2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Introduction

For more than 20 years, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been one of the most successful and popular midsize luxury sedans. For many, it represents the ideal middle ground between what could be seen as the plebian C-Class and the overly visible and expensive S-Class. Indeed, the current E-Class, which was last redesigned in 2003, has found about a million buyers worldwide. Such popularity in an increasingly arduous market also makes it one of those rare cars that seems to be valued as much by consumers as by the company profiting from its sale.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is available as a midsize sedan or wagon. Trim levels include the E320 Bluetec (sedan only), E350 (sedan and wagon), E550 (sedan only) and the high-performance E63 AMG (sedan and wagon). The E350 and E550 are available with 4Matic all-wheel drive.

The E320 Bluetec and E350 are equipped almost identically. Standard features include a sunroof, 10-way power front seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, power tilt-telescoping steering column and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with a CD changer and auxiliary audio jack. The E350 sedan can be equipped with a no-cost Sport Package that includes 18-inch wheels, a lowered sport suspension, blue tinted glass, different wood trim and dual chrome tailpipes. The E550 includes the Sport Package and adds semi-active air suspension, leather upholstery and four-zone automatic climate control.

Powertrains and Performance

The E350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 268 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 0-60-mph sprint is accomplished in the mid-6-second range, while fuel economy for the rear-wheel-drive sedan is 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The E550 features a 5.5-liter V8 that makes 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. In performance testing, the E550 went from zero to 60 mph in a quick 5.2 seconds. The E550 rear-drive model has a 15/22 mpg fuel economy estimate.

The E320 Bluetec features a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that makes 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets the E320 from zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds, while fuel economy is exceptional at 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway. Already on sale throughout most of the country, the E320 Bluetec will be available on a two-year lease basis in the states with California’s stricter emissions standards.

Safety

All 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models come with stability control, antilock brakes, front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and the TeleAid emergency system. Also standard is PreSafe, which anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to better secure occupants. In government crash tests, the E-Class sedan earned four stars (out of five) for frontal impacts and a perfect five stars for side impacts. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing, the E-Class earned the top rating of “Good.”

Interior Design and Special Features

The five-passenger E-Class sedan provides an airy two-tone cabin, where supple seats and coordinating soft-touch surfaces are complemented by elegant wood inlays, chrome accents and gathered sections of leather on the door panels. The attractive analog instrumentation is generally easy to read, but functions associated with the antiquated COMAND electronics interface remain unintuitive even after you’ve taken the time to figure it out.

Driving Impressions

While certainly adequate in terms of handling ability, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class isn’t a willing partner like a 5 Series can be. Pushed hard, the E-Class displays noticeable body roll and the brake pedal’s soft feel doesn’t inspire confidence. That the car is better used for cruising city streets and highways probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise. In terms of straight-line performance, the various powertrains provide the E-Class with impressive amounts of power and refinement. The E550 and E63 can dust off most sports cars, while the E350 delivers spirited acceleration and decent fuel economy. The E320 Bluetec offers acceleration times similar to its gasoline E350 counterpart, but offers much better fuel economy and its rich torque curve provides plenty of in-your-seat thrust. The noise, stink and smoke once associated with diesels is a distant memory.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class:(W114/W115: 1968-1976)

With its antiseptically clean and simple styling, the 1968 W114/W115 looks contemporary and elegant even in the 21st century. And with the replacement of that archaic swing axle rear suspension with a new trailing arm, fully independent system, it finally had a suspension worthy of a Mercedes.

The W114/W115 (the W114 was a six-cylinder model, the W115 had fours) was a wholly new midsize Mercedes expanded to include models with four-, five- and six-cylinder engines. In fact, there were times during the model’s life that up to 15 separate models existed inside the midsize Mercedes family, including a two-door variant. The “Stroke-8″ name arose when it was necessary to distinguish the new car from the old Fintail that continued in production during 1968 and carried the same model names. During ‘68, a 200D was likely a Fintail, while a 200D/8 was definitely a W115. Even after the Fintail was gone, that Stroke-8 heritage persisted in the informal world of nicknames.

The coupe arrived during the 1970 model year as the 250C (“C” for, you guessed it, coupe) sitting on the same wheelbase as the sedan, but about two inches lower in overall height. And while it was called the 250C, it didn’t actually carry the 2.5-liter six. Instead it had a 2.8-liter version of the six aboard making 157 horsepower. In 1971, the 250 sedan was blessed with the 2.8-liter engine.

Both the coupe and sedan were slightly redesigned for 1973 getting an updated front end, new fluted tail lamps and bigger bumpers to meet U.S. Federal regulations. More significant was a new 2.8-liter, DOHC straight six under the hoods of the newly named 280 and 280C. With emissions regulations getting tougher, engine outputs were dropping everywhere, so the new engine’s 130-horsepower output was actually quite respectable. Also, for the first time, an automatic transmission was standard with the six-cylinder Stroke-8s.

In 1974, the four-cylinder engine was upgraded to 2.3 liters and 95 horsepower so the car (then Mercedes’ cheapest for sale in America) was renamed the 230. A new 2.4-liter diesel four was also available in the 240D rated at 62 horsepower. The big diesel news came in ‘75 however, when Mercedes grafted another cylinder to the new diesel four to create a 3.0-liter straight five diesel making 77 horsepower — at the time, the most power available in a diesel passenger car.

