Mercedes Benz E-class estate 2003 Review

What we liked
>> Comfortable ride quality
>> Very quiet and refined
>> Clever luggage area innovations

Not so much
>> Too many extra-cost options
>> Engines underwhelming
>> Steering lacks feel

OVERVIEW
Mercedes-Benz launched its first station wagon - dubbed Estate in European parlance - 25 years ago as a medium-sized boxy vehicle designed for transport and touring. Its large load lugging capacity made it a global success earning about 25 percent of the market, but it wasn't until the 210 series E-class 1995 that the car gained style.

With the the 211 series in October 2003, the car now has style, plenty of payload and clever innovations in the rear to make it even more practical and appealing. The 2002 E-class sedan introduced a number of high tech features including a largely optional air suspension and brake by wire Sensotronic brake control, upgraded engines and more equipment.

The E-class Estate incorporates all these and more with xenon active headlights that follow the movement of the steering wheel to enable the driver to see better through corners. Just two engines are on offer - 2.6 litre and 3.2-litre V6s - driving through a five-speed automatic transmission. Three trim levels are available in E240 and two in the E320. Prices at launch range from $96,900 for the E240 Classic to $128,900 for the E320 Avantgarde.

FEATURES
Being a wagon, the focus of the E-class Estate is on carrying things and this is where the car really stands out from the crowd -- and it is not only goods that can be swallowed in the massive 1950litre capacity interior. All E-class Estates come standard with a rear-facing third row seat suitable for two children up to 140cm in height and 50kg. The seat is fitted with height adjustable head restraints, three point seatbelts and cupholders. It folds fully flat into the floor when not in use.

If it's going to be goods rather than kids you carry in the back, Mercedes offers a no cost option of a hydraulically operated load compartment floor as part of its Easy-pack system instead of the third row seat. At the press of a button the floor is raised and moves rearward 400mm to allow you to easily place up to 200kg in the back. Press the button again and the floor returns to its position within the car.

The Easy-pack system also includes a $320 optional hidden stowage box behind the rear seats (standard on Elegance/Avantgarde) and a $680 load securing kit with longitudinal floor rails and a telescopic aluminium bar and retractable belt that can lock into any point on the rails. The tailgate, which can be stopped and held at any point in the top third of its opening range, can also be optioned up to open and close at the touch of a button for $1690.

Inside, the rear load space, which features an automatically opening cover, can be expanded via the split fold rear seat back and by removing the seat bases and folding the backs flat to the floor, the E-class Estate offers a full 2000mm load length.

COMFORT
The sedan's cabin comfort carries over to the wagon. A self levelling air based rear suspension ensures the car adjusts according to the load being carried while the full suspension can be upgraded to Mercedes Airmatic semi-active air system that varies dampers and springs according to driving conditions for $3250.

Inside, the seats are typically comfortable and supportive and it isn't difficult to achieve a good driving position via the fully adjustable seat and steering wheel.

Passengers, particularly in the rear, benefit from slightly better headroom and legroom than in the sedan due to the wagon's different roofline and seat placement. Given the car's price and positioning, the list of standard equipment in the Classic entry-level model is good. Power controls windows, door mirrors and driver seat height and backrest adjustment. Climate control, cruise control, and a quality six-stack in-dash CD audio system are also standard.

The mid-range Elegance models gain leather trim, full power front seats and the Comand system that incorporates DVD player and satnav with a large colour display screen.

SAFETY
Mercedes says the E-class wagon is significantly stiffer than before, which is said to improve both handling and crashworthiness. The ability to secure items in the rear load space with the Fixkit also reduces the potential for injury in a crash.

In terms of active safety, the E-class Estate is fitted standard with anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and ESP stability control. The benefits of using a computer controlled brake by wire system means that other features can be added such as the Tailback Assist, which is activated via the cruise control and automatically brakes the car to a standstill when the accelerator is released in stop go traffic at speeds under 15km/h.

Passive safety features include eight airbags - two-stage driver and passenger, front and rear side bags and side window curtain bags - and outboard seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters. The active light system - which ranges in price between $1630 and $4590 depending on the model - also improves safety by increasing the illumination of the road in a bend by up to 90 percent.

MECHANICAL
At launch, Mercedes offered just the two V6 engines, though it is considering a V8 or diesel option depending on consumer demand. The base engine in the E240 is a 2.6-litre unit, which through some minor modifications generates slightly more power and uses marginally less fuel compared to the previous model. Peak outputs are 130kW and 240Nm while the larger 3.2-litre V6 produces 165kW and 315Nm. Both engines drive the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential manual shift operation.

