AutoWeek - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic wagon (short drive)

[Merc1]

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon is the right size for most needs.

OUR TAKE: A big, heavy, awd station wagon outfitted with all-season tires: That's a pretty nice ride to have when the forecast calls for six inches of the white stuff.

The E-Class remains a nice-sized vehicle for most applications, not too small but not too big, either. It seems like a near-perfect combination of utility, economy and luxury. We're not sure what's missing here, but doubt most owners would feel they were lacking for anything with a setup like this example's.

That's with respect to the V6 engine and five-speed automatic--a strong powertrain combination that provided all the scoot we needed. Handling is taut, steering on target, brakes excellent, ride superior. Sure, you wouldn't want to put five people in this for a long ride, but four could go for days without complaint.


As-tested price: $63,605
Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; awd, five-speed automatic
Output: 268 hp @ 6000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 2400-5000 rpm
Curb weight: 3985 lb
Fuel economy (EPA/AW): 18/18.0 mpg
Options: Premium II package, including DVD navigation, satellite radio, heated front seats, rear side window blinds, hands-free communication, keyless go, bixenon headlamps with active curve illumination, headlight washing system, cornering fog lamps ($4,320); cashmere leather ($1,550); Sienna black paint ($710); wood/leather steering wheel ($550)


2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic wagon - AutoWeek Magazine


M

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

Wow, they're still reviewing this old chassis?

I agree with their summary, a solid, dependable, elegant hauler. Great for riding around town on errands or a nice long road trip with plenty of space and grace.

The power is just adequate though, it could really use that new 3.5L that MB is putting in the SLK350. The weight isn't too much of a factor for handling, even on the 'Ring it drove pretty well.

 

[Merc1]

Oh yes. AutoWeek tests something new every day of the week so yes even an E-Class is bound to come around.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

Those rims have been appearing too often on North American E-Classes. I'm not a fan of them.

 

[merve_extreme]

Those rims have been appearing too often on North American E-Classes. I'm not a fan of them.

Similar ones are present on the S-class in India.

 

[cawimmer430]

Similar ones are present on the S-class in India.

Oh God.

 

[merve_extreme]

Yes,that's really a shame because they look hopeless on the S.

 

[ree]

Yes,that's really a shame because they look hopeless on the S.

But those rims are better, then the standard rims on the old W220!! But there are definitely better ones. This is one of the options, where it is useful to spend some money!

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

Its the standard rim on the E350 Wagon.

I'm really annoyed at the styling choices available to the US, since the Wagon didn't have a "Sport" or "Elegance/Avantgarde" trim choice to get Black Birdseye wood or sport rims. They just had these standard rims. If the Sport Package was available, which it is for free on the Sedan, we would have purchased it in a heartbeat. Either that, or the AMG Package, which I think is worth the money for the rims alone, if not for the tail pipes, suspension and trim upgrades.

Blah, Mercedes-Benz, why must you torment your customers?! End Rant.

 

[Monster]

So how does MB US seperate the different trim levels? Why don't they offer "Classic" "Elegance" "Avantgarde" and "Sports" trim levels in the US market instead of having various bits and pieces on the option list. For such a large market I am surprised MB doesn't seem to offer all the available options to their customers.

 

[cawimmer430]

So how does MB US seperate the different trim levels? Why don't they offer "Classic" "Elegance" "Avantgarde" and "Sports" trim levels in the US market instead of having various bits and pieces on the option list. For such a large market I am surprised MB doesn't seem to offer all the available options to their customers.

Classic shouldn't be offered in the US. That trim here is only bought by taxi, police and business fleets and some private customers. They look "cheap".

 

[ree]

Classic shouldn't be offered in the US. That trim here is only bought by taxi, police and business fleets and some private customers. They look "cheap".

Even Taxis, Police and Business Fleets go for the more expensive Elegance version!! Not many, but some of them… … and I can understand them! They look cheap, exterior and interior - the classic version is "terrible"!

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

In the Ooh Ess Ahh, they have...general trim level for the E-Class. You can actually check out the Car Builder at mbusa.com and just click on the "Build Your Own.."

But for the E-Class Wagon: You only have the medium brown wood trim, and a choice of MB Tex or Leather for the seats. So there is "Elegance" or "Avantgarde" Levels. The options usually come in package form only for the most part, while some individual options like iPod Interface and Parktronic are only offered in individual options. What can be frustrating is that some options ONLY come as part of the Premium I or Premium II package, so to get it, you have to get some stuff that you may not necessarily want.

There were no AMG rim options, Sport Package Options, or Wood options for the wagon, at least on the website. That is what bothers me about the US Market. I didn't know that you could actually buy individual AMG pieces as well, like the quad-tail chrome pipes, trim pieces etc.

For the E-Class Sedan however, I think Avantgarde = Sport, and Elegance = Luxury. Basically: Elegance/Lux is brown wood, black dash background, standard rims. Avantgarde/Sport(Which is free btw) has Dark Gray Wood, more aggressive body pieces, 10-spoke 18in rims, Twin Chrome Pipes and Suspension Ugrade.

To me, the Sport Option for the Sedan is a great deal, and I wish it was offered for the Wagon, because we would have chosen it without a second thought.

 

[Merc1]

What I'd like to see is MBUSA really push customization for just one model and see where it goes. I mean really open up the full European catalogue and see where it goes. Designo, different leathers/colors/woods, the full AMG catalogue also. Throw a few million in advertising/promotion and ship some of these cars to every dealer, especially the bigger ones. They'd get more of them. Just to see where it goes. I bet they'd gain some sales and get a good number of orders which would mean big $$$. If it doesn't work out then remove what customers weren't interested in and scale back and/or drop most of it.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

Even Taxis, Police and Business Fleets go for the more expensive Elegance version!! Not many, but some of them… … and I can understand them! They look cheap, exterior and interior - the classic version is "terrible"!

True. I've seen a few Elegance W211 taxis around. Heck, I've seen two Avantgarde W211 taxis in Munich!

Police fleets, at least down here, tend to use BMW's but the few Mercedes E-Classes I see are hands down Classic trim. I think for representative missions they'll use Elegance spec W211's. I've only seen one of those.