What is it About the E class?

[hawk20]

The E class was my first Mercedes in the 80's. Had several since. Had numerous other Mercedes including the A, B, C, S and ML but I keep returning to the E and in it I feel at home and truly content.

Just wondered what other E class owners thought it was about the E class that has made it such a success over the years and such a satisfying car to own.

 

[Blobcat]

Whilst I've only owned E's (123 included as it is a precursor) I've driven most of the range at one time or another and I still get back in my E and love it. I'm currently covering ~3,000 miles a month and I don't think there are many other cars I would want to be spending so much of my waking hours in.

 

[dragon]

It not a bad car but they put so much electricals it prone to all sort of problems. The ride is excellent but if you are a young driver, it not for you.

 

[television]

My 123 280TE has very good,,my 124 300TE was fantastic

 

[st4]

The E class was my first Mercedes in the 80's. Had several since. Had numerous other Mercedes including the A, B, C, S and ML but I keep returning to the E and in it I feel at home and truly content.

Just wondered what other E class owners thought it was about the E class that has made it such a success over the years and such a satisfying car to own.

I think the E class is MB's main car - world wide its the biggest seller. I think the MB range centres around it, the S being more luxurious, the C the more engaging car to drive. In reality one costs more, and the other less and thats the main dictator in peoples choice. The E class range is massive and ranges from 4-8 cylinders and pretty basic E's like mine (standard AG trim) to pretty highly specced examples that are on par with S classes. Its a car that caters for a huge range of budgets (unlike S classes)

I've heard a few phrases like "MB starts with an E". I think the E class is a well balanced car, good to drive but luxurious too. Its not pretencious either, as its a car for taxi driver and also the board room. A huge range of "types" have E classes and depend on them for transport.

I disagree with dragons post that its not for young people, I am young and I like mine, I may whinge about the length of the thing when trying to park it but its good to drive (surprisingly so if an less involving car than a BMW 5 series) and has lots of comfort for me and my pals who go out in it. Apart from servicing its cheap to run too.

Previous gen E classes (think 124's) have a cast iron reputation that has carried on to this date even if the ethos of the 211 couldn't be more different (124 is mechanically simple and easy to fix, a 211 is a severely complex beast with a braking system that only a dealer + knowledable indie can fix). However all E's, even rusty 210s are capable of milliages that very few are able to cover.

 

[pfc]

Previous gen E classes (think 124's) have a cast iron reputation that has carried on to this date even if the ethos of the 211 couldn't be more different

Couldn't agree more. The W124 estate was a most practical car. Had mine for 18 years and did 160k miles without ever being let down.

My current W211 estate has all the bells and whistles you could wish for but I do worry about its long term reliability, as do German taxi drivers.

 

[st4]

Couldn't agree more. The W124 estate was a most practical car. Had mine for 18 years and did 160k miles without ever being let down.

My current W211 estate has all the bells and whistles you could wish for but I do worry about its long term reliability, as do German taxi drivers.

I had a ride on a 124 as a little boy and new I had to have an MB one day. My mates dad had one, serviced it and repaired it himself and said it was an easy car to work on + nice to drive and practical for his climbing holidays. The 211 will will fulfill of these criteria bar the "easy car to work on". I can't even check the washer fluid resevoir on mine, its consealed under plastic. There isn't even a dipstick for checking oil levels in the engine, its electronic.

Much more to go wrong IMHO but there are 211's with galactic miles on them, and the body work is sound being galvanised.

 

[roofless]

the e-class has a good model & engine range that covers the needs of most drivers

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

I've owned several E's and 1 S I do prefer the E

 

[ThomasT]

Es

Hi Hawk. I am newbie. I came onto the forum cos I am going to retire in Penang. As I live in mainland Europe, my 1989 since-new 300E 4 matic is LHD. I am now actively searching for a low mileage E240, previous model, RHD, to ship from UK to Penang, as we are allowed one duty free car. I will have to flog my 300E lover. Failures. One 4matic sensor on the brake failed, a few francs, and that transmission anti-jolt rubber thingmajig failed, probably when my son flogged it on a trip to Italy. Bought him a Swift so he doesnt borrow mine any more. I used to do Vienna to Vevey Switzerland regularly, 11 hours, rain, fog, snow, ice, just hummed along. There was no human body fatigue, but for the last few hours the brain switched off, and it was as if driving in a dream. I guess the continuous input to the brain just overloaded it. Which goes to show what a superb highway cruiser the big E is.
Question. Any owners problems on the previous model E240 would be appreciated. Did they have HT harness and air con. problems or were those just rumours?

