David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/10/17 1:56 p.m.
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A Mercedes-Benz is an animal with few equals. I don’t mean that no one else makes a car that’s as good, but a Benz is a Benz and nothing else delivers that unique feeling.

The E400 starts at $61,400, but ours was kitted out with an amazing amount of optional equipment. We sat in heated and ventilated seats with massage …

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fanfoy
fanfoy Dork
8/10/17 2:43 p.m.

Being poor sucks...

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/10/17 2:51 p.m.
fanfoy wrote: Being poor sucks...

Totally does. This isn't a track car or an autocrosser or a Challenge entry, but you could drive it everywhere, anytime. (We drove it to see Cindy Wilson of the B-52's perform, so not sure if that's punk rock enough or not.)

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/10/17 2:55 p.m.

By the way, Cindy Wilson solo doesn't sound at all like the B-52's. Still, good show. We wound up in the front row, and she took my hand while stepping down off the stage. This isn't my video, but it gives you an idea of what the show was like.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mDN4U9lN6Io

mazdeuce
mazdeuce MegaDork
8/10/17 3:05 p.m.

How are the massaging seats? I think I need massaging seats in my life.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/10/17 3:11 p.m.
mazdeuce wrote: How are the massaging seats? I think I need massaging seats in my life.

Pretty awesome.

racerdave600
racerdave600 UltraDork
8/10/17 4:59 p.m.

I've been fortunate to drive a couple of newer Mercedes lately, I've been impressed. At least the couple I've driven feel better than their BMW rivals. I've always thought of them as being a well built Buick, but perhaps I've been wrong.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/11/17 8:05 p.m.
racerdave600 wrote: I've been fortunate to drive a couple of newer Mercedes lately, I've been impressed. At least the couple I've driven feel better than their BMW rivals. I've always thought of them as being a well built Buick, but perhaps I've been wrong.

I hate to use the cliche about a Benz feeling like it's carved from a solid chunk of aluminum, but it's true. My neighbors have always had at least one Benz. There's a reason.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/2/18 3:19 p.m.

Small update: I got to spend some more time with this one. Everything I said earlier still stands. Is it your dream track car? No. Is it an awesome way to get from Point A to Slot B? Totally.

Everything about the car feels solid. Every stitch, every lever, every everything. The doors close like a proper German car. The trunk is fully finished. You know what feels like a Mercedes-Benz? A Mercedes-Benz. 

The steering doesn't feel heavy but not slow. It's not darty nor overboosted. It feels like someone spent a ton of time developing things. 

Power is, in Rolls-Royce terms, adequate. It's not the fastest thing in the lineup, but it's not slow, either. 

Where does this car work? You make some coin, want to be comfortable, and prefer to keep things a little subtle. 

If anything is going to be aspirational, it should be a Benz, right? 

elramaed
elramaed New Reader
4/3/18 8:07 p.m.

Any thoughts on the C class?  Most reviews I’ve read trash it. I value you guys opinion more

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