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I have my car in for service for a check engine light and the dealership gave me a 2015 E350 as a loaner. What a cheap looking car that is, especially the interior. I was under the impression that MB was completely upscale, especially for cars that are $60k+. Absolutely not the case with the E. IMO, a new Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima has a better, classier, and more upscale looking interior. The materials in the E feel absolutely cheap and it seems that the entire interior is made out of cheap plastic. Even the seats seem to have a plastic feel to them. Pleather?
I had my car in for service 2 months ago and they gave me a ML350 at that time. Honestly, the interior in the ML was MUCH nicer than the E350. Probably the same kind of materials, but put together much better.
Perhaps I've just been spoiled by my older S600, but the new E didn't feel any more upscale than my wife's Honda Odyssey EX-L. I'd take a Cadillac in a heartbeat over the new E class.
2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
Yeah I think its just you being spoiled. Its definitely not an S Class but it is mid-level luxury as expected.
I agree with WHPH28 on the CLA its even lower quality. thats a car that looks much better on the outside than the inside.
Yeah I think its just you being spoiled. Its definitely not an S Class but it is mid-level luxury as expected.
I agree with WHPH28 on the CLA its even lower quality. thats a car that looks much better on the outside than the inside.
I'd take a Chevy Impala over the E350, even though the Chevy is about half the price. I'm just shocked that these are the products that MB is putting out, for a company with a long held reputation of building the most solid and upscale luxury cars going back over 100 years. Lexus is wayyy nicer in the small and mid-size market for less money, with superior materials, fit & finish, ride, and quietness.
Mercedes is not doing itself a favor of using MB-Tex. It really feels cheap even compared to basic leather.
It's not that others car makers (like Audi, Cadillac or Asian brands) using full leather interiors either. Most just put leather on the seating surfaces which is a fraction of the seat. Still a better choice.
Our 2014 ML350 is utilitarian-nice but the seats cheapen it; still a $62k SUV...
I have a 2010 E350 and was all set to buy a new second one till I got a 2015 e350 as a loaner. I could not agree more with the OP. The new e feels mass produced with a look and feel totally different from what my 2010 is. Needless to say, I bought an '11 S550 and have not looked back. I will hate it when the warranty runs out on my 2010. I will hate to give that car up.
It's more than an interior issue and I am certain you can upgrade to leather; my 2010 has leather so I would expect that the newer models offer that option. In fact there is a huge debate over on the W212 forum about the virtues of MB-Tex vs. leather and vice-versa. Actually quite entertaining. Fortunately we don't have to make that choice with the S class. But I also hate what they have done with the front end and in my opinion the handling sux compared to the 2010. The car simply did not feel like an MB to me.
also had a 15 e350 as a loaner, good looking car but the combo of cheap everything and cheap feeling electric steering, put it in a never would buy this car category. Hondas felt better than that terd.
2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
BMW offers leatherette in some of their models with a real leather upgrade which adds sport seats etc. much better interior with the leather upgrade. It's their way of allowing someone to afford the car with bottom base model options without offering cloth interior lol
BMW offers leatherette in some of their models with a real leather upgrade which adds sport seats etc. much better interior with the leather upgrade. It's their way of allowing someone to afford the car with bottom base model options without offering cloth interior lol
MB has always been on the cheap side when it comes to leather.
The BMW 535 always had leather as standard. The E350 has MB-Tex
The BMW 750 always had nappa leather standard. The S550 only base leather.
I'm taking this thread in a lighthearted sort of way. I love my '15 E350. I came from a '13 C350. I aspire to eventually arrive in a S550. When I require car service I always book the S class over the E class. It's such a wonderfully riding car.
About the E facelift briefly, yes, it is polarizing as compared to the traditional upright star and bar grill. I love the new look, I'm 38 and my wife says that even the new version looks like an old man's car...she drives a '12 SLK350.
All that said I LOVE the W221 and the W222 is growing on me. You all are very fortunate to drive such wonderful cars!
Yeah I think its just you being spoiled. Its definitely not an S Class but it is mid-level luxury as expected.
I agree with WHPH28 on the CLA its even lower quality. thats a car that looks much better on the outside than the inside.
The W221 has a great interior. It's classy and looks great. I know the w222 is super spacy cool looking, but you still can't knock the W221's interior. It's like being an an old lawyers office with super high end decor, where you can feel the wealth around you. That will never change! Classy, old world with some tech, classy, ahhhhh, need a cigar now.
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Mercedes is not doing itself a favor of using MB-Tex. It really feels cheap even compared to basic leather.
It's not that others car makers (like Audi, Cadillac or Asian brands) using full leather interiors either. Most just put leather on the seating surfaces which is a fraction of the seat. Still a better choice.
