Mercedes-Benz E Class W210 

1995-2003

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	July 1995–March 2003
Assembly	Germany: Bremen and Sindelfingen Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico Egypt: 6th of October City
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W124
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W211
Class	Executive car
Designer(s)	Steve Mattin, Bruno Sacco(1991, 1993)

 The Mercedes-Benz W210 is an executive car which was produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1995 through 2002 (production of the wagon variant (codenamed S210) carried over to the 2003 model year). They were sold under the E-Class model names in both sedan (saloon) and station wagon body types. In 1988, W210 development started 3 years after the W124's introduction. The W210 E-class appearance, which was designed by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1989 and 1991, heralded a brand new design idiom for the Mercedes 'face', which would continue until the C209 CLK. This design cue was previewed on the 1993 Coupé Concept shown at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1993. This idiom was the mainstream fashion used by Mercedes-Benz for a long period, and later appeared on other models such as the CLK (C208, C209), C-class (W203), CL (C215), and the SL (R230).Design patents for both the Coupé Concept and the W210 E-Class were filed on February 25, 1993 in Germany and August 25, 1993 in the US.

On July 21, 1998, design patents were filed on an updated W210 (designed in 1997).As a result, for the 2000 model year, a new multi-function information system was incorporated into the instrument cluster below the speedometer, and the introduction of steering wheel controls for the audio/navigation/phone system. In addition, the 5-speed automatic transmission introduced "Tiptronic," which used the +/- gate positions for manual control of the gearbox allowing the driver to pre select gears as one would do with a manual gearbox. Exterior changes included a revised front with a steeper rake, similar to the CLK, and restyled bumpers and lower body trim. The final W210 production included the E320 and E430 special editions released in two exterior colors - quartz silver (limited edition), obsidian black, and with Xenon lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and black maple walnut trim.

 Engines

This was the first time a V6 engine was offered (1991) to replace the straight-6 configuration (1996–1997). This new Mercedes-Benz M112 engine produced 221 hp (164 kW) and 229 ft·lbf (310 N·m) of torque and offered a 0-60 mph (98 km/h) of 6.9 seconds. Other offerings were the E420 (1997), E430 (1998–2002), and E55 AMG (1999–2002) with 354 hp (264 kW) and a 5.4 L normally aspirated engine. In North America, the range also features two diesels, including both non-turbocharged (1996–1997) and turbocharged (1998–1999) 3.0 litre straight-6 units. In 2000, Mercedes-Benz discontinued diesel powerplants in the E-class in North America. In Europe, the diesel engines were superseded by more advanced Common Rail (CDI) units (2000–2002). The CDI engines were not offered in North America until the E320 CDI in the newer W211 model.

Gasoline Engines for North American Market.

• E 320 (I6 M104, 3.199 cm³ 3.2L, 162 kW/220 PS/217 hp) 1996-1997
• E 320 (V-6 M112, 3.199 cm³ 3.2L, 164 kW/224 PS/221 hp) 1997-2002
• E 420/400 (V-8 M119, 4.196 cm³ 4.2L, 205 kW/290 PS/286 hp) 1997
• E 430 (V-8 M113, 4.266 cm³ 4.3L, 205 kW/279 PS/275 hp) 1998-2002
• E 55 AMG (V-8 M113, 5.439 cm³ 5.4L, 260 kW/354 PS/349 hp) 1998-2002

Diesel for North American Market.

• E 300 Diesel (I-6, 2.996 cm³ 3.0L, 100 kW/136 PS/134 hp) 1996-1997
• E 300 Turbodiesel (I-6, 2.996 cm³ 3.0L, 130 kW/177 PS/175 hp) 1998-1999

 Transmissions

The 1996 model W210 E-Class carried over the 4-speed automatic transmission from the previous W124 generation E-Class. In 1997, Mercedes installed in the E-class its electronically-controlled model 722.6 5-speed automatic transmission that first saw duty in 1996 in the V8-powered W140 S-class models. The 722.6 transmission is now used in a number of Daimler-Chrysler vehicles. The 5-speed transmission was marketed as "sealed for life" however Mercedes dealers now recommend changing the fluid at regular intervals. A 5-speed manual is also available, although during facelift in 2000, it was replaced by a 6-speed manual.

 AMG versions

There were 4 engines that AMG used in the W210. The first was the E36, M104.995, launched in 1996 then the M119.985 in the Euro Spec E50 AMG produced only in 1997. There was also an option for the M119.985 V8 that was bored out to 6.0L and increased power to 381 PS (280 kW) the cars these were fitted to were designated as the E60 and came in sedan and wagon varieties. A limited edition 6.3L version, also badged E60 AMG were built in 1996 generating 405 PS (298 kW) and 454 ft·lbf (616 N·m) of torque. In 1998 came the M113 powered E55 which used a 5.4L V8 SOHC 24V to produce 354 PS (260 kW) and 391 ft·lbf (530 N·m) of torque.

 E36 AMG

Performance

• 0-100 6,7 s (AMG figure)
• Top speed: 250 km/h (Electronically limited)

 E50 AMG

Performance

• General Consensus^[0-60 mph / 0-100kmh ~6 SECs
• 0-100 6,2 s (AMG figure)
• 0-100 5,8 s (Auto Motor und Sport 9/96)
• Top speed: 270 km/h (Drag limited)

 2001 E55 AMG

The 2001 model year E55 was a rare version of the W210 E55 AMG, of which only 659 units were produced in 2001. It has a 5.5 liter V8 that produces 355hp and 391 ft-lb of torque. Various road tests revealed ranges of 0-60 mph times in 4.8-5.3 seconds and quarter-mile times in 13.3-13.5 seconds at around 105-107mph.

1999 E55 AMG

Performance

• General Consensus 0-62 mph - 0–100 km/h 5.4 s
• 0-100: 5,4 s AMG figure (1999)
• Station Wagon (T-modell): 5,7 s
• 0-100: 5,3 s (Auto Motor und Sport 7/98)
• Top speed: 250 km/h (155.5 mph) Electronically limited.

 4MATIC all-wheel drive option

In 1998, Mercedes-Benz reintroduced the 4Matic all-wheel drive system in the US on the W210, although it was previously available in some European territories. Although this 4Matic system shares its name with the 90's 4MATIC system of the W124 300E, the system was totally redesigned and simplified. Rather than using the clutches and couplings of the earlier design, Mercedes opted to use three open differentials: front, center, and rear. The front suspension design of the 4Matic-equipped models is different to the rear wheel drive models and makes some replacement parts (such as shock absorbers) more expensive.

The customers can request the E55 AMG with 4Matic option. Less than 15 units have been built to order, making it one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Model lineage

The W210 models replaced the W124 E-Class models after 1995 and were replaced by the W211 E-Class after 2002.