Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (Parallel Imported)

The quiet but powerful engine makes me look forward to my next drive. Overtaking is effortless. Gear lever is mounted behind the steering which took time to get used to but after awhile, it became intuitive.

To me, this is no longer an "Uncle's" Car as the face lifted design is very sporty.

Have been using my E250 Elegance for 6 months now. Moved to the E250 from a Legacy GT. While the engine does not disappoint, the body roll during hard cornering is hard to get used to. Initially It was worse, but changing to nitrogen filled tyres and tuning my cornering technique to use more throttle to balance the car has helped. Still, I cannot chuck the car around corners the way I used to with the Subaru. At S curves, I have to look for a line that is smoothest then I get rewarded with a glide through the bends. I am hoping that a change of tyres next year to high-end sports tyres to replace the comfort biased Michelins supplied as stock will make the car more enjoyable round corners.

The engine is a gem, despite the anaemic exhaust note. It is full of torque from low down, smooth even when revved hard and gives plenty of mid-range punch to pull strongly out of corners. Best of all, I am averaging 10km/l overall and on expressways 13 km/l is the norm. I use a lot of the paddle shifts to override the rather lethargic 7-speed auto box. It was even more lethargic initially, and confused at low speeds. A factory initiated software update has made changedowns more decisive, but I still prefer to use the paddle shifts for faster response.

The chassis is very rigid and soaks humps and pot holes without any rattles or jars. Brakes are strong and reassuring. Cabin interior is a class act and very relaxing to be in. Pity the sound system that is muffled, lacks dynamics and confusing to use.

I never liked E class of old, but owning this particular version has changed my mind. Maybe also because I am now well into middle age, and present local road conditions has mellowed my taste to something more sedate and enviromentally friendly.

Had a chance to drive a friend's E250 for a night so I thought I could give a review from someone who has never fancied an E-Class.

First impressions, the facelift is rather nice and brings the interior and exterior design well to class standards. It is as modern as a 5 series and I dare say slightly more spacious than the BMW.

On the roads, it is definitely more comfortable than the BMW. But it is very clear that this is no sports sedan. It rolls during cornering and is not as confident inspiring when driven fast.

Throttle response is soft and turbo does lag slightly. However, it is not slow at all and will bring the car up to speed without sounding strain at all. The gearbox can also do with some re programming as it is slow to response to needs to kick down.

As for running cost, I can't comment much as I don't own the car. Fuel level did not move much even after covering more than 50km over the night.

Exterior styling with the badge looking big and magnificent in the middle of the front grill really captured my attention. Interior is simple yet elegant with a touch of class. Love the overall appearance and class, however throttle response is weirdly slow, usually have to depress and hold for a second or 2 before the car responds. Notice this characteristics in a couple of E class generation. The braking capability however is a totally different story altogether, giving me the firm and assurance that whenever I need to stop in time, it will always perform the task without much hassle.

I drove one last year, and I immediately fell in love with it. The brilliance of the E-class since the W220 era has came a long way and this car has all of its wonderful traits. Elegance, comfort, reliability, looks, you name it, the E-class has it.

Just a light step of the throttle and it feels as if all the horsepower and torque are at their peaks. This engine, I must say, feels much more refined than the predecessor of this current model. However, one thing that I noticed is that the rev bands get a bit too high before the gear changes at low gears. Gearbox feels terribly lagged in city driving. However, on the highway, it is excellent and crisp.

The ride of this car is unbelievably smooth. Go over a bumpy road and the suspension works wonders. Jumping up and down as you drive over a bumpy road? No. The suspension is so good that you would feel as though you are driving down a flat and smooth surface. Ride comfort matters, and Mercedes has done an excellent job in refinement.

Mercedes has definitely awed many people with this modern and contemporary design, coupled with the excellence of German quality. To describe this car: Nothing short of spectacular!

I couldn't help but go down to the showroom to test drive since I saw it on the road one day. Imagine the luxury of the S class with the option of driving the machine like a sports sedan when you feel like it. The car can be smooth like a gentleman or robust like a warrior. Most of the time you would just want to cruise along and enjoy the serenity of being inside it. All this reviewing is making me wonder whether I should trade the S for the E already!

I must say, the new E Class does give an excellent feel when I went by C&C some weeks ago.

The exterior already caught my eye at Level 2 of the showroom. The new headlights design with full LED, the styling of the body, the grills and so on.

Merz finally decides to ditch many models of different features where this E200 and E250 have all the same features and gadgets, only difference is Elegance and Avantgarde is bodykit which is depending on individual likings.

I tried the E250 Avantgarde saw the gearstick is same as S class which upmarkets this E class.

Moving off, the engine was quiet when I throttle on it, according to sales, Merz is the best in this to maintain good insulation as a premium luxury marquee.

Was told to put foot on throttle and slowly step on it and indeed it does give the necessary power drive which I was astonished by this 2.5L (E250) and its 2.0L (E200) definately better than its predecessor of the same capacity.

During drive, I tried the features, DisTronic PLUS that gives you alert of nearing vehicle, ParkTronic is sensors around to tell you of parking needs via lights on the dashboard, Blind Spot Assist tells you of vehicles unseen by you and so on. Excellent ! Only didn't try Collision Assist.

Overtaking is a breeze where light throttle on it, the E class goes alive and picks up speed almost as immediate.

Electric Tailgate finally is a standard gadget and remote boot release too.

There is also a HOLD feature where you need not hold the brake pedal when at traffic light or use hand brake when stop, just release brake pedal and press down where vehicle halts. Just tap on the throttle and the hold goes off. Its first seen in the C Class sometime back.

Merz thinks for its owners, should your key fob battery flats, this E Class allows you to "unplug" the START/STOP button and use the conventional insert in key fob to start. Battery replacement wise is also the normal CR-2052 we see anywhere. Good thinking !

If you park under hot sun, you need not start your car to wind down window, just go near it and pull the door lever, windows will be wind down. Nice !

Many practical features in this E Class makes it the best among many competing luxury marquees out there.

Overall, its a car that fits with practical features with excellent drive and power.