2011 Mercedes E350 Bluetec, a Palladium Silver Rocket

Some of you may have read my posts of looking for a vehicle to replace my SUV as a daily/family car. I wanted good MPGs, enough space inside to fit both a rear facing and forward facing car seat, an interior that was "nice" and not a downgrade from my SUV, and additionally I had really hoped to find something that had full stop/start functional autonomous cruise control to make my daily interstate grind less of a pain.

I know from asking in the past that these systems are not popular here on GRM. I will go into more detail about the system and its niceties and shortcomings probably later. In short, it doesn't do everything itself, but just like any new car system if you adapt your driving/use it properly its pretty awesome.

So here she is as we started our journey together.

Her stats: 2011 Mercedes E350 Bluetec Palladium Silver, AMG Sport Package (wheels and maybe the steering wheel), Parktonic front and rear parking sensors, P01 Premium Package (COMAND system, bluetooth, nav, harmon kardon stereo etc, rear camera, blash ashwood trim, heated front seats. Driver assistance package (lane keeping, blind spot assist etc)+ Distronic Plus (radar cruise control) original purchase price 60,835

Car was owned by an older couple and one of them passed away and then the other family decided to sell the car. I bought it from the guy who bought it because he didn't like the way diesel drove. I paid 26,500 for it and flew to Arkansas to pick it up. The pic above is from the morning start of that journey in Bentonville Arkansas

I made the 1660 mile drive home to San Diego in 2 days. First day I drove from Arkansas to Albuquerque New Mexico crossing Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

second day I crossed New Mexico and Arizona into California.

The car eats up the miles and is very comfortable. It actually has the MBtex interior which is their leather synthetic and surprisingly I prefer it over a lot of leather and other vinyl alternatives I have felt. My mileage at 85mph with the AC on was 38, my trip mileage dropped to 36 after having been stuck in some wonderful California construction traffic.

For such a large car this really impressed me. I think if I had been going 70-75 it would have done 40+ easy.

My first commute today in mixed traffic (some bumper to bumper, some streets, some highway) I averaged out to 35.3mpg

My FIL has the E550 4Matic. Very nice car. I imagine the diesel is pretty efficient.

So far it definitely seems like it. Has your FIL had any issues? I have not read of anything to really be wary of but keep looking for the "gotcha" of owning such a high end vehicle

Loving this car so far. Averaging almost 36mpg on my daily freeway+traffic commute. Has plenty of go especially at highway speeds where it doesn't need to shift 60-100 is very quick.

I've been very enticed by E-class diesels. They often serve to remind me how disappointed i am that they never sold the Chrysler LX cars (magnum/charger/300) with the old 3.0 turbodiesel in USA but did elsewhere. I'd about E36 M3 myself in happiness over a 3.0 diesel Dodge Magnum.

Cool car!

I have that car's twin in my driveway, model year, color, and all. I absolutely love the way it drives, looks and the fuel economy, but it's been an electrical hassle. Seat control failure, trans control failure, NOx sensor failure, and now Urea heater failure. It only has 17k miles on it and it makes me sad.