21st Aug 2014, 20:02
The only way Mercedes will get back to where it was, is to build a Lexus. Lexus started out by building a Mercedes. Mercedes made its name by building cars you could throw off a cliff and it'll still run, cars that are used as taxis in Egypt having done 800K km. Leather and gadgets do not a great car make. It's not the badge that makes the car - it's the car that the badge was affixed to.
24th Aug 2014, 10:22
Excellent review. Mercs aren't what they used to be. Lexus is a far better choice.
30th Sep 2014, 15:59
I am sure there are many more reliable and cheaper to run luxurious cars than a Mercedes Benz. Having owned a Mercedes Benz for 4 years and having paid a lot for servicing over this period ($4800), I am still of the opinion that a Mercedes Benz is a car totally in its own class. Yes, it is expensive to run, but if you want a car that drives like no other, Mercedes Benz is the car for you.
I sold my Mercedes Benz 2 years ago and bought a cheaper to maintain luxury car. At first it was nice to get the lower servicing bills, but that has now worn off, because the cheaper bills just do not make up for that special Mercedes Benz-factor. As soon as I can afford the high maintenance bills again, I will be buying another Mercedes Benz.
17th Aug 2017, 18:50
I thought post 2004, with the introduction of galvernizing and other quality improvements, Mercedes had turned a corner.
Matthew Dawood Khaghani
24th Sep 2022, 13:21
Dunno about 2004, but certainly by 2006/7 the C-Class and E Class got better. The early 2000's were not a great time for Mercedes. I also dislike the strange auto box in Mercedes E Class from this time period - you use a stalk (where the wiper stalk normally is) to put the car in drive or reverse! Very strange and never could get used to it when I drove one.
Of course, not exclusive to Mercedes to be fair - a lot of manufacturers were messing about with traditional functions of cars around this time in an effort to be 'different' or 'futuristic'. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
9th Dec 2022, 16:18
Quite surprised at the poor refinement on a 2011 Mercedes. Drove an E Class in the early 1990s and it was a very quiet and smooth ergonomically fine car.
21st Aug 2014, 09:39
Thanks for posting this review. I have been seriously considering an E Class, but now will more than likely update to another Lexus. Agree with the prior comment that it's a pity Mercedes haven't made quality improvements from the previous series E Class.