2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

Two generations of the popular Mercedes-Benz E-Class six-cylinder model were sold for more than a decade with only a slight power increase, which shows an automaker can get away with a lot if it offers a sound car with a prestigious nameplate.

The first E-Class arrived for 1994 as the E320 with an inline 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine generating 217 horsepower. The last E320 is a 2005 model with a 221-horsepower V-6.

It's rather amazing that it took 11 years for Mercedes to add four horsepower to a six-cylinder engine without suffering a major sales decline. In fact, the entire E-Class is the world's most successful luxury car line and represents about 25 percent of total Mercedes sales in America.

Mercedes has offered the mid-size E-Class with potent V-8s, and still does. A highly fuel-efficient turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel engine also is available for this car, which continues to be offered as a sedan and station wagon. However, the bread-and-butter E-Class always has been available with six cylinders, which is why Mercedes has given its early 2006 E-Class six-cylinder model a larger new 24-valve V-6 with 268 horsepower.

The all-aluminum V-6 also has more torque for better responsiveness during American driving conditions than the old 18-valve V-6. Maximum torque is available from a fairly low 2,400 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm, with 87 percent of its maximum torque at 1,500 rpm, which is near the engine's idle speed. The E320 was a bit slow off the line -- but not the E350.

The new six-cylinder E-Class model is called the E350 because of the increase in engine displacement from 3.2 to 3.5 liters. This is the same dual-overhead-camshaft V-6 used in Mercedes' SLK sports car, redesigned for 2005.

Unlike most Americans, owners of prestigious cars in Europe are more interested in high-speed punch than a fast 0-60 mph time, which generally indicates how well a car does during merging and passing on U.S. roads.

The 2006 E350 hits 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, compared with 7.4 seconds for the 2005 E320. That might not seem like a lot unless you're a car buff, but the E350 feels appreciably stronger from a standing start and during routine driving.

The same engine in the two-seat SLK provides faster acceleration, but that's to be expected with the smaller sports car because it weighs about 500 pounds less than the E350 sedan I tested.

The new engine also has a higher compression ratio than its predecessor, a two-stage intake manifold and variable valve timing for better responsiveness and slightly better fuel economy: an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway with a five-speed automatic transmission and 19 and 27 with Mercedes' new seven-speed automatic.

Too bad the E320's smooth, fairly quiet, smoke-free 201-horsepower turbo diesel isn't offered for the E350; it delivers an estimated 27 city, 37 highway, but isn't available in California or four Northeastern states because of more stringent emissions regulations.

The E350 comes with rear-drive or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The more efficient seven-speed automatic comes only with the rear-drive model because there's no room for the larger seven-speed unit and the all-wheel-drive system.

My test car had all-wheel drive, and thus only the five-speed transmission; it's responsive, but not as good as the seven-speed unit. Both transmissions have a manual shift gate, which probably will not be used much in Chicago area driving.

The E350 sedan lists at $50,050 with rear-drive and at $52,550 with all-wheel drive, which offers lots of extra winter traction. The rear-drive wagon costs $52,300 and is $54,800 with all-wheel drive.

The E320 always has been a solid, good-handling sedan. It's never been as sporty as rivals from, say, BMW, but was always meant to be a mainstream Mercedes -- positioned between the automaker's entry C-Class and top-line S-Class models.

However, feeling the heat from sporty competitors, Mercedes has made the rear-drive E350 available with a $4,900 AMG Sport package from the automaker's hot rod AMG unit. The package contains such items as a sculpted front air dam, dual chrome exhaust tips and high performance tires on wider, specially designed wheels.

My test car had the $3,960 Appearance package, which makes more sense than the AMG Sport option. It contains aerodynamic body cladding under the doors for a lower appearance and an "active cornering" headlight system that adjusts headlight direction in response to the car's steering angle and speed. The package also has leather seats, unique wood interior trim, an air-spring suspension with driver-adjustable shock absorber firmness and wider tires on larger wheels.

Does an E350 buyer need any of that stuff? Probably not, although wider factory wheels and tires help roadability. The car looks pretty sleek and is well-equipped with comfort and convenience items.

Standard safety features include front and rear side air bags and curtain side air bags, antilock all-disc brakes with a brake assist feature for sudden stops, along with traction control and antiskid systems.

The E350 is no sports sedan, but it's rock-solid, with quick steering and ride and handling that are quite good. The brakes feel a bit touchy, with nonlinear pedal action, but most drivers should get used to them.

The E350's quiet, posh interior offers comfortable space for four tall adults. Five fit, but the rear seat has a hard center that's best occupied by a large fold-down armrest that contains two cupholders.

Gauges are easily read, but the large speedometer is flanked by a clock to its left and a tachometer to its right; the clock should be in the center of the contoured dashboard.

Also, sound-system controls are rather complicated, and interior storage space for small items is average.

The sedan's large trunk has a low, wide opening, but its lid pops up abruptly on old-style manual hinges, although they're enclosed to prevent cargo damage.

Mercedes has suffered from some quality issues, but its three-pointed star emblem still shines brightly and resale value of its E-Class cars remains high.

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

PRICES
$50,050-$54,800

LIKES
Better engine. Roomy. Good roadability. Solid. Available all-wheel drive.

DISLIKES
Complicated audio controls. Touchy brake pedal. Clock in wrong dashboard spot.