I was seriously prepared to hate it. I was not a huge fan of the current E-class, finding it a bit small in the front, particularly in the wheel wells. And their instrumentation has always been abysmal (or worse) with entirely non-intuitive switches and buttons that are oddly placed. I've always admired M-B seats and suspensions. Their engines are workmanlike enough but not real free rev'ers and I doubt this has changed. But they seem to know how to design a suspension with just the right amount of compliance while still maintaining superb road feel and limited body lean. Anyway, I can't comment about the driving dynamics or engine of the new vehicle but, as I said, I'd assume that they're all about the same as the outgoing car's. The interior of the new car is roomy, spacious and supremely comfortable. The instrumentation is simply gorgeous and finally 'up to date' looking. All switchgear exudes a kind of quality and solidity that seems to be almost unique to M-B better offerings. Everything is tasteful and elegant in it's layout. Nothing is 'over-the-top' or garish in any way. The exterior does look a lot like a C-class on some steroids, but it's a look that I believe most will embrace in short order. Indeed, I think the 'acceptance curve' on this car will be a lot shorter and smoother than on the Bangle-ized BMW's of a few years ago. I went directly from this car to the BMW 5 series and sat in it (535xi). There's simply no comaprison. I have no idea how BMW expects to sell any of these vastly overpriced cars with the E series available to the same buyers for essentially the same price. Trust me, there's no comparison. Anyway, as I compared it to my new (and much loved) 4G TL I thought to myself that if the price differential was maybe up to $7k more for the M-B I'd probably have waited and bit....but recognizing that my beauty cost $34,480 and the new E-class will probably be selling for at least $57k when equipped with leather, nav, xenon headlights, backup camera, keyless entry, push button start, ipod integration, etc. I realized just what an amazing deal the TL is. But for those of you in the market for a $55-60k mid sized sports sedan, I'd give the new E-class a real good look. I think you'll like what you see.

 

I'm not even going to try and read this garbled jumbled water-s sized post.

Hell, just glancing at it makes my brain hurt.

Next time use paragraphs professor.

 

^+1

and pics would help so i dont have to that

 

To help those in need... This may be an AMG, though.






It does look nice.... Quite nice. But I'll take a TSX and a Subaru Legacy GT for about the cost of that one car.

 

I think it looks like ass

 

Exterior is ugly and that interior looks pretty similar to their current interiors. Nothing dramatic...

 

mrmako,

The pic you posted is of the interior of the current model E-Class..

THIS is the 2010 E-Class Interior:


AMG Package E Class Interior:


My impressions, overall, it looks better in person. What I didn't like, they "cheapened" the interior. Sit in the new C-Class, GLK-Class, and now the E-Class, and the center cluster very similar (steering wheels are very different though). Not such a good thing in my books, I don't like the fact that they took the smooth curves of the current interior and made it so much more blocky.

GLK Interior:


C Class Interior:

 

Thats because he posted the current interior.

edit: Sarlacc beat me.

 

haha...

 

It looks like it uses all hard plastic like the new C class interior. Can't really say I like the way MB is going with their designs. I do like that their mounting the Navi high up in the dash like the current Acura's and BMW's.

 

I'm not a Genesis fanboy by any means... but I would rather have the Genesis over that thing above (and pocket the difference)

 

 

Sorry for the bad pic. I thought it looked familiar.

Anyway, the interior now looks similar to a Chrysler in this aspect: a big vast openness of plastic. At least the gauges seem OK. The AMG gauges and wheel are good.

 

I saw it at the NYC auto show too, and I was not impressed. It's not THAT ugly (from a head on view it actually looks good), but from all other angles, it's got some weird design cues.

I don't want to discuss the interior. if the OP thinks THAT's amazing, I think he needs to go sit in an Audi for a minute.

 

Honestly, I wish the W212 had the interior styling of the W211. That new dashboard layout is ....and I hope Blazin Si is wrong about the interior but, I fear he is right. Having driven the W204, it certain seems they've borrowed the interior bits from the Chrysler side. (It's really sad when an MB makes me miss the ergonomics of my Honda Accord. )

 

I'm not too wowed by them. Sorry.

 

are those C-Class and GLK pics supposed to be a joke???

it looks like an econo euro rental car!

im sorry, but thats apples to oranges when compared to BMW and Audi.

 

 

I agree with you. Benz used to be so luxurious with their interiors, now it seems they are trying to get sporty but comes off cheap.

Im not a fan.

 

Looks like the AMG has a clutch, or is that just an e-brake?

 

Didn't read the OP's post since it would give me a headache due to lack of formatting, but from what I've seen I'd rather scoop up a pre-owned E55 or E63 on the cheap

 

and the coupe looks even more weird/awkward IMO.

 

None of MB's cars have enough pedals.

 

E-brake. I think those are 7 speed SMG autos. Someone correct me if I'm wrong (which you will do I'm sure).

 

Interior looks terrible