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By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 76

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is one of those models that really doesn't have to try too hard. In a world where car manufacturers throw all sorts of gadgets and gimmicks at cars in order to gain our attention, the E-Class Coupe was rather quietly marketed to a mature buyer profile and very well it did too. It makes just as much, if not more, sense second time round. Here's what to look for when shopping used.

Modelsword count: 10

2 dr coupe (2.1, 3.0 diesel, 1.8, 3.5, 5.5 petrol)

Historyword count: 205

Of course, Mercedes has sold us coupes in this class before. You only have to look back to the rather lovely CE-badged models of the Seventies, Eighties and early Nineties for evidence of this. These increasingly collectible cars set the template for what was to follow. It wasn't about sportiness, it was just about wafting about serenely. That theme was lost a little with the rather confused CLK model, which didn't ride particularly well and which often seemed to have ill-advised delusions of sportiness. Mercedes got back into the coupe groove in 2009 when the E-Class Coupe was launched at that year's Geneva Motor Show. Although it only shared 60 per cent of parts with the E-Class saloon, its name said all you needed to know. Here was a car that embodied the traditional E-Class virtues of solidity, luxury and elegance, just in a two door body style. There was no tarmac-scorching AMG model offered, just a range of sensible powerplants. That's pretty much how it remained for the duration of its life. Small tweaks were made here and there and it wasn't until 2013 that this model was replaced by a car that looked ostensibly similar but which was extensively refettled under the skin.

What You Getword count: 221

The E-Class Coupe features a high quality interior with plenty of brushed aluminium finishes and metal switches. Ambient lighting on the upper specification models created a swathe of soft light across the dashboard and doors which gave an agreeably upmarket feel. If you went looking for it, you'd find hard plastics on the lower dashboard but in general customers seemed happy with the interior build quality. The foot-operated parking brake was still as unpopular as ever. The driving position is brilliant and there's a whole stack of reach adjustment in the steering column. All models got heated seats as well, which made all the difference on a winter morning. The seats of the E-Class Coupe are electrically adjustable for seat height and backrest angle as standard. The high backrests have a practical Easy-Entry function to make access and exit easier for rear-seat passengers. Luxury seats with leather upholstery are standard on the SE and active ventilation was available as an optional extra. The multicontour seats with inflatable air chambers in the front seat cushions as well as in the centre and side bolsters of the backrests are standard on the Sport model. Two comfortable individual seats are available for the rear passengers. These feature backrests which can be folded down individually or together to increase the capacity of the luggage compartment.

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