Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) is the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, produced by Mercedes-Benz and marketed in saloon and estate body styles. Production ran from June 1994 to March 2003 for the saloon and from May 1995 to December 2002 for the estate; market introduction followed in 1995 for the saloon and 1996 for the estate. The saloon was internally designated W 210, while the estate was designated S 210. The model replaced the Mercedes-Benz W124 and was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz W211.

The W210 was introduced in May 1995. Compared with the W124, it used a more rounded body and a front end with four elliptical headlamp lenses, a design commonly known as the “four-eye” face. The estate, marketed by Mercedes-Benz as the T-Modell, followed in June 1996. The saloon was replaced by the W211 in March 2002, and the estate was replaced in December 2002. Total W210 production was 1,653,437 vehicles from Sindelfingen, Rastatt and Graz.

Model history

General

W210 development began in 1988, three years after the W124's introduction. The design was created by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1988 and 1991, and was previewed by the 1993 Coupé Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993. Design patents for the Coupé Concept and W210 E-Class were filed on 25 February 1993 in Germany and 25 August 1993 in the United States.

The body design received a Red Dot Design Award and achieved a drag coefficient of Cd 0.27. Mercedes-Benz used water-based paint on the model.

The W210 adopted the design and equipment-line concept already used in the C-Class. The base equipment line was Classic, with Elegance and Avantgarde available at extra cost.

The interior was more rounded than that of the W124. The heating system remained separately adjustable for driver and front passenger and was fitted as standard with a dust filter and recirculation function. The W210 retained real-wood trim. Switch openings in the wood trim were cut according to the equipment fitted, so unused blanking covers were not installed in those trim pieces. The instrument cluster used transmitted-light illumination and digital odometer displays. A warning lamp indicated bulb failures. A pneumatic system operated the headlamp range adjustment, central locking and optional folding rear head restraints.

Technology Equipment newly offered on the E-Class included a rain sensor, automatic climate control with air-quality sensor and Parktronic parking assistance. Standard equipment included the Electronic Traction System (ETS), front and rear electric windows, an outside-temperature display and a third brake light.

At launch, most engines were carried over from the predecessor or related Mercedes-Benz models, or were developments of existing engines. The E 290 Turbodiesel introduced the OM 602 DE 29 LA direct-injection diesel engine. The E 200 Kompressor was not sold in Germany and was offered in export markets with displacement-based taxation.

Most models used a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Four- and five-speed automatic transmissions were optional or standard depending on engine. For model year 1997, Mercedes-Benz introduced the electronically controlled 722.6 five-speed automatic transmission. After the 1999 facelift, engines up to 2.8 litres received a six-speed manual gearbox, and the five-speed automatic gained electronic Touch Shift selection.

The W210 used a five-link rear suspension further developed from earlier Mercedes-Benz designs. The previous strut-type front suspension was replaced by a double-wishbone front suspension similar to that of the W202 C-Class. Steering changed from recirculating ball to rack and pinion, with power assistance as standard and speed-sensitive parameter steering available at extra cost.

Launch range and early variants At the sales start on 15 May 1995, the petrol models were E 200, E 230 and E 320, and the diesel models were E 220 Diesel and E 300 Diesel. Export models included the E 200 Kompressor and E 250 Diesel. From September 1995, the range was expanded with the E 280, E 420 and E 290 Turbodiesel. The E 50 AMG was introduced as the first AMG version of the series.

In 1996, the estate range was introduced with the E 200 T, E 230 T, E 420 T and E 290 Turbodiesel T. Export estate models included the E 200 Kompressor T and E 250 Diesel T. The E 200 Diesel saloon was offered for Portugal. A taxi version of the E 220 Diesel was also offered; its engine was reduced in output and compatible with biodiesel.

Body styles

Saloon (W 210) The saloon was launched in May 1995 as the first body style of the W210 E-Class generation. Boot volume was 520 litres with the 65-litre fuel tank and 500 litres with the 80-litre fuel tank. A through-loading facility with ski bag was available at extra cost; this required a tunnel through the fuel tank behind the rear seat and reduced fuel capacity to 70 litres.

The saloon was available as a factory armoured special-protection vehicle. The E 420 and E 430 could be ordered with B6 high protection throughout production. From March 1997, B4 protection was also available. Because the B4 package was lighter, it was also offered on the E 320. Factory integration allowed the protective elements to be incorporated into the body structure during production.

Saloon production totalled 1,374,409 vehicles.

Estate (S 210) The estate, internally designated S 210, was introduced in June 1996. Load volume was 600 litres to the height of the load cover with the rear seat raised. With the rear seat folded, seat cushions removed and loading to the roof, maximum load volume was 1,975 litres. The asymmetrically split folding rear seat was standard on the estate.

Estate production totalled 279,238 vehicles through December 2002. Not all engines were available in this body style.

