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Finally got the chance to sit in the new production E-class at Mercedes today.
Overall, I was a little underwhelmed in person. There is no doubt that the new model will make existing owners of the MB brand happy, but at the eye popping MSRP of $71k US I think I would go for something else. It's like a baby S-class but with materials that are nowhere near as nice. I have never understood how MB gets away with such coarse leather in some of their models. This was a US model ES300
Finally got the chance to sit in the new production E-class at Mercedes today.
Overall, I was a little underwhelmed in person. There is no doubt that the new model will make existing owners of the MB brand happy, but at the eye popping MSRP of $71k US I think I would go for something else. It's like a baby S-class but with materials that are nowhere near as nice. I have never understood how MB gets away with such coarse leather in some of their models. This was a US model ES300
The GS has the interior beat by a long shot IMO.
The germans get away with it because they can. Lexus is following suit (nuluxe), but still has to provide value by including better quality materials for a lower price.
The germans get away with it because they can. Lexus is following suit (nuluxe), but still has to provide value by including better quality materials for a lower price.
Tbh I think NuLuxe especially the 3rd iteration of it, is superior to MB-Tex or BMW Leatherette/ Dakota Leather. The German ones are very coarse and rubbery.
^^ in terms of the actual material, I might agree with you that NuLuxe is softer, but Nuluxe doesn't have the "grain" look to it like actual leather. That is what makes MB-tex so realistic. Also what MB does really well is that they include proper double stitching with it. I can't understand why NuLuxe seams aren't well done, and it always looks like it has a zipper in the back? Also, terrible rear seat design with no stitching or thought.
The germans get away with it because they can. Lexus is following suit (nuluxe), but still has to provide value by including better quality materials for a lower price.
Well looking back at other Mercedes models of the past, they seemed to have firmer leather that is more coarse. If it is real or faux leather, I have no idea what was in the E class that I sat in but I would be very disappointed to find out that a $70K luxury car did not offer leather seats. Fake leather should not be offered in any of the top luxury brands.
What the E-Class lacked the most was a sense of warmth.
Well looking back at other Mercedes models of the past, they seemed to have firmer leather that is more coarse. If it is real or faux leather, I have no idea what was in the E class that I sat in but I would be very disappointed to find out that a $70K luxury car did not offer leather seats. Fake leather should not be offered in any of the top luxury brands.
What the E-Class lacked the most was a sense of warmth.
They do offer it, you just need to pay for it. And I've never found Mercedes interiors to be warm- they've come a long way since the pre-2000's austere interiors but they still come off as very German to me (appropriately so). Jaguar used to have the warmest interiors imo but times have clearly changed.
^^ in terms of the actual material, I might agree with you that NuLuxe is softer, but Nuluxe doesn't have the "grain" look to it like actual leather. That is what makes MB-tex so realistic. Also what MB does really well is that they include proper double stitching with it. I can't understand why NuLuxe seams aren't well done, and it always looks like it has a zipper in the back? Also, terrible rear seat design with no stitching or thought.
I think the CT is a poor example though, that looks like NuLuxe 2nd generation.
Debuted on the IS, I don't believe it has the 'zipper'.
seems the reviews are mostly glowing, and no doubt the car will sell in very large numbers for the segment. besides the amg type models, mercedes has focused the car on extreme quiet and comfort and 'helping' the driver. in today's crazy hectic world, i think that's a good focus for its target customer. if you want a sports car, this isn't it.
seems the reviews are mostly glowing, and no doubt the car will sell in very large numbers for the segment. besides the amg type models, mercedes has focused the car on extreme quiet and comfort and 'helping' the driver. in today's crazy hectic world, i think that's a good focus for its target customer. if you want a sports car, this isn't it.
kidding 