COMPETITORS
Mercedes most obvious competition is BMW's 530 Touring which gets a significant update late 2004. Until then you might still pick up one of the 3.0-litre straight six powered previous gen models that retails for a listed $105,200. Other options - with at least $10,000 between the range topper and the base Benz - are the two Swedes, the Volvo V70 and Saab 9-5 Estate. The Volvo lacks the Merc's driving dynamics and refinement but the Saab, probably the best model in its lineup, is worth a look.

ON THE ROAD
A short drive in the E-class Estate reveals few surprises. As expected after having driven the very competent sedan version, the Estate does almost everything just as well. The well-sorted suspension belies the big load box on the back with very controlled and predictable handling and a comfortable ride quality.

The steering is lacklustre in respect to feedback but is nicely weighted. Driving refinement is excellent with very low levels of noise, and without peering rearward, you could be forgiven for thinking you are driving the sedan. The larger engined 320 feels underpowered off the freeways. Put the boot in on a winding hilly road and the engine needs to work hard to haul 1800kg and maintain the speed limit.

Power is best described as adequate, the throttle response and gear changes efficient but not inspiring. But then again people don't buy a wagon to go on enthusiastic country drives. At last not until the hugely powerful E55 AMG wagon comes to Oz, if at all.

7 DAY TEST

BOTTOM LINE: A classy combination of practicality and refinement that makes more sense than a big 4WD

Every night on my way home from work I drive along a cobblestone alley. It's a bumpy, rickety track not unlike that used at Holden's Lang Lang Proving Ground for suspension testing. Most modern vehicles struggle over the old lane, rolling and shaking and jolting the occupants inside. Yet the E-class Estate felt like it floated over the cobblestones, soaking up the bumps as competently as a big off-roader but without the body roll.

This ability to get its occupants and their luggage to their destination in as smooth and stress-free manner as possible, despite adverse conditions, sums up Mercedes-Benz's prestige station wagon. As well as a superb ride, its self-levelling air suspension irons out most body roll around corners.

The Estate's extra kilos (1785kg) take the edge off acceleration, however (0-100km/h is a claimed 8.5secs). On the daily commute the 3.2-litre V6 is silky smooth, with a linear response up to the 6000rpm redline. But hit the hills, or ask it to overtake quickly, and the 165kW engine requires an un-Benz like stomp on the pedal for rapid response.

The smooth five-speed auto works well with the engine, only changing cogs when required. For a sportier response, gears can be changed manually, although we found the lever's position in manual mode awkward. Where the Benz excels on the freeway; it devours the miles while occupants relax in the whisper-quiet cabin.

Wagons are judged on their ability to carry people and cargo, and it's here where the Estate shines. There's less rear cargo space than a big Aussie wagon, but the flat-floor layout makes the most of what's available. During our week together, the rear space consumed everything from a large load of groceries to golf equipment, although the golf bag had to be placed diagonally.

The electronic-sliding floor is a nifty feature for people who want to save their backs while loading prams or heavy items. Fitting a baby capsule was also a breeze, using the 'Fix Kit' system of rails, rings, bars and belts. Although fiddly, it's a neat solution for securing items. The storage box behind the rear seats is one of numerous storage areas throughout the cabin.

Rear passengers are treated almost as well as those in the front, with air-con vents, speakers, side airbags and contoured seats. Head and legroom is excellent, even with the front seats pushed back, although a rock-hard middle seat limits its use to short trips.

The Estate is well-equipped for its $126,900 starting price, and there's little to fault in the way of comfort, styling or ergonomics. The Elegance version adds leather trim and the Comand system incorporating DVD, sat nav, and phone, on top of the usual equipment. Our vehicle also came with a sunroof, bi-Xenon headlights and electric rear hatch to boost the price to $137,810.

Amongst all the techno-wizardry, we liked the cruise control/speed limiter for the highway and the warning system that told us when the rear-folding seat wasn't correctly attached. But for such a safety-conscious package, the audio mute button should be located on the steering wheel, not the centre console.

Fuel consumption was reasonable; we averaged around 16-17litres/100km around town and 11-12 litres/100km on the freeway. Enthusiastic driving will push this into the mid-20s, which means more frequent top-ups of the 80-litre tank.

The E-Class Estate offers a classy combination of practicality and refinement and in many ways makes more sense than a big four-wheel drive, especially if you plan to stick to the bitumen. Whether it's good value is debateable, but we'd recommend a test drive if you're in the market for some high-quality family transport.