New E-Class Discussion

[E Class Newbie]

On 22nd April I took delivery of a new E220CDi Avantgarde 4dr Auto (Euro 4), to which I'd added Comand, Parktronic, Multi-contour seats, Harman Kardon stereo, 6 CD changer and 80 litre tank.

I've now covered 2500 miles in the car and have got used to the MB way of doing things (last 2 cars were BMW's and it's my first Merc).

I'd like to compare notes with drivers of other new E-class models, especially with regard to fuel consumption, seat comfort, driving charcteristics and equipment.

Fuel consumption - I'm averaging around 40mpg. This is mostly motorway driving at around 80mph. Having switched between 'S' and 'C' modes I've settled on the 'S' mode as it seems to give better fuel consumption (and it's what MB recommend). Have other drivers found that consumption improves much as the miles increase?

Seat Comfort - This is my only big disappointment. I just cannot get a comfortable driving position. The problem is my left leg. The foot rest is too high and at too upright an angle. Also, there is insufficient under thigh support - even with the multi-contour seats which extend, albeit by a pathetic centimetre or so. I've tried to compensate for this by adjusting the seat every which way but to no avail. The lack of cushion depth means that increasing the tilt angle cuts in to my thigh rather than supporting it.

Driving Characteristics - Generally I'm impressed by the performance (the torque from the diesel engine betters most V6 petrol engines). The steering is slow to return to centre after cornering (a MB characteristic I believe). The sports suspension rides well, with bumps mostly heard rather than felt. I do seem to have a suspension knock over low speed bumps (again, can hear it rather than feel it) which I'm getting checked out at my local dealer (MB of Cheltenham & Gloucester) tomorrow. Have to say, they couldn't have been more helpful when I phoned - even though the car didn't come from them. I am going to observe their service levels very carefully as I have heard so many horror stories about MB dealers (one of the main reasons I switched from BMW was due to the local dealer being poor).

Equipment - Have to say that the Avantgarde comes pretty well equipped as standard, even down to Xenon lights. As for the options I added, the Comand system is brilliant, the only irritant being the need to press a soft key twice to show the time of arrival on the sat nav (it showed on the main map on the BMW). The Harman Kardon stereo sounds good (not sure if worth extra £500 though) and the 6CD changer is useful being in the dash - but is hopelessly slow to change discs and seems to 'jump' regularly (again, the BMW version was quicker and more stable, but was in the boot which was a pain). Parktronic is essential when driving a tank like the E-class but is not as accurate as the BMW version, allowing too many near misses for my liking. The Multi-Contour seats aren't worth the money (as explained above) and the 80 litre tank is a god send (I can get 700 miles between fill ups - although £60 - £70 bills when you do are scary!)

 

[GlynC]

Glad to hear your enjoying the car
I can't comment on the seats as I didn't have the Multi-contour, mine are very comfotable and don't give me any ache's over long trips. Took me while to find a position that suited though and I have locked it into the memory now!
I use MP3 disks in the DVD slot which I find more useful..make my own CD's and don't have to bother with the changer too much, only had that skip on backup copies.
Could do with the more recent disk (which I believe) is available for Command with TMC activated and corections to errors on some roads, particularly roundabouts and the exits off them which it has gotten wrong
On the fuel, I can only say that with 15K showing on the odo my motor (320) gives me an average of 43 on motorway trips at around the 80mph mark and have go close to 50 by being very frugal but that got far to boring!
Dealers so far have been good but she needs a service soon so I'll be able to report more then. Also so far no problems whatsoever except I noticed the tyre are wearing quicker than expected, but then they are these Conti Sport 2's which seem fairly soft.
All in all very good

 

[E Class Newbie]

Update

Thought I should provide an update on my first ever MB dealer experience today, at MB Cheltenham & Gloucester, Staverton, Glos.

Phoned them last week about the suspension knock (see above) and they booked me an 8.30 'while u wait' appointment for today. (With Dick Lovett BMW at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, you needed to book around 3 weeks in advance). The lady on the phone was most helpful too (unlike BMW where they're doing you a favour!)

Arrived this morning and the receptionist welcomed me and asked me to take a seat. A service advisor approached me within 5 minutes or so. (At Dick Lovett BMW you stand in front of the reception desk until someone condescends to look at you - eye contact or an acknowledgment not being an option prior to this point!)

Having explained the 'problem' the car was taken out by a technician who returned within 5 minutes. Here we go, I thought, expecting the Dick Lovett response of "we can't hear it", to be told "yes, there is a definite noise".

