Mercedes-Benz E350 Reviews

Zoom along the centre lane on the autobahn out of Stuttgart in Mercedes new coupe and glance at the clinical LCD speedo in disbelief.It’s telling you 140km/h as you wind up the speed to overtake the crazy man in a Smart. They let anyone on an autobahn. Yet the tachometer is at 2100rpm and there’s simply no noise — nothing from the wind and nothing from the engine.That’s remarkable in itself but the sealer is that this E-Class Coupe is a diesel and the engine is a four-cylinder of only 2.1 litres.This is the world’s most aerodynamic production car with a co-efficient of drag (cD) of 0.24 in a motoring world of averages in the low 0.30s. The lower, the better.It has an awesome 500Nm of torque that seamlessly slingshots the car forward through the gears. It saw 200km/h with ease on the unrestricted zone of the autobahn and when switched off two hours later, showed a mere 6.4 litres/100km on the trip computer.The E250 CDI is one of five engines slotted into the muscular E-Class Coupe for its Australian debut in July. In fact, two models — the E350 diesel and E500 petrol — come in July. And the others: E350 petrol and E250 petrol and diesel, get here in September.The four-cylinder models have five-speed automatic transmissions and the six and eight cylinder versions have seven-speed autos.The new coupe ostensibly replaces the CLK. But a quiet chat to Mercedes reps and it seems the CLK — which was basically made of parts from a few different models — may reappear to be sandwiched between the E Coupe and the cheaper CLC.The E Coupe is based heavily on the E-Class sedan with about 100mm sliced out of the wheelbase. It shares some interior features — but not items such as the two-door’s superb seats — and no external panels.Engines and transmissions are identical, though its lighter weight means the Coupe can boast fuel savings of up to 17 per cent over the outgoing CLK.An example is the E250 CDI that officially is rated at 5.1 l/100km yet accelerates from rest to 100km/h in a brisk 7.4 seconds.The E350 CDI drinks at 6.8 l/100km and sprints to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds and the new direct petrol-injection E350 CGI posts 8.5 l/100km and 6.5 seconds.It may be substantially more economical and quicker than its predecessor, but Mercedes-Benz sees its latest coupe’s allure as being its captivating style.It is tailored specifically to lure buyers with its sleek, rounded tapered lines much in the same way as the feminine curves of the CLK made it a top seller.Project manager of the E Coupe, Rainer Tiefenbacher, says the appeal of the styling was balanced by the sophistication of the engineering.“When we asked groups of people what, for them, defined driving pleasure, 80 per cent answered it was a car’s comfort,” he says.“Only 10 per cent felt driving pleasure when going fast. So the E Coupe focuses on the look, the features and the comfort.“But,” he says with a smile, “we would never compromise performance.”The E Coupe gets a sophisticated Agility Control suspension system as standard. This has variable shock absorbers to provide the comfort or sporty handling depending on road conditions.But for the more enthusiastic owner, options include either a sports suspension system or a dynamic handling package. The latter has electronic shocks, two-mode ride levels and automatically sharpens throttle and gearshift responses.The bucket seats for the front occupants are beautifully sculptured and perfectly bolstered for the Coupes varied roles. Optional is seat air pumps to modify the cushions to suit varying body shapes.There is seating for two (not tall) adults in the rear and extended front seat travel to make easy entry and egress to the back seats.The E Coupe gets a surprisingly large boot, fold down rear seat backs and — for the Australian market — a full-size spare tyre. Incidentally, Mercedes Australia has specified a full-size spare for its E-Class sedan and S-Class range on the basis that it considers them safer than space-saver spares.Buyers can request AMG updates but these do not include engine enhancements. Mercedes has yet to officially reject a full-blown AMG Coupe — there was one in the CLK but it appears it won’t happen. It may be the future CLK reincarnate that will become the AMG model.Pricing is yet to be finalised though don’t expect much of a change from the CLK prices. The E250 diesel and petrol models, for example, will likely to be the same price which makes the diesel a low-cost entry to the brand.

