That's interesting GB. I have a modern E Class diesel auto and I find it fine in "E" on the motorway and when pottering round town but it feels much better in "S" on twisty A roads or when negotiating dual carriageway roundabouts etc. Doesn't have a "W" setting but you can select an "M" setting and use the flappy paddles if feeling so inclined.

Edited by Alby Back on 30/03/2013 at 22:43

Alby is a sales director and clearly very good at his job.

I can't remember, Alby, if your German taxi is a six-cylinder or a four. I'd imagine that a six will waft along in E for a lot of the time without you wanting more from it, whereas the four I had in the (unlamented) smaller B-class needed to be in S virtually all the time to make anything like reasonable progress.

Are we sure S means sport?

Just looked it up in the handbook Barney, you are quite right, S standard E economy.

From the handbook :

S This is used for all driving conditions.

E The transmission shifts up and down gears at lower driving speeds and engine speeds with full throttle than in position S. The E mode provides an even more relaxed style of driving with the accent on comfort and fuel economy, and also facilitates driving on slippery roads. The E mode is automatically de-activated for as long as the accelerator is depressed in the kickdown position.