Merc E-Class E450D, just sayin'...

Ever such an interesting article in this week's Autocar magazine. One of their journalists took his E-Class, or more accurately...

Mercedes-Benz E450D 4Matic AMG Line Premium Plus Estate

.....doesn't it just roll off the tongue, from the UK to the northern tip of Denmark, Jutland.

I enjoy Autocar Magazine as the articles are a little deeper than AutoExpress. He loved his car and, reading the article, I can understand why. This is what these 6cyl diesel estates were made for - pan Euro mile munching.

But I couldn't help asking myself the question about the law of diminishing returns as I finished my read with his question: "Is there a better car for the job?" If money were no object, both the initial purchase, the £190ph labour charges plus complexity and expensive parts, then the answer is as he replied: "I think not. Bravo, Mercedes."

But with a list price of £90,770 it dawned on me that this German rocket ship is almost twice as expensive as my newly acquired Superb TSI 265PS 4x4 L&K.

I have driven at 130mph on unrestricted German autobahnen and, as the journalist noted about his 155mph stint, the mental load is huge. You scan the dots on the horizon knowing that any middle lane hog who pulls out into Lane 3 is a potential hazard to life and limb. Plus, you can visibly see the needle on the fuel gauge moving to empty.

I once found myself allocated a desk next to the Fleet Manager of my employer. She was a dragon from the Kingdom of Fife, but she took a shine to me and would slide the keys of whatever demonstrator she had been gifted for the weekend. A Suburu Impreza STi was one car I was keen to hand back on the Monday, before we destroyed each other (the car and me, not the Fleet Manager). It was then that I learned how there is a point at which fast, is fast enough.

I discovered briefly on the A7 southbound that our Superb can dispose of a convoy of traffic without any drama or delay. You're out, past and back in rapidly without any fuss. One test of whether one loves the car is whether we relish the opportunity to embark upon another lengthy journey. And yes, I am. The journey back from Windsor to Scotland is just a couple of days away.

Jutland? No, my goodness that Danish peninsular was hideously tedious on our 2014 journey to Urke, Norway. The Scottish Borders? That'll do just nicely thanks.

Best wishes. Have a happy Thursday, Arianne.

Alnwick, Northumberland. October 2026.

Edited 21 minutes ago21 min by Arianne
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