[myzmak]

replacing a passat wagon.

i like wagons. i like driving like a car and not a souped up truck. i like the handlin, styling, etc. never been an SUV driver and i often mock drivers of 'sporty' SUVs.


however, may be running out of options.... VERY disappointed that NA divisions of german car makers have almst entirely abandoned large-ish wagons

so.....our options: basically we're looking at an e350 wagon or i have to go back on 20 years of SUV hatred and get one.

anyone have a 2012 e350? comments? (fwiw, we've driven the e350 and i like it quite a bit....just wish i had genuine competition for it of a like vehicle....)

IF i had to take the SUV....leaning Q7 but open to X5 diesel or GL 350 diesel or 450)....thoughts there?

(to head off comments, 3 series and a4 etc are too small for us. we have 2 kids plus dog so need the cargo space on long trips. also, on SUV front probably looking at 7 seat options)

thanks in advance....

[ianbiz]

poll needed.

[Shane550X]

X5 Diesel
Looks good and very efficient

Steer clear of Mercedes
GL 350 diesel is super loud and slow
E350 wagon is hideous from behind and very bland

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by Shane550X

X5 Diesel
Looks good and very efficient

Steer clear of Mercedes
GL 350 diesel is super loud and slow
E350 wagon is hideous from behind and very bland

The X5 is significantly louder than the MB (we just got rid of an ML Bluetec) and imo, the MB looks better.

E63 AMG wagon is a beast and looks amazing.

[MikeyV]

You could also look at the Volvo XC70. I agree with you driving a nice wagon is far more enjoyable than driving an SUV.

[HotIce]

Whackin.

[cawimmer430]

My father drives a 2012 Mercedes E350 CGI, which is the "old" direct-injection 292-hp 3.5 V6. It's a very refined, comfortable and incredibly spacious car inside. It's also fun to drive (it has the AMG package) and its steering feedback is even more direct and enjoyable than the one in my 118i!!!

The estate E-Class gets great reviews here in Europe for its perfect blend of comfort, practicality and interior space. The rear compartment is huge and flat - perfect for hauling a lot of gear. I don't think you can get that type of space even in an SUV, much less an X5 or X6.

Personally I don't see the point of buying an SUV over a wagon. To me a wagon is more practical, drives better, is more fuel efficient (generally) and doesn't feel as heavy and saddled like an SUV.

Get the E350 Wagon if you're looking for something spacious, practical and comfortable. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. My father drives his E350 CGI all over Europe and loves the comfort and even the fuel economy (averages 7.2 L / 100 km in mixed driving).

If you can get the E350 Bluetec diesel as a wagon in the US, go for it.

[myzmak]

The X5 is significantly louder than the MB (we just got rid of an ML Bluetec) and imo, the MB looks better.

E63 AMG wagon is a beast and looks amazing.

I agree with both points. I'm not a huge fan of the X5 styling and the 2013 GL looks decent....for a gigantic truck.

....and i would LOVE the E63 AMG *BUT* its kind of hard to justify paying the equivalent of a whole other nice car on TOP of the base E350 price just so i'd have a 515 hp grocery getter (or even more if i did the extra AMG performance package and gained another 30+ hp.....but if i did all that, wife would leave me, then no kids - just me and a dog and i'd get an M3 and put a towel down in back seat.... )

Get the E350 Wagon if you're looking for something spacious, practical and comfortable. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. My father drives his E350 CGI all over Europe and loves the comfort and even the fuel economy (averages 7.2 L / 100 km in mixed driving).

If you can get the E350 Bluetec diesel as a wagon in the US, go for it.

No diesel in North America for the E350.....

North American car cos have decided (a) nobody likes wagons, so they offer just SUV's; and (b) nobody drives diesel. They ARE learning that diesel can work (offered more and more on SUV's) but still have heads up a****s on the wagon vs SUV thing in my not-remotely humble opinion.

Anyway, thanks for the comments....happy to receive more if other un-humble opinions exist.

[myzmak]

drove the GL tonight. liked it more than i thought. still leaning e350....but tougher than i thought it would be.

oh well. whiny 1%er problems i guess....

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by myzmak

drove the GL tonight. liked it more than i thought. still leaning e350....but tougher than i thought it would be.

oh well. whiny 1%er problems i guess....

