Vs (Road&Track) 2011 Infiniti M56 vs. 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550
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cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
In terms of handling, I can say that our E350 CGI, with the AMG sport package, handles pretty well overall. Granted, it's not the standard E-Class and pretty much only applies to the W212 with the AMG sport and suspension package.
The suspension is still heavily comfort-biased, but there's enough steering feel to know what the front wheels are up to and in what position they are. The steering system also reacts fast.
And now with the summer tires on, handling and grip have improved tremendously.
One thing that these short road tests from all magazines never comment on is that in the long run owners get used to their cars and get a feel for their capabilities. So in my case for example, after about two years I could drive our ex-2002 MB E320 Avantgarde (Sport) pretty hard in the twisties and SAFELY CONTROL it because I knew the limits of the car and how it behaved.
I think and each everyone of us can relate to ^this^ with every car we've owned for a few years.
Right now I am still learning our E350 CGI but in a few years I'll have more confidence of pushing it a bit harder in the curves. However, the E350 CGI is so smooth and comfortable I really don't want to drive it in a sporty fashion. I think the AMG package is really more of a design add-on (and makes the car look really good), but in terms of overall sport it doesn't add that much.
The suspension is still heavily comfort-biased, but there's enough steering feel to know what the front wheels are up to and in what position they are. The steering system also reacts fast.
And now with the summer tires on, handling and grip have improved tremendously.
One thing that these short road tests from all magazines never comment on is that in the long run owners get used to their cars and get a feel for their capabilities. So in my case for example, after about two years I could drive our ex-2002 MB E320 Avantgarde (Sport) pretty hard in the twisties and SAFELY CONTROL it because I knew the limits of the car and how it behaved.
I think and each everyone of us can relate to ^this^ with every car we've owned for a few years.
Right now I am still learning our E350 CGI but in a few years I'll have more confidence of pushing it a bit harder in the curves. However, the E350 CGI is so smooth and comfortable I really don't want to drive it in a sporty fashion. I think the AMG package is really more of a design add-on (and makes the car look really good), but in terms of overall sport it doesn't add that much.
I'm not sure if "boxy" is the right word. IMO the W212 is the sleekest Sedan M-B has right now, in terms of a pulled back and dynamic greenhouse, aggressively raked front end, and dynamic shape. I think what you mean is "angular", which it certainly is. The angularity is definitely done on purpose to evoke that proud solidity of the early Boxy Benzes, without actually being a boring "boxy" shape (but having the stately-ness of one).
This pic kind of shows what I'm talking about. See how the 212 is "trying to be boxy" to look strong and imposing, but it's actually very dynamic.
It's 100% getting the new motors, as M-B is putting them in for the rest of the line. It does suck for us 2010 and 2011 owners, and is frankly a disservice and unfair gesture to devalue our brand new cars due to newer motors. Fortunately for me, HP doesn't matter much for me in an E-Class (as long as it has effortless power, which it does for my driving style), but the better MPG on TOP of HP is what bugs me a bit.
I honestly cannot read these articles anymore. Every second line is about "handling in the twisties" and "driving at the limit". What kind of person buys an E-Class or Infiniti M or even a BMW 5er to push it to the limit in the twisties?
99% of people buying these cars will never, ever drive like this. And something that isn't mentioned is that often these cars will have other passengers other than the driver in them and they certainly don't want to be thrown around in the car because the driver wants to take the car to its handling limits.
If these clowns want a car that handles well in the twisties then they should buy a friggin Porsche Boxster and STFU.
When are reviews from R&T, M&T and BMW and Driver, whoops, Car and Driver, actually going to talk about things that actually matter to the vast majority of people out there like cargo space, safety features, general features, payload capacity, comfort, leg space etc.
EXACTLY!!!!
These "Reviews" are so pathetically ridiculous when it comes to anything but Sports Cars. These idiots do the SAME thing with Camry's and the like. I DON'T CARE ABOUT STEERING FEEL WHEN RESEARCHING A CAMRY!! Lol.
How do I know, you ask? When I was researching to buy a good, reliable, quiet DD to put work-horse miles on, I was looking at mid-size Econoboxes like the Camry, the Malibu, Impreza, Sonata, etc. etc. I wanted to know which was most comfortable, quietest, solid, and before I could get info on any of that, I had to learn about which can dance around stupid cones the best. I don't know how some of these "Journalists" get their jobs.
