E-Class (W211) ***Wimmer's W211 E-Class Facelift Pictures***

While at the Benz dealership that morning, I spotted a facelifted W211 E-Class (E220 CDI Classic) sitting amongst the new dealer cars. Classic trim level is the lowest available on the E-Class and is used primarily by taxi, police and business fleets, but some private buyers do go for them as well.

My reaction? Well, at first I was thinking to myself “So this is the facelifted E-Class, eh?” It didn’t look too bad in real life. When I first saw the pictures, I was pretty shocked by the front bumper design. My thoughts were as follows: “What the f*** where they thinking?” Well, the front bumper design isn’t too bad in reality. It looks sporty and has a hue of elegance to it, but just a hue. I think what disgusted me instead was the new grille. It looks fat and unsporting and definitely not elegant. The new mirror design too is horrible. I can see that they tried going for a sporty look with them, but it just doesn’t come across IMHO.

The rear is probably the nicest aspect. The rear lights look ok to me, the extended chrome-imitating plastic bar is a little overdone though. I liked the one on the pre-facelift W211 much better.

On the inside, I detected very little changes. Probably the most obvious change is the steering wheel, followed by the shifter knob for the manual transmission, which has been carried over from cars like the A, B, C, SLK and CLK-Classes.

Overall, I wasn’t too attracted to the facelifted E-Class. But maybe I am being too hasty with my decision. The car pictured here was a Classic trim vehicle with no exterior chrome-imitating plastic and other features that the Elegance and Avantgarde models sport. For now, I prefer the original W211 style.



















Oh, and before I forget, they had the new “budget Benz” C160 Sportcoupe on site. This is the smallest C-Class engine available in Europe and is primarily aimed at affluent youngsters or older buyers who desire a premium city car. If I was an urban youngster, I’d be interested in an A-Class, but this C160 strikes a nice compromise as it’s bigger, sportier and looks better. 1.8-l 122-hp.

Here's an English review of it: http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/mercedes-c-class-sports-coupe-c160-1003793.html

I didn't know you could get a C160, tiny engine!

Thanks for the pictures, the car doesn't look bad in them, your dog seems to like the car!

BTW, when will you have a chance to drive the car?

Nice write up, Christian, as always. Interesting, a huge MB fan is not so happy with E's facelift...

If Wimmer dont like a Benz, then its really bad

that first pic on the new E looks really nice.. so far i like it..maybe i wont when i see it in real life.. who knows

The absence of chrome certainly enhances the appearance of the car. But as it is, Wimmer's comments is exactly what I didn't want to hear about the car. I thought it would appear better in real life.

Hope the grill isn't as bad as it sounds... I would hate to see such a beautiful car like the W211 go to ruin.

BMW_Dude said:

I didn't know you could get a C160, tiny engine!

Thanks for the pictures, the car doesn't look bad in them, your dog seems to like the car!

BTW, when will you have a chance to drive the car?

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The C160 is a new addition to increase sales of the Sportcoupe, which is very popular in Europe. I've noticed that this car is also quite popular in London!

I'll probably get to drive the car sometime after June 10. That's when the new E-Class will officially get introduced in my little city.

TycoonGTR said:

Nice write up, Christian, as always. Interesting, a huge MB fan is not so happy with E's facelift...

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Thanks Tycoon.

When it comes down to it, I could live with the mirrors and front bumper, but the grille is just so fat. Mercedes' grilles have always been elegant and classy and fitting for their time period. But this grille looks like a lazy fat pig.

Just_me said:

If Wimmer dont like a Benz, then its really bad

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...BUT IT STILL LOOKS BETTER THAN THE 5-SERIES!

Just kidding.

The Artist said:

that first pic on the new E looks really nice.. so far i like it..maybe i wont when i see it in real life.. who knows

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It's not that bad, except for the grille. I can live with the mirrors and front bumper, but that grille...

Mirage77 said:

The absence of chrome certainly enhances the appearance of the car. But as it is, Wimmer's comments is exactly what I didn't want to hear about the car. I thought it would appear better in real life.

Hope the grill isn't as bad as it sounds... I would hate to see such a beautiful car like the W211 go to ruin.

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It certainly does look better in life - much better than in the press photos - but that grille just doesn't come across nicely IMO. The old style mirrors were much nicer, the new ones look kinda weird. I think it's a question of time before the overall design grows on me, but I guess I can live with the car if I had to - except for the grille.

Then again, this was a BASE MODEL version. Elegance and Avantgarde models may look nicer. The E63 AMG is a beauty for example. Perhaps what this car needs is a more premium trim level and nicer wheels.

From all the photos so far, the FL looks like a move in the right direction for what already was a very elegant, if somewhat conservative vehicle. I hope I'm not dissapointed in the metal.

Now that I've soaked-in the facelift a bit I'm impressed with that Benz has achieved with very slight changes to the car's details. This is the level of detail and near extravagance I wish we'd see on the new S-Klasse.

I still dislike the E's rear, which is a rather ho-hum affair when compared to the car's front - especially now.

Overall, very savy and effective, far as facelifts go.

I love everything, except the grille. It doesn't flow with the sleek lines of the W211. The pre-facelif W211 model indeed looks better.

Oh and Cawimmer...who cares about that ugly red C160?! I'm more interested on that black CLS 55 parked next to it!

Nice write up Wimmer. I guess I am one of the few who likes the car better now, in Estate form in particular.

The only thing I like better are the mirrors. I hate the old mirrors that look like ears sticking out.

The grille shouldn't be pointy at the bottom. There's no other 'pointy' motif on the otherwise sleek E-class. Oh wait, except for the newfangled bumper. So why did they add that to it? Surely there are ways of making it look different other than whacking a pointy front on it.

The new rear lights only make the rear look more bland. I reckon the 'striped' lights should be made a Mercedes feature, and they should make the most of it. IMO, one of the new areas that makers are developing are that of light graphics - e.g. Audi's LED strips on the S6, and BMW's angel eyes. If you work on making your cars more distinctive, then why limit that to half the time? Surely night is as important as day, so IMO they should have kept the old lights, or just updated them slightly.

I've just noticed this thing; the badge on the grille:



Was there really a need for that? I mean, you already have the 3 pointed star on the top that can be seen from an airplane! Why this too? It looks out of place, imo of course.

TycoonGTR said:

I've just noticed this thing; the badge on the grille:

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I think it looks alright!
Did you knew that all the old Mercedes' models before had that smiliair badge on the grill as well?





The new S-class has it too.

I know, but the one in Christian's pic looks somehow weird... Anyway....

Its easy to break those stars on the hood. Its also easy to create a Ninja weapon and use it as a throwing star.