Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe (2017 - 2023) E 300 AMG Line Premium 9G-Tronic Plus auto 2d Owner Review

I agnonised over this purchase. I really wanted AWD, and had BMW offered the 440i with x-drive, they'd have had the sale. I went for the E300 as I'd never had a Merc, and the interior seduced me. I couldn't justify the cost of the 6 cylinder petrol, and I wanted to leave oil burners behind (live in London), so plumped for the 2.0 petrol, despite its poor reviews. A mistake. 9 months on, and I'm never going to love this car. It has a few good points. There is nothing like it inside, which feels special. Seats are super comfortable. The widescreen dash (optional) is cool, though not as adaptable as an Audi. It's super quiet on a journey and whilst it rides better than my previous 640d Gran Coupe, it would be better on air suspension (another pricey option). That's about it on the plus side. Where it fails. THAT Engine. Quite what Merc were thinking, sticking such an agricultural lump in a luxury car like this I know not. It's barely more refined than the diesel, and so gruff there is no incentive whatsoever to push it up the rev band. Actual performance isn't bad - it's just so unpleasant to exploit it. My right foot remains light in pursuit of a quiet life. Despite this, its consumption is dire. Overall 29, despite most of its miles being on the motorway. If you pushed it, the low 20s would be the norm. Controls are idiotic, with the usual Merc "cram everything on stalks" approach. I hate the stalk mounted gear shift. The tech looks ok, but is very clunky to use. SatNav the least accurate I've encountered. The 8 speed auto is the worst I've come across. Slow to kick down, and around town, on a slow de-acceleration it goes to sleep. If you need to nip into a gap, or take a turn, it takes a lethargic age to decide what gear it needs which is both dangerous and embarrassing.There's endless annoying little faults, like the boot close buttons needing 3 presses to get them to operate. Seats taking an age to slide back after tilting (and not returning to memory position). It's made me realise just how honed are BMWs and how Merc is way behind. If only BMW would upgrade its drab, boring interiors! Despite this, I will forsake the bling of Merc and be in the queue at BMW in a couple of years by which time I'll be desperate to see the back of this thing.