 

[jberks]

I'm on my 2nd E (9 years now). My Father is on his 3rd - having had C's and S's too. I think the E is just about perfect. The S is wonderful but a bit too much - it's just too big - too shouty, just a bit excessive. The E is bigger than most, has plenty of space for most people's use but isn't so big or opulent that it shouts it.
Ok I know its nice, but first and foremost to me, my E is a 4 year old workhorse. I have somewhere to be, be it a 400 mile work round trip or a leisure run, I jump in and go.
I went glider flying yesterday (which I do most weekends). Jumped in the E, cruised 40 miles down A and B roads passing whatever I wanted, always with a safe reserve of power, whilst returning over 40mpg, then crossed several muddy, slippery fields (with the ESP keeping things moving) and jumped out, ready to fly. 8 hours later, cold, wet and exhausted, I jumped back in and she took me home in calm, quiet effortless comfort. Thats the thing with the E, it does everything thrown at it, effortlessly.
Then there's how it's percieved. last year, I was at a friend's house and I was blocking the drive. I threw their 17 year old son the keys and asked him if he'd move it. He didn't believe me at first - that I would allow him to drive my 'Merc'. After a quick, how to drive a merc lesson (I forgot how different the controls are to a Vauxhall), he drove it the 10 yards up the road. Apparently he still goes on about it! This is the wagon I use to commute to work, go to the supermarket, load up the boot with tools or fill with rubbish for the tip.
But you can turn up anywhere in the E and it always seems to impress. I cruise up behind another car and provided it's not a BM*, it will move over.
So,it does everything well, has good space without being excessive, is impressive, practical and luxurious - pretty much the perfect car.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi Hawk,
Good question!
From my point of view the E class gives me several things in one package:
1 - Engineering quality (still there in the 210s and 211s). The feeling that I can keep the car for a long period of time if i want to. With depreciation a consideration longetivity is a must.
2 - Asthetics and ergonomics of MB are excellent (subjective I know but they suit my tastes).
3 - The E estate is peerless for ride comfort equipment and load hugging capability (if I need to buy pretty much any household item it loads into the boot)
4 - Do I like the car - I must do I went out this morning to give it a wash in the cold. Does the wife like the car - she never complains about it - speaks volumes.
5 - Would I buy another? Yes!
6 - The benchmark for MBs. Very difficult to trade down from which is the only downside barring visiting the dealers.

 

[dragon]

Hi Hawk. I am newbie. I came onto the forum cos I am going to retire in Penang. As I live in mainland Europe, my 1989 since-new 300E 4 matic is LHD. I am now actively searching for a low mileage E240, previous model, RHD, to ship from UK to Penang, as we are allowed one duty free car. I will have to flog my 300E lover. Failures. One 4matic sensor on the brake failed, a few francs, and that transmission anti-jolt rubber thingmajig failed, probably when my son flogged it on a trip to Italy. Bought him a Swift so he doesnt borrow mine any more. I used to do Vienna to Vevey Switzerland regularly, 11 hours, rain, fog, snow, ice, just hummed along. There was no human body fatigue, but for the last few hours the brain switched off, and it was as if driving in a dream. I guess the continuous input to the brain just overloaded it. Which goes to show what a superb highway cruiser the big E is.
Question. Any owners problems on the previous model E240 would be appreciated. Did they have HT harness and air con. problems or were those just rumours?

It going to be expensive to have a Merc in Penang, 200, 300% duty. All you can have is local built Proton.

How did you bypass that allowing one duty free car?
Are you the the British ambassador?

 

[EGBM]

And isn't the CLS based on the E too?

 

[colechelle]

And isn't the CLS based on the E too?

The same chassis!!

 

[st4]

I was just out of mine and thinking of this thread I couldn't help but think there was very little wrong with my car, lovely smooth ride and nice fun to drive. It seemed (because it is) a very well engineered machine.

 

[hawk20]

Whilst I've only owned E's (123 included as it is a precursor) I've driven most of the range at one time or another and I still get back in my E and love it. I'm currently covering ~3,000 miles a month and I don't think there are many other cars I would want to be spending so much of my waking hours in.

That is some mileage. I used to do lots of commuting at one time and that was one of my conclusions too. You can drive long distances and arrive reasonably fresh. For my taste it is the best ride of any comparable saloon.

What an interesting range of views in this thread from different types of user. I specially liked jberks summary sentence:-
"So,it does everything well, has good space without being excessive, is impressive, practical and luxurious - pretty much the perfect car."

So true. It suited me when I commuted 30-40k miles per year and it was almost only for business. It suited my wife and children when I passed it on to be the family estate for wife, daughters and dogs. And now it still suits me when I do only about 15k per annum and a lot of it is pleasure motoring. Today the rain has stopped and the sun is out. So dogs in the back, plus a flask and a couple of sandwiches and off to explore the countryside around Cranbourne Chase. Its a hard life.

 

[NewMB]

For me, the E is a new model. Having had a C estate before, I also feel that the E is a step above any other car in many ways. Quality is good but perhaps not better than most.

The comfort is great although the ride can be slightly harsh at times with std 18" wheels, I also like the enormous boot and the looks one gets

Seats could be alot better for the money you pay though.

Electrics are prone to fail, I have already had my share of that, but all sorted now except a satnav who thinks I am in the middle of the sea outside of Harwich!

 

[100%Bitch]

I think the E class is a very "mature" person's car. Not something I'm ready for just yet although a 124 estate would be great for the dogs.

 

[roofless]

had a few dogs in mine & your right it was good