New Mercedes E-class coupe - thoughts
Discussion
Edit: title should say cabriolet!!
I test drove one of these today (for my mum!) and we both had a drive. I secretly hoped it would be as nice as an old Merc e.g. W124 but didn't expect it to be. However I have to say I was extremely impressed.
We took a E250 CGI which I thought would be underpowered (and I didn't even know it was just a 1.8 turbo at the time!). However quite the opposite, it had excellent pull at low revs even as an automatic. I didn't really test the top end and maybe it did die off a bit up there, but no big deal. It was very smooth and quiet too, not like the old Mercedes fours (190E cosworth I am looking in your direction :/).
The overal drive was the best bit though - fantastic, really had that W124 quality of a completely detached, distant, solid and smooth ride but without being wallowy or too soft. And, this was a Sport model not an SE which made it more impressive. The roads we drove were terrible, too.
The interior was even very acceptable too. No complaints here, and that's saying something because I hate the late 90s early 00s interiors. Eurgh.
So, overall very impressed and pleased for Mercedes to be churning out something desirable again. For the money you get a lot more than in a 3-series convertible we tried later and that I have to say I hated. Although with the Merc you have to deal with a cloth roof. However the E250 convertible is still an expensive car (this was 41k and was a 'used' pre-registered car). We later looked at Sciroccos and TTs which are different but seemer somewhat better value for money.
So, while I'm here and I"ve been so impressed with this car, I am thinking of buying myself something in the <12k region with sensible running costs. Is there any Mercedes I should be considering or have they all been awful until the last couple of years? The CLK has always had less than zero appeal but perhaps I am being too harsh on it? Also any ideas how much a 12k CLK might depreciate per year as I've only ever owned really old stuff before. Buying 12k of current-generation SL seems like a low-depreciation bet but I am sure the running costs would wipe out the savings and I'd be scared of expensive failures especially as I"d be looking at ~2002 "The bad years"..
I test drove one of these today (for my mum!) and we both had a drive. I secretly hoped it would be as nice as an old Merc e.g. W124 but didn't expect it to be. However I have to say I was extremely impressed.
We took a E250 CGI which I thought would be underpowered (and I didn't even know it was just a 1.8 turbo at the time!). However quite the opposite, it had excellent pull at low revs even as an automatic. I didn't really test the top end and maybe it did die off a bit up there, but no big deal. It was very smooth and quiet too, not like the old Mercedes fours (190E cosworth I am looking in your direction :/).
The overal drive was the best bit though - fantastic, really had that W124 quality of a completely detached, distant, solid and smooth ride but without being wallowy or too soft. And, this was a Sport model not an SE which made it more impressive. The roads we drove were terrible, too.
The interior was even very acceptable too. No complaints here, and that's saying something because I hate the late 90s early 00s interiors. Eurgh.
So, overall very impressed and pleased for Mercedes to be churning out something desirable again. For the money you get a lot more than in a 3-series convertible we tried later and that I have to say I hated. Although with the Merc you have to deal with a cloth roof. However the E250 convertible is still an expensive car (this was 41k and was a 'used' pre-registered car). We later looked at Sciroccos and TTs which are different but seemer somewhat better value for money.
So, while I'm here and I"ve been so impressed with this car, I am thinking of buying myself something in the <12k region with sensible running costs. Is there any Mercedes I should be considering or have they all been awful until the last couple of years? The CLK has always had less than zero appeal but perhaps I am being too harsh on it? Also any ideas how much a 12k CLK might depreciate per year as I've only ever owned really old stuff before. Buying 12k of current-generation SL seems like a low-depreciation bet but I am sure the running costs would wipe out the savings and I'd be scared of expensive failures especially as I"d be looking at ~2002 "The bad years"..
Edited by Pentoman on Wednesday 27th July 08:16
Pentoman said:
We took a E250 CGI which I thought would be underpowered (and I didn't even know it was just a 1.8 turbo at the time!). However quite the opposite, it had excellent pull at low revs even as an automatic.
I'm currently considering a swap to a C Class estate with that engine, I too didn't realise it was a turbo'd 1.8 initially but on further investigation the bhp and torque figures (on paper anyway) are impressive, similar to that of a 2.5 litre BMW 6 cylinder petrol - which is probably why Mercedes are branding it as a '250' as that's it's competition.Good to hear another thumbs up for it!
12k gets you quite a lot of nice metal of the type you love, surely?
Avantgarde Cars have a set of w124 E36s, saloon, coupe and cabriolet. While the latter is POA and probably above budget, the coupe and saloon are both bang on the money.
Late model w209 CLK500? A lot of car for the money but next year it will be worth 8k tops.
Late model r129 SL500.
Or you could finally get the w124 500 E you have long hankered after.
Avantgarde Cars have a set of w124 E36s, saloon, coupe and cabriolet. While the latter is POA and probably above budget, the coupe and saloon are both bang on the money.
Late model w209 CLK500? A lot of car for the money but next year it will be worth 8k tops.
Late model r129 SL500.
Or you could finally get the w124 500 E you have long hankered after.
r129sl said:
Or you could finally get the w124 500 E you have long hankered after.
Have you been following me? 
I could get a 500E, and it wouldn't depreciate much either, but for some reason that I don't understand, I just want something quite new. With a 10-20 year old car I feel like I have second best. I'm definitely going to come back to classic stuff but really like the idea of something where I don't have to justify it's weaknesses with its age, and I don't have to repair age-related wear.
Pentoman said:
...but for some reason that I don't understand, I just want something quite new. With a 10-20 year old car I feel like I have second best. I'm definitely going to come back to classic stuff but really like the idea of something where I don't have to justify it's weaknesses with its age, and I don't have to repair age-related wear.
Tell me about it. Even I'm getting sick of old cars. Although my SEC was a blast tonight.I've got a 350 CDI Cab. Cloth roof is great, it's super quiet, no issues with that. Everything about it is nearly perfect I have to say. However there is one thing that niggles at me and that's the fact it does have scuttle shake. I didn't notice it at first, but six months in, it's kind of annoying now. Most people wouldn't pick it up but owning a few tasty cars it does bother me. It's only over big bumps mind you so it's not constant. I shouldn't expect anything different really seeing as it's a true four seater with a chopped roof!!
I'm back to an S class again next, just prefer the solidity of the thing and the way they do big mileage in total comfort which is what I really want for a work car.
I'm back to an S class again next, just prefer the solidity of the thing and the way they do big mileage in total comfort which is what I really want for a work car.
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