The end result is that after searching through MB service bulletins they have booked the car in to replace the suspension bushes (forgive my lack of technical know how if that's slightly incorrect).

I was so shocked by their courtesy, speed and efficiency (not just because my BMW dealer was so poor, but I'd heard that MB dealers were even worse) that I forgot to ask if they had worn (and if so, why after just 2500 miles) or if it was a known faulty part (in which case why had they been fitted to a brand new vehicle built to order just a month ago). I'll let you know! I've also mentioned the jumping CD changer for when it's back in.

Finally, out of interest, even the most recent sat nav DVD doesn't have TMC enabled yet. Believe it's coming Autumn 05.

 

[pascal]

I was so shocked by their courtesy, speed and efficiency

These service Guys must be paying attention to this forum. Thats the third or fourth such incidence of brilliant service in the last week or so. As long as members here continue to post the type of service they get, both good and bad, the good ones will get good free advertising (by word of mouth).

 

[fernar]

I have now had my E-class (320CDI) for about a year and have similar finding to you.

Fuel consumption: I get about 36MPG (combination of mostly motorway and town) - but the performance is good - even more so when overtaking from about 40 MPH

Seat Comfort: I dont have the multi-contour seats you have - and after hearing your comments, I am glad that I didnt get them - but I too find that thigh support is just not good enough - the lack of tilt angle is the main problem for me. I used to have a 5 Series BMW, which had better seats.

Driving Characteristics: Great - Is still think that the noise of the diesel is just not as pleasent as a petrol at low speed - but on a motorway it's very difficult to tell the difference between the diesel and petrol version. With regards to the MB dealers I have used so far - I have found them very responsive (again better than the serive I got from BMW) to date - but I have only had one service so far - next serive due in two days time.

Equipment: I too have the Avantgarde version - I added the panoramic roof (good choice) + parking sensors (good choice) + electric leather heated seats (good choice) + powered boot closing (not such a good choice - the boot slams aggressively - I have tried to get MB to adjusted to be a bit more gentle in it's closing - they willbe looking at it again in two day time with the service) + Audio50 with Harman Kardon (Good sound - but the standard audio on my wifes Audi sounds as good) + airMatic (good)

Overall I a very happy with the car - I decided to move away from BMW after they introduced the new 5 Series - I think it looks ok of from the outside (sometimes even good in some colours), but I just didnt get the inside or the iDrive system (which I think is cumbersome).

If I was choosing again, I thinm I would have gone for the full DVD sat nav system and left out the auto boot closing feature.

One small point that bugs me is that my car is very senstive to road camber - MB have checked the car out and tell me it's due to the 8.5Jx17 wheels I have - do other people have the same problem?

 

[E Class Newbie]

Interesting comparison.

Ref the wheel size, the car I test drove had 17" alloys and I found them too easy to kerb.

I opted for the standard 16" alloys and am glad I did. From experience over many years, I find that 16" is the best size to go for - big enough from a visual perspective, enough rubber between the wheel and the road to minimise kerb damage, no lack of grip even when driving in haste and minimal road noise.

Glad you like the panoramic roof. The car I tested had one and I thought it was a bit of a con as the rear doesn't open and I thought it spoilt the look of the car from the front - not to mention the headroom reduction.

I think I would probably like the airmatic suspension, but couldn't justify the cost. Absolutely no regrets over the £2k Comand system though. It's a shame it doesn't have TV as standard but the DVD player is a compromise.

 

[Leslie Rushforth]

CAMBER......addressed to FERNAR

Ok.
Name is Les I am located in Chesterfield Derbyshire.
I have had my E320 CDI for just over 18 months.
My previous car was W210 E320 CDI.

So far 21,000 miles, just had first service.
PROBLEMS....rear airamatic shocks replaced only.

I find that the car tram lines (wants to follow a ridge on the road serfice).

I spoke to MB techs about this and anknowledged the fact the wider the tyre
more traming you will get but better handling on the corners and bends.

I have 18" factory fitted wheels.

I complained about this problem two weeks after recieving the car as I did not get this on my previous car.

They did how ever would have changed the wheel size 16 or 17 with out any
charge.

CONCLUSION IS.......>

1. wider the tyre gets beter handling but trends to TRAM.
2. wider the tyre less comfort does not absorbe the bumbs in the road serfice.

So you have a choice.

Ok .....going back to the CAMBER isue on this thread....can you please be more spacific.

LOVE THE CAR
Les Chesterfield

 

[pascal]

On my SL I think that 17" are a good compromise between looks and comfort

The suspension is hard on SLs in the first place, unlike the W211. I had a 300CE before that, and I could drive over speed bumps without slowing excessively.

