E-Class (W213/C238/A238) [Official] Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213

[Mr. Mercedes]

I agree. No other Mercedes car of the last 20 years feels so "Sacco era" when it comes to integrity. I guess however, as you mention, it depends on the markets. The A/CLA I've seen here are truly, truly awful, with some of the plastics on the center control having flash/sprue form the molding process still attached.
I guess they're again too concentrated on brand expansion and numbers.

Indeed, but to be honest, they're also rattling machines. My experience with my friend's Audis is that they rattle way more than Mercedes and BMW.

True. Every Audi I have owned, despite feeling excellent in terms of build, would rattle eventually somewhere or another. Perhaps the super tight initial build exacerbates the rattling issue. The B9 Audi A4 had rattling issues on the Australian market when launched. Not sure if they are still ongoing. I doubt it because it wasn't mentioned in Wheels COTY testing.

I think the C class has top notch perceived quality, there are little things here and there that should have felt more solid, and I do think the E class didn't take a big enough step forward to distinguish itself from the C class. To me, all the surfaces you touch, buttons you press, are shared with the C class. The design might look more "luxurious" but once you go beyond the initial impression, you can't help but to feel disappointed. Those new to the Mercedes or prestige brand will not realize how these cars were used to be. Just because it is new, it doesn't mean it is better.

Yup. Some things are acceptable on a C, but not an E. If they want to sell them as Taxis, fit the Taxis with the cheap sun visors and trim pieces.

Mercedes always treats the E as the C's big brother. And it's too often to the detriment of the E. They need to shift that mindset especially as these cars a becoming bigger and more expensive, more and more customers will migrate from the S to the E.

And there are some elements which they have even cheapened below the C such as the transmission tunnel material on the E and the lack of lining to the door pcokets on the E, which the C has.

Ok, at the end of the day it's still a very nice interior when specced properly, but we shouldn't always be fooled by press photos and car reviews. Just because they rave on about the interior, doesn't mean its perfect. And yes some British reviews have now suggested that as beautiful as the E's interior appears, perhaps the 5 interior is better finished.

As @Monster said, newer is not always better. MB are definitely building the W213 cheaper than the W212.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Thanks for your input Mo, and your sense of critic. That's why I appreciate talking with you, because you don't get blind by sentiments toward your favorite brand, nor any, for that matter.

 

[Rolf]

It seems that most newly launched Mercedes models have build and material quality issues. This is has appeared before even the legendary W124 had this at its launch in 1985, the press cars had rattles and loose trim and the press complained it lacked the solidity of the W123. How things changed after and nowadays people always think of the W124 as been indescructable. They will most likely fix the different trim quality issues in the W213 over time and make the car more solid, it will most likely be remembered as one of the best E-class ever.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Thanks for your input Mo, and your sense of critic. That's why I appreciate talking with you, because you don't get blind by sentiments toward your favorite brand, nor any, for that matter.

Thanks mate. As they say, you're often the most critical of the ones you love. Haha

I have a passion for Mercedes that stems from my childhood, though I like to think I'm at least partially objective and not always blinded by the 3 pointed star.

There are aspects to love and loath of all the German marques and they are all constantly changing and evolving, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

 

[klier]

^ That old veteran is still looking good...

Worst E class ever made by all accounts.

And ugly beyond words.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

They need to shift that mindset especially as these cars a becoming bigger and more expensive, more and more customers will migrate from the S to the E.

So true @Mr. Mercedes. That thought came to my mind as well. My migration plans are held back because of the rather large gap in interior quality and the materials that are used throughout the whole car between the E and the S. Even the normal Burmester in the E sounds much less than the normal Burmester in the W222. The old HK system in my former driven C219 CLS sounded even better than the normal Burmester in the E.
I think however, this felt and observed quality-dip in newer cars like the E-Klasse, is something to be seen at the competitors as well. It's not a Mercedes-Benz-only manifestation.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Worst E class ever made by all accounts.

