Car has now been owned for 6 months, so here we go......

Performance

Various engines are available form a littl 145bhp lump right up to a monster 6.3 V8 Petrol and diesel are available. The diesels are very torquey but don't make massive BHP outputs. I have the baby of the diesel range - 170bhp and 400nM of torque.

It goes OK considering its small power output, 0-60 just over 7 seconds and a top whack of over 145 (GPS read 153). It punts along quite nicely really

The one I have has a 5 speed auto, rather than the bigger engined cars 7 speed ones. It has 3 modes - comfort, sport and manual. It also learns how you drive. As I always keep it in C, whenever I do change to S it is absolutely hpyer and swaps gears like a real demon - not a good thing really. Manual isn't :( You can change it in to 2nd, but it will change up if you get too close to the limiter (closeness depends on if C or S are selected.

Handling

Car is on 16s and has standard suspension. Handling is very nice and stable, understeer or oversteer on demand. On the whole it is very balanced and can be very playfull if you want. Seems to be quite tail happy at times Donuts are dead easy

It has ESP. I have made comments about that in the SLK review

Ride is excellent and it covers big distances rather well.

Interior

Nice and comfy. Controls are well laid out and are logical. Lots of cubby space. One nice feature is the speed limit function. Set a speed and it won't let you past it unless you engage kickdown. Very good, applies brakes if you are going down a hill. This last bit happens when you have cruise control set as well ie it keeps you at that speed and doesn't let it drift up.

The seats are comfy and adjust just as you'd hope. This one has electric seats, unfortunately it doesn't have memory function. Headroom is excellent and there is room for me to wear a helmet in it.

Rear legroom is good, as you'd expect - I can sit behind me which is a test I apply to all cars.

Storage space is good and everything is well screwed together.

Only one questionable area - why don't Merc fit cupholders in the front? There is a double fold out one in the rear centre armrest.

The aircon is excellent and I like the rear vents.

The dealer experience

The salesman was the same **** with a shiny suit and a very bad haircut who sold us the SLK - nuff said

This one I collected from Merc in Sheffield. Handover was very good and the free golf umbrella was a nice touch - got given a second one when I took it in for its service too.

Dealer seems helpful and the service experience was good. Price for the first service (16,000 miles) was

You haven't commented on how long the tyres last.

Sorted!

nice review..... confirm to the new forest meet, and let me have a go in it I like mercs... last one I drove was the SLK..... I'm gonna have to get much older before I consider buying one though :P

Sounds like a lovely car indeed. Wish I could afford something as capable... :(

I'd love to blag a passenger ride over the feline & violin...

I'm gonna have to get much older and balder before I consider buying one though :P

Now thats not very nice is it!?

The question is why did you buy the E-class over the C-class?

Isn't the C Class FWD?

Genuinely glad your happy with your ride TaviaRS - Mercedes is pure class tbh.

Only one thing - I wish to disagree with your sig - 170bhp and 400Nm in a 1715kg vehicle with an autobox will not be breakfasting on my Fabia anytime soon (even if only because I'm a few thousand miles away!).

(And if it did, because I'm admittedly a fairly carp driver, I'd send in the Mongrel.....:eek: )

Apologies in advance if any offense is taken - none intended

Cheers:thumbup:

Bas

Only one thing - I wish to disagree with your sig - 170bhp and 400Nm in a 1715kg vehicle with an autobox will not be breakfasting on my Fabia anytime soon (even if only because I'm a few thousand miles away!).

(And if it did, because I'm admittedly a fairly carp driver, I'd send in the Mongrel.....:eek: )

Apologies in advance if any offense is taken - none intended

Cheers:thumbup:

Bas

Clueless... you would get beasted every time.

i can lend jon my 204hp 1850kg auto barge in the very unlikely event he struggles...

If only you knew Basil, if only you knew...

I don't get it - what am I missing? I'm only going by specs and mine is cheating (remapped)...

Go on mates - give me a clue so I know what mess I've dropped myself into!

High Performance Club

still clueless - did I say I was a carp driver? Well the enthusiasm is still there....

I was comparing cars, not drivers......

awaiting enlightenment.......

Bas

If 250bhp Subarus couldn't outrun Jon on a track in an SDI Octavia, I dare say you may have difficultly chasing his E-class.

Jon! that name rings a bell now! He's the one I was told about last year when I was in the UK - supposed to be a totally amazing driver :eek: - now all is clear.

How about this angle then - it'd be easier for Jon to beat me if I was driving his car?

Total Respect to you mate! your rep has made it out here as well...

Cheers:D

Bas

High Performance Club

Although I hear Jon would very much love to be a member of that club (again!)

Chris

Nah, I decided to remove my head from my bottom :haha:

Bas, I have played with a few remapped Fabias - not much to worry me there.

Now if I happened to find a tuning box that would fit - it'd probably be quicker than you'd think

Jon! that name rings a bell now! He's the one I was told about last year when I was in the UK - supposed to be a totally amazing driver :eek: - now all is clear.

It's all lies - I couldn't drive a pointy stick up a dead dogs bottom

I reckon it's all luck