MERCEDES E-CLASS
The
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Has Long Been A Favourite Amongst Executive Buyers, But June Neary Wants One As Her Everyday Ride
The Mercedes E-Class has long had a reputation as a safe, well-engineered car with a strong brand image. The only downside was its somewhat stodgy driving characteristics. The latest generation of E-Class models have rectified that fault and are now recognised as clearly the best around. If you want to project an image that nothing but the best will do, the E-Class is a sound choice.
Theres a lot to be said for meritocracy.
The smoothed over lines of the latest E-Class do a good job at disguising quite what a sizeable hunk of metal it is. Still, its hardly radical looking, offering an evolution of the bug-eyed design theme Mercedes introduced in 1995. The marques family styling is most evident from the rear three-quarter where that now familiar coupe-like swoop to the roofline is employed. In this case familiarity doesnt breed anything other than admiration.
The look that was so right in 1998 with the design of the S-Class has worn well and gives the E-Class an arresting profile. The bevels and scallops in its flanks also create more of a studiously designed look than its slab-sided predecessor. The interior styling is much like the luxurious S-Class. The fascia bulges outwards as if pumped to 100psi, my E350 test car featuring over 70 assorted knobs, buttons, switches and dials.
Open the glove box to access the instruction manual if you want to know what does what or alternatively use it to defend your vehicle against would-be carjackers. Its a weighty tome. Its also indicative of the thorough approach Mercedes have taken. Consider the suspension.
Buyers who choose the Classic and Elegance trim levels get a soft riding setup whilst those that fork out for Avantgarde get a 15mm closer to terra firma and a stiffer ride. Go for the optional Sport pack and it gets yet more rigid whilst Airmatic suspension is an option on all models bar the E500 and offers a similar pneumatic system to the S-Class. Aluminium body panels are used to keep weight down. The bonnet, front wings, boot lid and some strengthening gussets are all made from aluminium and contribute to a weight loss of some 20kg for the entry-level petrol E240.
This has been helped by using varying thicknesses in many of the body panels without sacrificing torsional rigidity, which has also been increased. Despite appearances, the latest E-Class is larger than its predecessor, the width upped by 23mm and the height by 12mm. Although the length has remained the same, interior packaging has been helped by an increased wheelbase.
Mercedes traditionally offer a wide range of engines from which to choose and the E-Class is no exception. When it was first launched, the entry-level engine was the 2.6-litre E240, but a supercharged 163bhp E200K model now slots in beneath the V6 E240 which in turn is followed by the advanced 3.5-litre V6 (E350) and a V8 5.
0-litre petrol (E500) thats good for no less than 302bhp. Those with long memories will no doubt recall the E500 of 1986, developed in partnership with AMG and boasting no fewer than 326bhp. Fear not. Should you hanker after obscene levels of power, youll merely need a large bank balance to invest in the 476bhp E55 AMG flagship.
More significantly, we also get an economical and refined E320CDI diesel. Talking of diesel engines, the E220 CDI is likely to be the volume seller, combining as it does an attractive price tag with the double whammy of 133mph/10.4sec performance and an average fuel return of over 42mpg. If this 148bhp powerplant doesnt get you moist in anticipation, the 172bhp E270CDI unit should do the trick.
Heres a diesel engine that can manage 41.5mpg yet sprint to 60mph in 9 seconds and pound autobahns all day at 142mph. The downside? Youll need to stump up nearly £30K for the privilege. Whoever said the best things in life were free obviously never test drove one of these.
The E350 I drove was fitted with Mercedes excellent 7G-TRONIC automatic gearboxes (best to steer clear of their manual boxes) and would slur between gears so smoothly that only by glancing at the rev counter could you sometimes detect a gearchange. Variable assistance power steering makes manoeuvring at low speed simplicity itself whilst at motorway speeds theres a decent amount of feel. Safety and security facilities are both top notch.
Whether viewed in absolute or relative terms, the Mercedes E Class is not an inexpensive car. The E350 I drove was priced at £37,570 in Avantgarde trim and excellent residual values mean that a good proportion of that value will be recoupable a few years down the line.
Its not often that you can let your heart rule your head over a Mercedes saloon. The Mercedes E-Class is different. Its a car that does everything so well that I didnt want to give it back, especially when I realised the car that was replacing it was a
Kia. If I had to run a car in this class as a business proposition, Id probably opt for a diesel E-Class, but until then Ill just have to badger the boss for a pay rise or three.
<< Back to Mercedes-Benz car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Mercedes-Benz Cars For Sale UK
