E-Class (W212/S212/C207/A207) Mercedes W212 E-Class Facelift: Renders, Spyshots, Etc

[Mr. Mercedes]

Currently w212 is almost wrong car to a Sport sedan segment, this is why it loosing nearly all comparison tests. There is nothing sporty about E class other then AMG bumpers, is has worst handling, performance, fuel economy, worst sterring feedback and no driving experience. Mercedes even refused to participate in latest MotorTrend magazine Sport sedan comparison, because they know that E class will loose. When it comes to luxury is comfortble but it doesn't offer $50000+ feel to it. W212 sales is not a success compared to w211, Mercedes just made it look better by renaming CLK as E class. F10 is a success vs E60, it help BMW increase their sales by over 1000 cars every month in US alone, F10 maybe doesn't have sterring feel of E60 because of electric sterring, but rewards you with better porformace and 8mpg improvement over 528 E60. Hopefully Mercedes will fix all w212 mistakes with a faselift, and make E class a leader in segment just like they do with S class by havining everyone chasing them..

What sweeping statements and generalisations. BMW have been receiving critiscim about their heavy and inert steering feel for a few years now down here in OZ and now the fact that they just don't seem to ride and handle as well as they should without a plethora of suspensions options. Conversely MB have garnered consistent praise for their steering systems and well judged ride and handling compromise in standard guise. Many reviews have stated that it seems like the C-class was made for Australian roads and the FL C has consistently beaten the NEW 3-series in numerous comparisons as has the E over the 5.

Interestingly the E sells about 350 units a month while the 5 manages only about 170. The E has over 50% of the midsixed luxury sedan market. The C has for the first time in about 3 years just last month been beaten by the 3-series by about 100 units. This is an incredible outcome for the C-class which used to be outsold by the 3, 3 to 1.

KA I know exactly what you mean about the W212 sports suspension seeming harsh over rough surfaces. Odly enough though, I for the first time in 2 years got to sit in the back of our car while driven over some pretty questionable surfaces. It was actually perfectly comfortable, QUIET and smooth back there. It makes me think the problem is isolated to the front end, with less than optimally calibrated dampeners and road noise isolation.

Thankfully also, our E has remained as solid as a brick shit**** with nary a rattle or squeak, despite what feels like an overtly harsh ride on rough roads when in the driver or passengers seat.

In terms of design, I give MB about 3 years before we'll see the've got their crap together and we'll start see a truly cohesive and beautiful line up. Remember Pfeiffer still oversaw the GLK, E, CLS etc. He likely also oversaw the SL given that the design sat on ice for 2 years while production difficulties were dealt with. MB designers have stated they were forced to make the SLK look like it does because the SL design had already been signed off.

 

[Huckfeldt]

I love the new, organic lights. I think it is the way of the future after this era of angular lights, which came after the rounded era..

 

[montana]

The line running from the rear lights to the back door looks weird.

 

[GBOY]

I can definitely live with this, great job. Does this mean the S Class will get the similar angle near the grille? Looks much better than the A Class type, to me anyway

 

[DjordjeC63]

I don't like graphics/texture of the rear lights, don't know why but it reminds me on Volkswagen.

 

[SKY]

The front end looks fantastic, but the rear is even worse than the current one. Those lights should go to never return.

 

[GTA45E]

The front end looks fantastic, but the rear is even worse than the current one. Those lights should go to never return.

I agree, I like the front as well. If it gets this lens treatment the E-Class might get LEDs, as this PS suggests.
The rear lights don`t seem to work with the new graphics though. (It`s quit tacky) Thay need to be (edited), at least taken
off the bootlid so thay don`t appear so large. This is one of the main problems with the new graphics.

 

[SKY]

I have no faith in this car. It´s so wrong in terms of styling and proportions. And this is clear when you see it next to its rivals. 5er, A6 and even Lexus GS have nicer proportions than this car. The current car front end only looks good with the Avantgarde trim or the AMG Sport Pack, the interior looks ancient, the profile too boxy and the rear a complete disaster. With this FL they appear to have improved the front and probably the interior, but the overall car remains ugly since its shape and rear end are fugly.

On the contrary, I have high hopes for the W213 E-Class. The organic theme will work fine with a car of this length and, after this forgetable W212, MB has surely learnt the lesson.

