FIRST DRIVE: C238 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

With the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé last month, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has completed its two-door lineup that also includes the C-Class and S-Class Coupés. Occupying the space between the bookends, does the C238 model suffer from the middle child syndrome? We take it for a thorough examination both at a standstill and on the move to see what’s what.

Prices start at RM435,888 for the base E 200 Coupé, rising up to RM499,888 for the E 300 Coupé. The car you see here is the limited-edition E 300 Coupé Edition 1, yours for a cool RM534,888. All prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

As expected, the E-Class Coupé is slightly smaller than the sedan, being 97 mm shorter and 30 mm lower. The difference in size plays out in the car’s looks, the compactness accentuated by the curvaceous new bodywork, low-slung roofline and neater, more elegant rear end. All E-Class Coupé models sold in Malaysia come in AMG Line form and with Multibeam LED headlights, maximising visual appeal.

Inside, the dashboard design is almost identical to the sedan, dominated by the same widescreen display with two 12.3-inch screens; the only difference are the gorgeous turbine-style air vents. With all four windows down, the pillarless side window opening – there’s a small rear quarter light, but that’s it – affords passengers a stunning widescreen view out to the surroundings.

There’s only one engine available in Malaysia – the ubiquitous M274 2.0 litre turbocharged engine in E 200 and E 300 guises. The former delivers 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque, while the E 300 you see here bumps those figures up to 245 hp and 370 Nm. Both models get a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

So what does well over five hundred large get you, and is the resulting car actually any good? Watch as our man Hafriz Shah takes you through a detailed walk-around tour and a first impressions test drive of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé. For full specifications and equipment, check out our comprehensive launch report as well as our sister site CarBase.my.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E 200 Coupé AMG Line


GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E 300 Coupé Edition 1

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • 12yrsold on Oct 04, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    Nice sporty looking car by any standard. This is for those who have some extra $$$ but do not want to show-off to his buddy/pears that he has the means to go with his status.

    Who will buy this ?? Chances are a man/women who have class & already have another set of wheels but want to use it as his/her weekend/night drive to the clubs for a round of golf.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
  • Tristar > all

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 11
  • alicia on Oct 04, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    I can trash this car using Kia Optima GT or Kia Stinger which are miles better than this overpriced junk.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 21
  • For me it is a very gorgeous car inside and outside there is nothing wrong with this car.

    With the perfect blend of good materials like metals, carbon fibre and leathers in the cabin. I think this car will be aged well.

    And its remind me to the iconic Mercs Pagoda. This car for me, it is the recreation of the iconic Pagoda with the perfect combination of classic design and modern technologies.

    Price wise, yes it is very expensive especially in Malaysia but this car is a bargain of its class.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
    • The interior wood trim on the E200 coupe is much much better than the gloss black trim on the E300. Also, is there no other rim design option for the E300 or are buyers forced to just accept that multispoke design?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Oct 04, 2017 at 8:09 pm

        I agree on the wood part. And there are even nicer light wood trims available elsewhere too.

        As for the wheels, yup, multi-spoke 20s only on the E300 Coupe.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
        • alldisc on Oct 05, 2017 at 9:37 am

          actually, the way people buy cars in other parts of the world differs. 30 years ago, you can buy a mercedez benz in germany (example W124 200E) with only 1 power window. or 1 only LH electric door mirror.

          the same concept still applies today. actually, you can configure your car in hundreds of diffeent ways in colours, wheels, upholstery and trims (as in this case – there are 4 separate patterns to choose). i give here a link to mercedez UK configurator

          https://configurator.mercedes-benz.com/configurator/gb/en/e-class/saloon/carconfig?model=2130132&nst=GB1&subprocess=CCci&accountID=daimpcuk,daimpc,daimpcoveralluk#upholsteriesTrims

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
          • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Oct 05, 2017 at 9:43 am

            Yes of course. I meant the specs are locked in for the Malaysian market :)

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Rightwinger on Oct 05, 2017 at 1:03 am

      For that price, I would expect a six cylinder engine. No matter how efficient a four banger can be, it’ll still sound flat. Everything about this car oozes luxury, except the way it sounds. A turbo 6 cylinder will never be as musical as an NA motor, but it’ll be way better.
      A TVS supercharged V6 (like Audi’s) would the best compromise- force fed and aurally satisfying.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Havran on Oct 04, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    11/10 would bang this car to get more offsprings

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • NICE CAR FOR THE RAKYAT. on Oct 04, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    Lose the shirt fat boy and wear jeans..see u put on same kilos this week in tandem with our fuel prices..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 14
  • Gaviny on Oct 04, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    Heat soak the water to air intercooler and then try getting any sort of performance out of the engine

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jchong on Oct 04, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    Suddenly the Mercedes well accepted badge use as a taxi car, limousine and Uber car revolves to becomes a sport car trying to challenge the like of Porsche.

    Better get a true sport car >>> Porsche all the ways( the original)
    This Mercedes looks like a crap !!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 9
    • JCheung on Oct 05, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      Tristar at least miles ahead of Volvo that not reliable to be used as Taxi at all

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
      • simon on Oct 07, 2017 at 8:02 pm

        Even I heard Kia is more reliable and dependable compare to this unreliable Merc recently.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • hadi hamzah on Oct 05, 2017 at 8:09 am

    the leather seat kinda remind me to the new elantra sport turbo..huhuhu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Add A Comment on Oct 05, 2017 at 8:33 am

    Hafriz…there is a ghost in red sitting behind…in bright day….OMG!!!

    – I Have Just Added A Comment –

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Oct 05, 2017 at 9:26 am

      Hahaha! We showed that on purpose. Err.. to show that it can fit an adult in the back! Yes..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Isit me or the DRL was flickering in the vid? Utube problem?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Oct 05, 2017 at 10:13 am

      It flickers in camera, but not in real life.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • I see. Something like taking a vid of a CRT monitor/TV set kinda flicker, maybe.
        Perhaps can adjust the vid capture FPS?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Oct 05, 2017 at 11:16 am

    just get a civic FC and put in racechip and you can still cucuk this merc. save the rest of the money for property investment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Audi Fans on Oct 07, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    There are so many better cars than this Merc for the same asking price and attributes

    Not necessary a Merc is a good car or so call deemed as”luxury car” anymore nowadays .

    Period >>>>>

    You cannot shut up people who got money that do not like or wish to buy or own a Merc but something else which valuable to them

    It is a pro and con decision to them since you are not paying for them right? why make such noises as if you are paying .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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