Out with the Old, In with the New
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Initial Driving Impressions:
#1: Steering Feel.... Whatever has been done, it is much better, lighter, faster. It really removes the largess, lumbering sensation that accompanies the previous E63; it feels like a much smaller vehicle. Now it is nowhere near as tactile as my 911, but certainly better, without play-station-like feel. Somewhere in the middle but nice.
#2: Vehicle weight. I believe it is a lighter overall vehicle. If I'm wrong it certainly carries its weight well.
#3: The engine feels more aggressive. I'm sure I cannot feel the extra 10 hp but it's personality certainly exudes it.
#4: The exhaust note is louder. I like it.
#5: The overall demeanor is consistent with what many people have said; something where the previous generation was "49% performance/ 51% luxury" and this generation flips that (as was Mercedes' intention starting with the C63). I would go so far as saying the equation with this generation is more like 40-60 luxury/ performance.
#6: Speaking of "luxury" and the interior; I'm a bit ambivalent. The previous Gen E63 (and E55 for that matter) has a beautiful flowing elegance to it. Surfaces are great to touch and everything was very harmonious. This IMO is largely absent in the new generation. Not that it feels cheap, it's just edgier on the inside as well as outside. I'm still getting used to the dash console plastics. They are nice, soft-touch, but are definitely a step down from my old 08 ML63 with a leather-covered dash. I'm not sure if Mercedes saves those interiors now for its high-high-end lines (CL, SLS....) but previous Mercedes AMG owners could get the slight sense of a quality letdown.
#7: Speaking of the interior, the controls are very nice. It's multi-touch (iDrive) is not terribly difficult to get acquainted with but it does make one wonder if the multi-control ***** were to remove the numerous buttons, why are numerous buttons creeping back into vehicles? The fit and finish of the '10 E63 is superb, intuitive, much more germanic-logical and seems like multiple generations of separation from the previous E, not one. Probably one of the nicest features are the four driver-centric console buttons specific to the AMG: Transmission Personality, Trax Control, Suspension Personality, and the fun button, I mean AMG button.
#8: Transmission. From early impressions, Manual mode is much faster than the previous E63 and seems so much more responsive. I don't get that "wait for it" feeling that I'm used to with the '07.
So, still doing a painfully reasonable break-in as it had 39 miles when I picked it up, but it's persona is definitely more aggressive, which is what attracted me to replacing my '07 in the first place. I can only imagine what it will be like when it hits puberty and I can drive it like it was meant to me.
#1: Steering Feel.... Whatever has been done, it is much better, lighter, faster. It really removes the largess, lumbering sensation that accompanies the previous E63; it feels like a much smaller vehicle. Now it is nowhere near as tactile as my 911, but certainly better, without play-station-like feel. Somewhere in the middle but nice.
#2: Vehicle weight. I believe it is a lighter overall vehicle. If I'm wrong it certainly carries its weight well.
#3: The engine feels more aggressive. I'm sure I cannot feel the extra 10 hp but it's personality certainly exudes it.
#4: The exhaust note is louder. I like it.
#5: The overall demeanor is consistent with what many people have said; something where the previous generation was "49% performance/ 51% luxury" and this generation flips that (as was Mercedes' intention starting with the C63). I would go so far as saying the equation with this generation is more like 40-60 luxury/ performance.
#6: Speaking of "luxury" and the interior; I'm a bit ambivalent. The previous Gen E63 (and E55 for that matter) has a beautiful flowing elegance to it. Surfaces are great to touch and everything was very harmonious. This IMO is largely absent in the new generation. Not that it feels cheap, it's just edgier on the inside as well as outside. I'm still getting used to the dash console plastics. They are nice, soft-touch, but are definitely a step down from my old 08 ML63 with a leather-covered dash. I'm not sure if Mercedes saves those interiors now for its high-high-end lines (CL, SLS....) but previous Mercedes AMG owners could get the slight sense of a quality letdown.
#7: Speaking of the interior, the controls are very nice. It's multi-touch (iDrive) is not terribly difficult to get acquainted with but it does make one wonder if the multi-control ***** were to remove the numerous buttons, why are numerous buttons creeping back into vehicles? The fit and finish of the '10 E63 is superb, intuitive, much more germanic-logical and seems like multiple generations of separation from the previous E, not one. Probably one of the nicest features are the four driver-centric console buttons specific to the AMG: Transmission Personality, Trax Control, Suspension Personality, and the fun button, I mean AMG button.
#8: Transmission. From early impressions, Manual mode is much faster than the previous E63 and seems so much more responsive. I don't get that "wait for it" feeling that I'm used to with the '07.
So, still doing a painfully reasonable break-in as it had 39 miles when I picked it up, but it's persona is definitely more aggressive, which is what attracted me to replacing my '07 in the first place. I can only imagine what it will be like when it hits puberty and I can drive it like it was meant to me.
Last edited by KK Moto; Sep 30, 2010 at 08:07 PM.
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KK-- I have the '07 and agree with your excellent write up-- the '07 car leans heavily toward luxury as opposed to raw performance. That said, I still haven't warmed up to the "bloated, chunkier" look of the W212 E63. The W211 seems more stream line, leaner, and with better lines, in my somewhat biased view. 
Maybe I just need to look at the 2010 a bit longer. Anyway, beatiful car, enjoy it!! Post another driving write up after break-in period! GBG
Maybe I just need to look at the 2010 a bit longer. Anyway, beatiful car, enjoy it!! Post another driving write up after break-in period! GBG
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Got it clear-bra'd and 20% tint today.
Breaking in........slow
Last edited by KK Moto; Sep 30, 2010 at 08:05 PM.
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wow, very nice trade up! not sure if i like the new look, but driving both, i also agree the new one is louder and meaner. can you comment on the handling? you mentioned it feels lighter, does it take corners better as well compared to the prev one?
not sure if i like the new look, but driving both, i also agree the new one is louder and meaner. can you comment on the handling? you mentioned it feels lighter, does it take corners better as well compared to the prev one?
