Thats a very professional review GTO. I wont be surprised if parts of it are flinched by some magazines for a review.
Overall i would like to add my two bits. I have yet to test drive the car. I have seen it but not so thoroughly. That i would be doing in the near future.
What i liked about the new E class is that its getting closer and closer in creature comforts which was till now the domain of the S class. Interior wise, the poered seats in the front, Memory for driver as well as passenger, steering tilt for easy access, Bixenon lights, not standatrd even for the S class over all models (W220)
WHat immediately came to my notice is the lack of space in the W212 as compared to the W211 and the W220 in the driver leg space. By leg space i mean the spread which a driver can enjoy in the previous gen E is somehow compromised. I think it is the result of making the door arms thicker, maybe for safety reasons (as i dont see any other reason for doing something like this) the driver, who could drive with his legs comfortably spread, is now restricted to keeping them closer of else, the arm irritatingly is in contact with the leg which is not comfortable at all. I still have to drive her though, but as soon as i sat in, this is the impression i got.
Bringing in the E class in the S class territory, might affect the S class sales but then, again, it might not. They share the engine, the gear box and now even creature comforts.
I would like to completely agree with GTO on his noticing the Ponton-esq rear overhang of the W212. It looks like a Mercedes trait now. It started with the S and at that angle, it looks like an S class rear panel too.
Like i have always maintained that the Merc seems to be getting ideas from the BMWs. First the I Drive, which all German cars seems to have a fetish for and then the gear shifter. A little lever which does the trick. BMW introduced itin the earlier gen S class and recieved some flak for it. Immediately in the later models, it was discontinued. Mercedes, continues with it somehow. The shifter, i find is less involving and shifting it to the right makes matters worse. The steering looks like its out of the C and M class. I dont think it feels of looks the part.
The interiors on the whole, look good and are top notch in finish and quality. Dont particularly care for the vague shade of brown, burgundy on the seats...what the heck is that colour and how does it match with white exteriors? This is one department i would rather a Lady handles. At least we would get better uniform shades of upholstery.
I loved the touch of the dual sun visors, very ingenious and makes one wonder why no one ever thought of it. I remember the Toyota Crown Super Saloon came with self rotating swing controls on the front a/c louvres. A great touch. Wonder why no one has though of that?
Somehow this car, in my opinion is inclined towards the chauffeur and less to the owner driver. The BMW and the Audi on the other hand are completely opposite. One can almost hear these cars say "Drive Me-Drive Me" whereas the Merc says "Get in the Rear and be comfortable." Lets not forget, one can be very comfortable even in an American tank on coil springs, defying law of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency (for eg the mid 80's box shaped cars like the Lincoln) but are they fun to drive???
In the looks department i have already made my preferences clear. I really do not like this E. It looks like a Lexus (Jap) crossed with a Hyundai (Korean). The front looks Lexus-Toyota ish and the rear Hyundai-Honda Accord-ish, all in all confused. With the long rear lights the Merc is trying to return to the W123-116-126 era but those were classic designs and as rightfully put by GTO, timeless. This car will start looking like an eyesore in some time and will stop turning heads once a few of them arrive and arrive they will. The indian love for the star marque is endless. Just like the S class, no one gives it a second look but look at the New 7, thats what turns heads.
If it were me, I would still go in for the 5 series. I will keep the driving comparison to after i have test driven it.