When I was in the market for a Mercedes for my father a few years back, the 2016 E350 Mercedes was high on the list. Like many, I had a somewhat outdated idea of what constituted the “sport” version, half expecting some bold badging plastered on the side. However, when the dealer pointed me towards a model with the right color and options, mentioning it was the sport trim, I took his word for it. It turned out to be the sport version, and after living with it, there’s a lot to appreciate, and just one real niggle.
From a driving perspective, the 2016 E350 Mercedes Sport is genuinely impressive. The ride isn’t harsh at all; it’s firm, yes, but certainly not jarring, even on less-than-perfect roads. Cornering feels planted and flat, instilling confidence even when pushing it a little. The steering is also a standout feature – noticeably quick and responsive. Having owned an older E430 (a 2000 model), the difference in steering feel is quite apparent, with the 2016 E350 feeling much more agile and connected to the road. While my older E430’s steering wasn’t what I’d call slow, the 2016 model definitely feels more eager and modern in comparison.
However, there is one design element that consistently causes headaches: the front bumper. It’s a common complaint amongst 2016 E350 Mercedes Sport owners, and for good reason – it sits incredibly low. This low profile means it’s prone to catching on practically anything that dares to protrude from the road surface. Those concrete parking stops in parking lots? Approach with extreme caution, or risk scraping and potentially damaging the underside of the bumper.
My own encounter with the bumper’s vulnerability occurred during some early morning roadworks near home. While taking my sister to the airport at 5 AM, a traffic cone, inexplicably placed directly in the middle of the on-ramp, became an unfortunate victim (or rather, I did). With no room to maneuver, I hit it. The result? A torn bumper and some broken internal components, leading to a hefty $1800 repair bill, which, much to my dismay, I had to cover myself. This experience really highlighted the downside of the sportier, lower front fascia.
On the positive side, the body shop managed a decent repair using some kind of epoxy and a respray, bringing it back to looking respectable. It’s worth noting that the W212 generation E-Class, which includes the 2016 model, apparently had several front bumper options available. Perhaps a different bumper style might have offered more clearance.
These days, driving the 2016 E350 Mercedes Sport means being constantly aware of that low-slung front end. It’s become second nature to approach inclines, speed bumps, and parking stops with a heightened sense of caution, almost driving as if there’s a delicate “cow catcher” leading the way. Despite this one practical drawback, the driving dynamics and overall experience of the 2016 E350 Mercedes Sport remain largely positive. It’s a car that blends sporty handling with Mercedes refinement, just be mindful of that front bumper!
