2012 Mercedes E 350 Cabriolet Review: The Perfect Balance of Sportiness and Comfort

[@avenuealex]

I own one in the UK, a 2010 V6 350CDI diesel version of it. Bought it 7 year ago with 50,000 miles on the clock now it have 100,000. I intend on keeping it for much longer as I have been very pleased with it. Very refined and low cabin noise even at motorway speeds. The things that required replacing during my time of ownership: consumables tyres and break pads. Suspension arms due to potholed UK roads. After 12 year I had to replace the original battery. The lambar support pump has also failed and needed to be replaced. Diesel Engine related (om642 engine) at about 100,000 things that failed: glow plug controller module, EGR Valve, Thermostat - all are common faults on OM642 V6 diesel and all are easy to replace. The only thing that really was a shame was an ESL (electronic steering wheel lock) that failed. A failure of a $10 Chinese motor in the lock resulted at €650 bill from MB.

[@ronalddean3630]

Thank you for YOUR review. I was waiting to hear something besides glowing reviews except "plastic isn't so great. It was a good review overall, but I would NEVER make a purchase based on a review like this. I need to hear opinions from the mechanics who service them. All of the automatic and creative features scare me. The quality of these late-model cars is not what it used to be. Anyone who has some long-term history with MB knows that. As you mentioned...the motor in the lock. That is unforgivable considering what these cars cost. But glad it has gone well for you. I am just starting to look around and this was very helpful.

[@aprice298]

Quality review mate, you've helped me make a decision, i'm getting one of these cars!!!

[@RossEnzo]

It’s an excellent car all around. The best convertible that fits four adults money can buy!

[@JW_Reviews]

I completely agree! Thanks for watching!

[@tbnewhomes]

The best review on KZbin. You help me decide that this is the one I want. Thanks man

[@lyndanewey184]

Best car i ever owned, you could druel looking at the style lines, quality all the way, i regret selling mine

[@scottspencer-wolff1084]

I'm just getting ready to buy one of these as a daily driver. Great review, very helpful.

[@jimbutler9835]

I believe the 'clips' on the top cover is where the top locks down when the top is raised - great review.

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

What an elegant looking car. I'm not a fan of convertibles, but this one truly does look great. It retains the luxurious look of Mercedes, but also has a sporty and tough look. I bet you enjoyed driving it and reviewing it. I definitely did. Hope you have a great Christmas James 🎄 ✌️

[@JW_Reviews]

I completely agree with you, Jeremiah! This was definitely an enjoyable car to review, very different from what I usually review :)

[@richarddelasota1812]

I bought this car in 2014 as a CPO. It had 12,000 miles on it. Now, in 2023, it has 39,000. The car is remarkably quiet for a convertible at highway speeds. It has very good acceleration - 302 hp, up from 265 in 2011. It’s a Mercedes, so maintenance is expensive. The “wood” trim on the door panel is actually a cheesy plastic and it can come loose. Mine did recently, and, believe it or not, it cost $1,000 to replace. But, it is an undeniably beautiful car even today. I can still be surprised at how good it looks when I return to it in a parking lot, for example.

[@RossEnzo]

How did you do the wood? I’ve been looking to replace mine.

[@richarddelasota1812]

@@RossEnzo I had to let the local dealer take care of it. Replacing the trim on the inside of the door requires that the entire interior part of the door be removed, hence the high cost. But I had to replace a piece of the trim on the dash, and even that was about $400. Not a project to be undertaken lightly.

[@RossEnzo]

@@richarddelasota1812 Dang. Makes sense, the wood around the seat controls and the rear wood is what I need to replace. Maybe I’ll break down and go to the dealer. Shame they used such cheap plastic, my CLK550 still has real wood in it and looks great even after all these years.

[@markymark8665]

@@RossEnzoI’ve seen people say that they pay wrap shop to wrap it, however you’ll probably lose the wood grain look but it’s cheaper.

[@ronalddean3630]

@@markymark8665 we should not have to do anything. It should be wood like in the old days. One more reason I am skeptical of the new cars.

[@lonwaslien104]

1:18 I should have guessed that it would be a Merc! She’s a beaut! Thanks James for the review!

[@JW_Reviews]

I like to give people a challenge :) Thanks Lon!!

[@bushdance6]

Thanks for a nice review. There was much to like, including your relaxed style and pace, as well as the aerial shots at the end. Just a few factual clarifications... - [5:17] rear speakers behind headrests are disabled when the top is down and operate when it is up, using the rear glass to reflect sound. - [5:23] the chrome clips provide an anchor for the rear portion of the roof when it is in place. - [6:26] the spare is only a space saver, sadly. Thanks again for a nice review! Cheers, Peter

[@tacfoley4443]

Here in UK, where, surprisingly, diesel engines rule, we get over 60mpg from the E250 engine. Even the E350 makes in the early 50's with its silky-smooth V6 diesel, also noting that road tax is around a half of the gasoline-engined version. Your amazement as it actually goes around a curve without falling off the world made me laff out loud. Imagine, a German car made in windy-road Europe that can actually go around a bend in the USA!! What will they think of next?

[@dalehampton4554]

What a beautiful car! I really enjoyed the aerial shots. Great review! 👍

[@JW_Reviews]

Thank you so so much, Dale! I hope you've been doing well!

[@markymark8665]

Nice comprehensive review. I bought a ‘13 about three years ago that has only 27K miles. It’s a beautiful car and enjoyable to drive. My only concern is that like any Mercedes, you’re only one warning message or funny noise away from an expensive repair.