Well said, and agreed. I find that the E has a great balance, while being catered more toward what's appropriate, i.e LUXURY. I like the confident handling and good steering feel, but I love that it maintains its isolation from the road. It's not Lexus boring, but it's more calming than, say, BMW.
True, but most cars introduce the new stuff on the new model. Or during the facelift, usually just 2 MY's and then new motors isn't a nice way for M-B to instill confidence in people buying new models to keep them for a long time.
It's really a timing thing obviously, and the W212's launch happened to be just 2 years before M-B could spread these new motors well across the line. The W204 however, for example, happened to fit perfectly between the timing of the new motors. It kept the same motor line for the initial run, then the facelift models get an all new drivetrain.
It's really a timing thing obviously, and the W212's launch happened to be just 2 years before M-B could spread these new motors well across the line. The W204 however, for example, happened to fit perfectly between the timing of the new motors. It kept the same motor line for the initial run, then the facelift models get an all new drivetrain.
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
Yay...a 'we love the w212' thread! 
Despite what magazine might say after a 1 day comparison or what can be said of off the floor 'showroom appeal' let me chime in and say, we've had this car for 1 year and 3 months now and its been absolutely flawless and a pleasure to drive every day, just like a Benz should be. Theres a real depth to the engineering and you feel 100% confident in the car and its abilities to transport you in comfort and safety. And it still feels as flawlessly built now as the day we picked it up.
Don't care about comparisons, the ownership experience proves that MB is back on form with this car, and im sure customer satisfaction ratings will attest to this.
Despite what magazine might say after a 1 day comparison or what can be said of off the floor 'showroom appeal' let me chime in and say, we've had this car for 1 year and 3 months now and its been absolutely flawless and a pleasure to drive every day, just like a Benz should be. Theres a real depth to the engineering and you feel 100% confident in the car and its abilities to transport you in comfort and safety. And it still feels as flawlessly built now as the day we picked it up.
Don't care about comparisons, the ownership experience proves that MB is back on form with this car, and im sure customer satisfaction ratings will attest to this.
Damn, yeah, Ford really made the 2010 Mustang buyers feel like sh**.
I'm not too concerned about it personally (regarding M-B's new motors), but I will say, what M-B is doing to 2010/2011 E owners isn't nearly as bad as what they're doing to pre-facelift W204 owners who have to sit inside that interior all the time.
I just want my motor to get me around effortlessly and get decent enough MPG, which is does. The added MPG of the 2012's will have me a little jealous, and the added power doesn't make such a big deal to me. One thing that I hope the new one isn't much better in is smoothness, as that goes a long way with me, and I don't want to feel like crap about the powertrain in my brand new, still newly launched body style car.
Yay...a 'we love the w212' thread!
Despite what magazine might say after a 1 day comparison or what can be said of off the floor 'showroom appeal' let me chime in and say, we've had this car for 1 year and 3 months now and its been absolutely flawless and a pleasure to drive every day, just like a Benz should be. Theres a real depth to the engineering and you feel 100% confident in the car and its abilities to transport you in comfort and safety. And it still feels as flawlessly built now as the day we picked it up.
Don't care about comparisons, the ownership experience proves that MB is back on form with this car, and im sure customer satisfaction ratings will attest to this.
Totally agreed. When the 212 first launched, I was reading the Articles from the then-point-of-view as a complete hater of it. One thing though that I lusted over was how much they kept stating that the "confidence" aspect was back. One Mag (I think maybe Motor Trend) said something along the lines of: "It's hard to explain, but it's like this car knows where you want to go, before even you do, and it will confidently, comfortably, and safely get you there". I find that to be true.
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
EXACTLY!!!!
These "Reviews" are so pathetically ridiculous when it comes to anything but Sports Cars. These idiots do the SAME thing with Camry's and the like. I DON'T CARE ABOUT STEERING FEEL WHEN RESEARCHING A CAMRY!! Lol.
How do I know, you ask? When I was researching to buy a good, reliable, quiet DD to put work-horse miles on, I was looking at mid-size Econoboxes like the Camry, the Malibu, Impreza, Sonata, etc. etc. I wanted to know which was most comfortable, quietest, solid, and before I could get info on any of that, I had to learn about which can dance around stupid cones the best. I don't know how some of these "Journalists" get their jobs.
