Being poor sucks...
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 features, a lowered suspension and even AMG body styling. Those extras—plus many, many more—brought the sticker price for our test car up to $84,785.
Okay, first impressions: Holy cow, it’s beautiful. Ours looked black at first, but really it’s Emerald Green Metallic. Depending on the available light it varied from nearly back to bright, bright, sparkly green.
Behind the wheel, the car is perfect, including just the right amount of seat support. Controls are standard for Benz, which means they might seem a little out of the ordinary. Where’s the gearshift, for example? No, it’s not a rotary knob on the console or some buttons on the dash. That’s too gauche. In the Benz, it’s a simple stalk located to the right of the wheel. Likewise, seat controls are on the door.
It just feels solid going down the road. That’s been a Benz hallmark for decades.
I love that big sunroof. Even with the top and all windows open, air buffeting isn’t even close to being an issue. You could drive it cross-country like this.
Okay, now I’m going to geek out about the headlights. I admit, I’m a fan of good headlights and run E-code Hellas when possible. The headlights in the Benz were just amazing. The high beams, especially, delivered such crisp, white light.
Power is ample, even though its twin-turbo V6 “only” makes 329 horsepower. Torque is impressive, though, at 354 lb.-ft. It’s delivered through a nine-speed automatic that can only be described as twin-clutch-like. Yes, you can manually shift it, but the computer is good enough that you can just leave it in D.
Mercedes-Benz lists a zero-to-60 time of 5.2 seconds for the E-Class Coupe when fitted with the all-wheel drive. I’d believe it.
All-wheel drive? Yes, it’s optional on this model. We didn’t experience much rain during our time with this car, but I could see this being something that could be driven anywhere, anytime. Between the giant sunroof, all-wheel-drive grip, comfortable appointments and plenty of thrust, this is truly a four-season touring car.
Yeah, I totally realize that this isn’t a cheap date when compared to a 25-year-old Miata. But for those who can afford a luxury car that can be driven year-round, the new E-Class Coupe is worth a visit.
Being poor sucks...
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.)
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.
How are the massaging seats? I think I need massaging seats in my life.
mazdeuce wrote: How are the massaging seats? I think I need massaging seats in my life.
Pretty awesome.
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. 
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.
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?
Any thoughts on the C class? Most reviews I’ve read trash it. I value you guys opinion more
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