[@Investorpotamus]

I subscribed simply because you did such a great job on this video. Thanks.

[@fh6258]

The colour is called Palladium silver, which was renamed as Selenite grey (992/7992) a few years later and still a current colour for 2022. Fred

[@JW_Reviews]

Good to know, that's certainly a very unique name. Thank you for the info!

[@amryousef3779]

Tnx 4 the particular review 🖤🏁 Believe it or not, i got a white after 24 hours of attending your review 😃. I’ll try to get the usage of that couple chrome clips is there 😄🙏 Adorable vehicle have her very own signature Tnx Mercedes

[@donaldhenderson3495]

Great video James. I’m really enjoying your videos.

[@JW_Reviews]

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying them!

[@craigstine467]

Hey James!! Happy New Year! Thanks for another great review..Love the color combination on this beauty!! I just bought a '17 C300 Cabriolet; if you have ever driven one, I'd love to know your opinion of it! The E Class is truly magnificent!!

[@JW_Reviews]

Thank you Craig! Yes, the color combo is one of my favorite things about this car. Congratulations!! Unfortunately, this is only the second or third Mercedes I've ever driven. But I'd certainly love to drive more!

[@ges2810]

Nicely done. You should bring back the bloopers and do some prat falls and “accidentally” lock the keys in the car. You know, all that fun stuff like that! 😃

[@JW_Reviews]

Thank you! Good point, I should definitely add some more gags at different points. Unfortunately, I haven't caught too many funny bloopers as of late, but maybe more will come someday!

[@filipstaklev6060]

Great review! My wife and I absolutely love the Mercedes E220 Cabrio, and we’re seriously considering getting one. However, we have a 3-year-old child, and I’m curious if anyone here has experience using this car with a young child. How practical is it for daily use with a toddler? Any tips or advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!

[@quantum5652]

Great review. Can anyone comment on reliability of the drop top? I heard that series was plagued by a serious problem there ?

[@Dennis-dg6fr]

ver nice video. greets from germany

[@NateEll]

E hasn’t meant fuel injected in years- not at least since the letter moved ahead of the numerical designation. E by the 212 chassis just meant mid size.

[@ronalddean3630]

Beautiful car, great review. I love the color combination and the shape of the front seats. Looks very comfortable. Not a fan of the tiny steering wheel. How about a review that tells us how much it will cost to have all of the "fantastic ideas" repaired when they stop working the way they are supposed to...form an unbiased certified mechanic? Ex. The seat belt arm extender, (why?) heat from the seats, automatic seat movement for rear passengers (why?). I can imagine if THAT got stuck in the forward position, while on a road trip🥵. It would be difficult to get home I think. I like the analog instrument panel, but wonder with so many items to look at, the driver's attention to the road is compromised. I read about the fake wood down in the comments. I guess that is what you meant when you spoke about plastic? That is just unacceptable. My dad's 1969 had real burl wood everywhere.

[@13jrvernon]

Glad they have aftermarket screen solution

[@247jimbo]

Great Review! That car had a lot of features on it- wonder what it was new? Great looking, and amazing they go for around $12k now! Love how it looks from the rear with the top down! That paint looks like the mat wraps they do now. I'm old school and think it looks like a dull repaint, not for me, lol. Funny my Mustang convertible has the same red and black interior, and looks great. I love convertibles- so this was fantastic for me, I wish mine had the heat blower under the headrest, lol. Thanks - looking great James!

[@Petlover10000]

$12K now? I wish. For this model, price is between $22K to $29K. I would buy it in a heart beat if it were still $12K.

[@timw8228]

Nice car with very good fit and finish.

[@JW_Reviews]

Thanks Tim! It certainly is

[@philreynolds6018]

The last clk version , the Real E class convertible came out in 2018

[@jamesh7571]

I think those clips aren't for a hardtop installation but for the rear window to seal up when its raised, check it out & let me know ur thoughts please 😎

[@susanjspaulding]

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 *LOVE this 2012 Mercedes E Class* !! *The red/gray comb is just beautiful* !! *This is a well thought-out ragtop Cabriolet* !! #JWCarReviews 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

[@JW_Reviews]

Thank you so so much Susan! I loved this car as well, it is beautiful!

[@zachr5054]

Next Review: S Class. If you can get one.

[@JW_Reviews]

I would LOVE to review an S-Class!! Hopefully someday!

[@barbarawhite4907]

Dave just bought this thee months ago❤

[@mohanshivdasani2885]

Let's review an 2014 E550 Cab.

[@jokerboker8683]

why no suscrib this channel is good and fun hope people subscrib all the best for you and you channel from you brother in iraq

[@annekandler5327]

stimmt!

[@markflem]

Too early for touch screens! BMW didnt have one until 2015

[@richardfoulkes3083]

Maybe for the Euros, my sons 1995 Toyota Soarer v8 has a very useful touch screeen for the entertainment and hvac system and it still works!

[@Djpaul-lo1px]

Literally the only thing I don’t like about this car is the analogue clock... It looks old fashioned and is unnecessary as who needs to know the time CONSTANTLY. Would make long journeys seriously drag...

[@ronalddean3630]

I love the analog because when the new-fangled electronics break $$$$$$$$$

[@Freddyplays2022]

Wow

[@belhandalain9020]

J’ai une classe E cabriolet 350 cdi w207 un vrai régal fulls options blanche intérieur cuir marron clair que du bonheur