I actually like the mbtex. I don't think anyone that gets into a C or an E really questions if it's leather or not. Not people like us that own these cars, but anyone else that gets into your C or E class isn't going to know it's not real leather. They assume it must be, it's a Mercedes Thank god they don't use fabric. What I do like about the mbtex - it never looks old or gets WRINKLED. That's a plus. I hate wrinkles in my car and on women.
Originally Posted by mnje350
I have a 2010 E350 and was all set to buy a new second one till I got a 2015 e350 as a loaner. I could not agree more with the OP. The new e feels mass produced with a look and feel totally different from what my 2010 is. Needless to say, I bought an '11 S550 and have not looked back. I will hate it when the warranty runs out on my 2010. I will hate to give that car up.
I have to agree on this. I love the 2010 style before the facelift and agree that the 2015 is a step backwards. I just had one and they've cheapened it. Nothing feels or drives like an S, as Mike says.
I actually like the mbtex. I don't think anyone that gets into a C or an E really questions if it's leather or not. Not people like us that own these cars, but anyone else that gets into your C or E class isn't going to know it's not real leather. They assume it must be, it's a Mercedes Thank god they don't use fabric. What I do like about the mbtex - it never looks old or gets WRINKLED. That's a plus. I hate wrinkles in my car and on women.
One thing I can say about MB-Tex. Our ML350 is a year old (5k miles) and it still looks and smells the same the day I got it.
It has practical benefits and is high-end pleather, but only a novice will mistake that for leather.
My issue is that MB is the only manufacturer putting out $60k cars without a leather interior (even partial leather) and I am not comparing it to the Asians but Germans like BMW, Audi and even Porsche.
One thing I can say about MB-Tex. Our ML350 is a year old (5k miles) and it still looks and smells the same the day I got it.
The real Nappa leather in my 9.5 year old car still looks and smells like it's brand new. And that's without doing any conditioning to it. The "shiny" leather is the stuff that usually shows wear much sooner. I highly doubt that the MB-Tex will look anything close to this good in 9.5 years.
The real Nappa leather in my 9.5 year old car still looks and smells like it's brand new. And that's without doing any conditioning to it. The "shiny" leather is the stuff that usually shows wear much sooner. I highly doubt that the MB-Tex will look anything close to this good in 9.5 years.
9.5 years? You must have a really special car
My experience is that all our leather interiors gradually smelled less and less, especially the nappa interiors (I'd say within a month. The cars smell nice and "leathery" but not quite the day I picked them up).
Exception is the W222 as the fragrance seem to maintain the overall cabin experience.
Btw, when I mentioned the ML350 smelling like day one it wasn't necessarily a great compliment. The MB-tex cars simply smell very different than a new leather interior.
Have to admit that occasionally I have caught myself sitting in the back of the car in the garage, listening to some music and enjoying the leather smell.
The back of an S-Class is a fine place to be
My experience is that all our leather interiors gradually smelled less and less, especially the nappa interiors (I'd say within a month. The cars smell nice and "leathery" but not quite the day I picked them up).
Exception is the W222 as the fragrance seem to maintain the overall cabin experience.
Btw, when I mentioned the ML350 smelling like day one it wasn't necessarily a great compliment. The MB-tex cars simply smell very different than a new leather interior.
Have to admit that occasionally I have caught myself sitting in the back of the car in the garage, listening to some music and enjoying the leather smell.
The back of an S-Class is a fine place to be
Mine has a build date of 1-06, in service 4-06. Currently at 29.9k miles and it was babied by the first owner in the San Diego area. It still has a very nice leather smell....almost like a brand new S-class, with no creases in the seats. You'd be hard pressed to tell it from a brand new W221. I suppose the fact that the entire interior is wrapped in leather helps the senses.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by DaveW68
I have my car in for service for a check engine light and the dealership gave me a 2015 E350 as a loaner. What a cheap looking car that is, especially the interior. I was under the impression that MB was completely upscale, especially for cars that are $60k+. Absolutely not the case with the E. IMO, a new Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima has a better, classier, and more upscale looking interior. The materials in the E feel absolutely cheap and it seems that the entire interior is made out of cheap plastic. Even the seats seem to have a plastic feel to them. Pleather?
I had my car in for service 2 months ago and they gave me a ML350 at that time. Honestly, the interior in the ML was MUCH nicer than the E350. Probably the same kind of materials, but put together much better.
Perhaps I've just been spoiled by my older S600, but the new E didn't feel any more upscale than my wife's Honda Odyssey EX-L. I'd take a Cadillac in a heartbeat over the new E class.