 

[deity]

I'm not feeling the design of this facelift either. The front is probably a lot less polarizing to some, but I do feel its lost a bit of the identity that exuded from the pre-facelift model. Granted, this render isn't 100% accurate, but I would honestly be very surprised if it deviated far from the styling cues of this interpretation.

I don't think MB is going to do anything to make the exterior really ugly, so what I'm most excited for is the revamped interior. Something tells me its going to be a stark departure from the pre-fl, which really wasn't all that great.

 

[fortuner]

I like it...I think the current E is a stunner my cousin a BMW die hard met me tonnight he says he thinks the E is a stunner compared to the 5...

 

[Zafiro]

I like it...I think the current E is a stunner my cousin a BMW die hard met me tonnight he says he thinks the E is a stunner compared to the 5...

LOL@your cousin and your post

 

[K-A]

Inside this forum, the 5er has this weird sense of "perfection". In the real world, I've never met one person who's gushed over the 5-Series. Most find it nice, but boring, kind of forgettable. I think enthusiasts like it for its simplicity and harmony, but I don't think it has much "curb appeal" to the average person. Before anyone spouts off sales nonsense, of course it'll sell, it's a Midsize Sedan with a propeller badge and VERY agreeable styling, but unless heavily equipped with M Package and a nice color setup, it can be perceived as a very homogenous design.

I think the W212's bold statements give it a lot more personality and appeal to many people, and I get compliments on my car all the time as well. I just find it doubtful I'd get those same compliments in a 5-Series which looks like so many other cars on the road, but who knows. In the U.S the E has fended off the 5er in sales during the 5ers first year, while the E had a higher Lease (F10 Leases are CRAZY CHEAP here right now, much more than E), higher MSRP entry, lower MPG, lower HP. That's because of how people responded to the styling I'd say.

SKY: Believe me, the GS doesn't have better proportions (but the 5-Series indeed does, not sure about the A6 with its FWD architecture as I haven't gauged them side by side, but I think the E's are stronger). I recently went to a friends house who had a new GS loaner, and I snapped the best pics I could in his parking spot, and you can get an idea of their proportions. The Lexus' is very homely in comparison to the more cunning proportions of the E, IMO:

 

[deity]

Wth how are you supposed to leave that parking space...

 

[K-A]

The Lexus wasn't gonna let me, it was telling me "switch your car or you're blocked in".

We were just driving the Lexus that day. I drove it a bit. Very decent car, but I don't think the styling is anything to write home about in the least. The entertainment interface was also the least intuitive I ever used. Seriously NEITHER of us could figure out how to CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. It got so frustrating, we just turned it off completely. Either we're idiots, or the car is.... or most likely, a little bit of both.

 

[MAJESTIC]

Inside this forum, the 5er has this weird sense of "perfection". In the real world, I've never met one person who's gushed over the 5-Series. Most find it nice, but boring, kind of forgettable. I think enthusiasts like it for its simplicity and harmony, but I don't think it has much "curb appeal" to the average person. Before anyone spouts off sales nonsense, of course it'll sell, it's a Midsize Sedan with a propeller badge and VERY agreeable styling, but unless heavily equipped with M Package and a nice color setup, it can be perceived as a very homogenous design.

I think the W212's bold statements give it a lot more personality and appeal to many people, and I get compliments on my car all the time as well. I just find it doubtful I'd get those same compliments in a 5-Series which looks like so many other cars on the road, but who knows. In the U.S the E has fended off the 5er in sales during the 5ers first year, while the E had a higher Lease (F10 Leases are CRAZY CHEAP here right now, much more than E), higher MSRP entry, lower MPG, lower HP. That's because of how people responded to the styling I'd say.

SKY: Believe me, the GS doesn't have better proportions (but the 5-Series indeed does, not sure about the A6 with its FWD architecture as I haven't gauged them side by side, but I think the E's are stronger). I recently went to a friends house who had a new GS loaner, and I snapped the best pics I could in his parking spot, and you can get an idea of their proportions. The Lexus' is very homely in comparison to the more cunning proportions of the E, IMO:

Very much needed..... Made me feel good about the W212 again.... The profile is actually pretty good (I absolutely hate the wedge shape, even though it is barely noticeable here) and it looks more stately than that stodgy Lexus thing. Actually from these pics, I can say the W212 is quite handsome Take care of your baby K-A, she deserves it!