I find it almost sad (and pathetic) how magazines now review every car with performance in mind.
Sometimes I can't believe what I am reading. When BMW and Driver reviews a say standard Mitsubishi Lancer they rant on about how slow it is from 0-60 and the handling sucks and how on the track they clocked it with a time so slow bla bla bla. Are these clowns for real?
What's even worse are the arguments on various car forums about how "Car A is better than Car B because Car A does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 13 seconds whereas Car B is so slow with a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.2 seconds." PATHETIC. This kind of crap just makes me want to slam my head against the wall and just end it right there!
Exactly the word I was looking for: BALANCE. Most modern standard Mercedes' are a great compromise between sport and comfort, but still biased towards comfort. I feel that way about our E350 CGI. But when you're driving that car you just feel like cruising anyway. I also felt like that in our ex-E320. Never once did I feel the need to blast down some country roads and push the car to its handling limits. There are other, better-suited cars for that. And most people who have a midsize luxury car definitely also have a more handling-capable sports car in their garage with which they can have some real fun. I know a guy who has a Porsche Boxster as his weekend fun car and a Mercedes E320 CDI W211 Sport as his family car / daily driver for example.
donkeykong
Track Technician
I find it almost sad (and pathetic) how magazines now review every car with performance in mind.
Sometimes I can't believe what I am reading. When BMW and Driver reviews a say standard Mitsubishi Lancer they rant on about how slow it is from 0-60 and the handling sucks and how on the track they clocked it with a time so slow bla bla bla. Are these clowns for real?
What's even worse are the arguments on various car forums about how "Car A is better than Car B because Car A does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 13 seconds whereas Car B is so slow with a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.2 seconds." PATHETIC. This kind of crap just makes me want to slam my head against the wall and just end it right there!
Exactly the word I was looking for: BALANCE. Most modern standard Mercedes' are a great compromise between sport and comfort, but still biased towards comfort. I feel that way about our E350 CGI. But when you're driving that car you just feel like cruising anyway. I also felt like that in our ex-E320. Never once did I feel the need to blast down some country roads and push the car to its handling limits. There are other, better-suited cars for that. And most people who have a midsize luxury car definitely also have a more handling-capable sports car in their garage with which they can have some real fun. I know a guy who has a Porsche Boxster as his weekend fun car and a Mercedes E320 CDI W211 Sport as his family car / daily driver for example.
HAHAHA, TOTALLY AGREED!! My sentiments exactly. These IDIOT Reviewers talking about 0-60 or "handling limits in the twizzztiezzzz" from Econ Cars are pathetic. Worse is they give BETTER cars suited for their segments, losses because they're engineered too well from the stresses of the outside world (like the E-Class in this case). Then you have dumbos saying "ooh the the Infiniti is better than the Benz because BMW & Driver said so.... because it handles in the twistiezzz better".
I have never once either pushed my E-Class to the limit. I don't get the urge in this car. I want to cruise along confidently and feeling like I'm in a state of the art car. When I get more room and my lifestyle is suited for it, I would LOVE a performance car in the garage as well. Until then, I know what I want out of my E-Class, and I BOUGHT it over faster and cheaper cars for a reason.
I mean, let's get this straight. According to these "Reviewers", the E-Class:
Looks better,
Rides more comfortably,
Feels more solid,
Is Quieter,
Has more comfortable Seats,
Goes faster in a straight line,
& the list goes on....
The Infinite wins, because:
It handles better and you feel the crappy shattered up roads better.
Yes, makes perfect sense, as that is the end all be all when it comes to Magazines. How stupid of me to question that. LOL.
Looks better,
Rides more comfortably,
Feels more solid,
Is Quieter,
Has more comfortable Seats,
Goes faster in a straight line,
& the list goes on....
The Infinite wins, because:
It handles better and you feel the crappy shattered up roads better.
Yes, makes perfect sense, as that is the end all be all when it comes to Magazines. How stupid of me to question that. LOL.
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
Yep, yep!
And it's horrible how many people are quoting magazines when it comes to cars. I find that in my daily driving I don't need a fast 0-60 time nor do I require razor sharp handling and steering feedback. Yet on almost every forum people are always arguing about handling and 0-60 times. PATHETIC INDEED. Someone comes into a forum and asks the guys there for advice regarding a new car. Immediately he's told to get this car because 0-60 is this and that bla bla bla. Damn...
