Mercedes-Benz E-Class E220 CDI Elegance

It is difficult to evaluate this vehicle if you bring price into consideration, otherwise it is all good. Good diesel mileage of 10 KMPL, Even after 58000 KM it runs as smooth as like new. As this model is quiet old, it was lacking some small things compare to new E class but overall it is good buy.Only disadvantage is if you get into an accident OR any part is required which is specific to engine chassis.... It will take 3-4 weeks for it to arrive from Germany.

Mercedes on road assistance is very good. Best if driven with 0 depreciation insurance.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

Our Company owns Mercedes Benz E280 CDI which was bought from T & T Motors-ND one of the highest seller in India. The after sales service department of this Dealer & Mercedes Benz India Ltd is very very poor as the problem we are facing for the last one month is with the Steering Rack & Pinion Assembly and the car is station at the workshop of T & T Motors. This particular problem normally occurs only after crossing 1, 00, 000 km where as the this car has run only 44, 000 km which indicates that it is a manufacturing defect and we can't think of this kind of quality and product failure from a car like Mercedes.

The Mercedes Benz India Ltd. executives and the T & T Motors service department are not responding to our queries. we are not able to understand how could a brand name like mercedes have such bad after sales service.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

Note: I am the Executive Editor for CAR India, and first wrote this review for the magazine. It's being posted here so it can reach a wider audience.

Conspicuous consumption – that’s the name of the game. Anyone who believes that the old E240 was ‘perfectly adequate for India,’ and that Mercedes didn’t have to bring in this new E280 at all, is missing the point entirely. You see, it’s not about being adequate. It’s about being bigger, better, glitzier, more expensive and more exclusive. It’s the age-old need to be one up on everybody else. It’s why you’d buy a Vertu mobile phone rather than a Nokia. Or why you’d choose a Girard-Perregaux over a Titan. And why you’d wear a pair of John Lobb brogues rather than slip on some Bata loafers. Like the aforementioned baubles, the E280 is for gentlemen (and ladies...!) who want to be noticed and who can afford to pay for the privilege.

With an engine displacement of 2997cc, the E280’s V6 is 400cc bigger than the old E240’s. And where the older car had 167PS on tap, the E280’s is a rather more respectable 234PS, which is available at 6300rpm. Compared with the E240’s DOHC, 18-valve V6, the E280’s DOHC, 24-valve V6 is definitely more advanced. It features continuous intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment, which, claim Mercedes, optimises combustion efficiency, reduces friction losses, improves thermal management in the coolant circuit and optimises oil and water pump drive efficiency. In plain English, all of that translates into one powerful and creamy-smooth six-cylinder engine that has the potential to waft you from one continent to the next, without disturbing your afternoon siesta. And the performance won’t put you to sleep either. Prod the accelerator pedal and the three-litre V6 takes an instant to gather its forces, and blows you down the road after that. Nought to sixty comes up in 4.29 seconds, while zero to 100km/h takes 9.16 seconds. The E280 certainly isn’t a runaway rocket, but to its credit, the E280’s V6 stays extremely smooth all the way to its 6500rpm redline and never sounds stressed. Whether you’re trundling along at 80km/h or loafing down the Expressway at 233km/h (which is what we saw on the speedo before running out of road…), it all sounds and feels about the same. Sure, the scenery flashes past faster at 233, but… er, that’s about it. Deep into triple digit speed zone, the big E remains calm, confident and totally unruffled.

The composure is not limited to straight line speeds either – the E280 also handles high speed bends with equal aplomb. Weighing in at about 1700 kilos, this car is no lightweight, but the multi-link suspension (front and rear) has been tuned so that it offers a good balance between outright handling prowess and plush ride quality. For engineers, it’s a difficult feat to pull off, but the E280 does manage to offer very good ride comfort and yet refrain from excessive roll and wallow while cornering. It feels like a middle-aged Sharon Stone rather than a middle-aged Drew Barrymore. Well damped, but also er…, sprightly and adequately nimble. The E280’s 16-inch wheels, clad in 225/55 Goodyear NCT rubber, help in the roadholding department, and lack of grip is never an issue.

