Vs BMW F10 5-series vs. Mercedes W212 E-Class (photo comparison)

[K-A]

I guess that with 'elegant' the mean less robust (angular) - with more cohesive & flowing softer lines. While overall E interior design is a bit more robust, angular, looking a bit abrupt - thus perhaps less elegant for some.

Usually elegant describes lean & flowing design / shapes. So, even if nicely tailored glitzy & showy things can look more elegant than a bit more restrained simple but a bit sturdy design. But the beauty (elegance) is in the eye of the beholder.

It's interesting they found 5er interior looking more expensive compared to E class.

I agree. The interior of the 212 is a huge let down to me, I took some friends to the L.A Auto Show last night, and even they were shocked at the over hard/angular design, the hard and cheap-ish seeming plastics and surfaces thrown around, etc. I even heard a few people comment on how "cold" and unloving the inside felt. I think this may be the first time in a while a 5'ers interior is going to trump an E-Classes in elegance, hopefully as well in quality and luxury as well, it *appears* that way.

 

[donkeykong]

the b mer is ugly tough to look at even ohh well

i take it back its not that bad, the merc is nicer though. ive seen it in person the front end is pretty cool looking

 

[braaf]

Does any one wanna post up pics of night shots (interior) of both cars?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I picked up an E200 CGI today. I've got the use of it for a week. Why anybody would spec a petrol engine in this car over an equivalent diesel is beyond me.

 

[Shining Star]

Does any one wanna post up pics of night shots (interior) of both cars?

I can't find any 5er shots, but here are some E...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I can't find any 5er shots, but here are some E...

Now thats elegant.

 

[rollo]

Now thats elegant.

Not so much, epsecially the center console.

 

[Shining Star]

Now thats elegant.

I second that.

 

[ree]

Such an interior in the W211 would be awesome…like the Ambiente light in that one though. Can't wait to see the Ambiente light of the F10. Must look stunning - epecially since it already does on the F07!

 

[bmwownage]

I still think even the interior, the W211 was so much smoother, all it needs is new controls units/interfaces/buttons and it's no worse (or maybe even better) than the 212.

 

[ree]

I still think even the interior, the W211 was so much smoother, all it needs is new controls units/interfaces/buttons and it's no worse (or maybe even better) than the 212.

It is a beautiful looking interior. Will take some night shots of the W211 interior tomorrow…

 

[bmwownage]

I guess most of you's won't agree with me here, which is fine because it's just my thoughts.. but i think the problem with some of the new Benz's are they are BMW inspired in terms of design. Since when were there side swage lines like that on MB's? It was something like the B class or R class or CLS, where back in those days the BMW (in fact every BMW E65 and prior) waist/side swage was a line cut on the side body, instead of an apparent line created by the curvature of the body. But they kept it smooth which was OK. But on the E, this line isn't even parallel with the side windows, and there are other lines which goes to other directions, which previous MBs never had.
And then they saw the CS concept with second side swage line which curves up from the rear wheels, and now you see it on the Eclass - arguably, i think the E would be a better looker without that.
The interior, and i assume nearly everyone will disagree here, but the W212 interior looks more like some new and improved E60 interior rather than W211. Angular, big slab piece of trim. Just since when has MB interiors gone from smooth to angular? Just look at the W211, it was absolutely grace. The W124 interior absolutely kicked the E34's ass when you look at them. Also the way the centre screen is done, i don't know, it doesn't even look properly integrated from pictures. Both sides are uneven, it feels like some artificial add on stuff that you stick on next to the main dash "hump". Yes it is still full of MB touches and I'm sure it is still elegant/luxurious and give anyone a typical MB feel to it, but it can be different and better.

 

[K-A]

Now thats elegant.

To be honest, it looks good there in those press pics, not so elegant at all in real life IMO.

I guess most of you's won't agree with me here, which is fine because it's just my thoughts.. but i think the problem with some of the new Benz's are they are BMW inspired in terms of design. Since when were there side swage lines like that on MB's? It was something like the B class or R class or CLS, where back in those days the BMW (in fact every BMW E65 and prior) waist/side swage was a line cut on the side body, instead of an apparent line created by the curvature of the body. But they kept it smooth which was OK. But on the E, this line isn't even parallel with the side windows, and there are other lines which goes to other directions, which previous MBs never had.
And then they saw the CS concept with second side swage line which curves up from the rear wheels, and now you see it on the Eclass - arguably, i think the E would be a better looker without that.
The interior, and i assume nearly everyone will disagree here, but the W212 interior looks more like some new and improved E60 interior rather than W211. Angular, big slab piece of trim. Just since when has MB interiors gone from smooth to angular? Just look at the W211, it was absolutely grace. The W124 interior absolutely kicked the E34's ass when you look at them. Also the way the centre screen is done, i don't know, it doesn't even look properly integrated from pictures. Both sides are uneven, it feels like some artificial add on stuff that you stick on next to the main dash "hump". Yes it is still full of MB touches and I'm sure it is still elegant/luxurious and give anyone a typical MB feel to it, but it can be different and better.

