Mercedes-Benz E350 2005 Review

What we liked
>> Potent V6 engine
>> Seven-speed auto no gimmick
>> Options are pricey

Not so much
>> Wagon comes at a $$$ premium
>> SLK's timbre all but gone
>> Cabin quality needs attention

OVERVIEW
By any measure, Mercedes Benz's W211 series E Class has been a success - both here and abroad. Since its introduction in Australia in late 2002, the silken luxury saloon has topped the sales charts, bettering archrival BMW's 5 Series in 2002, 2003 and last year.

In a range stretching from the pedestrian (120kW E 200 K) to the ballistic (350kW E 55 AMG), the most popular model has been the E 320. Over 45 per cent of Australian W211 E Class customers have opted for the E 320 since its release. So when you're on a good thing you stick to it. Right? Wrong... When you're on a good thing you go out of your way to make it better - at least that's the tactic Mercedes Benz has adopted.

Enter the E 350, the newest addition to the E Class family and the second car to arrive Down Under with Benz's new 3498cc 200kW V6. First fitted to the makers' radically revamped SLK, the new quad-cam engine has won critical acclaim at the pointy end of the two-seater roadster. How does it cope with the not-inconsiderable bulk of the E Class saloon and wagon (Estate in Benz speak)? Very nicely, thanks very much.

FEATURES
On sale this month across Australia, the new E 350 replaces the E 320. Available in 'Elegance' spec, the sedan and estate versions retail at $124,500 and $130,500, repectively.

As befitting a car in this class, specification levels are high - in terms of convenience, comfort and safety. By way of explanation, Elegance is Benz's mid-level spec for its larger engined E cars (E 200 K, 240 and 270 CDI are offered in a lower spec Classic configuration). The Elegance package includes features such as burr walnut interior trims, unique alloy wheels and additional interior and chrome upgrades. In addition E 350 customers can upgrade to Avantgarde level of trim with inclusions such as sporty five-spoke alloys, white-faced instruments, bumper extensions and side skirts for $2000.

CarPoint has tested a number of E Class saloons and wagons since the W211 series' introduction in August 2002. It's also tested the E Class sedans' direct opposition, BMW's latest E60 5 Series. Check out our impressions via our new car reviews and tests database.

Also announced during the E 350's north eastern Victorian launch was a new Sports Package for the selected E-Class models. Available from May 2005 on the 200 K, 350 and 500, the new option pack includes a range of features many of which are not available individually.

Most obvious at first glance are the new ten-twin-spoke 18-inch wheels. These in turn allow more than a sneak peek at the silver Star-logo-ed front brake calipers and drilled front discs. The package also includes lower suspension more direct steering ratio (14.7:1) with a speed-dependent function. The newly developed light-alloy wheels are combined with low profile rubber: 245/40 R18 at the front and 265/35 R18 at the rear.

Body add-ons are adopted from the Avantgarde line and twin rear pipes and free-flowing mufflers "ensure a powerful and sonorous exhaust note," says Benz.

The interior gets sports seats complete with contrasting stitching. There's also four-spoke sports steering wheel with

integral gearshift buttons, stainless steel pedal cluster with black rubber studs and bespoke floor mats.

MECHANICAL
The key to the success or otherwise on the latest E Class addition is sitting under the wide expanse of the E 350's bonnet. First offered in the latest SLK, the 90-degree 3498cc V6 engine develops a claimed 200kW with maximum torque of 350Nm available over from 2400-5000rpm.

This is a substantial 21 per cent increase in power over the outgoing E 320. Torque is up too: Over 10 per cent.

The new engine is not short on technology. In addition to continuously variable valve timing, Mercedes' engineers have incorporated a trick two-stage induction manifold that utilises variable intake volume to boost torque at lower revs, without sacrificing top end performance.

The electronics controlling the engine are similarly advanced. All aspects of the engine's vital signs are controlled by Bosch's latest ME 9.7 engine management system. In the interests of compact packaging and beating electrical gremlins, the engine management unit is located above the intake system and integrated into the engine design.

While much of the E 350 engine's componentry is shared with its SLK stablemate, the engine has its own unique characteristics in the E class chassis. Gone is the a sometimes raucous note of the sportscar's engine - a victim of the E Class engineers desire for a different, more refined aural signature. As in the SLK however, the V6 is partnered with Mercedes' much-vaunted 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

According to Benz, the quick shifting multi-speed transmission plays a substantial role in optimizing the E 350's standing start acceleration, in-gear flexibility and overall refinement.

ON THE ROAD
CarPoint had only limited opportunity to drive the E 350 during its Aussie launch. In performance terms, Mercedes own statistics comparing the new E 350 and the previous E 320 indicate substantial increases in concert with better fuel economy. Too good to be true? It seems not.