On the gasoline-fueled side of the equation, 1975 brought with it the first use of catalytic converters. That clog in the exhaust system only robbed the 230’s four of two horsepower (down to 93), but the 280’s six retreated a full 10 horsepower to 120.

The Stroke-8 was wildly popular, with Mercedes building 1,833,442 of them before ending production during 1976. That’s a stunning 77 percent of all Mercedes passenger-car production during that time. It would be a tough act to follow.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2002

A station wagon and a high-performance sedan join Mercedes’ entry-level line for 2002. Models start with the C230, a 2-dr hatchback coupe with a supercharged 4-cyl engine. The C240 sedan has a 2.6-liter V6. The C320 sedan and new C320 wagon use a 3.2 V6. The new C32 AMG sedan has a supercharged V6, 17-inch wheels vs. other models’ 16s, plus sport suspension. The C230 and C240 have standard 6-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is optional for those models and is mandatory on C320 and C32. (The C32’s “SpeedShift” automatic is programmed for high-performance driving.) All models come with traction control, antiskid system, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. Also included are front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, and Mercedes’ BabySmart child-seat recognition system. Leather upholstery is standard on C32, optional on other models. Available for sedans is a Sport Package with upgraded suspension and aero body add-ons. The coupe’s optional Panorama glass sunroof opens wider than other sunroofs and includes a fixed-glass panel over the rear seat, plus dual power sunshades. Mercedes’ TeleAid assistance system is optional for C230 and standard elsewhere. Available for all is Mercedes’ COMAND navigation system, which includes an Internet-based “InfoServices” feature that displays user-selected information.
Competition
This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it’s Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The “3″ has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue–an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2001

Mercedes’ least-expensive line is redesigned for ‘01 around slightly larger dimensions, new styling, and new features. Sedans bowed first as the C240 with a 2.6-liter V6 and the C320 with a 3.2 V6. Standard on both are 16-inch wheels (vs. 15s before), traction control, antiskid system, ABS, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Also included are front and rear side airbags, curtain side-airbags, and Mercedes’ TeleAid assistance system and BabySmart child-seat recognition system. The C240 has a standard 6-speed manual transmission–a first for this line. A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is optional and is the C320’s only transmission. Options for both include leather upholstery, COMAND video navigation system, and a Sport Package with upgraded suspension and aero body add-ons. A new Internet-based “InfoServices” feature displays user-selected information on the COMMAND screen. Due later this year as an early ‘02 model is a new C230 2-dr hatchback with a 190-hp supercharged 4 cyl. Also on tap for ‘02 are a C320 wagon, the first C-Class wagon sold in the U.S., and the high-performance C32 AMG sedan with a 349-hp supercharged V6.
Competition
This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.

Mercedes Benz

introduction

World War Two brought some controversy for Mercedes the company. They are said to have used up to thirty thousand forced employees and POW’s. Some of these workers eventually ended up striking the company, and sent to concentration camps. This turned out to be essential for the company to produce at the quantity and quality that was expected of them. They used this many workers, both forced and voluntary, from 1941. This was also what was needed for the construction for Nazi Germany’s war machine.

Mercedes-Benz cars also have a reputation of being one of the best kinds of vehicles anywhere in the world. They usually make their cars with the purpose of quality over quantity. Mercedes has a focus on state of the art engineering. Many times, Mercedes will have a feature that will not be present in the company’s competitor’s vehicle for years. For this reason, Mercedes is one of the most expensive vehicles made, compared to competitors making similar, but not equal, clones. The company has created a reputation for quality and reliability equaled by none.

Mercedes are often what the rich and higher class population drives. This sometimes includes celebrities and politicians. Anyone with power can usually be seen in a Mercedes. Mercedes is known most for their limousines. Anyone being seen in a limousine made by Mercedes can be said to be important based only on the car in which they are riding. Some of the presidents of different countries, along with politicians are often seen driving Mercedes. When people become rich for whatever reason, they usually decide to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in order to show their new found wealth.

Mercedes is also known for their sports cars. Models included are the supercharged SSK and Gullwing 300SL, which were produced in 1954.

On the other end of the spectrum are the less-expensive cars that were mass produced. The Volkswagen is one rear-engine car which offers some of the features of the more expensive Mercedes, but at a much smaller price tag. Mercedes also produced a similar car which was far less successful, called the 130 H.

Always on the edge as far as technology is concerned, Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce things such as fuel injection and anti-locking brakes. These are just a couple among many. Sometimes, though, Mercedes takes the edge too far, and it costs them a lot of money. Recently, they introduced an active brake system which they installed in over six hundred thousand Benz’s. This ended up causing problems in the cars, and causing a massive recall that cost the company millions and millions of dollars. Even more, the consumer results from the late eighties showed that the reliability of Mercedes was falling off what it used to be. For this reason, as of late, Mercedes has invested a lot in making their cars the best and most reliable in the World. For the past few years, the company has brought back the trust in the brand’s reliability.