It isn’t perfect though. Enthusiastic drivers will definitely wish the steering offered more feel – it seems the steering wheel conveys your inputs to the front wheels via a dial-up connection rather than broadband and can be a bit vague and slow-to-react at times. Having driven various previous generation E-class cars, I suppose I should have known better than to expect this one to have brilliantly crisp, connected and responsive steering, but if it did, driving the E280 would be so much more fun. At least the car’s anti-lock, electro-hydraulic braking system, with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC is Mercedes-speak for brake-by-wire, which substitutes mechanical linkages with computer-controlled, electronic ones…), is beyond reproach. Braking hard from triple digit speeds, the E280 stopped in a straight line every single time, without either end threatening to break loose. Even dabbing the brake pedal hard in the middle of high-speed lane change maneouvers failed to defeat the system, with the car simply shedding velocity without any major theatrics whatsoever. Hundred to zero was dispatched in 3.29 seconds, during which the car traveled 44.17 metres, which isn’t bad at all. SBC calculates optimum braking pressure for each wheel individually, which makes it much safer while braking hard on slippery surfaces or, in an emergency, while braking in the middle of a corner. These brakes, along with the electronic stability program, should make the E280 one of the safest cars on the planet.

Another notable aspect of the E280 is its seven-speed automatic gearbox, which complements the powerful V6 very well. Called the 7G-TRONIC, this was the world’s first seven-speed automatic when it was launched, back in 2003. (Interestingly enough, Toyota have developed an eight-speed automatic since then, which is fitted to the new Lexus LS460.) At that time, the 7G-TRONIC was only fitted to Mercedes-Benz’s V8-powered cars, but has since then found its way to V6-powered cars like the E280 as well. By proving a wider range of ratios, the system is supposed to boost fuel economy and also help acceleration. The seven ratios allow for relatively small, incremental increases in engine speed, which means smoother, more linear power delivery. It also helps lower the average engine speed, which again not only helps fuel consumption, but also lowers overall noise levels. On the road, the system is quite impressive, with gear changes being barely perceptible. There is still the option of clutchless manual shifting, by tapping the gear lever sideways, but I doubt if too many people would be using that option. The 7G-TRONIC is perfectly good enough on its own and quite suits the E280’s character. Automatic gearboxes are notorious for harming fuel efficiency, but with the E280, we got about 8.5kmpl overall, which is quite good for a car of this class and means that the 7G-TRONIC is doing something right. It definitely is a step in the right direction.

Mercedes-Benz sold 825 units of the E-class in India last year, which accounted for about a third of their total sales in the country. Now, with Audi and BMW having entered the fray (albeit in a rather limited sort of way), and the A6 and 5-series cars presenting an option to people who are willing to spend in excess of Rs 40 lakh on a car, the E-class may face stiffer competition. At this level, any mention of the term ‘value for money’ has to be relative anyway, but at around Rs 41 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), the E280 certainly isn’t cheap. Then again, consider its state-of-the-art V6, which makes 234PS of power and 282Nm of torque. The seven-speed automatic gearbox, which works in the most unobtrusive manner ever. And the totally sumptuous interiors, which cosset and pamper even the most demanding of owners. The brakes are stupendous. Ride comfort is exemplary. And the badge, of course, is 24-carat gold-plated. Yes, for now, this E280 is pretty much the king of all it surveys.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

When it comes to the ride characteristics,a high quality long distamce saloon such as the new E-class 220 is expected to deliver not only excellent ride comfort but also superlative driving dynamics.The E-220 surpasses the high standards set by the preceding series in both disciplines:alongside enhanced suspensions and even lower road roar and tyre vibrations.

The eyes have it!

The twin headlamps have a clear glass look lending the face of E-220 an unmistakably high tech expression.Beneath the clear high shock proof,scratch resistant lenses of the twin headlamps lies truely state-of-the art technology''Projector beam hehadlamps''

The bonnet effortlessly merges with headlamps thus fashioning an elegant sculpture.The car has lower slung front end,giving a road head impression,further enhancing the sporty and dynamic appearance.