That's what people said at the introduction of the W124 as well. As a matter of fact, almost everytime after a new E-Klasse was introduced. So I'll take this remark with a few grains of salt.
EDIT Just seen, that your remark was made towards the W210. I thought you were talking about the W213. Forget what I wrote.

 

[klier]

That's what people said at the introduction of the W124 as well. As a matter of fact, almost everytime after a new E-Klasse was introduced. So I'll take this remark with a few grains of salt.
EDIT Just seen, that your remark was made towards the W210. I thought you were talking about the W213. Forget what I wrote.

Yeah, I meant the W210.

The W211 and W213 are beautiful.

W212 is 'ok'.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

So true @Mr. Mercedes. That thought came to my mind as well. My migration plans are held back because of the rather large gap in interior quality and the materials that are used throughout the whole car between the E and the S. Even the normal Burmester in the E sounds much less than the normal Burmester in the W222. The old HK system in my former driven C219 CLS sounded even better than the normal Burmester in the E.
I think however, this felt and observed quality-dip in newer cars like the E-Klasse, is something to be seen at the competitors as well. It's not a Mercedes-Benz-only manifestation.

My dad would have bought the new E if he didn't have as much trouble distinguishing it from the C as he did. There was nothing about the E350d that made him think it was tangibly better than mums C250 in look or feel, even though it was a pretty 'loaded' car. Instead he ended up in an S. The difference with the S-class is palpable.

 

[WAND]

@Mick Briesgau
"Even the normal Burmester in the E sounds much less than the normal Burmester in the W222. The old HK system in my former driven C219 CLS sounded even better than the normal Burmester in the E."
What you think about BOSE ?
I like BOSE the most, for "standard" sound systems options, high end Burmester and B&O aren't in same price range, they are way more expensive.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

@Mick Briesgau
"Even the normal Burmester in the E sounds much less than the normal Burmester in the W222. The old HK system in my former driven C219 CLS sounded even better than the normal Burmester in the E."
What you think about BOSE ?
I like BOSE the most, for "standard" sound systems options, high end Burmester and B&O aren't in same price range, they are way more expensive.

I haven't much experience with BOSE soundsystems in cars @WAND. So, I can't say that much about BOSE. I've driven once a A8 with BOSE system, but I can't remember vividly how it sounded.

 

[Rolf]

Yeah, I meant the W210.

The W211 and W213 are beautiful.

W212 is 'ok'.

I was the passenger in a work colleagues 2008 FL E350 W211 Avantgarde today and was hugely impressed by this car, it still feels so stable on the road with excellent ride absorption and feeling of solidity. The car feels built like a rock, nice heavy thunk when you close the doors, the material used inside the cabin still feels soft to the touch on the dash and middle console and the wood felt dense with no hollow feeling when I tapped it with my hands. The V6 engine is smooth with a nice sound and the car is very quiet on the go. This E-class is so good looking, still modern looking and not aged at all in my opinion, it looks smaller than it really is, almost C-class from the outside, it disguises its size very well. Only the interior I would say looks slightly dated compared to new cars.

 

[fortuner]

Hello guys I was away and read some of the posts regarding the E quality just my own opinion as I have one and just took it today to Mercedes they sent me a letter for some upgrades on the navigation and some other factory work free of charge.

I sat in a few cars while I was waiting for a lift back home C class Glc coupe.. Anyways I drive my moms C class ateladr theee times a week so I have good comparisons with E and C..

Personally I can't agree with the comments that E interior is not above the C as I think it is much the better of the interior.. The seats are way batter the fit and finish I find in my E is very very good I really have not a single rattle or noise touch wood car now has 9000miles.. yes the S class is a better car but the E I think is way better then the C in built and quality I owned a W212 as well which was rock solid I really don't think the W213 is worse of in any department in terms of build or strength or quality..

The in part I wish was different is the centre consol I would love it to have been wood.

Other then that I love my E.. And they seem to be all over the place in Uk.

I May test a S350 d L later today

 

[klier]

I was the passenger in a work colleagues 2008 FL E350 W211 Avantgarde today and was hugely impressed by this car, it still feels so stable on the road with excellent ride absorption and feeling of solidity.

