OP great review thanks for sharing, I hope you don't mind me using your thread of me sharing my impressions with the same model as well. Out of Respect, if you do not like it, please let me know and I will remove it or request a moderator to remove it if I can't edit. I just didn't want to start a new thread since there is already a thread going. Hope we get along : )

A month ago (first impressions a few days after delivery)
So impressions... Happy to join the family, I had my W205 pre-MOPF/pre-facelift C-Class for the longest time I ever with any MB, bought new in 2017, all my family members has upgraded to something that has at least MBUX 2.0, they kept persuading me to upgrade and the 2026 E 350 is the first new MB I got in the2020s so post covid-19.

I am most impressed with is the transmission improvements, it is the smoothest MB transmission I ever driven after driving many MB models (AMG like E 63 S to non), including those of my family members' and friends. It was ridiculous even the W223 had a jerky transmission but glad the W214 has it resolved. This was surprising and I am glad because MB transmissions were common to have rough shifting issues. In eco mode, it is still jerky on light throttle so I will just drive in comfort mode.

I got the Burmester 4D but I am not impressed with it, what equalizer settings did you all choose? The speakers seems weaker than the 3D less speaker less wattage than my family members 2019 E 450 coupe (C238).

I am still learning as I go so please bear with me, for example, I couldn't figure out how to activate the interior assistant, perhaps it wasn't an option at all on Canadian models, same goes with selecting the headlight projections, I thought it was a paid feature so I went in the Mercedes Store but only dashcam was available for purchasing. I find the Routines feature useful, I have it all setup now, I can choose massage as a a condition but for some reason can't add seat kinetics in. MBUX also got rid of all the jokes from MBUX 1.0? I remember playing around with those in the showroom back in 2019, she refuses to tell a joke now. Carwash mode was present although I hand wash anyways but I can't find standby mode which will be useful since I travel out of the country often.

Looks like the W214 has less massage programs compared to the W213, not sure if that means the W213 massage is more comfortable. It also has less than the V167 GLE. I have a bad back, I wonder if there are any massage chair recommendations?

I decided to buy cotton gloves to drive with because I kept smudging the piano gloss surfaces such as the capacitive touch seat controls and the steering wheel and the screen. That does annoy me but I did know that coming so I am not mad or anything, the gloves work well.

I got a E 350 because I still have my M276 C-Class for the weekly fun purposes, although I wouldn't mind the E 450 if it had the options I wanted. Didn't consider the E 53 because, it is too heavy, I test drove one, you really feel the weight in the corners, don't need the horsepower (it is great to have though), didn't need PHEV.

I didn't want to do any custom ordering because I felt like upgrading now although next time I probably should because I have no use for distronic and a few others, not denying it is a great system though. I like to drive myself. I wish European delivery was still a thing then I will most definitely custom order. no pictures yet because the car is full of salt, need to get my detailer or I'll do myself before pictures. My spec is boring though.You probably won't look forward to it

I did get digital light. I got night package but I realized for an E-Class I would had preferred chrome. Don't have an iPhone so couldn't try out spatial audio. I also got soft-close doors, nice to have but not necessary for my use, I should had got the 3D instrument cluster but that is a rare option for in stock models but I heard it was pretty cool on the W223, I like how they trickled it down to the W214, it is a $1,400 CAD option which isn't too bad. Finally, I did not get AIRMATIC. I only got leather and not nappa though. I also didn't get the superscreen because I prefer the wood as shown in images of the press release of the all-terrain, another main reason is I don't have a use for the screen, the option was less expensive than I expected, $2000 CAD: https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod...4c2cd35770.jpg

Okay so the elephant in the room, the taillights, I mean I am the type that likes to be understated the taillights are a little showy, I don't like it but I also don't hate it, it certainly wasn't the dealbreaker for me, if I had the option though, I would choose to not have stars in it but no big deal to me anymore.

Follow up after 1 month of ownership:

The vehicle now has around 3700 miles (my odometer is reading at 5995 KMs). The vehicle was delivered with 16 KMs, so probably PDI and shipping. Canadian vehicles (likely in the USA as well) that has less than 90 KMs during delivery (anticipated KMs on the sales invoice) are still considered as new.

Love the vehicle, I got the fuel economy down to 5.7L/100KM so approximately 41.3 mpg (the conversion according to this site: https://www.mpgtolitres.com/l-100km-to-mpg) so that is pretty cool. not sure if other forum members got it lower, please kindly share. Or if it is the norm for this vehicle, the warmer the ambient temperature is, the better fuel economy as well. I supposed I should factor in the break-in and tire pressure increase as the temperatures got warmer playing a role as well.

Digital key works 100% the time, I am using it on a samsung phone with samsung wallet (also tried on a pixel 9 with google wallet on android 16 last month) I don't even bring the smart key (key fob) anymore (I probably should because tech can fail but I trust it enough to not bring it).

