Review: Mercedes-Benz W210 E-Class sedan (1996-02)

Review: Mercedes-Benz W210.I E-Class sedan (1996-99)

Overview

Released in February 1996, the Mercedes-Benz W210 Series I (W210.I) E-Class was an executive sedan. Manufactured in Germany, the rear-wheel drive W210.I E-Class sedan range initially consisted of the E 230 and E 320 models. After initially being fitted with four-speed automatic transmissions, new electronically-controlled five-speed automatics were introduced in June 1996.

The W210.I E-Class range was expanded in July 1997 with the E 300 Turbodiesel and, from August 1997, the E 320 was fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s 3.2-litre M112 V6 petrol engine (replacing the M104 inline six). In 1998, the range was expanded with the introduction of the E 240 (replacing the E 230), the E 280 and E 430. Please note that the Mercedes W210 E 36 and E 55 AMG have been reviewed separately.

Dimensions and suspension

The Mercedes-Benz W210 E-Class was 4795 mm long, 1995 mm wide, 1451 mm tall and had a 2833 mm long wheelbase, while the drag coefficient was 0.27 Cd. Furthermore, the W210 E-Class had double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas shock absorbers and stabiliser bars).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W210.I E-Class included dual front airbags, ABS, traction control (Mercedes-Benz’s Electronic Traction Support or ETS) and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. The E 300 TD and E 320 were also fitted with front side airbags as standard.

In June 1997, standard safety equipment was extended to include brake assist which could detect an emergency stopping situation and automatically boost pedal pressure to reduce braking distances. At this time, the ETS was replaced with Mercedes-Benz’s Acceleration Skid Control (or ASR) traction control system. In addition to reducing engine torque, the ASR system also applied brake pressure to the rear wheels at the commencement of wheel-slip. The ASR system also operated at all vehicle speeds, whereas ETS only operated at up to 40 km/h.

From 1998, front side airbags were fitted as standard (i.e. for the E 240, E 280 and E 430); the E 430 was also fitted with electronic stability control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1998 Mercedes-Benz W210 E 200 received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 25.7. For the post-November 1999 W210.II E-Class models, however, a four star rating was conferred due to the fitment of curtain airbags.

In the offset crash test, foot protection and lower leg protection were rated as poor marginal, respectively, due to the extent of brake pedal movement. Furthermore, protection for the driver’s chest in the side impact test was rated as marginal. 

Features: W210.I E-Class

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W210.I E-Class included an eight speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, cruise control (Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Tempomat’), remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the E 280 and E 320 were further equipped with a ten-disc CD changer and leather-wrapped steering wheel. For the E 320 and E 430 Elegance and Avantgarde variants, standard features also included power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings.

Compared to the E 280 and E 320, the E 430 was further equipped with climate control air conditioning, power adjustable steering column and speed-sensitive steering (Mercedes-Benz’s ‘parameter steering’).

W210 E-Class: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde variants

In addition the models listed above, the W210 E-Class was available in Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde variants –

• Compared to the Classic variants, standard features for the Elegance variants included leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever and wood paneling. Visually, the Elegance variants could be identified by their ten-hole alloy wheels and chrome highlights for the door handles, bumpers and side protective strips; and,
• Compared to the Classic variants, standard features for Avantgarde variants were extended to include xenon headlights with dynamic range control. Visually, the Avantgarde variants could be identified by their 16-inch five-hole alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, five-bar radiator grille with high-gloss black-painted fins, body-coloured B-pillars and, as per the Elegance variants, the Avantgarde variants also had chrome highlights for the door handles, bumpers and side protective strips.

June 1997: E-Class sedan update

In June 1997, the Mercedes-Benz W210.I E-Class received the following updates (in addition to the safety equipment upgrades, above):

• the Tempomat cruise control was replaced with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Speedtronic’ system which could be applied at any speed above 30 km/h and varied by 10 km/h increments;
• Mercedes-Benz’s ELCODE electronic and driver authorization system was introduced. The ELCODE system replaced the mechanical ignition key with an electronic unit which automatically started the engine once the key was inserted into the ignition/starter switch; and,
• Mercedes-Benz’s Active Service System (ASSYST) was also introduced; ASSYST monitored oil condition to determine when the vehicle needed to be serviced, providing this information via a digital display in the instrument binnacle.

Review: Mercedes-Benz W210.II E-Class sedan (1999-02)

Overview

Released in November 1999, the Mercedes-Benz W210 Series II (W210.II) E-Class sedan introduced additional safety equipment, ‘tip’ or sequential shift automatic transmissions and a new turbo-diesel engine. The full range is given in the table below.

Visually, the W210.II E-Class sedan could be identified by its 15-20 mm lower bonnet, revised radiator grille, body-integrated bumpers with redesigned air intakes and fog lamps, indicators integrated in the door mirror housings, body-coloured door handles and side skirts, body-coloured side rub strips and new tail-lights. Inside, there was a new instrument cluster with a central display, new fabrics and trim, an updated centre console and a multi-function steering wheel from the W220 S-Class .

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W210.II E-Class included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Features

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W210.II E 200 Kompressor, E 240 and E 270 CDI included an eight speaker Audio 10 sound system with a CD player, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats, leather seat inserts, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, multi-function steering wheel, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, courtesy lights and an immobiliser.

The E 280 was further equipped with alloy wheels, a six-disc CD changer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever. Beyond this, the E 320 also featured ten-way power adjustable front seats with memory settings and full leather upholstery. Furthermore, the E 430 was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning and speed-sensitive steering.

Mercedes-Benz W210.II E-Class: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde variants

In addition to the various models, the E-Class sedan range was available in Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde variants – these different variants partly explain the differences in the features of the models described above (which are given in the base variant). The variants had the following attributes:

• Classic: leather seat inserts and poplar wood interior trim;
• Elegance: alloy wheels, a six-stack CD changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, burl walnut interior trim and chrome trim on the door handles and side protection strips; and,
• Avantgarde: alloy wheels with sports suspension, a six-stack CD changer, leather seats, xenon headlights, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, unique radiator grille, gray glass for the reversing lights, blue-tinted windows, grey instrumentation and black birds-eye maple wood trim.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W210 E-Class