Entering 2011 - do you still like your W212?

[Guest Mr. M]

Hey guys,

Happy new year!

I think the few of us here driving the W212s would probably be the first takers of the car in Singapore. Given that we've had the car for more than half the year (or more), I'm sure we've formed some solid opinions of this car by now. I think it would be great if we could all share what we feel about the W212 (especially those driving the E200 or E250, which would be the majority of us) so that future buyers can also read and judge for themselves if this is the car for them! The high COE now also makes things interesting - those who have bought the car only a few months ago can actually sell their car for not much loss (or even minimal profit).

Well, I'll start first! :becky:

In all honesty that while I was shopping a car for my dad, I also wanted to make sure that we got something that would be suitable for the whole family to drive, since my sister and I drive too. Deciding based on that isn't easy - knowing that my sister would be a rather careless driver (especially with backing up on high carpark kerbs and parallel parking), I had to choose something that was easy to drive and had good ground clearance for the front and back. Also, the rims can't be too sporty as we need the thick tyres to get the brunt of the kerb rashes. I also wanted something that is decent to drive, but I wasn't expecting a sports car - knowing that this executive segment isn't known for sportiness.

The E-Class immediately came to mind. It had the image, it was simple to drive and more importantly, it could take any sort of driver to drive it and it would reach home in one piece (hopefully anyway). Dad also liked the turbo engine. After a quick test drive at C&C, we waited a few more months while doing research when we finally settled on the E250 from a PI! It felt quite alright then and seemed to be the right car.

And, conclusions from the few months since we had the car, and 8000km later, my impressions are mixed.

The E250 CGI has typical MB traits in it, which is a good thing. It is quiet, so quiet that you wouldn't believe it is a 4 pot underneath the bonnet. It idles very smoothly. It is also very comfortable, the Avantgarde suspension a good balance of both comfort and sportiness. Although, I do feel that the damping is a little bit too harsh for an E-Class. That said, perhaps the biggest surprise of the car is how it handles. I really love the steering, it is more communicative than you might expect, giving the driver incentive to drive the car enthusiastically. The well-tuned suspension also gives the car great cornering abilities, something I would never expect to say of a MB. Sadly, this brilliant chassis and suspension is let down by its drivetrain. The engine is great when you get the turbo boosting, but otherwise it feels very lethargic, especially under 3,000rpm. That is a flaw that can be 'solved' by revving it above that, but it is still annoying nonetheless, especially when you expect a torquey delivery from the get-go from the 1.8T. But what compounds the problem seriously is the gearbox. It is positively ancient. Anybody who has tried the ZF 8-speed in the F01 5-Series will immediately feel the E comes from the prehistoric age. It is simply missing a few gears, too slow-witted and confused at times. I believe the problem is further magnified because while it used to be mated to the Kompressor engine, which probably had a better low-end due to the supercharger, the gearbox is not tuned very well with the new turbo engine. It constantly hunts for the power band in the engine, and holds a lower gear always unnecessarily. The gearbox also makes FC a lot worse due to its excessive changing of gears. This is a big disappointment which I feel cannot really be felt from a test drive or two. A drive in the 523i confirms that while it might not have the more powerful engine, it does have the more coherent and convincing drivetrain.

If you could look past the gearbox and engine follies, the E250 is actually pretty good. I really want to like it but each time the gearbox shifts and falls out of the turbo power band, I am constantly reminded that perhaps MB would have been more wise to put the 7G-tronic box in the E250. Also, perhaps for our urban market, putting more low-end torque to the engine would be nice. I understand what MB is going for; it probably did a lot of high-speed, long distance tests with the E250 as on the NSH the car really shone. Since the gearbox was on 5th all the time you didn't really get bothered by its shifts; and at about 130-170kmh the engine was always on boost, which was great for overtaking. Shame then that 99% of the time, we drive the car around town and traffic lights like a giant car park.

Share your views!:bounce:

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Welcome back Stan!

Nice to hear that U & your dad is enjoying the E250!

Looks like the E300 V6 will probably suit U better.....hahahaha!

For me arh!!...Me & my wife still lup this car very much and I dun think I share

much different views from U except this is a brilliant 1.8T vs the F10 2.5 V6.

Though I have never test drive the F10 but I've sat in a few & I still biasly luv especially the interior of the W212 better.

If I will to turn back time, I will probably go for the E300 Avantgarde!....hehehe

[Guest Mr. M]

Hey,

Who's Stan? Hahaha! :becky:

We did consider the E300, but it's an old engine. Just wished MB had maximised the full potential of this 1.8T by sorting out its power delivery and partnership with the gearbox. Now that you mentioned it, the E300 does seem like a pretty good package... In all honesty, even a Mark X I tried (2.5 V6 with 6-speed auto) felt like a more refined drivetrain than the E250's.

[Guest blackmercs]

I love the CGI engine be it C or E class. My car comes with the Dynamic handling package so whenever I want to do the fast & furious driving it's never fails me. Too bad not many ppl appreciate this feature but it's comes with a price, increase of F/C & unable to lower yr ride. As for the looks & design, no word can express it!! Hope the new C coupe is as good the E class .

[Guest kepiting1sg]

Mr. M wrote:

Hey,

Who's Stan? Hahaha! :becky:

We did consider the E300, but it's an old engine. Just wished MB had maximised the full potential of this 1.8T by sorting out its power delivery and partnership with the gearbox. Now that you mentioned it, the E300 does seem like a pretty good package... In all honesty, even a Mark X I tried (2.5 V6 with 6-speed auto) felt like a more refined drivetrain than the E250's.

Oh my bad! Mistaken yr name!

IMHO

Yes! The avantgarde suspension & 17" does not gip a "typical" MB magic carpet ride but make up for it with better handling.

For a "comfortable ride" with very good cushioning will be the stock Elegance model with fatter 16" tyres.

As we inches further up to 17" Avantgarde, then to 18" AMG Sport, U get to feel more & more of the unevenness & humps on the road.

That could be the reason MB doesn't has recommendations for 19" wheels except for the E63 AMG.

[Guest kepiting1sg]

BTW C&C offers the W212 E300 whereas the PI is selling E300CGI.

Is there a difference in engine?

[Guest vincemerz]

blackmercs wrote:

I love the CGI engine be it C or E class. My car comes with the Dynamic handling package so whenever I want to do the fast & furious driving it's never fails me. Too bad not many ppl appreciate this feature but it's comes with a price, increase of F/C & unable to lower yr ride. As for the looks & design, no word can express it!! Hope the new C coupe is as good the E class .

how much more for dynamic handling package? the fc drop to...? so what does the dynamic handling package do..?

[Guest blackmercs]

vincemerz wrote:

how much more for dynamic handling package? the fc drop to...? so what does the dynamic handling package do..?

No idea on the cost as it comes as a standard. No power improvement but good for launching at stop position.