After break-in and transmission self-adaptation, my transmission started to become a little more jerky but still the smoothest I driven in an MB and probably a driver style issue.

I love the pop-out handles, I might be in the minority but I prefer these very elegant pop out handles when tucked in that work 100% the time for me. That said, I still wish MB allows you to choose traditional handles for those who prefer those.

One key thing about the E 350 for those who are shopping for one over the E 450, you will not get any a/c if you have auto start/stop on and engine shuts down, the engine will very likely not shut down even with auto start/stop enabled if your a/c is set to on and ambient temperature is on the high side. The E 450 does not have that "issue" as it has the more advanced Gen 2 (?) ISG system compared to the Gen 1 (?) ISG system. This was discussed in one of the threads of the facelift V167 GLE 350 compared to the V167 GLE 450. I have tested and confirmed this is still true on a W214. The Gen 2 (?) ISG powers more systems and equipment on the E 450. Do note, the pre-facelift V167 GLE 350 does not have 48V mild hybrid.

The only thing I hate about this car are the taillights but it is by no means a dealbreaker, I just don't like the attention it brings but it is what it is and I have accepted it is MB's design language going on forward well in this decade, sticking with MB means I will have no option but these taillights since that is their product design across most (all) models. I am probably in the minority because I prefer being understated, after all. I am curious what product design MB brings with the new designer replacing G.W and how Vision Iconic will affect MB's designs coming.

I am surprised how much I like the soft closing feature, no more slamming doors, it is not a dealbreaker if I don't have it though.

I am not sure how much the ionization help with air quality or if it was worth it but it wasn't too expensive, I didn't try the fragrance though.

In regards to talking to MBUX, still refuse to tell me jokes, guess we don't get along too well..

People kept hating the ventilation seat, I actually enjoy it, although there is a strong smell I guess it is because it is a new car. I came in knowing it is not a/c cooled seat but just fans circulating the cabin air so my impressions weren't that high, it works better than the 2023 Macan T one of my family member currently has. So that is the only thing I can compare to.

Canadian model limitation: no standby mode, no headlight projections (only available on the EQS not even the W223 has it due to regulations, which is strange but it is what it is).

Well, music visualization is surprisingly pretty cool at night although new X540 GLC gets that now so no longer W214 exclusive.

The illuminated grille is not as bad as a I thought.

I didn't get energizing air control so I am not sure what that does on top of the ionization, I guess the former is basically a HEPA filter?

Since I came from a W205 M276 vehicle, the driving character/style is completely different I am surprised how much I enjoy driving slow with this car, they don't share personalities and I enjoy them in different ways.

I regret choosing night package, I don't know, I feel like non amg E-Class should have more chrome (personal preference of course).

I guess that is pretty much it, if I can think of anything else I will add to it.

not sure if anyone still want to see pictures as I mentioned previously, it is a boring spec, obsidian with night package and leather package in standard colour.
Hope everyone enjoy their cars

 

I am going to choose to belive you are joking about the gloves. It’s a car with some plastic pieces. Use and enjoy it.

 

Thanks for Reading : )
and...uh...um I was serious about the gloves, I understand they are all plastic pieces (as you mentioned) and not a fine piece of jewelry or artwork, the main problem was the fingerprints, it annoyed me enough to improvise. if I recalled correctly, I bought something like this, or similar style: I think I also bought these (as recommended by another forum member) and I haven't tried them out yet:
Forgot to add to my previous review, car is a 4MATIC so I expect fuel economy to be even better if it was the RWD E 350.

 

I perked up when you mentioned wearing gloves. I'm not really looking to minimize fingerprints, but I do have a bunch of leftover cotton gloves like you linked to. Ones that I got during the early stages of the pandemic, to wear underneath latex/nitrile/etc. gloves. I've never thrown them away even though I really have no use for them, but the next time I take a road trip with my wife, I'm breaking out a pair just to see her reaction.

I suppose I should figure out how to activate the webcam to record video, before I do.

 

Thanks a ton for reading.

With the cotton gloves the other benefit were they warmed my hands from the cold leather and better grip as I got used to the alcantara steering wheel from my "higher" performance vehicle tgat was my daily and became my weekend vehicle after I got the W214 last month.

For the W214 however, leather makes sense since you aren't supposed to corner a lot with this vehicle, driving pleasure and fun is more of a E 53 type of thing or bmw.

Yes I have heated steering wheel though so having gloves is redundant if it wasn't my OCD of fingerprints smudges everywhere.

Since summer is finally fast approaching in Canada, the gloves make you sweat, so I was able to test out the a/c and that works just fine, not amazing but adequate, so that's good.

On a side note, as expected when temperatures warm up my fuel economy improved further to 5.5L/100km up from 5.7L/100km in my review a few days ago, the post above. I drive with start/stop off as well. So it might improve with start/stop activated when coasting.