The wedge-shaped body riegnforces the sporty and dynamic appearance of E-220.The design principle-lines and surfaces stretching from front to rear gives the car a look that is timeless and classic on one hand,yet extremely powerful and superbly athletic on the other.

The tail end is compact and ''muscular'',drawing the dynamic lines of the body to an impressive conclusion.The upwards sweeping wedge-shaped rear and the low-slung rear apron are the major factors.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST WRITTEN BY ME FOR BUSINESS STANDARD MOTORING, WHERE I WORKED FOR TWO YEARS, AS ROAD TEST EDITOR

Here’s some blasphemy right upfront - I don’t particularly care for the new E-Class’ styling (here, I am talking about the ''new'' E-Class that's been launched in India about 6 - 7 months ago, and not the car whose pic you see here...). Sacrilege? Perhaps it is. But for me, the new car looks a bit... Korean! Those elongated oblong headlamps, the egg-crate grille, the tail end treatment, and even the design of those alloy wheels - all of these whisper Hyundai XG 30. Not so much Stuttgart salami, more Seoul curry.

Compared with the car that preceded it, the new E-Class might not be as great to look at, but the E 220’s performance is not too bad. For a base-model E-Class car, that is. The 2148 CC inline-four has been carried over from the last-generation E 220, and is adequate as ever. It produces 147.5 bhp at 4200 rpm, and a substantial 34.3 kgm of torque at only 2000 revs. These figures actually compare well with the petrol powered E 240 which is powered by a 2597 CC V6 that makes 165 bhp at 5750 rpm, and 22.8 kgm of torque at 4500 rpm. The E220 CDI, at 1610 kilos (kerb weight) is only five kilos heavier than the E 240, so performance is none too shabby. As with its petrol sibling, the E 220 utilises a five-speed automatic to transmit power to the rear wheels. This autobox also has the ‘Touchshift’ mechanism which lets a driver shift gears manually simply by rocking the gear lever sideways (I admit I never bothered using this feature), though the resident computer remains the boss, and will still automatically upshift once you reach the rev limit for any one gear. Actually, the automatic is capable enough on its own, though if you floor the throttle, the car takes a heartbeat to gather itself up - a downshift happens, four pistons gather momentum, and blam - you are carried away on a thick, rich stream of torque.

I know, I know, you can’t wait for the numbers, and you shall have them too. But remember, this a relatively small diesel, so don’t expect AMG-style histrionics here. That said, the 4.86 seconds which the E 220 CDI takes to lunge from 0 to 60 kph are actually 0.25 seconds less than the E 240’s time! Then again, the E 240 takes only 10.59 for the 0 to 100 kph sprint, whereas the E 220 takes 11.42 seconds to get to 100. The diesel car’s torque tells in the 80 to 120 kph run - 8.5 seconds, as opposed to the E 240’s 8.74. Of course, the latter is ultimately more powerful, and gets it own back in the 100 to 140 kph run, which it does in 9.43 seconds, whereas the E 220 takes all of 12.39. As you can see from these figures, the E 220 CDI is no VTEC-style hotrod, but then it was never meant to be one. Effortless, high-speed cruising is the Merc’s forte, and it’s very good at that. During testing, we did up to 210 kph in the E 220 (though I suspect it might go up to 215 with the aircon switched off), and the car felt completely calm and composed at those speeds. With the windows down, you can hear some diesel rumble at idle, but the engine is smooth and vibe-free at high speed, and the car never really feels underpowered. Another 40 - 50 horsepower wouldn’t go amiss (a bigger engine - the E 270 CDI perhaps - should be just about perfect!), but then greed is endless. And with a bigger/more powerful engine, the E 220’s mileage of about 8.5 kpl will likely drop to something much lower, so this isn’t such a bad deal after all.

