Guitar Zero
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E class is the new guvnorSo the XF get's handed it's arse on plate by the new E class - by managing to out-Jaguar a Jag
I'm amazed Mercedes have managed to make it noticeably more refined than either the E60 or the XF - if it really is that good, then surely it renders the S-class obsolete. The comments about the Merc's sublime chassis are valid, but they are comparing the Merc on 17s with a Jag on 19s - I would really like to know how the Merc compares with the Jag when someone ticks the mega hoop option.
Regardless of the details, Mercedes really seem to have nailed the hottie with this new E class - I'm surpised they've managed to make it so ugly considering the great job that they've done with the C class, but maybe the dowdy looks will work to Merc's advantage during these less conspicious recessionary times ?.
BMW's new 5 series is going to have to be abso-fucking-lutely amazing to win it's crown back, Merc have obviously discovered the magic chassis formula and are currently sprinkling it on every new car they do. BMW haven't launched a killer product for a while now, the F01 7 series was a bit of a damp squib and the new Z4 hasn't gone down too well with some sections of the press - can they finally get their shit together for the new 5 series ?.
If they do, then XF will go from top kiddy to spotty ginger in very short order - feck.
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Martin
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My boss has just ordered an E220cdi Sport manual. He could have had a E250 or even a E220 Auto if he'd gone for the Avantgarge, but he thinks it needs to be Sport spec to look ok.
It will be interesting to get a go in it. He's got an XF at the moment and he's not exactly blown away by it. I'm going to borrow it when I go back to work (on holiday for just over a week). He made the offer and is happy to have the mighty Jetta for a couple of days!
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Twelfth Monkey
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Having read the piece, I'd still have an XF of those three. The E is just horrible.
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TimR
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Have the criteria changed recently?
I always thought that car mags no.1 requirement in this sector was that the car be sporty.
Now that Jag have done that it seems the goalposts have moved.
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Matt
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It's not as refined as the W124, but I think it's the nicest E-class since that model.
If only they did a W124-aping spec with cloth and wheel-trims.
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TimR
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| Matt wrote: | It's not as refined as the W124, but I think it's the nicest E-class since that model.
If only they did a W124-aping spec with cloth and wheel-trims. |
I'm sure our Germany correspondent will be able to find some like that, possibly in beige.
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Matt
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funf euro, herr tourist 
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Guitar Zero
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Not as refined as the W124 ????
On what do you base this fantastical claim ?
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Matt
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I knew that'd be misinterpreted. I meant not as refined a design.
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DaveGibson
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| Matt wrote: | | ........ I meant not as refined a design. |
I think you need to back up that contention with some supporting evidence, Matt.
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Matt
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Well, the front is fussier, the sides have that semi-hip look and the interiors got a typically modern, oversized sat-nav screen, but it looks more like an E-class than the last two generations have.
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PG
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| Twelfth Monkey wrote: | | Having read the piece, I'd still have an XF of those three. The E is just horrible. |
+1
The previous E class was way better looking. Mercedes seem to have combined angular and curvy in an incoherent design. And the dash looks like a large slab of plastic. Classy. The C looks way better as a design.
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Sav
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In real life the E-Class Sport on 19 inch wheels look superb; even the SE spec looks good It's a far better looking car in real life. The awkward creases don't really matter in the flesh, its an elegant design imo. Plus the Coupe looks even better.
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Guitar Zero
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| Quote: | | I knew that'd be misinterpreted. I meant not as refined a design. |
Why don't you just say " I prefer the W124 " - like a normal person.
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Matt
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I know, but when have I ever been normal? 
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cbeaks1
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| Sav wrote: | | In real life the E-Class Sport on 19 inch wheels look superb; even the SE spec looks good It's a far better looking car in real life. The awkward creases don't really matter in the flesh, its an elegant design imo. Plus the Coupe looks even better. |
My neigbour has chopped his last gen 350CDI for a new one and, though silver, it looks great. It has the right amount of modern about it.
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garry
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Re: E class is the new guvnor | Guitar Zero wrote: |
I'm amazed Mercedes have managed to make it noticeably more refined than either the E60 or the XF - if it really is that good, then surely it renders the S-class obsolete. |
I think that's been true for a while. At anything up to 100mph it's difficult to spot the difference between an E and an S. Anything over 100mph is a bit of a waste in the UK
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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It was an interesting comparison. I had to have a chuckle at the fact that BMW basically blew it by supplying an M Sport Five rather than an SE.
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Martin
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I've only just read the article and it is an interesting about turn by Autocar. However, it didn't read like a thrashing / arse handing, especially (as GZ exploited) the Merc was on smaller wheels.
I also re-read the E250 road test and whilst they rated it highly, it was mostly for the ride. On 16" wheels.
It is a shame BMW didn't put a more comparable model into the comparison to get a better idea of the difference between them.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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I'm sure you noticed the colour of the BMW?
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Guitar Zero
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At the rarefied heights of the mid sized exec - arses have been handed on plates.
If Mercedes can launch a competitor vehicle that is significantly more refined (when refinement is a key strength of this type of car) and significantly more comfortable without sacrificing handling (if this isn't a key USP for this type of car, I'll eat my shorts), then butts have been thrashed, kicked and smashed.
The fact that it is significantly larger inside and has far superior low speed power delivery is that last swift kick in the happy sacks.
As I mentioned in my first post, I would like to see how the Benzo compares on comparable sized wheels - however, every car supplied for that road test is on it's standard wheels, M sports come with 18s and premo lux XFs come with 19s
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Martin
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote: | I'm sure you noticed the colour of the BMW?
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Might have......
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ALF
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If Mercedes have suddenly discovered the magic chassis formula, then they have done it at the same time as they shipped in Kia's external design department en masse. That said, all of Merc's recent products (bar the non-AMG S-class) have been "growers" for me...
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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I've seen loads of the new E Class now, and it's definitely a grower. Looks best of all in black, but doesn't look totally shite in Berlin Taxi Yellow. And most surprisingly of all, it doesn't need giant wheels to look OK.
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Martin
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We went to look at one again, just to make double check ruling one out wasn't the wrong thing to do. If it is a grower, then it is going to take a while longer! Black is the best colour, but even then it still looks Korean from the back and messy from the front.
The other thing I don't like is the fake leather on the SE and the I could only have the E200 in Avantgarde spec which is what's needed to sort out the leather problem and poverty spec 16" wheels.
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