My only other suggestion would be to do your homework on the Mercedes dealership(s) that you are dealing with. We had intended on picking up the GL instead of the X5 a couple of years ago....and then were told we'd have to wait 5 months for delivery.

We were very, very close to purchasing a new CLS550 this past spring but couldn't stomach dealing with the service department any longer. The sales department was excellent, but getting raped repeatedly by service grew tiresome and expensive.

[myzmak]

yeah, the lack of included service is a problem with a benz... you at hyatt or lone star? (we also in #yyc)

if we go 350 we are ordering (which is fine)

GLs they have a few in stock so could get one now. oddly mercedes doesnt offer alabama delivery option on SUV's

[swanson]

CTS-V wagon

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by myzmak

yeah, the lack of included service is a problem with a benz... you at hyatt or lone star? (we also in #yyc)

if we go 350 we are ordering (which is fine)

GLs they have a few in stock so could get one now. oddly mercedes doesnt offer alabama delivery option on SUV's

We bought from Lone Star, but they are owned by the same group so I'm not sure Hyatt would be any different. They're obviously doing something right from a financial perspective with the huge addition they're building....maybe they've screwed over enough customers to pay for it.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by myzmak

No diesel in North America for the E350.....

North American car cos have decided (a) nobody likes wagons, so they offer just SUV's; and (b) nobody drives diesel. They ARE learning that diesel can work (offered more and more on SUV's) but still have heads up a****s on the wagon vs SUV thing in my not-remotely humble opinion.

Anyway, thanks for the comments....happy to receive more if other un-humble opinions exist.

That's a shame that there is no diesel for the E-Class wagon in the US. They're very popular here in Europe and on average have a range of over 1,000 km!

If it's any help, I drove the old GL320 CDI 4Matic sometime in 2008 and for a large truck, I found it to be very agile, even sporty (sharp steering response, sporty suspension setup) and the motor was also quite refined. This was very surprising to me.

I am not fan of SUVs, but a modern GL350 Bluetec strikes me as a lesser evil when compared to the gas-guzzling GL450 and GL550 (and the new and completely pointless GL63 AMG).

Good luck with your search.

[myzmak]

If it's any help, I drove the old GL320 CDI 4Matic sometime in 2008 and for a large truck, I found it to be very agile, even sporty (sharp steering response, sporty suspension setup) and the motor was also quite refined. This was very surprising to me.

Thanks. I had the same reaction. I actually assumed (going in) that a Q7 would be the best 'driving' of the gigantic SUVs, but I preferred the GL quite a bit - and it is very nicely finished inside. (we drove the GL350 Bluetec - gas mileage is bearable, unlike the crazy numbers for 450 or 550...)

That said....my guess is we'll probably still go wagon...though it remains close.

Again, thanks for all the comments.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by swanson

CTS-V wagon

...not a huge fan of the looks of this one, but agree its got lots of gettupango.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

We bought from Lone Star, but they are owned by the same group so I'm not sure Hyatt would be any different. They're obviously doing something right from a financial perspective with the huge addition they're building....maybe they've screwed over enough customers to pay for it.

Hey, I think you may be wrong.

I think Hyatt is owned by a different group:

http://www.hyattautomotivegroup.com/index.htm

I think Lone Star might be off on its own.....

[SaMaster14]

My mom had the GL450 before her E550. The GL is an extremely smooth car and handles well for an SUV. It is very comfortable, although, it's HUGE. If you are looking for something sportier, I would go for the X5 or Q7.

Is there an E550 wagon? Short of the AMG models, the E550 is one hell of a car. E350 is too underpowered imo, and I would probably take the GL or X5 over it.

[myzmak]

there is no e550 wagon. the 2012 and 2013 models got an hp boost to 302 hp. they now have about the same 0-100 km time as x5 35 (gas, not diesel) and a bit slower than the new gl450 (2013) but around same as 2012.

we are now in negotiations with dealer on price on a 2013 e350 to see if we can come to a deal.

[Raja Ventureshield]

nothing wrong with SUV.
get a x5 diesel They will never die, sell only if you get bored.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

nothing wrong with SUV.
get a x5 diesel They will never die, sell only if you get bored.

well, no...there are lots of things wrong with SUVs (or at least not right/good) if you livein an urban area. they are a pain to drive, manouvre and park. their *real* benefit is offroad or rough terrain. beyond that....cars seem to me to be what people in cities outta drive.

[positiveions]

E350 Wagon; sexy car