In the benchmark standing start acceleration from 0-100 kmh, the E 350 Saloon takes just 6.9sec, a handy 0.8 seconds faster than its predecessor. The same sprint for the E 350 Estate is 1.4 seconds shorter than for its predecessor, at 7.1 seconds. Of perhaps more relevance to real world users, the E 350 saloon accelerates from 60-120kmh almost 25 per cent faster than the 320, itself no slouch (6.9 versus 8.6). The wagon stretches the margin further.

And at the pumps? Despite the 21 per cent power increase of the new V6 engine, Benz says fuel consumption of the E 350 sedan is 0.2lt/100km better than the E 320 (NEDC combined consumption, 9.7 versus 9.9lt/100km). For the wagon, the theoretical fuel saving is 0.7lt/100km.

What the figures don't fully explain is the kick-in-the-pants performance the new six-cylinder E. Despite its not inconsiderable heft this is a genuinely quick car and one that is more than competent when the road tightens up and gets interesting.

One of our favourite luxury saloons, the appeal of the E Class has only been widened with the arrival of the E 350. It'll be interesting to watch (and drive) the Bavarian brand's counter punch.

BOTTOM LINE: The world's best wagon? Wait... Can I really get an E55 Estate?

If there were any doubts that Mercedes builds the most refined wagons in the world, the latest E-class goes a long way to dispelling them.

Smooth, quiet, fast and wieldy, the E350 Estate (as Benz prefers the five-door to be termed) provides few hints to the driver and front seat passenger to suggest they're punting anything other than an executive saloon. Indeed, such is the polish of the five-door it's very easy to forget you've got the load lugging ability of a small fleet of taxi trucks tagging along behind.

The observations we made at the launch of the E350 saloon a month or two ago, stand for the wagon. This is a genuinely quick car that lacks for little in terms of refinement, equipment levels nor athletic ability or poise. Around town the ride cossets and the turning circle seems improbably tight for what is a large car. On the open road, progress is fast and fuss free, in part due to the wagon's sophisticated standard self-leveling rear air suspension.

As in the sedan, the seven-speed gearbox is anything but a gadget letting the new 200kW 3.5lt V6 do it stuff and providing the right gear nearly every time.

Nearly every time? Alas a gremlin struck our handsome Obsidian Black test E-wagon on the highway between Heathcote and Elmore in central Victoria. All of a sudden the seven-speeder became a four-speeder! Benz Roadside Assist answered the 1800 number promptly and as we cruised up the highway, the V6 spinning 2000rpm harder than the normal top gear 1500rpm/110kmh cruise, the polite operator gave us directions to our nearest friendly Mercedes Benz dealer.

Not keen on spending the weekend waiting for a workshop open, I employed Modern Computer Controlled Car Servicing 101... Go to the next town, stop, turn the car off, walk away and have a cup of coffee. On restart the problem was gone - not to re-occur during our time with the car.

Glitch aside, the car's pace and grace was a big hit with clan Sinclair. The sound system alternately soothed the senses and punished the ear drums depending on the CD chosen, and the seats made an all-day drive disappear with ne'er a twitch or twinge. Such is the equipment of the E-wagon in stock Elegance trim that it takes a while to appreciate all the goodies - there's even a tell-tale to let you know you haven't refitted the rear seats properly.

With just three travelling we didn't need to employ the rear-facing third row child seats or test the load carrying ability of the E350. Just as well, in the case of the former task - despite wading into the textbook-thick owner's tome - I couldn't work out how to put it up.

Though forward-facing third rows seem to be the rage these days, Benz has offered the rear-facing pew almost since the debut of the E-sized estate in the late 1970s. It's at pains to point out the latest car features a U-shaped extruded aluminium section which provides additional strengthening in the footwell area for this third row of seats and, therefore, additional safety in the event of a rear impact.

We did make use of Benz's optional EASY-PACK wagon-related features, especially the stowage box. This triangular-sectioned bin makes use of the space behind the rear backrests, enabling smaller items (like wine bottles) to be stowed securely. It also offers extra security if you wish to stow portable CD players, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DSs, Playstation micro, etc, etc.

We liked the novelty of the 'smart' EASY-PACK load compartment cover too - it automatically moves upwards when the tailgate is opened and back again when closed.

The Estate's extra 100kg-plus seem to take little edge off the lively acceleration we sampled in the saloon. According to factory figures the sprint to 100 km/h takes just 7.1sec, a scant 0.2sec slower than the E350 sedan. Flexibility is commendable too - an overtaking lunge from 60-120km/h will be dispatched in 7.2sec -- 2.2sec faster than the E320 Estate the new car replaces.

If you want a faster, flasher wagon, then you're probably a sick puppy -- like me... Have you heard that Benz now offers an Estate version of the E55 AMG? Hold on kiddies!