1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

Conservative Mercedes-Benz has given its newest car line a pretty wild-looking face in a bid to grab younger buyers and to increase sales.

In fact, most comments I've read and heard about the revamped 1996 Mercedes E-Class mid-size sedan line concern the front end, which was totally unexpected from the generally stolid automaker.

No wonder. With four oval headlights and pontoon-style fenders, the front end of the longer, wider, taller E-Class has a daring ``retro'' look, which Mercedes hopes will appeal to more car buyers under 50 years old.

Mercedes, which hasn't changed the E-Class for 10 years, hopes it doesn't share Ferrari's 1960s styling experience. In 1964, Italy's genius stylist, Pininfarina, gave the front end of the new Ferrari 330GT an unconventional look with a baroque cluster of twin headlights on each side.

Pininfarina's Ferrari bodies always had been works of art. But the 330GT front-end styling lasted just one year before public opinion forced the stylist to give the car a conventional front with two headlights.

It's doubtful that the front end of the roomier E-Class will ``bomb'' because, as cars have come to look increasingly alike, buyers--especially younger people--are opting for autos with a distinctive appearance.

``Overall, the E-Class design is intended to evoke the [sporty] feel of a coupe in a thoroughly practical sedan,'' Mercedes says.

The old E-Class was stodgier, but still had many fans. It has been Mercedes' top seller--both here and overseas--with sales of 2.6 million units over the last 10 years.

Moreover, the 1996 E-Class cars actually cost less than their 1995 counterparts, when prices are adjusted for standard equipment. And everything is new, except for the engine, transmission and multi-link rear suspension, which has been modified.

The 217-horsepower E320, which I recently tested, lists at $43,500, which is the same price as the outgoing 1995 model. Adjusted for equipment, there is a 5.7 percent price reduction. The 134-horsepower E300 Diesel stickers at $39,900 for an 8.8 percent reduction and the upcoming 275-horsepower E420 will go for $49,900, for a price cut of nearly 10 percent.

Said Mercedes executive Mike Jackson, ``Our 1996 model line, led by the new E-Class, explodes myths of the marketplace, such as `If you want value, buy Japanese,' or `If you want styling, it's got to be Jaguar; performance, BMW; features, Lexus.''' The new E-Class has higher performance and more standard features than its predecessor. Safety items include the industry's first door-mounted side air bags. It also has standard dual front air bags, anti-lock brakes and traction control.

A clever item in the characteristically sober leather-and-wood Mercedes interior is a driver's door panel switch that tilts and telescopes the steering wheel. The anti-theft system's infrared signal changes each time doors are locked via the remote entry system to prevent thieves from copying the code.

The old E-Class was the benchmark for other automakers in areas such as body rigidity, but the new E320 feels even more solid. It also drives better than the old model, thanks to items such as a new double-wishbone front suspension that keeps the tires better tied to the road than the 1995 model's strut layout. In addition, new rack-and-pinion steering provides better on-center steering feel, although it seems almost too light above 55 m.p.h.

The ride is supple and smooth, braking is impressive and handling is excellent, thanks partly to bigger wheels and tires. For years, Mercedes wheels and tires were too small for its mid-size sedans.

As usual with Mercedes, the steering is a bit slow to give the E320 a smooth, relaxed feel. The steering wheel has been reduced in size, but still feels oversized, which long has been the case with Mercedes wheels.

The more refined new model easily seats four tall adults, but the rear-wheel-drive auto's center driveline hump prevents a third adult from comfortably sitting in the back. The fairly large trunk has a low opening to prevent strain while loading and unloading cargo.

The 130-m.p.h. E320 has a fairly small 3.2-liter six-cylinder, but the smooth overhead-camshaft, 24-valve engine has enough power and torque to move the fairly heavy, 3,605-pound car from 0-60 m.p.h. in a quick 7.4 seconds. The six also allows easy merging into fast traffic and quick passes on highways. The E320 could run all day at 100 m.p.h. without working hard.

The smooth-shifting four-speed automatic overdrive transmission has a fair amount of gear whine during initial acceleration but helps it deliver an EPA-estimated 19 m.p.g. in the city and 26 on highways.

Mercedes worked long and hard to make the new E-Class line a worthy successor to the previous line. The effort shows.