I've stopped reading car magazines in general because I figured out I know what I need and want and really just can't take all this performance emphasis that every modern car magazine seems to be obsessed with. I only subscribe to classic car magazines like Autobild Klassic, Motor Klassik, Auto Classic, Mercedes Classic etc.) because I love old cars with a passion and I like the relaxed writing style of the journalists there. These are people who know what those cars were made for and how they're focus lies not on performance (if it's not a performance car) but other aspect.
Boy, I can already see what BMW and Driver, excuse me, Car and Driver would do if they got their hands on Karl Benz's 1886 three-wheeler...
"For a car that costs $ 25 million dollars, we were awfully disappointed with the slow 0-13 mph time (it doesn't go any faster) and the pathetic handling on the racetrack. To date this is the slowest and most overpriced car we've tested! We would recommend a 1976 Plymouth Volare over this because, hey, it's faster from 0-60!"
And it's horrible how many people are quoting magazines when it comes to cars. I find that in my daily driving I don't need a fast 0-60 time nor do I require razor sharp handling and steering feedback. Yet on almost every forum people are always arguing about handling and 0-60 times. PATHETIC INDEED. Someone comes into a forum and asks the guys there for advice regarding a new car. Immediately he's told to get this car because 0-60 is this and that bla bla bla. Damn...
I've stopped reading car magazines in general because I figured out I know what I need and want and really just can't take all this performance emphasis that every modern car magazine seems to be obsessed with. I only subscribe to classic car magazines like Autobild Klassic, Motor Klassik, Auto Classic, Mercedes Classic etc.) because I love old cars with a passion and I like the relaxed writing style of the journalists there. These are people who know what those cars were made for and how they're focus lies not on performance (if it's not a performance car) but other aspect.
Boy, I can already see what BMW and Driver, excuse me, Car and Driver would do if they got their hands on Karl Benz's 1886 three-wheeler...
"For a car that costs $ 25 million dollars, we were awfully disappointed with the slow 0-13 mph time (it doesn't go any faster) and the pathetic handling on the racetrack. To date this is the slowest and most overpriced car we've tested! We would recommend a 1976 Plymouth Volare over this because, hey, it's faster from 0-60!"
Merc1
Premium
You guys need to stop. The magazines aren't that bad. When a Mercedes wins you all will be right there cheering...lol. So stop it. Chris, the BMW 750Li just got its lugnuts handed to it in a C&D comparo with an A8 and XJ so BMW doesn't have their way all the time, especially outside the 3-Series bracket.
M
M
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
I honestly could care less if the Benz won this test. I don't care where cars finish in magazine tests anymore because these days it seems that the car that handles the best, is the quickest to 60 etc. wins by default.
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
Yep, yep!
And it's horrible how many people are quoting magazines when it comes to cars. I find that in my daily driving I don't need a fast 0-60 time nor do I require razor sharp handling and steering feedback. Yet on almost every forum people are always arguing about handling and 0-60 times. PATHETIC INDEED. Someone comes into a forum and asks the guys there for advice regarding a new car. Immediately he's told to get this car because 0-60 is this and that bla bla bla. Damn...
I've stopped reading car magazines in general because I figured out I know what I need and want and really just can't take all this performance emphasis that every modern car magazine seems to be obsessed with. I only subscribe to classic car magazines like Autobild Klassic, Motor Klassik, Auto Classic, Mercedes Classic etc.) because I love old cars with a passion and I like the relaxed writing style of the journalists there. These are people who know what those cars were made for and how they're focus lies not on performance (if it's not a performance car) but other aspect.
Boy, I can already see what BMW and Driver, excuse me, Car and Driver would do if they got their hands on Karl Benz's 1886 three-wheeler...
"For a car that costs $ 25 million dollars, we were awfully disappointed with the slow 0-13 mph time (it doesn't go any faster) and the pathetic handling on the racetrack. To date this is the slowest and most overpriced car we've tested! We would recommend a 1976 Plymouth Volare over this because, hey, it's faster from 0-60!"
LOL. I couldn't have said it better myself! My sentiments exactly.
As far as I'm concerned, the Merc did "win" this Test, since they gave it points in all the categories that matter to me, lol.
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
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