The 2010 Mercedes E350 Coupe, with its sleek lines and promise of luxury, is still a head-turner on the used car market. Many are drawn to the allure of owning a Mercedes-Benz, and the E-Class Coupe offers a blend of style and practicality. But is a used 2010 E350 a smart purchase today? One owner shares their candid two-year experience, highlighting both the positives and the frustrating negatives of this model. If you’re considering a 2010 e350 mercedes, read on for a balanced perspective.
While the 2010 E350 Coupe certainly has its appealing aspects, like its sophisticated aesthetics, the ownership experience wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for this particular driver. On the positive side, the car undeniably boasts attractive styling that holds up even years later. The premium Harman/Kardon sound system was a standout feature, delivering rich and immersive audio. Furthermore, the navigation screen’s placement was praised for its user-friendliness and resistance to glare, a thoughtful design element. For a coupe, practicality was surprisingly decent, with a trunk that expanded considerably thanks to fold-down rear seats.
However, the cons list proved to be significantly more impactful and ultimately led to the owner’s decision to part ways with the vehicle sooner than planned. Chief among the complaints was the uncomfortable ride quality. The combination of a stiff suspension and hard seats resulted in a jarring experience on anything less than perfect road surfaces. Described as “harsh, jiggly, and uncomfortable,” the ride quality was a major letdown for a luxury coupe, and something that the owner admittedly underestimated during the initial test drive.
Another significant issue was the unpredictable acceleration. A noticeable delay of 2 to 4 seconds between pressing the gas pedal and the car reacting was not only frustrating but also potentially dangerous, especially when merging onto highways. This lag followed by a sudden surge of power made for an unsettling driving experience. Adding to the list of grievances was a persistent creaking noise emanating from the rear cabin. Disappointingly, the dealership dismissed this as a common characteristic of coupes, offering no solution.
Further frustrations arose with the rain-sensing windshield wipers, which were deemed “useless.” They would only activate when visibility was already severely compromised, and the absence of a manual intermittent setting compounded the problem. The speedometer’s “floating dial” design was also criticized for being difficult to read at a glance, blending in with the instrument cluster’s color scheme and lacking visual prominence.
Reliability concerns also surfaced during ownership. A pothole incident resulted in unexpected tire damage and a costly $400 replacement for a relatively new tire. The check engine light illuminated due to a faulty cooling system sensor, which was thankfully resolved under warranty. However, an out-of-warranty LED daytime running light failure came with a hefty $500 repair bill, highlighting potentially expensive maintenance costs. A chirping drive belt pulley required three dealer visits to diagnose and repair under warranty. Finally, persistent window squeaking issues, despite multiple dealer attempts and even regulator and weather stripping replacements, ultimately returned after a brief respite.
In conclusion, while the 2010 e350 mercedes Coupe offers visual appeal and some desirable features, this owner’s experience reveals significant drawbacks, particularly concerning ride comfort, acceleration responsiveness, and reliability issues. The accumulation of these problems led to a sense of relief when the car was finally sold. Prospective buyers should carefully consider these potential pitfalls and weigh them against the car’s positives before making a purchase in the used market.
