GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Mercedes-Benz - E-class - E350 sedan range

The Car

2 Mar 2005

MERCEDES-BENZ has increased the performance and efficiency of its largest V6-engined E-Class.

Dubbed E350, it replaces the E320 in the two-and-a-half year-old W211 range.

The all-new 3.498-litre V6, first seen here in the latest-generation SLK350 late last year, produces 200kW of power and 350Nm of torque – with the latter arriving as low as 2500rpm.

This compares to the outgoing E320’s 165kW and 315Nm outputs.

It’s enough to propel the E350 sedan from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited 210km/h maximum speed.

That’s 0.8 seconds faster than the E320. The S211 E350 Estate does it in 7.1 seconds – a 1.4-second improvement.

Nevertheless, fuel use drops to 9.7L/100km for the E350 sedan and 9.9 for the wagon. These European consumption averages are down 0.2 and 0.7L/100km respectively.

A large part of this lightweight construction (with aluminium crankcase and cylinder-head) 24-valve quad-cam engine’s efficiency gains over its eight-year-old 18-valve V6 predecessor is the adoption of variable camshaft adjustment on both the intake and exhaust sides.

The engine speed can also determine the length of the intake manifold for optimum torque output – around 87 per cent from 1500rpm.

A newly developed ‘tumbling’ air-fuel mixing device at the end of the manifold’s intake ducts (christened "tumble flaps" by Mercedes) assist combustion for the benefit of fuel economy.

This, along with the fuel injection system, ignition and other various functions are controlled by a Bosch ME 9.7 engine management system that communicates and exchanges information with various other electronic control units.

Other noteworthy engine features include a 20 per cent reduction in the weight of the forged steel connecting rods, low-friction aluminium-silicon cylinder liner technology, a forged crankshaft fitted with four counterweights for reduced vibrations, and a balancer shaft between the cylinder banks for extra smoothness.

Aiding the E350’s fire, frugality and refinement is the adoption of Mercedes’ acclaimed (and world’s sole non-CVT) seven-speed automatic (7G-TRONIC), ousting the old five-speed auto in the E320.

Available with optional steering wheel-mounted gearshift buttons, Mercedes says the 7G-TRONIC’s intelligent shift control systems make the most of the new V6’s benefits via a wider spread of ratios.

The transmission also has the capability of shifting down as many as four gear ratios if conditions demand, rather than moving through a strict order of gears.

Compared to the old five-speeder, the 7G-TRONIC’s shift times are also measurably faster. Plus a torque converter lock-up clutch largely eliminates slip and thus power losses.

Meanwhile, mirroring BMW’s ‘Sport’ package is Mercedes’ own of the same name that’s due for a May debut as an option on all sedan and wagon petrol E-Classes bar the base E240 (meaning the E200 Kompressor, E350 and E500 V8).

It includes a firmer suspension configuration, more direct speed-dependent steering, a revised exhaust tune, new 18-inch alloy wheels on wide rubber, silver-painted brake callipers and perforated front disc brakes, and oval stainless steel exhaust pipes.

Inside there is a sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and some extra metallic and leather trim enhancements.

The Sport Package prices begin from $2000 depending on which model it is ordered with.

Additionally, an AMG sports package (18-inch wheels, exhaust tailpipes and floor mats) is also appearing from May, replacing the previous ‘Bodystyling’ package.

Both it and the new V6 engine are moves aimed at bolstering the E-Class’ appeal against a Japanese luxury segment invasion courtesy of this month’s all-new Lexus GS and Honda’s Mk4 Legend later on.

Sales inroads from the newer BMW 5 Series (which soon inherits a re-engineered, 190kW 530i) and the recently released and much-improved Audi A6 also has Mercedes on high alert, even though the W211 continues to lead its luxury segment.

Last year it managed 2520 units against the 5 Series’ 1982, 403 A6s, 266 Saab 9-5s, 231 Jaguar S-Types, 116 GS’, 61 Volvo S80s and just three of Honda’s ’96-vintage Legends.

Did you know?

Of the 6000-plus W211-generation models sold locally since August 2002, over 45 per cent have been that of its E320 predecessor, so the E350 has a big task ahead

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new E-class

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

E-class pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here