Consider it an Upperclass Honda Accord with Status

During the years, I owned the following makes: Honda, Toyota, BMW, Acura, and Alfa Romeo.  And finally, I leased my E350 in blk/blk in 2006 for business.  This was my first Mercedes Benz.  I always wanted a E-Class.  The conservative styling that you can tune if you choose to, and the status of a Benz was a great allure.

I was so excited to purchase the car, I didnt even test drive it.  I recommend you test drive all cars prior to purchase.  I did test drive my friends E-Class prior to purchase.  The first thing you will notice is that this does not feel like a Japanese car.  It felt like my BMW. taut and firm, in and out.  The interior is very well laid out, with all buttons at the right places.  The interior materials feels expensive and heavy, not cheap like an Accord/Nissan for comparison.  The seats are a little firm but I like the firmness and taut feeling.  The leather feels "not as soft" as a Lexus/Toyota leather, but it will probably last longer.

Once in the seat, you turn the ignition with a nice keyless fob.  The engine sounds strong yet the exhaust note is softer than a BMW.  There is really no sporty nature or feeling you get from a E-Class, in comparison to a BMW.  But you can feel the quality.

The 2006 comes with a 7 speed transmission, which had smooth shifts but came at the expense of 2 additional shifts vs. a 5 speed.  I felt some rough shifts at the lower gears.

The brakes are very good.  I had mine with a sport package brake calipers at the front.  Good brakes no question about it.

The radio is very good as well.  Strong bass and treble...very decent factory radio with CD changer.  Ipod jack but no iPod controls unless you buy a iPod kit, which allows you to control the iPod with the steering buttons.

Press the gas, and the car thrusts forward.  I think 0-60 is around 7 sec?? Its no sports car...but it pulls strong from its 3.5 V-6.  Satisfied with the speed and power of engine.  I mean its no 350Z or 911, but for the price range and class, its very nice.

The handling is only good in my opinion; better than an Accord, but lacks the sportiness of a BMW.  It feels softer than a BMW 5 series, but what it lacks in the handing department, it delivers in the ride department.  I thought the ride was terrific.  Not too soft but not overly taut.

Well I loved looking at this car.  Its no Lambo, but the lines are so fluid and clean.  I really like the styling.  Better than a BMW 5 series with its ugly "eagle eyes" headlamps and ugly interior.  I even like the 2006 model better than the 2007 revamp; however, 2009 revamp looks better all around.

The reliablity is okay in my opinion.  I mean if reliability is a top factor in your choice of cars, then go Japanese.  Unless its a lemon, Japanese cars offer better reliability overall.  The Benz did not have any major problems within my 3 year lease, but had small annoying problems I would not expect from $50k+ car.  I had no issues with my Acura except a sunroof mishap within my 5 year run.

There is not one thing an Accord cannot do that an E-Class can; and its not to say that the E-Class does everything better; but the E-Class does it with class and status, that an Accord cannot offer regardless of options, etc.  The E-Class is not more refined per se, but compare a Sony TV with a Sanyo TV.  I mean both does the job right but the E-Class just does it with class, of course for a premium.