2015 C400 4Matic test drive - Oppo review + brief thoughts on the new E-Class

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt) 06/16/2018 at 14:36 • Filed to: Oppo review, test drive, car review, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes

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C400 4matic 329HP, 354Lb/ft turbo V6 had COMMAND +navigation, AMG wheels(standard sport pkg), sunroof package, hands free package and Blind spot monitoring

Exterior: Looks like any other C class but has AMG wheels. You either like it or don’t.

Interior: was very good quality. Had Piano black trim (Finger prints aarrgh) which I didn’t prefer and not the fantastic wood trim like other C-classes I have been in. the new C-Class interiors are my favorite of this segment and all the touch points, buttons, switches trim etc. was top notch. I didn’t check if seats were MBTex or Leather but they were aggressively bolstered. Loved the steering wheel feels good in your hands great material feel. COMMAND is not touch and there is a learning curve required I prefer IDrive and Audi MMI and the systems in Kia/Genesis.

The stalk style shifter was weird at first but it does make sense. Better than Buttons IMO. Rear seat was well. Just adequate, legroom was better than head and shoulder room, but then I sat behind myself adjusted for 5’11”. Definitely only a 4 seater because huge tunnel in back. Had to watch head when getting in and out. Much smaller than my G and immediately ruled it out for future purchase. E-class was much much better size wise without feeling too big and should fit us well.

Visibility was not a problem except for a smaller rear windshield than expected. Doors come up high so can’t rest your elbow on them but armrests are soft and comfortable.

This had hands free package which I would skip. The COMMAND+navigation package is probably worth it as well as the safety tech. Premium and Sport packages are standard. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The drive: based on reviews I didn’t expect much and let me tell you right away that this is not a driver’s car. It is quiet, smooth, comfortable and fast but lacks the key ingredients to beat or even meet the 335i/340i.

Steering is numb, no feedback. Hated it! Even the Genesis sport had better steering I think. Sport+ mode gave it some extra weight but nope, not good enough.

Cabin is typical Mercedes silent but unfortunately so is the engine. Wakes up in Sport+ mode and a note on the transmission which was super quick to respond but it is best suited for backroads because it was just too aggressive for suburban roads and freeways. Sport was the best balance. Comfort rarely took the engine over 2000 RPM where all the torque comes in. Speaking of which it pulls really good and smoothly. However I was impressed by the Genesis 3.3T more and Hyundai/Kia really nailed it with that powertrain. The 7 speed transmission was good in the 30 mins I drove. Didn’t think too much but you have to be in the right mode. Supposedly does 0-60 in 4.7 and feels as much but the experience is too isolating.

Ride is soft, expected more firmness. Body roll was controlled. Didn’t feel super heavy but didn’t feel light either. Handling capability is there but feel is not there. It was running Pirelli All seasons.

Braking was good but brake pedal feel was squishy, the gas pedal had better feel.

In conclusion, if you like Mercedes you will like this a lot. But if you’ve driven the competition this doesn’t stack up. It’s neither a hammer nor a scalpel and that’s the problem. The C300 is an excellent car for what its mission is but try to make it an almost-AMG and it fails. I am assuming the C63 is excellent, haven’t driven one.I really hope they improved the steering, suspension tuning and sound for the C43 versions because if not it is undeserving of the AMG badge.

I also sat in the older 2015 E Class and a new 2017 E class and I was blown away by how amazing the new one is! It’s like a completely different level.

2015 E class

2017+ E class

Evolution of the E class left to right

It is also big enough to consider it an upgrade from my car. I did not test drive either because it was the E350(3.5 NAV6) and the E300 (2.oT 4) so I wasn’t interested. I think an E400 or E43AMG would be something I consider if I can get over the steering and soft ride. But who knows? I might prefer that as I get older. Looking at Autotrader for the cheapest ones around and 3 year old models around $35k seems to be a good car for the money but it has the older interior. A used 2017 E400/E43AMG should be a good option 3 years from now.

So anyway, test drive done, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and was it felt so good to use old school tight hydraulic steering, free-revving loud V6 and firm pedals and more connected feeling to the road despite the additional cabin noise. Sometimes, not always after I drive newer cars it makes me happy to get back in my car again.

Chariotoflove > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 14:19

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So then it seems the baby S-class description is appropriate? What you describe is a car for people who would like the feel of an S but don’t need or want such a large car.

Also, that new E does indeed look like a completely different interior. I like it.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Chariotoflove 06/16/2018 at 14:29

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The C class feels like a baby S class on the inside only when you have specced it out to the best trims and packages available. Piano black doesnt give that feel

And yeah was seriously impressed by the 2017 E

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 14:47

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The new E class is really nice- just pricey right now. The only one I drove was an E300, and I really liked it, except I wanted more cylinders.

From what I gather, the cars with the AMG badges ride a lot firmer now, and are more of a drivers car (relative to other MBs at least which are all comfort oriented).

For the previous generation, I don’t think the 400 is a big step up from the 350- only 27 more HP, though the 400 does have leather (very rare to find a 350 with leather). And W212 E350s are in the $20s now all day, even CPO.

Finally I have about given up on steering feel. Unless you get a true sports car, it seems nonexistent in this price range. Sigh...

