned!!! Probably an option on the S550 but makes the car easy to drive.

Yes, it is an option.

I drive an '18 S560. I currently have an '18 E400 loaner from my dealer. The E has a little less body roll, because it's a lighter car (and I don't have MBC on my S), but I don't think there's a huge difference in pulling into the garage or parking. As mentioned above, my S has a surround view camera and the E does not, so parking the S is actually easier. But as has already been said, whichever car your wife wants is the correct choice!

You really need to ensure she'd be comfortable with the bigger car, cameras and all. My wife thinks my C238 (coupe variant of W213) is too big. Of course she drives a SLK, but she likes smaller cars.

P.S. our 2015 has surround view, and my wife still thinks the car too big.

Here is a different option altogether: Try the new CLS450. Different styling and the size should be spot-on. Plus it has the new inline 6 engine which is better than the V6 in the S450...

I am curious as to why there is such a dislike for the 213 E-Class? It the closest thing to the W222 S-Class (features/options/design) and the W212 is quite inferior to the W213. If it's the 4 cylinder engine, you could get a E450 and would have a better engine (same as the S450) and interior.

I'm surprised. The E actually doesn't have surround view as an option? I could be wrong but I'm fairly certain it is an option?

On the W213 it is an option.

Correct. As it also was for the S-Class few years ago. So if the OP is considering a used S-Class, this may not be included either

Go to the dealer and drive them all. C, E, S, and drive the GLC, GLE and GLS too. Listen to what she says about each. Then you will know what to do.

My wife is 5'2 and I have a W222 and a W212. She can't stand driving the S because of how small she is. Get her the nicest, low mileage W212 you can if thats whats she wants. Both are amazing cars.

The perception I had when I drove it felt as if the lower portion of the dash was trapping my legs while the top half was too far away it just didn't feel right. A 4 cyl. in a car like that is ridiculous. I didn't like the trickery they used programming the throttle response it just felt like a step backward. The E 450 I haven't looked at yet. The CLS feels too tight inside. She will probably just get nice 2016 E350 when all is said and done.


Thanks guys!

surround view camera is 360 right? my 2014 got it.
OP needs to check the options when buying for his wife or giving a test.

My kind of woman W212> W213

The W212's are very nice cars and a 2016 should be well sorted. I think that the W222 is an absolutely beautiful car that I imagine drives beautifully as well but is it is a BFC and from a size standpoint only I personally much prefer the size of the W212. It's kind of Goldilocks in my opinion.

Yes, what he said. Only buy what she LOVES. Has she spent 30 minutes driving a newer S Class? If not, she may surprise herself and LOVE the car. I have a loaner E300 now or whatever it's called, it's superb! Handles so much better than my new S63 but I would never want to own the E. I love the massiveness of the S63 and it's visual appeal to me. Everyone is different. In the end, she probably won't like the S and you'll get her an E. Maybe you can talk her into ... yes... an E63, used. Oh heck yeah!!!! Rock on.

Always keep your wife happy and get her the car she really wants, whatever it is..
...whatever it is.....:tear:

Understood.
But keep in mind that the new CLS is barely out. Is it even at the dealers yet? From the sound of it you only tried the old model and the new CLS has even newer tech than the latest S-Class. The car also rides on a new platform that the AMG GT4 door also shares.

Personally I would drive all before making a educated choice, even if it ends up to be the W212...

Sad but true.

Ill have to check out that new CLS.