Yes, but the actual ride and handling is not of this time anymore. Same counts for the E39.
I haven't driven a W211 in a loooong time, but the E39 feels like it's made out of cardboard compared to modern cars.

 

[WAND]

I haven't much experience with BOSE soundsystems in cars @WAND. So, I can't say that much about BOSE. I've driven once a A8 with BOSE system, but I can't remember vividly how it sounded.

I have experience with A8 BOSE sound system, prevoius model, excelent sound system.
Also Cayenne GTS with BOSE, awesome sound system too.
And in C215 , of course it is not powerful as these two, but for time when released is good, nice and clear sound.
So BOSE is my favorite for "standard" sound systems, of course unless you have Burmester high end or B&O which are better for sure, but they are around 7,5k option, while "standard" variants are about 1k option.

 

[mercpassion]

Hello guys I was away and read some of the posts regarding the E quality just my own opinion as I have one and just took it today to Mercedes they sent me a letter for some upgrades on the navigation and some other factory work free of charge.

I sat in a few cars while I was waiting for a lift back home C class Glc coupe.. Anyways I drive my moms C class ateladr theee times a week so I have good comparisons with E and C..

Personally I can't agree with the comments that E interior is not above the C as I think it is much the better of the interior.. The seats are way batter the fit and finish I find in my E is very very good I really have not a single rattle or noise touch wood car now has 9000miles.. yes the S class is a better car but the E I think is way better then the C in built and quality I owned a W212 as well which was rock solid I really don't think the W213 is worse of in any department in terms of build or strength or quality..

The in part I wish was different is the centre consol I would love it to have been wood.

Other then that I love my E.. And they seem to be all over the place in Uk.

I May test a S350 d L later today

Very informative coming from an owner having had both the 212 and 213..I agree with you and find it pretty implausible with the bashing of the E's quality, I personally think most of these negative experiences come from the usual early batch botch up of cars, but I think it is wiser to trust owners like you and Eng.ahad..

 

[mercpassion]

I was the passenger in a work colleagues 2008 FL E350 W211 Avantgarde today and was hugely impressed by this car, it still feels so stable on the road with excellent ride absorption and feeling of solidity. The car feels built like a rock, nice heavy thunk when you close the doors, the material used inside the cabin still feels soft to the touch on the dash and middle console and the wood felt dense with no hollow feeling when I tapped it with my hands. The V6 engine is smooth with a nice sound and the car is very quiet on the go. This E-class is so good looking, still modern looking and not aged at all in my opinion, it looks smaller than it really is, almost C-class from the outside, it disguises its size very well. Only the interior I would say looks slightly dated compared to new cars.

The W211 FL was a superb car, but I just wish they put more emphasis on changing some switchgear like the W203 FL and offered a proper AMG sport..

 

[fortuner]

Hey guys just a bit of a update on my E..I was sent a letter for some work that needed to.be done last year so I booked and went to Mercedes Watford Monday for the work tof be done it was some wiring they changed and then they did some software upgrade on the car first time I heard of this it's almost like and most upgrade on the phone where they spent like 4 hours upgrading some things.

Anywyas I found a few small and nice changes the dual screen as those who used will know you can setup up to 5 differnt display and now with the upgrade u get more information in the split screen on navigation.Also when u change now between sport classic and progressive even the left side screen colours change which is a coold new feature.

I also found or felt my touch pads on the steering were a little faster I hope I not imagining things lol..

Overall it's nice to get these small upgrades free and nice to see MB new system of upgrades.

I drove a s 350d L while I was their what a beauty of a car.

I know why the S class is called the king of the road it's a magical drive.

 

[mercpassion]

^ Looks beaut from that angle mate..

 

[fortuner]

^ Looks beaut from that angle mate..

Yeah Mate I love it more I drive it I love it and I think it looks classy and sporty..I thought it was a brilliant ride till I drive the S class lol that's in another league.

One day I'll be lucky like Mick lol.