The florid Yank leaned forward to emphasise his point, no mean feat given his girth."BMWs are fur the fellah whose makin' his money. Mercedes, on t'other hand, are fur the fellah whose made his money," he leered.This good ol' - and no doubt oil-rich - boy was how a certain Merc buyer was described (well, more or less) by a marketing bloke when I asked him to define the marque's demographic.Funny, because only the previous week in Brisbane, a limo driver said much the same thing, except he was talking of oil rich boys from the Middle East."Nah, mate," he said when asked if he'd consider a 7 Series or Audi's A8 to cart his clientele."When they're in town, it's Mercs or nothin'. Same with the Chinese."Stuggart cars remain those sought by the conspicuously status conscious; from those desperately seeking it (the rag trade tsarina double parking her C-Class outside a Surry Hills garment shop) to those who have long since acquired it (the Fortune 500 company CEO in his S 65 AMG).Some things change, but despite Merc's divergence into quaint urban shopping carts, the owner's statement of intent does not. Nor, to a vast extent, has the E Class, the Merc range which begins at a price point that excludes try-hards.The midlife facelift afforded this series of saloons (that's “sedans” to youse and me) and estates (and that's “wagons”) is much in the manner of the cosmetic procedure undergone by a likely owner. The E Class has been uplifted in some places, tightened in others and given a tasteful nose job nose.None of these will frighten the horses. Or the horsey for that matter ...Actually, it's in the equine department that the most significant additions of the claimed 2000 new or revisited E Class parts have been made. Enhanced engine outputs now range from 135kW for the previously anodyne E200K to 378kW for the barbarous E 63 AMG.Eleven variants have segued into showrooms - six saloons and five Estates - for the most varied model range in the executive segment.The most evident and successful gambits are the newly V-shaped grille, and sporty side skirts and bumpers on the Avantgarde (as opposed to Elegance) variants.Where vehicles of this rarefied strata are of most interest to us plebs is in terms of safety - the sort of measures that start in the rarefied reaches of the auto atmosphere and descends to cars we can afford.First of these in the revised E Class is Pre-Safe, a system which responds before an impending collision by activating front seatbelt tensioners and preparing airbag deployment. The second is Neck-Pro, a rear impact anticipator in which the sensors move head restraints forward to protect vulnerable upper spinal columns.May you never need either. What you will have more recourse to is the extra horses now summonable at a tap of the right foot.We drove the E 200K saloon, E 280 diesel saloon, E 350 Estate, E 500 Estate and the mighty E 63 AMG saloon - a back to back experience that reinforced each E Class iterant is entirely different and that there's surely one for all tastes.We'll revisit these soon and stick for now to the entrant E and the top of the conventional range.Driven through a five speed auto (the rest of the range of the sport uber smooth seven speeders), the 135kW/250Nm now in the E 200 K Classic makes the difference between a shetland and - if not a stallion - then a nicely behaved saddle pony.Supercharged or not, a 1.8 inline petrol four is only going to do so much with a 1.6 tonne car, but on a 100km drive at highway speeds (or what passes for them under fascist rule) from Melbourne into the boonies, it recorded an acceptable 7.7 litres.This car does not rock. It's not meant to. For $84,500, it does get you into the E Class without you feeling as though you've lobbed to a white tie event in hired evening wear.Altogether madder, the E 500 now hosts the 5.5-litre V8 from the S-Class - a thumping up-provement from the previous 5.0. With an output of 285kW and 530 Isaacs, it's capable of getting the 1.78 tonne saloon (the estate's 100kg heavier) to 100kmh from standing in a claimed 5.3 seconds.That's 0.7 seconds faster than the previous E 500 and feels every tenth of it.Driving the $166,300 estate (the saloon is $6K less) on narrow downhill