It's no good moaning about having things standardised when you don't understand Mercedes. Handbrake, a standard Merc handbrake for decades. Indicator stalk with wiper included. Standard Mercedes for decades. There is something so reassuring for any E Class owner when buying a newer one. Everything that is right is still the same.
If the handbrakes that hard there's something pretty wrong with that. They're meant to ratchet about 5 or six click and be really easy on the leg. I love them, better than an electronic handbrake.
Mercedes manual gearbox lasts forever. Extremely reliable. Ideal on a used car. The steering reacts slow cos at high speed u dont want sensitive steering. I love my merc
I have one of these approaching 92,000 miles but in automatic. I find the steering very positive on mine. I have it on the slightly softer ride setting which, while still very responsive, is really comfortable. I got the onboard entertainment system reading off an external hard drive via the USB port in the glove compartment, giving me hundreds of albums to listen to. I find the car super responsive and very quick off the mark powering up the A41 from the M25, it doesn't feel like a big car at all, despite being as long as my old XJ6 which was really sluggish. There are actually quite a few nice extras, such as the turning front lamps which follow the steering as you go round corners, the auto dipping headlamps and the heated side mirrors, to name just a few. You are right about the brakes. I had to do an emergency stop on the M25 from 82 mph after a van suddenly moved out from in front of me to reveal a stationery vehicle in the outside lane ahead. I hit the brakes hard at the same instant as checking the rear view mirror to see what was behind me. The ABS did its thing and I came rapidly to a halt with breathing room to spare. The car was so definite and well behaved on the tarmac I was in 100% control at all times. I had the E220 model before this one on which I did 275,000 miles and only got rid of that because the replacement fuel injectors refused to code. Like this one is now, that was almost like a new car when I sadly got rid of it. I am hoping that my E250 will be the last car I will ever need to own, as I am now 70 and don't use the car every day any more. I love it!
My dad's car is the previous model,the w211 and he is been driving it for almost ten years now. It's a facelift w211 e280 cdi om642 V6 with 190 hp, RWD and a manual gearbox. It's great for some fun,but it's a Mercedes after all and the steering is so slow to react, that you can easily fall asleep while you're turning. Still it's been really reliable motorway cruiser,and my dad once said,that he'll keep forever.
The car in this test was not the best option, Avantgarde+Manuell is a bad kombination. My W212 Modelyear 2010 (as you can see on my youtube channel) is an Elegance with comfortsuspension, 16" wheels and Automatik, 200 cdi 136 hp and cremebeige interior with walnut panels.
Mercedes have fallen so far since the classic Bruno Sacco-era cars of the 1980s and early 90s. I’m talking about the W-126 (S-Class), W201 (190), W-124 (E-Class) and R129 (SL). Those cars were perhaps lacking in frills, but thoughtfully and tastefully designed, built impeccably and massively over-engineered to seemingly last forever.
There are very good reasons why E Class Mercs have for years been the most popular car used by taxi drivers across the UK and Europe. Efficiency and reliability with executive style at a really good price, especially second hand. Parts are readily available in the odd event they do need repair and don't cost a fortune to fix if you find a good non-dealer mech. Sadly they are no longer the car of choice for taxi drivers in London any more due to the need for changing to electric.
The problem you have with the steering is odd, and I'd attribute that to worn bushings or something. My experience with the W212 is that the steering is vague yes, but very sharp and whilst it has a deadzone in the middle, is quick to respond from that point.
My grandfather had this car, bought it second-hand after selling his W203. Had it for a couple of years. My grandfather was always a fan of Mercedes ever since he was young and he would use a Merc even before my mother was born. However, it was only after he died did we find out that the seller of the W212 never informed the original owners about the sale of the car. So, the seller got commission money (ftom the owners) and sale money (from my grandfather). In the end, we had to give the car to the police for further investigation and was returned to the owner (I think). Turns out the seller guy targets old rich people and tricks them for their money. To this day, the seller is still free as there was no proof that he did it. My aunt says its because he never gave out any sort of receipts to my grandfather or the other people he scammed. Kinda upset that there's no longer a Merc in the family but oh well, nothing you could really do about it.
I got e220 2009 automatic with distronic package. I can follow the car in front and stop if the car stops when u use cruise control. Just look for the car which has the options and don’t settle for less
@John Bell the class of car is certainly for me. But the 5 series is so much better in my opinion. Better manual if you want a manual, better steering by a long way and better ride quality and handling. The Mercedes does have better quality materials inside but the i drive is better.
I got Merc E250 CDI auto...2011...great motor... why will...someone even...think of buying a manaul transmission car...of that big executive brand....sounds bazarre... At the first place...why would Mercedes even bother to install manaul transmission...on an executive brand..-? Dont make any sense at all....
I dont understand....whats the issue with these presenters or anchors of these car review documantaries....,they should be giving honest & practical review to the viewers..!!.But to me..they just mostly happen to be undue chatty-cum-mouthy/gobby..with no logical reviewing...I had this car since 7 yrs...& trust me I loved this very merc's innovative idea of hidden footbrake which is very practical plus hidden plus saves loads of space...rather i hate handbrakes at the middle of consoles or central glovebox
Don't listen to them, i have the same engine with 5 gear automatic transmision avantgard model and its very comfortable, but it is a little bumpy on bad road
What petty stuff this guy is moaning about....-??!! Its damn very natural thing for anyone...whenever jumping in a car of different make...it does take some time...before one get used to the controls of that very car....whats the undue fuss about it..-!! Means this guy...is unduely wasting time...in chatting stupid ...whereas he should be rather focusing on Cars engine permormance,power-bhp-etc etc
I expect a smooth and quiet ride in a prestige segment E car. It was a big disappointment for me especially compared to the 5 series. It's better on a fast smooth road but it should be comfy everywhere.
I'm sorry, but I don't remember a car that dealt with bumps as badly as that one did which was my main disappointment. I was looking forward to a comfy ride. It felt like a badly lowered car but the suspension looked standard and original - it is possible I was wrong. I'm sure a version with different suspension would have been better.
@@ConquerDriving You began the review with negative comments, It's important you know the difference between Avantgarde and Elegance before you knock the vehicle, Its like knocking an M5 for having hard suspension, Just Silly.
@@ConquerDriving really? Yeah because it was between that and an e60. The timing chain is changed on alot of them now ans advertised as so, but they can be very troublesome. In what way do you think the merc will cost me?