Of all the other cars you mentioned, if you had to pick one in which you would be hit, head on by a Suburban, would you pick one of those or the E350?
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by DaveW68
If it meant saving my life or that of any passengers, I'd take the S600 over the E350 or any of the others.
No, the S600 doesn't count. I think we all know that I was talking about the class competitors to the E350, like the Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Cadillac, etc. I happen to think that the 2015 Honda Accord sedan is one of the best looking cars on the market. I like the looks of it WAY more than my 2015 S550 sedan and way more than my wife's 2016 E350 sedan. However, when I think of being involved in a life threatening accident, no matter how alluring the looks of another brand may be, I always come back to the three pointed star.
And, I happen to think that the interior of our new E350 sedan is quite good looking, clean, uncluttered, understated and elegant.
No, the S600 doesn't count. I think we all know that I was talking about the class competitors to the E350, like the Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Cadillac, etc. I happen to think that the 2015 Honda Accord sedan is one of the best looking cars on the market. I like the looks of it WAY more than my 2015 S550 sedan and way more than my wife's 2016 E350 sedan. However, when I think of being involved in a life threatening accident, no matter how alluring the looks of another brand may be, I always come back to the three pointed star.
And, I happen to think that the interior of our new E350 sedan is quite good looking, clean, uncluttered, understated and elegant.
All of those cars mentioned fare very well in the IHSA crash tests. So it probably wouldn't matter. Actually, the Honda Accord gets a top pick, while the only Benz that made the top pick list was the ML.
Your car's two-tone interior looks nicer than the all black with pleather version I'm driving. But the plastics, switches, and over all layout still look cheap and dated to me. The Cadillac's interior blows the E class away, as well as competitors from Lexus, Infinity, Audi, BMW, and even Acura. Perhaps the next all new version will catch up to the rest of the MB line-up.
Yeah, loaner fleets are usually bare bones...the least appealing version of the car. My quibbles with the E interior is how flat, upright and square everything is. This generation of E has been a disappointment to MB USA from a sales perspective. Freeing it from its C Class roots will help the new version quite a bit. Everything I've seen on the sedan and coupe has looked great.
I finally got my car back today. 3 weeks ago, when I was on my way to the dealer to pick it up, my service advisor called to let me know that when one of the employees was running it through their carwash, a customer who was running their car through it behind my car put it in drive and nailed the gas while still on the track, doing damage to my rear bumper. He then denied any responsibility, blaming it on the car wash for pushing his car into mine (mine wasn't even to the dry cycle yet). After lots of hassle, his insurance finally paid to have my bumper cover repaired and I just got it back.
I drove that E350 4matic for over 3 weeks. In that period of time, I helped my little sister buy a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T. Honestly, I'd take that car over the E350 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It's roomier (lots more leg room in the back), better laid out, better materials, better fit and finish, and much quicker. Driving that car for 3 weeks only drove home my original point about the E350. It is not deserving of wearing a Benz badge, especially since a $26k Honda Accord V6 is a much nicer car....and even a 3 year old Hyundai.
But one positive of driving that E350 for 3 weeks: It made me appreciate my car even more. I felt like I was going from a 2005 Honda Accord to a new Bentley. The ride just felt dreamy again, with the sweet smelling interior, comfortable ride, big power on demand, and lots of room. For anybody who is getting tired of their S-class and considering something different....I recommend putting your car away for a few weeks, rent an E-class, then come back to your car. You'll likely want to keep it.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
[QUOTE I drove that E350 4matic for over 3 weeks. In that period of time, I helped my little sister buy a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T. Honestly, I'd take that car over the E350 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It's roomier (lots more leg room in the back), better laid out, better materials, better fit and finish, and much quicker. Driving that car for 3 weeks only drove home my original point about the E350. It is not deserving of wearing a Benz badge, especially since a $26k Honda Accord V6 is a much nicer car....and even a 3 year old Hyundai.
[/QUOTE]
Not to beat a dead horse, but once again, I just need to ask the question: If you were going to be involved in a severe crash, would you put yourself in the E Class sedan, the Hyundai or the Honda? My wife refuses to drive an S Class, as she feels it's too big for her. She loves her E350 sedan and I feel confident that in its class, it is one of, if not "THE" safest car on the planet. Those other makes are nice, but with 16 year old kids roaring around in 20 year old Surburbans, I need to put safety first and for me and my family, that means a Three Pointed Star, no matter how much we have to "suffer" with the old fashioned, Teutonic design, which we happen to love.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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E350 as a loaner car
Thank god they don't use fabric. What I do like about the mbtex - it never looks old or gets WRINKLED. That's a plus. I hate wrinkles in my car and on women.