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > WilliamsSW 06/16/2018 at 15:38

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I really like the 400 engine and it’s not just 27+Hp over the 3.5 V6 but the torque which is 273 @ 3500 vs. 354 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,000 rpm and that is s deal breaker especially given it is a big heavy car.
In any case, will keep looking for E400/43AMGs over the next few years. A 3 year old CPO model <$35K and under 40K miles will be under consideration

fintail > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 15:38

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The W212 is effectively a 2009 car with a facelift later in the run, no surprise W213 is a leap. 4 cylinders in that price range is hard to accept if not diesel.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fintail 06/16/2018 at 15:40

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Yeah they had tons of lease-special E300s and even offered a test drive but I declined because I thought it would ruin my experience. Will wait to drive an E43AMG

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 15:47

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I never drove the E400, tbh. The E350 is acceptable, but not quick by any measure.

I’m really interested to see where the E43 AMG is at on CPO in 3 years. Would be a perfect replacement for the E550 if I decide to move on from it and stick with M-B.

Note - I have a long history of jumping around brands. I’ve owned some 14 cars now and 13 brands - the one repeat was two cars from a dead brand, *both* of which were older than me (and I’m 50 years old).

fintail > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 15:54

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I have yet to drive an E300, my DD is an E250 Bluetec however, and I think it is an ideal engine for the car (I am not looking for any pretense of sport). NVH in the 4 cyl gas concerns me. If I was to lease again, I’d have to find a hell of a deal for one of those, and I’d want a loaded car with widescreen etc. Nicer W212s are becoming a good used deal now, as depreciation is real, and they have aged well, no huge issues on the MB themed forums.

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 15:55

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Also, it irritates me to no end that, after looking for a local CPO E550 for 4 months and not finding ANY, that M-B now has TWO of them in the Chicago area- both with lower miles, one additional option package (lane keeping assist), and a little less money than what I paid...

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > WilliamsSW 06/16/2018 at 16:03

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It’s a very very good engine, makes a stomping 396 hp and 384 lb-ft in eth E43AMG and the newer ones come with a 9 speed so should be only faster I hope. It just needs to be louder and paired with a better steering and suspension. reviews of the E43 have been good but some say the BMW 550i is better. But I won’t touch that because of the unreliability.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/2017/2017-mercedes-amg-e43-first-test-review/

I am brand agnostic but I do have my favorites. I have owned Honda, Subaru, BMW and now Infiniti. I am now particularly rooting for Genesis because they are the underdog and with the recent M-division hires I think they are working very hard to be what I wanted Infiniti to be, when it comes to cars, at least.

I have only not driven anything from the European exotics or any supercars. I want to try Porsches but i am afraid if I do I wouldn’t want to drive any other car based on what I have read/watched.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > WilliamsSW 06/16/2018 at 16:05

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Haha! I made it a rule to never search for your specific car online once you’ve bought it. Unless it is time to sell and you want to see market prices. You’ll always wish you waited just a month or two.

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 16:12

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I usually don’t either- nothing good can come from it. I was just looking because I know that CPO 2014 E550's run just above your 35k bogey now, with a couple of higher mileage cars down around 33-34k.

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 16:17

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The 9 speed is an excellent transmission, I really loved it in the E300.

The BMW 550i does sound brilliant - but BMW stopped making drivers cars a few years ago, so it’s another luxury entry. And I wouldn’t own it out of warranty, either.

I find myself rooting for Genesis and Cadillac, hoping they can bring true driver’s cars back in style. Not optimistic though.

Having driven a couple of Porsches recently, yes they will ruin you for other cars. At least the 911 and Boxster will.

AestheticsInMotion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 18:14

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Try to find an AMG GLA45 for a test drive. I had an absolute hoot in one, best comparison I can think of is a luxury version of an Abarth.

Spendy tho

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AestheticsInMotion 06/16/2018 at 18:20

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I have watched reviews , I’m sure it is fun but a small fast turbo crossover doesn’t really appeal to me personally to go take the effort and test it. Yeah it’s basically a lifted hatch but I have driven the base GLA250/Infiniti Qx30 and its Bleh.

AestheticsInMotion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 18:30

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I’m as anti-crossover (with the exception of Porsche, dammit) as anyone but really that thing is an absolute blast. This pains me to say but I think the fun factor was far ahead of a ‘17 wrx, despite lacking the third pedal.

Spent any time in an M2? I’ve been dying to find the time to try one again

No Prius Needed > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 06/16/2018 at 18:53

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Can confirm. The TT V6 and the 9 speed is a great combo. I haven’t driven the C400 but the E43 I drove was pretty loud in Sport+. It almost sounds like a VR38 under WOT and pops and crackles when you let off. I was actually surprised by the steering since I was expecting it to be lifeless like my friend’s C250, but it it’s decently weighted, accurate, and has some steering feel.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AestheticsInMotion 06/16/2018 at 18:59

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So it’s basically MBs verison of what an automatic Crosstrek STI would have been then.

I have not driven an m2 or any 2 series but have driven several 1 series and I love them especially the turbo staright sixes. At my small town dealer doubt if even seen one and if he did would be sold in a few days.Next nearest one is 2 hours away.

I havent driven any Porsche yet, same dealer problem this being none are here, and forget Turo. But I am afraid I will be bitten by the bug and hate every other car ever LOL.

Maybe I should do one of those Las Vegas track experiences.