Driven: The 2010 Mercedes E-Class (W212)

sidindica · 27th November 2009, 10:17

Coming in March/April: E 350/ 500/ 350 CDi coupe
S 500 CKD for 90 lakhs
S facelift bookings started, launch on 6th Jan
E 250 CDI/ E 250 CGI coming by Q1 2010.

Nitronium · 27th November 2009, 10:21

^^ Holy hell!

The 350 CDi coupe?? Thats uncharted territory!!

Rehaan · 27th November 2009, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

Coming in March/April: E 350/ 500/ 350 CDi coupe

Should be nice to see on our roads!
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Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

E 250 CDI/ E 250 CGI coming by Q1 2010.

Are you sure the 250 Petrol will be a CGI ??

It seems like due to the high compression and Indian fuel quality, the CGIs aren't the ideal engines.

The E350 petrol we drove was NOT a CGI.

cya
R

MonkeyMan · 27th November 2009, 18:44

Just gone through the latest Autocar Issue and they give the New E Class 350 CDI a 10/10 rating. Is it really that Good?? Want to get an opinion from the people who have driven this car.
Personally Opinion :
1. The Interior design just is not there(too confused) and the Exteriors I guess no one would Love
2. I think this is the First time in Autocar India Ratings that they have given a 10/10 rating to a car which costs 50 lakh and is not Value for Money.

Note from Mod : Thread merged to our existing E350 (Petrol+CDI) review. Do take a look through this thread.

GTO · 27th November 2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

Coming in March/April: E 350/ 500/ 350 CDi coupe
S facelift bookings started, launch on 6th Jan
E 250 CDI/ E 250 CGI coming by Q1 2010.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Should be nice to see on our roads!

Whoa! The coupe looks H-O-T! Absolute drool stuff, makes the CLS irrelevant. Actually, come to think of it, the CLS was based on the previous gen E Class.

What really got my attention from Sid's scoop is this:

Quote:

[*]S 500 CKD for 90 lakhs

That's a superb price. The S500 CBU went well over a crore, the CKD brings it 10% within. As they say, an S Class with a V8 engine is one to be experienced.

stanjohn123 · 27th November 2009, 19:31

The car is over rated for sure. Especially with a price like that.I think the Jag costs the same. Why would autocar give a 10/10 to Merc I don't know.

McLaren Rulez · 27th November 2009, 19:37

I haven't read ACI in a while but from what I remember, they almost always gave high end cars (30 lakh plus) very good scores. In that price bracket, the cars are obviously so much better than cars in the sub 20 lakh bracket that ACI struggles to test them with adequate perspective on what the owners of those cars really expect.

akhilesh51 · 27th November 2009, 21:14

A 10/10 to Merc E class!

So, ACI thinks that this is the best performance, best value for money, best comfort on road today? Or is ACI goona go 11/10 and 12/10 for even better cars making a mockery of entire evaluation system.

It's a shame that such a thing comes from ACI which has been my favourite by a mile (I will have to rethink my evaluation here!)

drifter · 27th November 2009, 21:34

The new E-Class is really very good. The editor himself owns the previous E, so the perspective is in place.

Yes I did find the looks a little off, but it grows on you and even looks good after a while. The interiors in the Avantgarde trim are super luxurious, better than the Audi A6 and even the 5-series. Although the 5 does have really good and functional interiors as well.

The E is not a scorcher especially if you compare it to the monstrous A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro. But it isn't slow by any means. And why it gets such a good rating is probably because it combines the best of all the worlds. You get brilliant ride quality, pretty good handling (no comparison to the BMW, but pretty good in its own right). Refinement levels are the best in class and the best part is now you get all the features that a Merc should have.

For those criticizing the points system and in general - how many of us have actually driven the car to say that ACI is making a mockery of the point system, or the car is over-rated? Wouldn't it be fair to at least drive the car and then pass your opinion?

My advice would be not to go by ACI's or rather any magazine's verdict, make your own but not until you drive one yourself. Go and drive it, you might come out surprised.

Drifter

ajmat · 27th November 2009, 22:40

Saw quite a few E class coupes in the UK and not too many new E classes except in Mayfair/ Piccadily on a fri night.

In the metal, the E class coupe is not sexy but it has a "strong" appearance - I can't describle it but it has strong features that visually make it stand out. Was listening to a podcast from someone running one as a long term test car E500. Merc have tuned it so that it has a sexy warble compared to the saloon

S350L-E240 · 29th November 2009, 09:58

Some interesting notes from various comments,

1. E350 (V6) - Everyone needs to know one thing the V6 engine used in current BM lineup is really lagging behind others, and from data on other forums over the next 12 months or so you will see a complete overhaul of the 3.5L Engine so the current engine may not be fascinating because it's only a bridge till MB upgrades all of it to direct Injection. Mind you currently Mercedes is on a roll to get their quality updated which is why they did not launch the CGI in mass volume cars it was initially limited only to the CLS to check it's reliability etc.

