E Class as a continental tourer

[hilly10]

I have a E Class 220 AMG looks really good on the 19" alloys. I contract hired it on a two year deal just to tied me over till I buy my Car for retirement. Anyway we went to Le Mans for the race and we stayed for two weeks 30 miles south of the circuit. This was my first journey of any note,and I was so impressed how comfortable it was, three adults one little grandson and loads of kit. Now I know it will never set the world on fire but for a large car and set at 75 on the cruise control it returned 51 MPG. Even when buzzing about locally it was doing 47MPG. Driving back was 600 miles and 11 hours in the seat felt as fresh as a daisy .

[r129sl]

It's what they're made for, I suppose.

The optional long range tank would make one of these a pretty serious long distance car.

[hilly10]

With a long range tank you would be looking at 800 miles to a tank I would think

[Monkeylegend]

How do you find the AMG suspension over less than smooth roads? I have the Avantgarde with 17" wheels, and am thinking of replacing it with the AMG sport, but have heard mixed comments re ride quality.

I find mine very comfortable over long drives and fuel consumption is very good for a car that size.

[rickh]

Firstly great choice of car!! I took delivery of mine 1 month ago!! A e220 amg line with a premium plus pack! I also took mine down to lemans although I didn't achieve 51mpg... I ave 38-39.7 at an ave 80mph!!! But I the same as you thought it was a superb drive and comfortable drive down! very impressed!

What mileage has yours done now? as usually the more they have done better on fuel they are??

[hilly10]

Monkeylegend said:

How do you find the AMG suspension over less than smooth roads? I have the Avantgarde with 17" wheels, and am thinking of replacing it with the AMG sport, but have heard mixed comments re ride quality.

I find mine very comfortable over long drives and fuel consumption is very good for a car that size.

On the not so good roads it can feel a bit bumpy but then again they are 19", but on French roads it is sublime

[hilly10]

rickh said:

Firstly great choice of car!! I took delivery of mine 1 month ago!! A e220 amg line with a premium plus pack! I also took mine down to lemans although I didn't achieve 51mpg... I ave 38-39.7 at an ave 80mph!!! But I the same as you thought it was a superb drive and comfortable drive down! very impressed!

What mileage has yours done now? as usually the more they have done better on fuel they are??

I have done 6000 miles so its loosened up

[Monkeylegend]

I have had three 220's over the last few years and fuel consumption improves around 100k miles. This seems to be a sweet spot for these engines, just about bedded in.

[V12 AMG]

Monkeylegend said:

I have had three 220's over the last few years and fuel consumption improves around 100k miles. This seems to be a sweet spot for these engines, just about bedded in.

Last time I said this on a MB forum I was shot down in flames. I mentioned 80k as being the point I noticed an improvement for all of the inline cdi engines.

[hilly10]

Bloody hell I have a bit to go then only having covered 6000. It does make sense I suppose as older Mercs are still pushing 250K in taxi guise

[Monkeylegend]

My 2011 car is now on 276k and still going strong. I do mostly motorway runs and still get over 52 mpg average. If I am tootling along at 65ish it can creep up to 60mpg.

[crosseyedlion]

I covered 1000 miles in a day on a few occasions with my 2004 E500. A 500 mile range and massage seats made for a superb tool. No aches and I wasnt even that tired!

Brilliant machine.

[audidoody]

We'll be loading up the 2012 E Class Estate 250CDI in a week for the annual trip to SoFrance. Best car I've ever done the journey in.

[AC43]

Used to do France in a C43 estate and replaced it with a 211 E500. Self levelling made quite a difference when fully loaded. Effortless way to cover hundreds of miles.

Quad zone AC, sun pack and Harmon Kardon all come in handy too.

Off again later this year.

[RYH64E]

Our E350 estate has done about 6000 miles now, over that distance it's averaged 39 mpg and did over 50mpg on a 400 mile motorway drive this week, I really can't fault it. Will be doing the annual drive to the south of France in August and can't think of a car better suited to the task.

[gizlaroc]

One thing to look out for is parameter steering, it ruins the car.

Luckily most don't have it, I didn't realise the earliest of 350's came with it as standard on the Avantgarde, I hated it.

I have been a bit critical above the 212 based on my ownership experience, but got to drive a 250cdi with regular steering a few days ago and it felt a much nicer, far more relaxing drive.
Also, the facelift seems to have altered the driving position slightly, you can get a much better steering wheel position now where you can actually see the top half of the speedo.

[hilly10]

I agree it's one of the most comfortable cars I have ever sat in, takes just a minute to set the seats after my wife.

[Monkeylegend]

hilly10 said:

I agree it's one of the most comfortable cars I have ever sat in, takes just a minute to set the seats after my wife.

That's one for the "First World problems" thread

[RYH64E]

Monkeylegend said:

hilly10 said:

I agree it's one of the most comfortable cars I have ever sat in, takes just a minute to set the seats after my wife.

That's one for the "First World problems" thread

Not even a first world problem really, you open the drivers door and press a button, the seat/steering wheel/mirrors adjust themselves back to your preferred settings, I'm not sure how many pre-sets are available but it's 3 or 4.. It only takes a few seconds.

For a real first world problem, I've yet to work out how to use the Parktronic setting on mine so am still having to parallel park manually, that surely shouldn't be necessary in this day and age...

[V12 AMG]

RYH64E said:

Not even a first world problem really, you open the drivers door and press a button, the seat/steering wheel/mirrors adjust themselves back to your preferred settings, I'm not sure how many pre-sets are available but it's 3 or 4.. It only takes a few seconds.

For a real first world problem, I've yet to work out how to use the Parktronic setting on mine so am still having to parallel park manually, that surely shouldn't be necessary in this day and age...

Memory seats is a scarce option on the W212 E class.