I completely agree. As for the interiors, the 212's uses many harder and cheaper-feeling materials than the 211, as well lots more, and bigger slabs or plastic. I'm such an interior refinement nut, I've done obsessive comparing of the two, and the quality and overall refinement inside the 212 just doesn't compare, the way I see it.

They had to cut those costs out of there somewhere to justify the large price decrease.

 

[Merc1]

To me the the W212 is better constructed, but with some questionable materials. In other words its built better, but the materials used in the build aren't the best. The Coupe strangely enough seems to be better in this regard. I just hate that Mercedes has produced an E that I don't want. Its going to be a long 7 years. I even came around the W210 after a while, though I never loved it either. Ah...the W124 and W211...may they live on.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

To me the the W212 is better constructed, but with some questionable materials. In other words its built better, but the materials used in the build aren't the best. The Coupe strangely enough seems to be better in this regard. I just hate that Mercedes has produced an E that I don't want. Its going to be a long 7 years. I even came around the W210 after a while, though I never loved it either. Ah...the W124 and W211...may they live on.

M

You're kidding right Marcus? The qaulity of materials in the W212 is a step above the w211 easily. Most journos have praised the E's interior. Which is some achievment on MB's part, because theyre so used to regurgitating rubbish about Audi interiors.

 

[Merc1]

You're kidding right Marcus? The qaulity of materials in the W212 is a step above the w211 easily. Most journos have praised the E's interior. Which is some achievment on MB's part, because theyre so used to regurgitating rubbish about Audi interiors.

Not really, some of the plastics in the W212 look shiny at times and the car is much sturdier than the W211 but some little places are kinda lacking IMO. Center console is one of them. I guess I just don't like this E-Class and its a major let down because the E is just right size for me.

M

 

[K-A]

To me the the W212 is better constructed, but with some questionable materials. In other words its built better, but the materials used in the build aren't the best. The Coupe strangely enough seems to be better in this regard. I just hate that Mercedes has produced an E that I don't want. Its going to be a long 7 years. I even came around the W210 after a while, though I never loved it either. Ah...the W124 and W211...may they live on.

M

Agreed. If I were to take a bat to either, I'd feel the 212 can hold up better.

No way the materials in the 212 are better than the 211 through indeed, I can name plenty of areas where the 212's is a step down, and harsher, less refined/fancy, etc. It reminds me of the 204's decontented materials after the 203.

 

[Merc1]

When I think about it, I don't think Mercedes was just going for being "cheap", but some of that is a return to the kind of bare/asture quality of previous Benzes. At least I want to believe that. The W204 while not as soft and touch-feely as the facelifted W203, is much sturdier and solid feeling. Ditto from W211 to W212, it seems that in order to do this and keep cost down they have to specify some *questionable* materials. Just my theory. We'll be able to see if Mercecdes can solve this with the upcoming facelift of the W204. Solidity and better materials....like it is in the W221.

I remember driving those W203 loaners, the sport versions were a blast to fling around and the interior was much better, but the damn hvac was so damn loud it was ridiculous. The W204's is much, much quieter and refined.


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

When I think about it, I don't think Mercedes was just going for being "cheap", but some of that is a return to the kind of bare/asture quality of previous Benzes. At least I want to believe that. The W204 while not as soft and touch-feely as the facelifted W203, is much sturdier and solid feeling. Ditto from W211 to W212, it seems that in order to do this and keep cost down they have to specify some *questionable* materials. Just my theory. We'll be able to see if Mercecdes can solve this with the upcoming facelift of the W204. Solidity and better materials....like it is in the W221.

I remember driving those W203 loaners, the sport versions were a blast to fling around and the interior was much better, but the damn hvac was so damn loud it was ridiculous. The W204's is much, much quieter and refined.


M

Well we owned a w211 for 3 years and will be picking up our w212 in just under a month, so i'll get some 'longer term' impressions. Shame I won't have them side by side to do a comparison. Actually, I may borrow my aunts FL W211 for that. I'm confident the w212 will prove superior in ALL respects. Watch out for my comparison thread.

 

[Merc1]

Well we owned a w211 for 3 years and will be picking up our w212 in just under a month, so i'll get some 'longer term' impressions. Shame I won't have them side by side to do a comparison. Actually, I may borrow my aunts FL W211 for that. I'm confident the w212 will prove superior in ALL respects. Watch out for my comparison thread.

It probably will in 9/10 things, but I just can't get with the styling of the W212. It just isn't clean/elegant/flowing like the W211 or dynamic like the W221 with the AMG pack or tight/compact, but clean like the W204.


M