twisties, was to wonder quite how something of such heft remains so pliant. Even with eight pots between your feet and the big E's newly nipped nose, the reconfigured suspension sees that you're seldom dogged by understeer. Hard cornering is almost an act of neutrality.Newly standard Direct Control increases the steering ratio by a claimed 10 per cent.Certainly, the steering is not overimbued with feel, but it is accurate, allowing hands to remain where they should and engine braking to be enacted via the AMG-derived wheel-mounted levers.Sure, it's all grand touring rather than sportingly incisive in the BMW or Audi manner, but the main thing is that the E makes you look "money".FAST FACTSMERCEDES-BENZ E 200 KOMPRESSOR SaloonEngine: 4-cylinders/in-line, 4 valves per cylinderOutput: 135 kW/ 184hp at 5500 rpmTorque: 250 Nm at 3500-4000 rpmSuspension: Front axle Four-link suspension, anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser. Rear axle Multi-link independent suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser.Braking system: Disc brakes all-round, internally ventilated at the front and solid at the rear, drum-type parking brake at the rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP.Gross vehicle weight: 2105kgAcceleration: 0-100 km/h in 9.1sMaximum speed: 210km/hrMERCEDES-BENZ E 280  Saloon/Estate Engine: V6, 4 valves per cylinderOutput: 170kW/231hp at 6000 rpmTorque: 300Nm at 2500-5000 rpmSuspension: Front axle Four-link suspension, anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser. Rear axle Multi-link independent suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser.Braking system: Internally ventilated disc brakes all-round, drum-type parking brake at rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP.Gross vehicle weight: 2185kg/2360kg.Acceleration: 0-100 km/h s 7.3/8.1.Maximum speed:210km/hrMERCEDES-BENZ E 350 Saloon/EstateEngine: V6, 4 valves per cylinderOutput: 200kW/272hp at 6000 rpmTorque: 350Nm at 2400-5000 rpmSuspension: Front axle Four-link suspension, anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser. Rear axle Multi-link independent suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser.Braking system: Internally ventilated disc brakes all-round, drum-type parking brake at rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP.Gross vehicle weight: 2215kg/2385kgAcceleration: 0-100 km/h in 6.9s**/7.1s**Maximum speed: 210 km/h**if equipped with the optional Sports package, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time in manual shift mode is shortened by 0.2 s.Gross vehicle weight: 2310kg/2485kgMERCEDES-BENZ E 500  Saloon/EstateEngine: V8, 4 valves per cylinderOutput: 285kW/388hp at 6000 rpmTorque: 530Nm at 2800-4800 rpmSuspension: Front axle Four-link suspension, full-support AIRMATIC DC air suspension with level control, anti-dive. Rear axle Multi-link independent suspension, full-support AIRMATIC DC air suspension with level control, anti-squat and anti-dive.Braking system: Internally ventilated disc brakes all-round, drum-type parking brake at rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP.Gross vehicle weight: 2310kg/2460kgAcceleration: 0-100 km/h 5.3s** 5.4s**Maximum speed: 210 km/hr ** if equipped with the optional Sports package, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time in manual shift mode is shortened by 0.2 s.MERCEDES-BENZ E 63 AMG Sedan/Estate Engine: V8, 4 valves per cylinderOutput: 378kW at 6800 rpmTorque: 630Nm at 5200 rpmSuspension: Front axle Four-link suspension, AIRMATIC DC full air suspension system with self-levelling control, anti-dive device, anti-roll bar. Rear axle Multi-link independent suspension, AIRMATIC DC full air suspension system with self-levelling control, anti-squat and anti-lift device, anti-roll barBraking system: Internally ventilated disc brakes all-round, drum-type parking brake at rear, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP.Gross vehicle weight: 2365kg/2460kgAcceleration: 0-100 km/h in 4.5sMaximum speed: 250km/hr Paul Pottinger is a senior roadtester on the CARSguide team, and also editor of the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews and analysis will appear in the Sunday Telegraph.

