Emerging from the sterile environment of the hospital emergency room and into the pre-dawn chill, the arctic white of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 coupe gleamed under the harsh fluorescent streetlights. It was around 4:40 a.m., hours after enduring a battery of tests due to a sudden, excruciating pain. The diagnosis? A gallbladder attack, courtesy of a stubborn stone lodged in my bile duct – an organ I hadn’t given a second thought to until it decided to revolt.
Despite the lingering waves of pain that made me consider drastic self-surgery, my gaze was drawn to the elegant Mercedes parked just outside. “That’s a gorgeous car,” I thought, doubled over in discomfort, “and do I look like a successful doctor finishing a late shift?” The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 coupe possesses a certain presence, a captivating aura that commands attention, even when your internal organs are staging a rebellion. It’s a testament to its design that even in the face of significant physical distress, the car’s aesthetic appeal still registered so strongly.
My admiration was brief, as the need for pain relief and the comfort of home quickly took precedence. Driving the sporty Mercedes E350, even in my medicated state, was an experience. The route home, unfortunately, resembled a lunar landscape thanks to recent roadwork. The 18-inch AMG 6-spoke wheels, while visually stunning, transmitted every jolt and bump from the ravaged road directly into the cabin. Each imperfection sent a fresh wave of discomfort through my abdomen, making me question Mercedes’ very existence with every jarring impact.
Fast forward 72 hours, post-gallbladder removal and twenty ounces lighter, I found myself behind the wheel of the same arctic white Mercedes once more. The acute pain had subsided, replaced by a more manageable, albeit persistent, ache that could be kept at bay with ibuprofen. The mental fog had lifted, and I could finally appreciate the drive, or so I thought.
Old habits die hard, and for the umpteenth time, I reached for the cruise control stalk, mistaking it for the turn signal. Mercedes-Benz, in their infinite wisdom, decided to place the cruise control exactly where every other automaker positions the turn signal. Then there’s the COMAND interface, a perplexing amalgamation of BMW’s iDrive and a vintage Atari joystick. Despite my self-proclaimed tech-savviness honed from years of computer use and video game addiction, the E350’s system presented a formidable challenge.
The 2010 Mercedes E350 holds the dubious honor of being the only car that has utterly defeated me in the quest to establish a Bluetooth phone connection. This includes even the most rudimentary systems, like the one in a Kia Forte that barks commands with the charm of a drill sergeant with a limited vocabulary. While one might attribute my tech struggles to post-operative medication, the truth is, my frustrating attempts to pair my phone occurred during moments of relative clarity.
It begs the question: when will a car manufacturer finally collaborate with Apple to create a seamless and intuitive in-car technology interface? Why the persistent need to reinvent the wheel, particularly when it comes to basic functions like radio tuning or navigation? Perhaps simplicity is deemed too “cheap” for a car like the Mercedes E350, a vehicle boasting twelve-way adjustable driver’s seats and a glove-compartment-concealed iPod connection.
“Cheap” is certainly not a word applicable to the E350 in any other context. While its electronics might feel like they belong to a bygone era, the build quality and material selection are undeniably top-tier. The fit and finish of this Mercedes-Benz are exceptional, living up to every well-worn cliché associated with the brand. It exudes quality and refinement, akin to a meticulously crafted Swiss watch or a bespoke suit.
My test model, if destined for a customer rather than the press fleet, would have commanded a not-insignificant $59,225.00. And honestly, it feels worth every penny. The all-new sheet metal cloaks a familiar heart: the 268 HP 3.5 Liter 24-valve Aluminum V-6 engine, carried over from the previous generation. Paired with a 7-speed automatic adaptive transmission, it’s a powertrain that hints at its age, or perhaps, its intended environment.
The E350 is undeniably Autobahn-bred and tuned. Its power sweet spot resides higher in the rev range, ideal for effortless cruising at high speeds and rapid bursts of acceleration from 100 mph to 130 mph on unrestricted German highways. However, on slower, more congested roads, the transmission seems hesitant, taking a moment to decipher the optimal gear when you demand sudden acceleration from lower speeds. Once it decides to unleash the power, the E350 surges forward with impressive velocity, reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train.
I can envision the thrill of overtaking a BMW 3 Series on the Autobahn, asserting dominance with a press of the accelerator. Yet, this kind of power delivery feels somewhat mismatched to the realities of congested city highways and speed-limited roads prevalent in many regions.
My week with the Mercedes E350 was, admittedly, colored by discomfort and medication, none of which was the car’s fault. Therefore, this review should be taken with a grain of salt. However, even in the immediate aftermath of an ER visit, standing in the cold night air, the seductive silhouette of the E350 in the hospital parking lot was undeniably appealing. In that moment, and perhaps still, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting car for the drive home.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe Specs:
Price as Tested: $59,225.00
Engine, Transmission: 3.5 Liter 24-valve Aluminum V-6 with 7 Speed Driver-Adaptive Auto Transmission
Horsepower: 268
Performance Data (as tested at 5420 feet above sea level):
- 1/4 Mile: 17.09 seconds at 101 mph
- 0-60 mph: 8.92 seconds
- 60-0 stopping: 107 feet
- Max Acceleration: 0.59 g’s
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates:
- City: 17 mpg
- Highway: 26 mpg
- Combined: 20.0 mpg
- As tested: 21.9 mpg
CO2 per year: 11,179 lbs
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Roman Mica is an automotive journalist and author with a passion for performance cars and endurance sports. He shares his insights on vehicles and the active lifestyle at EverymanTri.com.
