The Motor Forum

Guitar Zero · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject: E class is the new guvnor

So 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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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

Martin · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

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 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

Having read the piece, I'd still have an XF of those three. The E is just horrible.
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"Accident Blackspot"? These aren't accidents. They're throwing themselves into the road gladly. Throwing themselves into the road to escape all this hideousness.'

TimR · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

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.

Matt · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject:

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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Small car, big heart.

TimR · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject:

Matt · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

funf euro, herr tourist

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Small car, big heart.

Guitar Zero · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

Not as refined as the W124 ????

On what do you base this fantastical claim ?
_________________
Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

Matt · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

I knew that'd be misinterpreted. I meant not as refined a design.
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Small car, big heart.

DaveGibson · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Matt · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

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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Small car, big heart.

PG · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Sav · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

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 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

Matt · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

I know, but when have I ever been normal?

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Small car, big heart.

cbeaks1 · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

garry · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: E class is the new guvnor

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:55 am Post subject:

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.

Martin · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:53 am Post subject:

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 · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

I'm sure you noticed the colour of the BMW?

Guitar Zero · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

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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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

Martin · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:05 am Post subject:

ALF · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

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...

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject:

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.

Martin · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

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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