Yeah, E is something I don't think I'll venture into any time soon, if ever.
I helped a friend do a reserach project on MDMA some years ago, and a lot of the information chilled me. Mind you, a lot of it came off the internet, so I'm sure there were some exagerrations, half truths, etc.
From this thread, the intelligent posts regarding the opposing standpoints seem to come from capn, SCD, vibes and D0GMA. After reading, and from experience with the fact that pot does not indeed turn you into a gibbering idiot, I have faith in vibes' rule thing. Moderation is absolutely the key.
Still, I don't think I'm going to risk it. I have no need to. Alcohol serves me just fine for social occasions.
Basically, those at risk of dying or becoming seriously ill after hitting E are those who are being stupid about it. Unfortunately, this majority isn't overwhelming enough to entice me: bad luck and/or bad batches... too many confounding variables for disaster.