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Mercedes E350 Convertible car review: a refined waft in your hair

The civilised way to let the wind in your hair at the weekend and get wafted to work during the week.
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15 May 2013

Mercedes E350 Convertible
The facelifted convertible follows the saloon and estates. The most obvious change to the look is the headlights

What is it?

Mercedes recently facelifted the saloon and estate variants of the E-Class and now it has done the same with the Cabriolet that we’ve driven here, and the coupe, too.

The design changes are obvious once you know what to look for.

The split headlights ditched in favour of some smooth new lights, there’s a sleeker looking grille, too, and a sportier lower bumper. The pontoon-style rear wheelarch, which was smoothed over on the saloon and estate facelift is left in place on the coupe and cabriolet.

The changes to the way it drives are pretty minimal, with most of the tweaks limited to the engines and a few new hi-tech safety systems.

A new 3.0-litre biturbo V6-powered E400 model sits at the top of the range, replacing the old 4.7-litre V8 E500, but as ever, the E350 CDI driven here will be the biggest seller.

 

Mercedes E350 Cabriolet
Styling changes are clever, and keep the Merc looking modern and fresh

What’s hot?

  •  The styling changes may be limited to the front and rear ends but they’ve done enough to keep the E-Class looking modern and fresh.
  • All the engines are more efficient because of a new alternator, electric power steering, and a few improvements to the engine itself.
  • Lower CO2 across the range means lower company car tax, should you go that route.
    Mercedes E350 Cabriolet
    Seriously refined with the roof up or down. Less wind in your hair than cooling breeze with the AirCap sysgtem keeping buffeting to a minimum
  • As ever, the V6 350 CDI is smooth and punchy. Refinement is seriously impressive, while acceleration from 0-62mph takes 6.7 seconds.
  • The standard-fit Agility Control suspension includes adaptive dampers, and as a result you get really supple ride comfort and sure-footed handling.
  • If you spend a lot of time in jams, you’ll appreciate the optional Distronic Plus system which can steer, accelerate and brake you through traffic. It’s a little unnerving at first but it really does work.
  • Roof-up or down, refinement has got to be among the best in class, with the AirCap system keeping buffeting to an absolute minimum in the cabin. Even at about 80mph with the roof down you can easily hold a conversation.

 

Mercedes E350 Cabriolet
Rorty sports car it is not. Think civilised

What’s not?

  • The E-Class Convertible is far from being a sports car. The steering is quick but ultimately numb and there’s a little too much body roll for it to ever feel agile.
  • If you’re planning on carrying bags and having the roof down then you’ll probably want to take a close look at the boot. It’s not particularly generous, struggling to hold anything more than squidgy weekend bags.
  • Passengers will be a little bit cooped up in the back seats as well, especially if the driver is over six-feet tall. Kneeroom is extremely limited in the rear and with the roof up, headroom will be an issue, too.
  • Facelifted E-Class models do cost around £2000 more than the pre-facelift car, so you’re guaranteed to be paying more tax on the higher P11D value. On the plus side Mercedes says there’s an extra £2330 worth of kit.

 

Mercedes E350 cabriolet
This is a car for pleasant weekends, but comfortable and efficient business travel

Business Car Manager verdict

The E-Class Convertible was already a great car, and if anything it’s been made even better.

It’s still just as comfortable and refined as it ever was but now it’s cheaper to run, more hi-tech and a lot more striking to behold.

The P11D value may have gone up but CO2 emissions have come down, so its company car credentials haven’t been damaged in the process. That said,  unless you cover a lot of business mileage, with company car tax of £400 a month for a 40 percent tax payer, you probably won’t want to run it as a company car.

As a business car it oozes success, but it’s far from ostentatious and is a perfectly sensible way to commute and get about for work.

Be aware, though, if you’re going to regularly be carrying passengers and bags, it’s definitely worth making sure the E-Class Cabriolet is big enough for you.

You also want to read our car review of the E300 diesel hybrid.

 

Mercedes E350 cabriolet
As you would expect, efficiency has been improved and although it’ll cost you £2000 more than the old model Mercedes says the extra kit is worth £2300

The Low Down…

Doors and body style  2-door convertible
Engine/gearbox  3 litre V6 turbodiesel/7-speed auto
CO2 Emissions 156g/km
Economy  47.8mpg
Power/torque  252HP/620Nm
0-62mph/top speed  6.7secs/155mph
Insurance group  N/A

…and what it costs

P11D Value  £45,610
Monthly business rental (ex VAT)  From £436 (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED) Band G
Company Car Tax Bands 2013/14 to 2015/16  26%, 27%, 29%
Benefit in kind 2013/14 to 2015/16  £11,858
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £1097/£91
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%)  £2194/£183
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%)  £2371/£198
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%)  £4743/£395
Figures correct at time of posting 
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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