Chassis (VF 210) The chassis version, internally designated VF 210, was introduced at the same time as the estate. It was aimed at body builders producing hearses and ambulances. Unlike the W124, no standard-wheelbase chassis was offered; only the extended-wheelbase version with a 74 cm longer wheelbase was available. Initial production used the E 290 Turbodiesel, later joined by the E 250 Diesel for Italy, E 280, E 220 CDI and E 270 CDI.

Long-wheelbase limousine (V 210) A long-wheelbase limousine based on the W210 was developed in 1996 after a request from the Thai royal family. The E 320 version had a wheelbase extended by 97 cm, six doors and a full third row of seats. Because of demand, Mercedes put the long version into series production from late 1996. Customers could choose five and six-cylinder petrol or diesel models. A four-door version with opposing rear seats was also built.

GUARD versions The W210 was available with factory armouring under the GUARD programme. Two protection levels were offered: B4 and B6. The E 320 and E 430 were offered with B4 armouring, while the E 420 and E 430 were offered with B6 armouring.

GUARD-version features included bullet-resistant glass, no sunroof, partial opening of the driver's side window, fixed remaining windows, reinforced structure and suspension, self-levelling rear suspension, an optional microphone with external speaker, and data-card codes for B4 or B6 special-protection versions.

Model updates

Minor update, 1997 In March 1997, the W210 received a minor update. The infrared remote locking system was replaced by a radio-frequency keyless system with the ELCODE electronic drive authorisation system. Brake Assist and traction control became standard. Front-door side airbags and automatic door locking from 8 km/h became standard. The ASSYST service computer introduced flexible service intervals based on operating conditions.

The M104 inline-six engines in the E 280 and E 320 were replaced by the M112 V6. The M112 used a 90-degree V layout, aluminium construction and three valves per cylinder. These engines were also available with 4MATIC. The E 300 Turbodiesel was also introduced.

At the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, the E 240 replaced the four-cylinder E 230 in many markets. The E 420 and E 50 AMG were replaced by the E 430 and E 55 AMG. Export-market changes included increased output for the E 200 Kompressor and the addition of the E 250 Turbodiesel.

In June 1998, the E 200 CDI and E 220 CDI introduced the OM 611 common-rail diesel engine family to the E-Class. The common-rail system stored injection pressure for all cylinders in a shared rail at up to 1,350 bar.

Major facelift, 1999 For the 2000 model year, the facelift also added a multifunction information display in the instrument cluster and steering-wheel controls for audio, navigation and telephone functions. The five-speed automatic transmission received a manual +/- selector gate, marketed as Touch Shift, replacing the earlier gated selector layout. Exterior facelift changes included a revised front end with a steeper rake, restyled bumpers and lower body trim. Saloons received new tail lamps, while the estate tailgate was revised and the centre high-mounted stop lamp was moved from the base of the rear window to a position directly above it.

Late-production W210 special editions included E 320 and E 430 versions in quartz silver or obsidian black with xenon headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels and black maple wood trim. Estate models, and saloons optionally, used self-levelling rear suspension with suspension struts, gas-filled suspension spheres, a pressure pump and rear coil springs to maintain static ride height.

The W210 received a major facelift in August 1999. More than 1,800 components were replaced or modified. Exterior changes included a lowered front end, body-coloured side skirts and door handles, rounded door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, new tail lamps, a redesigned rear bumper, revised estate roof rails and new wheels or wheel covers. Design patents for the facelifted W210 were filed on 21 July 1998.

The interior received new materials and redesigned door panels. Folding roof grab handles replaced fixed handles. A multifunction steering wheel with eight buttons controlled the telephone, radio and trip computer. A central display in the instrument cluster showed information from these systems. ESP and window airbags (Windowbags) became standard. New optional equipment included ventilated front seats, dynamic navigation and the COMAND infotainment system.

The diesel range was revised. The E 200 CDI and E 220 CDI received increased output. The E 220 CDI replaced the E 290 Turbodiesel. The E 300 Turbodiesel was replaced by the E 270 CDI and E 320 CDI. The petrol range initially remained unchanged. In mid-2000, the E 200 and export E 200 Kompressor versions were replaced by the M111 EVO-based E 200 Kompressor. The E 240 engine displacement increased from 2.4 to 2.6 litres while the model name remained unchanged.

Equipment lines

Classic Classic was the base equipment line. Externally, it had black door handles, contrasting rubbing strips and Classic badges. The B-pillars, beltline trim and roof trim were finished in haematite black. Depending on engine, 15- or 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers were standard. The E 420 used 16-inch Elegance-style alloy wheels as standard. After the facelift, the wheel-cover design changed, “Cannes” cloth and “Alameda” wood were introduced, and the door handles were painted in body colour.

Elegance Elegance added chrome trim to the bumpers, rubbing strips and door handles. Roof trim was body-coloured and ten-hole alloy wheels were standard. Interior additions included map pockets on the front seatbacks, door exit lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, colour-matched seat belts, an automatically dimming interior mirror, an armrest with compartment and rear ventilation outlets, leather-covered steering wheel and selector, “Prestige” cloth and burr walnut trim.

Avantgarde