 

In the video review of the E 214 on this thread, the image above appears on tne car screen while driving. Can anyone tell me how to get that live camera view?
[img alt="In the video review of the E214 on this thread, the above image appears on the main screen. Does anyone know how to
access/bring up this kind of live traffic image?"]https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbworld.org-vbulletin/1122x616/img_5779_b806272cfd65c3ca6983f0d6c8c09d6433c1c8d3. jpeg[/img]
Sorry-having a problem attaching the image. It's live view of the surrounding traffic as shown
on the main screen--sort of like what
you see on a Tesla screen.

 

That is the augmented reality navigation guidance. It will put arrows and road names on the video that move as the live view changes. You will only see it when you have route guidance on and you are approaching a turn.

 

What do the "projections" show you? Is it in the heads-up display, or through the windshield appearing on the road? I posted a thread that I activated the digital light/projection option but I see nothing different happening.....

 

The digital light projections are your headlights projecting shapes/images on the road. It will project arrows if you veer off and there is a startup/shutdown sequence of digital rain or waves. It's only visible at night and very limited in terms of the circumstances that you will see them. There is a long discussion on them here where I posted my experience in post #68. There is a lot of opportunities for MB to do some really cool things with them, but right now they are quite underwhelming.

 

with all the complaints [including mine] in the forum about digital key not working I am curious how you got it to work. I have a samsung galaxy S26 ultra which replaced an S25 and it will not pair. the app usualy says pairing not possible. I just checked and it still says it and its not even possible to attempt.

 

Thanks for the question, I am in Canada I wonder if that has to do with anything but I didn't do any custom ordering this time just purchased available dealership stock. I am wondering if the build date would had made a difference, mine is a 2026 model year.

I noticed you specifically mentioned ultra, since only the ultra and possibly the + has UWB.

 

Correct me if wrong, but I though digital key was available to iPhone only in the US market.

 

In the US there are more restricted "digital lights", referred to as just IHC.

In my opinion, it's pretty basic what they can do by default, because of I believe US restrictions. Most videos you find online from Mercedes are about IHC+ (which is allowed in Europe) that contains nice welcome animations, and other QOL features.

Elebest on this forum does a fantastic job enabling IHC+ on these cars:

https://www.elebestsg.com/index.php?...ty_type-ezs223

 

The US at least gets projections, in Canada there are no projections whatsoever. Anyways so for the USA, more on the digital lights projections here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ions-here.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...on-busted.html

 

Perhaps... I talked about my experience with the digital key in this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...hicle-key.html
but the main difference is I am in Canada. Canada sometimes gets the short end of the stick for tech so it is strange the USA doesn't get a feature when Canada does. As always though asking Mercedes Customer Support is useless and will not get any answers. For example, there are no digital light projections in Canada.

 

Another topic on the digital key (different vehicle) they mentioned two build option codes. https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...025-glc-3.html

 

Compatible phones for the MBUSA market, again make sure car has both option codes 849 and 896.
https://moba.i.mercedes-benz.com/bai...US/index.html#

 

https://news.samsung.com/global/sams...-mercedes-benz

 

1 Samsung Wallet Digital Key support is available on select devices, including: Galaxy S21 Ultra/S21+, S22 Ultra/S22+, S23 Ultra/S23+, S24 Ultra/S24+, S25 Ultra/S25+, S25 Edge, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Fold Special Edition.
2 Mercedes-Benz vehicles supporting Digital Car Key differ per region, in the US these include: E-Class Sedan W214, E-Class Wagon S214, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV Z296, EQS Sedan V297, EQS SUV X296, EQE Sedan V295, EQE SUV X294, S-Class Sedan W223, S-Class Sedan Long V223, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Z223, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé C192, Mercedes-AMG SL R232, Mercedes-Maybach SL Z232, C-Class Saloon W206, C-Class Estate S206, GLC SUV X254, GLC Coupé C254. For the full breakdown per region, please visit https://moba.i.mercedes-benz.com/bai...age/index.html.
3 Samsung Knox has successfully met the rigorous security requirements set by governments and major enterprises around the world, providing business users with a robust mobile security solution. For more information, please visit: https://www.samsungknox.com/en/knox-...certifications.
4 Evaluation Assurance Level6+, for which a product must be evaluated for specific protection against side-channel attacks or other advanced attack vectors, plus additional, more extensive testing and verification of the product’s security functions.
5 Available regions include: Abu Dhabi, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

Hopefully this helps: my Mercedez-Benz app version is V3.65.1 and Samsung Wallet version is V6.4.42 and Samsung Wallet Digital Key version is V1.5.10.8
Car is currently running MBUX 3.3.8-58
How I set it up, open the Mercedes-Benz app, middle icon on the bottom, scroll down to Remote Controls and select Digtial Vehicle Key (Setup Now). I turned on NFC, selected default payment provider to samsung wallet, turned on UWB, turned on bluetooth, turned on location and followed the prompts.