What truly distinguishes the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet is the feeling it evokes while driving. Imagine a stressful day melting away as you embark on a drive through scenic routes, much like a journey through Idaho Springs, Colorado. It’s in these moments that the essence of the E350 Cabriolet reveals itself.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
It’s crucial to understand the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet’s true nature: it’s not engineered as a sports car. Instead, it excels as a grand touring convertible, possibly surpassing any other German convertible in its class in this regard. While competitors from Audi and BMW offer compelling convertibles, they often lean towards a more performance-oriented approach. The E350 Cabriolet, however, delivers an unparalleled open-top, magic carpet ride experience.
During testing, the 0 to 60 mph acceleration was consistently around 6.5 seconds. The V8 variant of this model is expected to shave off approximately a second from this time, offering even brisker performance. Cornering capabilities were surprisingly adept, providing substantial grip from both the front and rear tires, aided by the wide tires and a low center of gravity.
2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet driving scenic road, showcasing its grand touring capabilities
Nevertheless, the steering feedback could be more communicative, and despite the commendable grip, discerning the car’s limits remained somewhat vague. This characteristic is not necessarily a drawback, as the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet isn’t designed for aggressive track driving. Its weight distribution and the effort required for quick transitions between corners reinforce its grand tourer identity. The steering feel, or lack thereof, contributes to this sensation.
With the top down, cowl shake was noticeable, especially on uneven road surfaces—a common trait in 2+2 convertibles. Interestingly, this shake was more visually apparent than physically felt. The seats effectively isolated occupants from most vibrations, minimizing the sensation. This isolation further diminishes the seat-of-the-pants feel, aligning with the subdued steering feedback. It’s important to reiterate that this Mercedes Benz is a grand touring vehicle, not a sports car. However, for spirited drives within its intended purpose, the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet offers an enjoyable experience, as long as extreme drifting maneuvers are avoided.
Fuel Efficiency and Practicality
Surprisingly, the fuel economy exceeded expectations. An average of 20 mpg was achieved, likely attributable to the seamless 7-speed automatic transmission and extended highway driving during the test period. Even with spirited driving on demanding, high-altitude roads, the fuel consumption remained respectable.
Ultimately, the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet transcends the typical convertible category, entering a realm of charm. It captivates the driver with luxurious comfort and capable performance, attracts onlookers with its elegant modern E-Class design, and indulges passengers with a smooth, open-air ride.
While security concerns are inherent to soft-top convertibles, and their cold-weather insulation isn’t as robust as a hardtop, the soft top design contributes to weight and space savings. This design choice enhances the car’s compact profile, light feel, and overall aesthetics—a common challenge for many hardtop convertibles with bulky trunks. Mercedes-Benz deserves recognition for their thoughtful engineering approach in this vehicle.
Perhaps the sophisticated image of the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet is best suited for a more mature demographic. Regardless, it stands out as an exceptional convertible, arguably the finest grand touring drop-top in its class, rivaling even Porsche in terms of comfort.
Recommendation
For those seeking a blend of luxury, comfort, and open-air driving pleasure, the 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 Cabriolet earns a resounding recommendation: Buy It.
