Post by Roadrunner on Jan 27, 2023 20:16:19 GMT
The Benz had its MOT and service today. Having been let down at the last minute by another Mercedes specialist I booked it into MB & B in Cheltenham instead. Outstanding and I would reccomend them to anyone who is looking to avoid main stealer prices. I also had the optional transmission service and it still all cost less than my local main stealer wanted for the service alone. Of course it passed with no advisories and nothing else to report from the workshop.
I had booked a loan car and expected a well-used A Class, so you can imagine my surprise when they brought out "the boss's car", a W213 E350d AMG Line. It had clocked up about 30,000 more miles than mine, but presented an ideal opportunity to compare with my W212.
It was black, with black and black and extra black, which presumably would appeal to the majority of buyers now, but not so much to my taste. It was also completely devoid of any any option packs, but still had a reasonable level of equipment.
Unsurprisingly, it drove very similar to mine, if perhaps a bit firmer. There was more road noise, and the engine was possibly a bit quieter, but definitely lacking some of the V6 characteristic growl of mine. The sports seats added to the whole package to make it feel a perhaps a bit more agile than mine and a bit less luxo-barge. It still effortlessly soaked up the bumps on the poorly maintained Cotswold roads, while making swift progress.
The interior was of decent enough quality, but definitely a step down from mine. I absolutely wouldn't order the alcantara / Artico upholstery myself and this probably contributed to the relatively cheaper feel to the cabin. I really liked the wide screen nav and upper dash, but the centre console switches around the rotary controller were fussy and partially hidden from view. The ergonomics in mine are mostly better.
The sound system was not a patch on my HK system.
This was an interesting comparison, because at the time I could have had an option-free W213 for similar money to what I paid for my fully-loaded, ultra low mileage W212. The slightly more engaging driving dynamics and better nav system are not enough compensation for the many other benefits I enjoy with mine, so I am convinced that I made the right decision in chosing the car I have.
I had booked a loan car and expected a well-used A Class, so you can imagine my surprise when they brought out "the boss's car", a W213 E350d AMG Line. It had clocked up about 30,000 more miles than mine, but presented an ideal opportunity to compare with my W212.
It was black, with black and black and extra black, which presumably would appeal to the majority of buyers now, but not so much to my taste. It was also completely devoid of any any option packs, but still had a reasonable level of equipment.
Unsurprisingly, it drove very similar to mine, if perhaps a bit firmer. There was more road noise, and the engine was possibly a bit quieter, but definitely lacking some of the V6 characteristic growl of mine. The sports seats added to the whole package to make it feel a perhaps a bit more agile than mine and a bit less luxo-barge. It still effortlessly soaked up the bumps on the poorly maintained Cotswold roads, while making swift progress.
The interior was of decent enough quality, but definitely a step down from mine. I absolutely wouldn't order the alcantara / Artico upholstery myself and this probably contributed to the relatively cheaper feel to the cabin. I really liked the wide screen nav and upper dash, but the centre console switches around the rotary controller were fussy and partially hidden from view. The ergonomics in mine are mostly better.
The sound system was not a patch on my HK system.
This was an interesting comparison, because at the time I could have had an option-free W213 for similar money to what I paid for my fully-loaded, ultra low mileage W212. The slightly more engaging driving dynamics and better nav system are not enough compensation for the many other benefits I enjoy with mine, so I am convinced that I made the right decision in chosing the car I have.
