After three years and only 75k miles, the BMW 318d is about to go back to Lex.

So this time I opted out of the Company Car Scheme in favour of the cash allowance at CC rate +£100 pcm.

It was a tough call between the BMW 520d and the E Class, but when I saw the options list of the new SE, it was a no brainer.







I have only managed a hundred miles in it and first impressions are excellent.
Build quality in all areas is first class - totally flawless. MB have really got back on track.
Styling changes are to my taste, and the only reason I never bought the old version was due to it looking 'old fashioned'.

On the 30-60mph leisurely run today across a hilly Somerset and BANES, we saw 52mpg which is good for a barge and a new engine!

The 7speed auto is super smooth and shifts intelligently and seamlessly, the paddles however are crap and very slow unless in sport mode.

The COMAND (media centre) online hooked up 100% automatically to the iPhone5 and went online allowing me to post to Facebook from the cars own FB app
This car is well sorted software wise, a lot of cars struggle with apples new offering so it was a pleasant surprise.
I'm no Apple fan but work provides for me so I wont say no to a free phone with unlimited data.

But the drive.... this is a VERY nice way to spend a day at work indeed. Very smooth with adaptive damping.
And when you get there, it will park itself. Seriously, this is weird but very cool.

If you are a gadget fiend, there isn't much better than this.
Check out the E220 CDi SE standard spec, I have never seen a German car specified this well at this price point (£34k).
There really is nothing to really want from the remaining options list.

First MB for me, wish I had tried one before TBH.
It's got to last me about two years, but its a very promising start.

 

So what are the options?

And is the basic machine fit for purpose?

At least you escape the BMW electrocomputerised nightmare. Is the MB fundamentally any different on the FREDs front?

 

MB build quality you say...

Looks like they put the steering wheel on upside down to me.

 

Mercedes are becoming somewhat ubiquitous, as indeed are BMWs. Both firms quest for volume has taken them well into the mid market and possibly below that.

They're nice cars and I'm glad the OP is happy with his, but there are only so many times you can see men in trackie bottoms with shaved heads getting out of Mercs or Beamers and not wonder if the brand has lost its cachet ...

 

I like the C coupes. Interior of that E Class is very nice. Usual MB luxury.

 

I take it you've been to Manchestoh recently. Gangstamobile!

 

Looks like they forgot the gearlever too. Otherwise nice motor.

 

Glad you like it.

But it's a shame you hadn't some consideration for those who have to look at the exterior; it is truly the ugliest car MB have produced thus far.

It's hard to believe the E Class was once a class-act (no pun intended) and the epitome of understated elegance:

 

Especially the convertible version

 

Hi Roger,
It's probably similar to every other modern car with this kind of equipment,
heavily computerised and full of sensors/actuators and FREDs.
I would imagine its a timebomb once its out of warranty.
But that does not concern me, it time with me is too short for that to be of consequence.

Standard equipment on the E Class SE:
17" 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheel
7-speed automatic transmission
Acceleration skid control (ASR)
Active Bonnet, pedestrian protection
Active parking assist incl. PARKTRONIC
Adaptive brake light, flashing
Anti-theft protection package
Anti-theft warning system
Automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and spotlight
Automatic air conditioning (THERMATIC)
Automatic child seat recognition
Automatic engine start/stop function
Automatic locking differential (ASD)
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
COMAND APS multimedia system
Car phone "TeleAid" in centre console
Collapsible head restraints in rear, dash button operated
Cylinder capacity 2,2 litre
DIRECT CONTROL suspension (sport/eco mode)
DIRECT SELECT shift paddles
DVD player
DAB Digital radio
Double cup and bottle holder
Draft stop
Dust filter
Electronic gear selection
Electronic immobiliser
Emergency wheel (mini spare)
Emission control system with EU5 technology
Enhanced anti-theft protection
Heated front seats
Heated screen wash system
Interior motion sensor
Kneebag driver's side
LED headlamps
Leather Interior
Media Interface
Mirrors package, heated/auto folding
Particulate filter
Pelvis airbag
Power windows (four)
Rear belt status indicator
Roof liner fabric black
Side and Pelvis airtbags
Snow guard for air conditoning air intake
Tyre pressure loss warning system
Tyre-change toolkit

Extra Cost Option (was free to me):
Wood finish, black ash

There's a lot more small things but it would take another page to detail it all tbh.

Can you imagine specifying some of that on the 5 Series or 3 Series?
The audio is rather excellent and extremely loud if that's your thing.
It's a cut above the Professional Media on the Beemer (~ £2000 on that car)

The drive is relaxing, which is what its supposed to be.
It's a big bus, exactly the same as a 5er but with a bigger boot.
Handling is better than expected given its size, but it's no sports car

As a mobile office it works well, and you can have text messages etc read to you also.
The Voice control is faster than pressing buttons and can learn your dialect if you have ten minutes to spare.

My wife found the deep storage bin under the front seat edge a little intrusive.
She's also not an auto fan but we'll see how that goes - besides its my work car so its irrelevant.

Most noticeable however is the response of others to the brand.
Generally there is a nod of appreciation instead of the open 'venom' the BMW and Audi seemed to attract.
I got let out of every junction this weekend.
That didn't happen for a long time