I accept that my present car is meant to be stiff, as it's a sports roadster. The tyres width/brand do have effect on tramlining. Mine are Michilen Sports 245/45 17s. I notice that if I drive over a piece of road that has a parallel 'Cut' from road works, the car tends to want to take its own path. After the first one or two times, I got used to this, and no longer find it a problem.

There is also the 'vere to the left' characteristic, as with all MBs. Well MBs do not really vere to the left, they vere with road camber. As do other cars. When I took my car for an extended test drive, I asked for the allignment to be checked. It turned out that it was the paticular road (London-Sunnindale), had a very high camber. I also noted excesive tyre noise whilst driving on a stretch of the M1 near the M25 interchange. While driving from NW london to chester, Chester to Hollyhead, and subsequent driving in Ireland, no problem exists with the car.

Back to your W211s. I think that 17"/18" rims look much better; but there is the compromice between looks and ride.

To me 17" are that compromice. 18"-20" are OTT for a luxury saloon.

Pascal (all the above is just my opinion)

 

[fernar]

My car pulls to left if there is even a small camber on the road - this even includes motorways - I have tried driving on the wrong side of the road where the camber is the other way and the car pulls to the right - on surfaces where there is no camber (i.e. car park) the car does not pull either way - I have had the camber checked out and it is spot on. MB tell me that this is due to wide tyres - but I must admit that I didnt have this issue with my previous car (BMW 528) - but then while this car did have wide tyres they were now as wide as the ones I have on my MB. Dont get me wrong - the pull is not a big problem - but it does mean that you need to hold the steering wheel over to the right even when on the motorway

 

[Leslie Rushforth]

Camber Pulling To The Left Or Right

Check the American forums on the isue.

There are a lot remarks made about the car pulling to the left or right.

Do a search on the site.

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=20

Just let me say............My car drives streight as an arrow from Robin Hoods bow.There is no pulling at all.

The only thing I don,t like with my car is......that it rolls.......like a sail boat.

I have the airamatic suspension system with 3 seetings....1 comfort 2 sports and 3 sports 2 also a hight switch which raises the car for proberbly going down a rough country lane or may be in a field.

I can feel very little difference in the settings only to say the steering tightens and is more posotive in sports 2 mode and only stifens the suspension very little.

I have the original continental tyres on the front now at 21,000 miles with about I guess another 2 to 3 K to go.

I replaced the rear tyres at 13,000 miles this may be due to the high torque on the 320 CDI engine......my wife when she drives hits 30 M.P.H. in 3 seconds :-D .

Well I asure you my car drives as streight as a bullet from a gun.

You will also find by reading the the threads the camber and tracking on W211 is a very very complex operation and also some certain types of tyres can cause this problem on pulling.

You are welcome to test my car if you don,t get any joy from MB service.

Have fun

Les ...Chesterfield.

 

[calum]

Could do with the more recent disk (which I believe) is available for Command with TMC activated ...

I didn't think that was out yet. The latest I have is DVD version 4.1, which does not have TMC in the UK.

 

[GlynC]

I read a post on here a few weeks back which said it was now available
Was going to ask when I went in for service ... which is looming fast.. will let you know ;-)

 

[E Class Newbie]

Bulb changing

Forgive my stupidity, but can someone help me?

'MOHDW211' (another member) suggested swapping the yellowy side light bulbs for white ones, to match my Xenons on my new E-Class. Hadn't noticed that the side lights were at odds with the main lights until he mentioned it - and now it's bugging me!

I've got hold of a set of Phillips Blue / white W5W side light bulbs for a tenner, but can't get the ruddy old ones out! All the manual say's is 'remove the bulb holder with the bulb'. I can unclip the connector (small lever underneath) but just cannot get the actual holder & bulb to come out.

If anyone can enlighten me I'd be very grateful!!!

 

[MOHDW211]

Fernar I have the exact same problem with mine. Its been like this for nearly 18 months. Its annoying but i just can't be bothered to get Mb check it out. I mentioned it last time and they said it may be the tyres. But it def the camber alignment. It seems to go towards the roadside if you let go of the wheel...my other car drives like the robin hood arrow....on the same roads. yes i do have to give the car a slight nudge to right as i drive otherwise it starts finding the road kerb....annoying but what can one do....I'll need to sort it..but they charge for camber alignment a fair bit..so guess when i can get round to it......

 

[MOHDW211]

The holder does not need to come out. Just unscrew the bulb and replace and ENJOY the new LOOK when the lights are on or when you deactivate the alarm.