2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 Reviews

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is an unusual offering in the premium segment, with compact dimensions but the flexibility of seven seats. A new-generation model is around the corner, but does the current, outgoing model still hold appeal?

2026 might be one of the best years for Australian families on the hunt for a new ride.

Best new cars coming to Australia in 2026

There is a new V8 4WD king.German tuner Brabus has applied it craft to the Mercedes-AMG G63, and turned it into a bonkers V8 powered drop-top with a eye-watering price tag dubbed the 800 Cabrio.The 800 Cabrio’s pricing starts at more than 900,000 Euros (more than $1.6 million). In Australia the standard V8-powered G63 costs $368,400 (before on-road costs). Brabus is a German aftermarket tuning company, famous for its high-end customisations of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart vehicles. The base G63 comes with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, producing 430kW and 850Nm, which undergoes some specialist tuning to get a substantial boost in the Brabus. Brabus’ juiced up version produces 588kW and 1000Nm, and can shift the bulky 4WD from 0-100 in four seconds, going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 240km/h. It has the same nine-speed automatic transmission as the standard G63. The 800 Cabrio gets a suite of exterior changes to differentiate from the standard car. These include several carbon elements and Brabus badging. It rides on 24-inch wheels and has an adjustable ride height, varying between 0.8-inches and 1.6-inches. But the biggest exterior change is the two-piece folding convertible roof, which has 500 custom-made components, opening and closing in 20 seconds. On the interior, it gets special quilted leather pretty much everywhere, including the sun visors, and there is frequent Brabus logo embossing. The car comes in two specifications: the base 800 Cabrio and the 800XL Cabrio, which has an increased ride height and other off-road enhancements. Production on the 800 Cabrio will be limited to 100 units between the 800 and the 800XL. Brabus customises several of Mercedes’ high-end performance models such as the GTS shooting brake, and the GT63 coupe.The brand also produces a pumped up version of the Porsche 911 Turbo S coupe, and Ranger Rover P530, among other luxury cars.  

Mercedes-Benz is bulking up its impressive new CLA EV range.

The electric car onslaught will continue in 2026 with the announcement of more than 20 new models in Australia.

A new safety report has rated some popular used cars.Monash University’s Accident Research Centre Used Car Safety Ratings for 2025 have been revealed, with 23 new vehicles added to the handbook that covers vehicles built between 1982 and 2023.Top picks of the newly added vehicles were the 2013-22 Ford Transit van, 2014-21 BMW 2 Series, 2019-23 Mazda CX-30, 2017-23 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and 2018-23 Subaru Forester.The report revealed the average risk of being killed or seriously injured across all road users involved in a crash is 34 per cent lower in a vehicle manufactured from 2022 onwards, compared to 20 years ago. The ratings report looked at crash data analysing more than 9.5 million vehicles and 2.6 million road users in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2022. It rated 561 vehicle models that were built between 1982 and 2023 looking at factors such as crash location, driver age and the number of vehicles involved. It measured safety through an overall rating with three categories: driver safety, other road user safety and crash avoidance. All are ranked out of five.Certain vehicles received a ‘Safer Pick’, where they scored five stars for overall and driver protection, with at least four stars for other road user safety and crash avoidance. Almost all 'Safer Pick' vehicles are available second-hand for under $25,000 and more than half priced below $10,000, according to Monash University.The report made particular note of the high risk attached to ute crashes, with only one ute achieving a five-star overall rating, and 70 per cent one or two stars.Some of this real-world data does not line up with ANCAP safety ratings. The Ford Mustang, manufactured from 2015-2022, received a two-star rating, which was later upgraded to three-stars with ANCAP. Yet, it achieved a near all-excellent rating in real-world crashes, according to the data.The full data set is available here.

Mercedes-AMG’s controversial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) C63 and GLC63 could soon reportedly be getting the axe due to new European regulations.As reported by German publication Elektroauto-News, the German carmaker has made the decision to stop production of the current version of these high-performance AMG models, among other four-cylinder powered AMG models, by May 2026.According to a leaked internal memo from the Mercedes-Benz Germany product management department from October 2025, the reason for the discontinuation is due to impending European Union external noise regulations.This report comes after lacklustre reception of the four-cylinder PHEV powertrain in the current AMG C63 and GLC63.Unlike previous-generation models which had big-bore twin-turbo V8 engines, the current AMG C63 and GLC63 feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s augmented with an electric motor.Despite the fewer cylinders, these models were more powerful than ever. They have total system outputs of 500kW and 1020Nm.In addition to these controversial PHEV AMG models, the German carmaker is reportedly set to cease production of the AMG C43, GLC43, as well as the GLA35 in February 2026.All of these AMG models feature a version of the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine but without the electric motor.Interestingly the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S reportedly isn’t affected and will continue to be produced without restriction. It also features the high-performance 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.“Please ensure that no further orders are accepted for the aforementioned discontinued models for the period after their discontinuation,” reads the leaked internal memo when translated from German to English.“We will inform you about possible successor products in due course.”At this stage it’s unclear what Mercedes-AMG will do. It could simply revise the four-cylinder engine in order to have it comply with these new external noise regulations.Another possibility is it could prioritise instead six- or eight-cylinder engines, especially for these high-performance AMG models.Many rivals like Audi and BMW are still sticking with six- and eight-cylinder engines given that’s what customers seek.At this stage it’s unclear what this will mean for local Mercedes-Benz customers. We’ve reached out to Mercedes-Benz Australia and will update this story once we hear back.

According to overnight reports out of the UK, Mercedes-AMG is applying its modern muscle recipe to the recently released Mercedes-Benz GLC EV, the result being a ballistic tri-motor beast capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in under three seconds.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed initial details for its updated GLB SUV.