Like with other MB cars, what’s remarkable is the E 220’s safety margin at very high speeds. The car sits on proper 16-inch alloys, which are clad in 225/55 Goodyear Eagle NCT rubber. Suspension comprises of McPherson struts at front, multi-link independent at back, and stabiliser bars at both ends. During high-speed lane-change maneouvres, the car felt calm, composed and completely safe. Unlike some other big cars (the Accord, for example...), the new E 220 CDI never feels like it may suddenly let go without warning, which, given its propensity to head into triple-digit-speed zone at the first possible opportunity, is a blessing. As usual, there are a host of electronic driver-aids quietly toiling away in the background, making sure the driver doesn’t get into trouble. There’s the very efficient anti-lock braking (ABS) which seems to be better than ABS systems employed by most other manufacturers. Mash the brakes to the floor, and the pedal doesn’t pulse and quiver madly - it just stops the car in double-quick time. Our E 220 did the 0 - 100 - 0 in 14.14 seconds, and the car simply came to a standstill in a straight line, without any sideways drama whatsoever. The ABS is complemented by what Mercedes Benz calls ‘Sensotronic Brake Control’ (SBC), which represents another advancement in braking technology. What SBC does is calculate optimum braking force for each individual wheel, and modulates braking accordingly. This, together with EBD (‘electronic brake force distribution’), BAS (‘brake assist’) and ESP (‘electronic stability program’ which is basically traction control...) makes getting into trouble close to impossible, though there’s still a full brace of airbags (SRS) if you do manage to crash the thing somehow!

So, is the new E 220 CDI worth Rs thirty-five lakhs? Well, it’s difficult to justify spending that much on a car - any car - but if you have to justify the expense, you would have been walking to work. The E 220 is substantially more spacious, refined and powerful than the C-Class cars sold here, has much more torque than the E 240’s petrol V6, is only 20 horsepower down on that car, and offers much lower running costs. I would only say that until MB bring the E 270 CDI to India, this, the E 220 CDI, is the Mercedes Benz to buy.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

Great car, great ride, somewhat masculine! Sometimes I wonder whether car makers remember why people buy their cars!

All the attributes you can think of, sure, but what is it that finally clinches the deal?

It's the ability of the car to merge with one's personality and make one swoon with pride!

So why don't they make it more feminine inside? Outside, it's now got all those alluring smooth lines...

But the insides are like futuristic machines! Not enough softness in the dashboards, or in the seats

ought to rock you gently, hold you safe as a cocoon! Warm and motherly!

When looking at the dashboard, do you sometimes miss an old fashioned gadget?

Remember the oil level? Does your Mercedes have one? I think not.

It's been replaced by the oil pressure guage, distinct from the oil level guage!

Today, the pressure guage builds up the oil pressure even when there's hardly any oil in the sump.

So pity the driver who's on the go all the time and didn't check the oil level.

The car's liable to go bust when the oil evaporates, leading to engine seizure!

Instead, the old level guage on the dashboard, with an alarm for low levels would prevent expensive repairs!

And, O Lord, if only they could put in an oil quality guage that warns us to change oils in the dusty conditions

We drive in!!

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

This is something half of this world is dreaming...that is to own a merchedes benz or you can call it as people passion car.their are reason why this is so widely loved and dreamed.

grand look,flow like air and above all its pickup makes it a real match winner.no other car has been able to generate the hype that she has generated and it seems floating when in top gear and then u can feel that what ’sky beneath your feet means’.

its also a dream of mine to own one,do u have the same dream?

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

This is something half of this world is dreaming...that is to own a merchedes benz or you can call it as people passion car.their are reason why this is so widely loved and dreamed.

grand look,flow like air and above all its pickup makes it a real match winner.no other car has been able to generate the hype that she has generated and it seems floating when in top gear and then u can feel that what 'sky beneath your feet means'.

its also a dream of mine to own one,do u have the same dream?

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

My inlaws gave me this car and I was wondering if I could maintain it , but to my surprise its so cool to maintain also that I could only say that MANSEDI (They gave it with their full heart).

This car is so good to drive and comfortable that u dont feel like leaving the car and drive it ur own.

I ask my driver to sit while I drive, and he is on wheel only for parking.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.