2. E-Coupe - While the E coupe is a great car I wonder what will happen once the CLS comes out sometime in the first half of 2010? I mean it will be a better car and a lot more practical?

3. S500 CKD - Best news ever

but I hope they load it with more features like Pano roof etc.

Coming back to the W212 (E) does anyone see a lot of light blue new E class? I see one daily and for some reason I want to go puke all over that color.

sidindica · 29th November 2009, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by S350L-E240

Some interesting notes from various comments,

1. E350 (V6) - Everyone needs to know one thing the V6 engine used in current BM lineup is really lagging behind others, and from data on other forums over the next 12 months or so you will see a complete overhaul of the 3.5L Engine so the current engine may not be fascinating because it's only a bridge till MB upgrades all of it to direct Injection. Mind you currently Mercedes is on a roll to get their quality updated which is why they did not launch the CGI in mass volume cars it was initially limited only to the CLS to check it's reliability etc.

2. E-Coupe - While the E coupe is a great car I wonder what will happen once the CLS comes out sometime in the first half of 2010? I mean it will be a better car and a lot more practical?

3. S500 CKD - Best news ever

but I hope they load it with more features like Pano roof etc.

Coming back to the W212 (E) does anyone see a lot of light blue new E class? I see one daily and for some reason I want to go puke all over that color.

That awful Indigolight blue colour?

Yes, the 4 cylinder 250 will be a CGI direct petrol injection. Also, the E 350 CGI is coming by April 1, but whether it will replace the existing E 350 or will it continue to sell side by side is not answered. And all these models will sport blue efficiency technology.

S350L-E240 · 29th November 2009, 18:16

Yes Sid,

That awful colour, 1. Why would Mercedes come up with that colour? and 2. Why in the right state of mind would anyone buy it in that colour?

I mean when I see it parked I fail to understand who would in the right frame of mind walk into the showroom and buy it in that colour? I know everyone has their own choices but is this even a choice?

I would not buy that colour on discount too.

Coming to 350/350CGI, I'm pretty sure they will not be sold side by side it makes pretty much no sense unless the CGI comes loaded with top features etc. and has a huge price markup, but for that they should consider the E500, anyways they will assemble the 500 in the S in terms of CKD so the engine will be common.

Sid, and any info about SLS?

stanjohn123 · 29th November 2009, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by drifter

For those criticizing the points system and in general - how many of us have actually driven the car to say that ACI is making a mockery of the point system, or the car is over-rated? Wouldn't it be fair to at least drive the car and then pass your opinion?
Drifter

It's just an opinion that it's not fair to give a car 10/10 .It's very unrealistic.I don't think even Jeremy Clarkson gave an Aston Martin 10/10.

drifter · 29th November 2009, 19:05

Just because JC wouldn't give an Aston 10/10 doesn't mean nobody else would. The points system takes a lot of things into account - like price, features, suitability of the car for the role it's designed for, dealer network, spares and most importantly how good or bad the competition maybe.

Like I said, don't go by ACI's verdict. It's just a guide. Drive the car and make your own.

