Autocar review for the new facelifted E-class

Deutsch · 05-09-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E500 Sport 4dr
Test Date 09/05/2006 09:00:00
Price when new £46,720

Mercedes-Benz E500 Sport Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E500 Sport 4dr - First drive data

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E500 Sport 4dr - The E500 will thunder to 62mph in 5.3 seconds

What's new?
Believe it or not, this is the face-lifted Mercedes E-class. Look carefully and you’ll see that the front end has a new bumper and more prominent grille. The headlamps have also been made more distinctive with transparent louvres, and white LEDs are now used for the parking lights. The rear end gets reworked lights and a slimmer bumper.

There are six new or heavily revised engines, meaning there are now a staggering 29 different models: 16 saloons and 13 estates, crowned by the E63 AMG.

The car we drove, the E500, loses the old model’s decade-old 5.0-litre V8 for the more advanced 5.5-litre V8. With a smoothly delivered 388bhp at 6000rpm and 394lb ft of torque from 2800rpm, it serves up an additional 82bhp and 55lb ft. It’s enough to cut the 0-62mph time by 0.7sec to a seriously rapid 5.3sec, while the top speed remains limited to 155mph.

What's it like?
It’s a fabulous engine: mightily refined but big on urge, helped by a silky seven-speed automatic gearbox. The chassis has also been reworked, the supple air suspension still offering three different levels of damping
stiffness. The only weak link in its armoury is a rather vague feel to the steering around the straight ahead.

As with the latest S-class, Merc has ditched the E-class’s problematic
electronically operated Sensotronic brakes for a new hydraulic system offering more progressive pedal action and greater bite.

Like the exterior, the changes to the E-class’s cabin are just as subtle; a four-spoke steering wheel from the CLS and reworked switches for the air conditioning sit with reworked trims and colour choices. It’s a better place to be, with an excellent driving position, but as usual Merc has concentrated on function rather than flair.

Perhaps the most important addition is Pre-Safe. It’s now standard across the range and acts before an accident occurs, closesthe windows and sunroof, tensions the belts and sets the seats in an optimal position.
Should I buy one?
Stuttgart has been fighting hard to banish the quality blues that have dogged its models since the mid-’90s. No such worries with the E-class now.

Greg Kable

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

YoungWarrior · 05-09-2006, 12:54 PM

In your face BMW?

Just_me · 05-09-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungWarrior

In your face BMW?

I rather say, in your face Audi?

Seriously, Im not allowing any attempts to make this thread another fanboy war. Message to everyone, focus on the E-lcass and the review.

BMW_Dude · 05-09-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungWarrior

In your face BMW?

OMG, grow up dude, why is it on loads of threads, people seem to ruin them by adding some supid fanboy comment, how does it add to the disscussion?

Back on topic, seems like the E500 is a better car with the F/L, and 0-60 in 5.3 seconds is seriously quick, almost as fast as the E39 M5!

YoungWarrior · 05-09-2006, 03:02 PM

pity about the TT and RS4 threads then. It was an open question as in, is it better than the 5 now.

I myself cant see anything between the A6, 5er and E class so it would some down to personal preference. The merc looks the classiest though, the bmw the sportiest and Audi inbetween.

Those engines sound very nice too.

Splenditenes · 05-09-2006, 03:04 PM

repost dudes: http://www.germancarzone.com/showpos...5&postcount=69

Just_me · 05-09-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA7.5

repost dudes: http://www.germancarzone.com/showpos...5&postcount=69

Thanks , locking thread....

05-09-2006, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
YoungWarrior Advocate Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 622 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Autocar review for the new facelifted E-class In your face BMW?

05-09-2006, 03:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
YoungWarrior Advocate Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 622 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Autocar review for the new facelifted E-class pity about the TT and RS4 threads then. It was an open question as in, is it better than the 5 now. I myself cant see anything between the A6, 5er and E class so it would some down to personal preference. The merc looks the classiest though, the bmw the sportiest and Audi inbetween. Those engines sound very nice too.

05-09-2006, 03:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Splenditenes Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kansas City, USA. Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 51 Thanked 52 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Autocar review for the new facelifted E-class repost dudes: http://www.germancarzone.com/showpos...5&postcount=69

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Autocar ML63 AMG review	Deutsch	M-Class	4	04-20-2006 12:41 AM
RS4 review by Autocar...	Deutsch	A4/S4/RS4	14	10-13-2005 10:54 AM
EDMUNDS S CLASS Review.... They can't say enough!	PHYBENZ	S-Class	4	10-06-2005 01:54 AM