2017 Mercedes E Class
Well, over 5 people I know who purchased/leased new E class didn't know anything about cars, they simply went and bought a premium luxury sedan that's Mercedes, while can't/don't want to buy the S, and thinking the C is too small. And they are all E350s with minimium options.
Because, much like the Lexus ES, its a car for people that hate cars. Camry for the people with a bit more money if you will.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,202
Likes: 218
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You don't? I think it's one of the smartest ideas the industry has had in a long time. Unless you have a MT, there's no point to having the gear shifter sitting there in the center console taking up space. You never touch it in an AT, particularly if you have paddle shifters anyway.
.....haven't seen you post here for quite some time. Actually, in my post, I said that are some things about it I agreed with, and some I don't.
On the paddle-shifter issue, sometimes, and sometimes not. On some vehicles, in order to use them, you have to first put the shift-lever in the manual gate. Other vehicles have a system where the paddies override the lever, even if the lever is in the full-auto mode.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
From: MD
Welcome back .....haven't seen you post here for quite some time.
Actually, in my post, I said that are some things about it I agreed with, and some I don't.
On the paddle-shifter issue, sometimes, and sometimes not. On some vehicles, in order to use them, you have to first put the shift-lever in the manual gate. Other vehicles have a system where the paddies override the lever, even if the lever is in the full-auto mode.
.....haven't seen you post here for quite some time. Actually, in my post, I said that are some things about it I agreed with, and some I don't.
On the paddle-shifter issue, sometimes, and sometimes not. On some vehicles, in order to use them, you have to first put the shift-lever in the manual gate. Other vehicles have a system where the paddies override the lever, even if the lever is in the full-auto mode.
I got a loaded post-facelift E350 wagon a year and a half ago. It was surprisingly more engaging to drive than the F10 I compared it against (although it's possible I was just fooled by the dynamic seat enabled in the MB while taking a corner). I thought I wouldn't like the shifter moved to the steering wheel column, but it just makes too much sense when designed properly (as MB has done).
That said, I'm thinking my next wagon will be a 328xd (because I want diesel) or a SportWagen Alltrack (because I want MT). All AT cars are just extremely boring to me. Not sure which factor will win out...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,892
Likes: 3,831
From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,202
Likes: 218
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You going to the DC Auto Show?
http://www.washingtonautoshow.com
I got a loaded post-facelift E350 wagon a year and a half ago.
. Nice car. You've got a classic...M-B wagons don't sell that well in the U.S..
All AT cars are just extremely boring to me.
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 26, 2015 at 07:22 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
From: MD
Yep, old car buffs never die.
Wouldn't miss it. Here's the info:
http://www.washingtonautoshow.com
Congratulations. Nice car. You've got a classic...M-B wagons don't sell that well in the U.S..
Even in D.C. or L.A. area traffic? I can't imagine someone constantly pumping the clutch and rowing the lever in conditions like that.........that's self-inflicted punishment.
Wouldn't miss it. Here's the info:
http://www.washingtonautoshow.com
Congratulations
. Nice car. You've got a classic...M-B wagons don't sell that well in the U.S..Even in D.C. or L.A. area traffic? I can't imagine someone constantly pumping the clutch and rowing the lever in conditions like that.........that's self-inflicted punishment.
Yes, even in traffic. Traffic is so boring that I want to gouge my eyes out anyway, even though I listen to books on "tape" (really mp3 now). It helps to have something to do beyond just gas, brake, sigh, gas, brake, sigh...
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,268
Likes: 346
From: Canada
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,268
Likes: 346
From: Canada
Many taxi and bus drivers in Asia and Europe are still driving stick shift cars/buses for long hours everyday in heavy traffic, so it is clear you can get used to shifting without being aware of it, I am sure they drive much longer hours than you and me everyday ...
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
I personally dislike stick shift in traffic...it's not painful but it is annoying to me.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,268
Likes: 346
From: Canada
But a stick shift car is nothing like those, they can be very luxurious and quite comfortable, like the newer generations 911's ......, even manual cayman's can be nice dd's, so are corvettes ...
Last edited by Gojirra99; Dec 26, 2015 at 06:13 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 30
From: TN
Personally I've been shifting my own gears the past 4 years in both of my cars(Lexus SC300 and a beat up Toyota truck), and I'm over it. Drove around in my buddy's automatic this past weekend(2000 Avalon), forgot how nice it is to just have a brainless car to drive around in heavy traffic, ie that car is completely effortless, rides nice, great seats, silent, automatic trans, has enough power(more would be nice though), great visibility, etc Mainly I think its because I live in town and traffic sucks, if I lived out in the middle of nowhere with great driving roads I'd probably fall in love all over again with my SC300
That being said, I do love driving a manual sports car like a Miata, Corvette, Viper, the old english iron like Austin Healeys, Lotus, MG, etc. The old muscle cars with a stick are fun too, but to be honest I'd rather have them with an automatic because I would be tearing up the drag strip, and its so much easier to be consistent in the quarter mile with an automatic.
That being said, I do love driving a manual sports car like a Miata, Corvette, Viper, the old english iron like Austin Healeys, Lotus, MG, etc. The old muscle cars with a stick are fun too, but to be honest I'd rather have them with an automatic because I would be tearing up the drag strip, and its so much easier to be consistent in the quarter mile with an automatic.