While the new BMW 5 Series is not far off the E-Class in the sales race, the addition of the E350 to the range has given the Benz plenty of ammunition. The new 3.5-litre V6, also beneath the snout of the SLK and soon to power other models, generates 200kW of power – a 21 per cent increase over the outgoing 320.But its maximum torque of 350Nm has more impact, available from 2400rpm through 5000rpm. The new V6 is teamed with a seven-speed gearbox, which may seem like an overly large number of ratios given the excellent torque spread of motor, but the seven ratios keep the engine within its most usable range of revolutions.The sound system is one of the better ones, but the brake-by-wire system still lacks pedal feel.The information systems, controlled by the buttons on the wheel, provide a myriad of functions – even a compass – with the trip computer leaving little to chance when it came to examining the V6's thirst.At the end of my 900km in the $124,500 E350, it's overall fuel consumption figure was a frugal 9.3 litres/100km, with an average speed of 62km/h. The 80-litre tank had carried sufficient fuel to look after more than 800km of driving, including some metropolitan work, a hand-timed 0-100km/h sprint which showed MB's 6.9 second claimed time is on the money, and the odd test of overtaking abilities.SMALL TORQUEPower sourceTHE new V6 engine has variable camshaft adjustment on both the intake and exhaust sides, as well as a variable-length intake manifold that is engine-speed sensitive. The new engine is able to deliver 87 per cent of its maximum 350Nm of torque at 1500rpm.At homeTHE Mercedes-Benz E-Class has found more than 6000 Australian homes since August, 2002. Over 45 per cent of Australian customers opted for the E320 over this period of time.New sportA SPORTS package is now available for all petrol models except the E240. Features include 18in alloy wheels, silver-painted brake callipers and perforated discs at the front, polished stainless steel oval exhaust tailpipes, a four-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, stainless steel pedals and footrest, and sports-tuned suspension and exhaust systems.

In fact, the new engine and transmission in the Mercedes-Benz E350 will take a lot more enthusiasm from the driver.Mercedes has engineered the E350 for a low level of by-drive noise with just a hint of V6 harmonics in the cabin.Yet the 3.5-litre powerplant introduced in the S-Class last year has 25kW more power than its E320 predecessor with a wide spread of 350Nm of torque.So even when it is copping a caning from an enthusiastic driver, passengers would not be able to discern an appreciable increase in engine volume in the cabin.And the power comes on smoothly, thanks to the seven-speed gearbox, called 7G-TRONIC, which was introduced last year.It will down-change up to four gears at a go, so a punch from the right foot instantly yields results.The E320 was the multiple winner of The Courier-Mail Luxury Car of the Year segment over several years before the category was dropped last year. And most of its elements remain to win strong approval from those in the market for a luxury saloon. There is a luxurious cabin with plenty of leg room for all passengers, soft leather upholstery and a high level of walnut-trimmed appointments.Both driver and front passenger seats have electrical adjustment with three memory positions and the driver's side even incorporates steering wheel, mirrors and seat.That means if you are swapping vehicles it only takes the push of a button to have all the driving ergonomics just how you like them, no matter who was in the car before you.The sound system is truly high-fidelity and able to be fully appreciated, thanks to the quiet cabin.And a larger 80-litre tank now means you can stay in that luxury leather-lined cabin longer. The Elegance Package also features: light alloy 13-hole design wheels, auto dimming interior and driver's side exterior mirror, burr walnut trim with chrome highlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, and seatbelts and steering wheel that matches the colour to interior appointments.Mercedes currently is weathering a storm of 1.3 million recalls worldwide which has affected SL and E-Class vehicles.In Australia, 12,228 cars will be affected including the E350.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski said two matters related to the electronic brakes which were a safety recall.He said other matters of voltage regulation and alternator operation would be handled when the car went in for its routine service.However, he pointed out that Dr Eckhard Cordes, who took over as head of Mercedes-Benz in October 2004, was determined to return the German marque's quality reputation to the top of its field.

