Autobiography - Mercedes-benz E-class (w210)

The Age

Saturday August 12, 2006

BRUCE NEWTON

IMMEDIATELY distinguishable by its quad headlights, the W210 E-Class was the last conventional Benz before the company ventured into small cars and SUVs. The W210 arrived here in February 1996 as a 110 kW, 2.3-litre, four-cylinder engine (the E230) and the 162 kW, 3.2-litre in-line six-cylinder E320. The E230 was available in Classic or Elegance trim, while the E320 was also available as the luxurious Avantgarde. Prices ranged from $90,900 to $134,100.

A new 165 kW, 3.2-litre V6 engine was introduced in 1997 to replace the straight six. Five-speed automatic transmissions also superseded four-speeders. Two V8 models came out in 1998, the 205 kW E430 and the $195,200, 260 kW E55 AMG.

The final addition to the petrol-engine line-up was the 120 kW, supercharged 2.0-litre E200K in August 2000. The Classic edition lowered the E-Class entry price to $79,500.

But Benz also offered turbo-diesel power with the W210 body. The 130 kW, 3.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder turbo-diesel E300 was available from July 1997 to December 1999. It was replaced by the E270 CDI, an in-line five-cylinder that made 130 kW and an impressive 425 Nm.

Wagons were also an ongoing part of the range, first appearing as the E230T in October 1996. E240 and E320 versions followed.

The W210 went through its sole exterior styling update in 1999, although the classic shape was little changed. By the time it was replaced by the W211 series in August 2002, more than 10,000 had been sold. -- BRUCE NEWTON

OUR PICK

The W210 was a quality leader of its time. The E270 CDI was an advanced turbo-diesel but the best model was the E55 AMG.

© 2006 The Age

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