 

[K-A]

Very much needed..... Made me feel good about the W212 again.... The profile is actually pretty good (I absolutely hate the wedge shape, even though it is barely noticeable here) and it looks more stately than that stodgy Lexus thing. Actually from these pics, I can say the W212 is quite handsome Take care of your baby K-A, she deserves it!

Why thank you. With a little work especially, the W212 really comes alive I think.

Unfortunately the "honeymoon period" of my car is threatening to come to a close (every time it gets close, my car reels me back in though, so far). It's been more than I could ask for, but my eyes have started to wander (try as I might to prevent it, it always happens). It will go down as the best car I've ever had so far, that's for sure. One of the bests I've driven really. I agree about the wedge, it's really climaxed with the W212, I feel that M-B wanted to make the wedgiest car they can, practically overtly wedgy, before they stopped that and went in the other direction. It gives the car an awkward look at some angles, but at the RIGHT angles, IMO it gives it the most interesting, dynamic and cunning characteristic of any Sedan really. Problem is, the F10 never looks awkward like the E can.... though, IMO the F10 never can catch the eyes like the E can when you catch the E at its "best angles".

Some other pics I think worth showing of mine. Here's a pic that I love because it shows the strong and stately proportions of the W212 (other side is a Classic 280 SE).

And, you can see it here next to the CLS. The rear really isn't THAT bad when you slightly modify the taillights, and get the spoiler package. IMO it looks even better or at least close to the much swoopier CLS's rear (I love the CLS's rear, I just hate the side detailing). Also, the proportions from that angle, and the lower door angle show a very strong yet sleek character for the kind of Sedan that it is.

 

[deity]

Dynamically, how did your E feel after your ride with the GS? More comfy/solid? Anything to comment on the quality?

 

[Zafiro]

Inside this forum, the 5er has this weird sense of "perfection". In the real world, I've never met one person who's gushed over the 5-Series. Most find it nice, but boring, kind of forgettable. I think enthusiasts like it for its simplicity and harmony, but I don't think it has much "curb appeal" to the average person. Before anyone spouts off sales nonsense, of course it'll sell, it's a Midsize Sedan with a propeller badge and VERY agreeable styling, but unless heavily equipped with M Package and a nice color setup, it can be perceived as a very homogenous design.

My views is the opposite from yours. I have several friends who like Mercedes but find the 5-series to be more attractive. So what you have experienced doenst mean much IRL. So the comment you made about 5-series made me laugh a little becuase you obviously just guessing or hope thats the case with the 5-series You just have to accept that the 5-series is appreciated all around the world and not just on GCF Also you make it sound like 5-series is selling because of the badge, I hope you understand the same goes for E-class.

 

[fortuner]

My opinion is thet the E class has a more powerfull or dynamic look compared to the 5...Again i state this is my opinion.I parked my E avantgarde next to a 5 series sports pack on Saturday nice think is they were both white...I asked guys who not really car fans and they both also felt the E looked very fresh which i always fell when i see my E..The 5 is definitely a nice looking car and i don't think anyone can say its ugly because that would be a lie.Anyway i would a E anyday...

Back to the Facelift i like the latest render in terms of the front i really like my current E but even though i see the facelift will be one piece headlamp i like how it seems they still look to have kept it looking like two like maybe the W124....I wish they kept the Ponton arch last nite i was looking at my E and really i think the arch is artastic part of the E really i love that arch when you stand next to the car it looks so amzing....on the rear i think its the weakest part of the non facelift E (not that its bad) ...Somehow i dont think the rendering is making it any better but maybe its just the render lets see the real ....I look forward to see the interior....Any idea if this is launched before or after the new S.

 

[K-A]

Dynamically, how did your E feel after your ride with the GS? More comfy/solid? Anything to comment on the quality?

I wrote a little review on another thread, or one of the E threads.

But to put it shortly, the GS felt a bit more dynamic, it felt a little wallowy in turns, maybe not as solidly pinned down as the E, but overall, the ride was a great blend of comfort and sport. The E feels much more solid and luxurious, while the GS feels more light and nimble. It handles well, and is comfortable. I'd say the ride is more "dynamic" than the E, but the E feels much more solidly built, the Lexus feels more fragile in comparison. The E tracks more solidly down the road, etc. The GS's transmission really holds it back. The motor is eager, and wants to go, but the 6-Speed tranny is obviously holding it back a bit.