Not when the V6 in question puts out almost as much power and torque as much larger eight cylinder engines.What's more, it's so smooth.This is the same engine that has been finding its way into other Benz models as they have been upgraded, notably the super slick SLK 350.The 3.5-litre V6 supersedes the previous 160kW 3.2-litre power plant, taking the car to an entirely new plain.The new aluminium engine puts out 21 per cent more power and 11 per cent more torque, at 200kW and 350Nm.Maximum torque is available from a low 2400rpm and 87 per cent of kicks in from 1500rpm, providing plenty of oomph for overtaking.As a result the car can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.Equally amazing is the E350's outstanding fuel economy which in our test car averaged 11.3 litres per 100km.With the trip computer showing 530km and distance to empty at 250km, this gives the car a range of close to 800km.That's impressive, particularly for a car of this size.Transmission is a tipshift style seven-speed auto, with comfort and sport settings.That's two more cogs (count them) than the previous model.We had a play with he tip shift which is useful for retarding the car's speed on long downhills.But really, with this many gears and an engine of this calibre it is just easy and almost as satisfying to leave the tranny in D.While we're on the subject of the trans- mission, we do have one gripe.With the car parked at the top of an embankment, reverse gear was very slow to take up, forcing us to hit the brakes to prevent the car from rolling over the edge and down the hill.Definitely not a good look.We tried a second time with the same result, eventually having to gun the engine and nearly running into a car behind us in the process.Inside and out the finish is first rate, with simple easy to read dials.We particularly liked the dash setting which gave a constant readout the car's direction and name of the street, without the need to make reference to the satellite navigation.About the only thing we found disappointing about the car (at least Mrs Riley did) was the lack of heated front seats.The cheaper Volkswagen that we gave up for the big Benz had them.Would have liked more storage up front too. Finding places for everything from the VeeDubb was a challenge.The E350's standard equipment is extensive and includes climate air and leather upholstery, and driver and front passenger electrically adjustable seats, with three memory positions (driver's side incorporates steering wheel, mirrors and seat).Safety gear includes six airbags, ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the car scores a five-star safety rating.COMAND (cockpit management and data) system is also standard and includes DVD navigation and DVD player.The Mercedes-Benz E350 is priced form $124,500. 

Such is the case with the impressive new 3.5-litre V6 that first saw the light of day in the gorgeous SLK350 late last year and now resides under the bonnet of the mid-size E350 sedan.Even better is the fact that the new donk does the same for the E-Class as it did for the SLK – makes it go really well and use less fuel into the bargain.It is arguably the gun 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine on the planet at this point in time delivering some 200kW of power and 350Nm of torque in a smooth and unruffled way.In the SLK, it is capable of putting down mid five second 0-100km times. In the E350 it's not quite as rapid due to size and weight penalties with the big body but the E350 still goes like a scalded cat.The 0-100kmh time, always a good barometer to overall performance and response, is a mid six second affair but the real appeal is in refinement and mid-range response. The whole effort is aided buy a seven speed automatic that is virtually seamless in operation.You'd expect this level of performance from Benz especially for the $124k ask and it delivers in spades.The E350 replaces the E320 that pales into insignificance compared to the newcomer.There's a Sports pack available for the E350 that sharpens up various functions for more enthusiastic drivers looking for an engaging feel. It comprises interior enhancements, 18in wheels, drilled discs, bigger tail pipes and body aero add ons.Fuel consumption is down to a claimed average of 9.7litres/100km for the sedan, slightly more for the wagon.The all alloy engine boasts variable valve timing and four valves a cylinder both of which help performance and fuel economy.Having seven ratios in the transmission no doubt helps too and also boosts acceleration and throttle response. This tranny is never caught out in the wrong ratio and there is a sequential shift mode, side to side on the selector stick.On a searching drive of the new E350, I found the car to be supple and steady, offering an uncanny combination of soft ride but flat cornering. The steering is too light but every other dynamic function is right on the pace.I was particularly impressed by the silky smooth transmission and the engine pick-up. It is like a sewing machine and delivers plenty of oomph from idle to redline at 7000rpm.The car is big and weighty at around 1700kg but there's copious rear seat legroom and the boot is large. It's great to drive, even on winding alpine roads and then backs up as a smooth sophisticate capable of carrying five in luxury.