Drifter

27th November 2009, 10:17	#121
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,876 Thanked: 7,763 Times	Coming in March/April: E 350/ 500/ 350 CDi coupe S 500 CKD for 90 lakhs S facelift bookings started, launch on 6th Jan E 250 CDI/ E 250 CGI coming by Q1 2010.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 10:21	#122
Nitronium BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 407 Thanked: 93 Times	^^ Holy hell! The 350 CDi coupe?? Thats uncharted territory!!
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 18:44	#124
MonkeyMan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 44 Thanked: 0 Times	Autocar India gives New E Class 350 CDI a 10/10 - Is it that Great Just gone through the latest Autocar Issue and they give the New E Class 350 CDI a 10/10 rating. Is it really that Good?? Want to get an opinion from the people who have driven this car. Personally Opinion : 1. The Interior design just is not there(too confused) and the Exteriors I guess no one would Love 2. I think this is the First time in Autocar India Ratings that they have given a 10/10 rating to a car which costs 50 lakh and is not Value for Money. Note from Mod : Thread merged to our existing E350 (Petrol+CDI) review. Do take a look through this thread. Last edited by Rehaan : 27th November 2009 at 23:59. Reason: Please see note in post.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 19:31	#126
stanjohn123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TN 75 Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 1,697 Times View My Garage	Its overrated for sure The car is over rated for sure. Especially with a price like that.I think the Jag costs the same. Why would autocar give a 10/10 to Merc I don't know.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 19:37	#127
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,250 Thanked: 4,247 Times	I haven't read ACI in a while but from what I remember, they almost always gave high end cars (30 lakh plus) very good scores. In that price bracket, the cars are obviously so much better than cars in the sub 20 lakh bracket that ACI struggles to test them with adequate perspective on what the owners of those cars really expect. Last edited by McLaren Rulez : 27th November 2009 at 19:39.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 21:14	#128
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	A 10/10 to Merc E class! So, ACI thinks that this is the best performance, best value for money, best comfort on road today? Or is ACI goona go 11/10 and 12/10 for even better cars making a mockery of entire evaluation system. It's a shame that such a thing comes from ACI which has been my favourite by a mile (I will have to rethink my evaluation here!)
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 21:34	#129
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 73 Times View My Garage	The new E-Class is really very good. The editor himself owns the previous E, so the perspective is in place. Yes I did find the looks a little off, but it grows on you and even looks good after a while. The interiors in the Avantgarde trim are super luxurious, better than the Audi A6 and even the 5-series. Although the 5 does have really good and functional interiors as well. The E is not a scorcher especially if you compare it to the monstrous A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro. But it isn't slow by any means. And why it gets such a good rating is probably because it combines the best of all the worlds. You get brilliant ride quality, pretty good handling (no comparison to the BMW, but pretty good in its own right). Refinement levels are the best in class and the best part is now you get all the features that a Merc should have. For those criticizing the points system and in general - how many of us have actually driven the car to say that ACI is making a mockery of the point system, or the car is over-rated? Wouldn't it be fair to at least drive the car and then pass your opinion? My advice would be not to go by ACI's or rather any magazine's verdict, make your own but not until you drive one yourself. Go and drive it, you might come out surprised. Drifter Last edited by drifter : 27th November 2009 at 21:43. Reason: Rephrase
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 22:40	#130
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,617 Thanked: 25,783 Times View My Garage	Saw quite a few E class coupes in the UK and not too many new E classes except in Mayfair/ Piccadily on a fri night. In the metal, the E class coupe is not sexy but it has a "strong" appearance - I can't describle it but it has strong features that visually make it stand out. Was listening to a podcast from someone running one as a long term test car E500. Merc have tuned it so that it has a sexy warble compared to the saloon
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 09:58	#131
S350L-E240 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,416 Thanked: 390 Times	Some interesting notes from various comments, 1. E350 (V6) - Everyone needs to know one thing the V6 engine used in current BM lineup is really lagging behind others, and from data on other forums over the next 12 months or so you will see a complete overhaul of the 3.5L Engine so the current engine may not be fascinating because it's only a bridge till MB upgrades all of it to direct Injection. Mind you currently Mercedes is on a roll to get their quality updated which is why they did not launch the CGI in mass volume cars it was initially limited only to the CLS to check it's reliability etc. 2. E-Coupe - While the E coupe is a great car I wonder what will happen once the CLS comes out sometime in the first half of 2010? I mean it will be a better car and a lot more practical? 3. S500 CKD - Best news ever but I hope they load it with more features like Pano roof etc. Coming back to the W212 (E) does anyone see a lot of light blue new E class? I see one daily and for some reason I want to go puke all over that color.
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 18:16	#133
S350L-E240 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,416 Thanked: 390 Times	Yes Sid, That awful colour, 1. Why would Mercedes come up with that colour? and 2. Why in the right state of mind would anyone buy it in that colour? I mean when I see it parked I fail to understand who would in the right frame of mind walk into the showroom and buy it in that colour? I know everyone has their own choices but is this even a choice? I would not buy that colour on discount too. Coming to 350/350CGI, I'm pretty sure they will not be sold side by side it makes pretty much no sense unless the CGI comes loaded with top features etc. and has a huge price markup, but for that they should consider the E500, anyways they will assemble the 500 in the S in terms of CKD so the engine will be common. Sid, and any info about SLS?
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 19:05	#135
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 73 Times View My Garage	Just because JC wouldn't give an Aston 10/10 doesn't mean nobody else would. The points system takes a lot of things into account - like price, features, suitability of the car for the role it's designed for, dealer network, spares and most importantly how good or bad the competition maybe. Like I said, don't go by ACI's verdict. It's just a guide. Drive the car and make your own. Drifter
	() Thanks

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