The Mercedes-Benz W210 is an executive car which was produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1995 through 2002 (production of the wagon variant (codenamed S210) carried over to the 2003 model year). They were sold under the E-Class model names in both sedan (saloon) and station wagon (estate) body types. W210 development started in 1988, three years after the W124's introduction. The W210 E-class's appearance, which was designed by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1989 and 1991, heralded a new design idiom for Mercedes, which would continue until the W209 CLK. W210 design work was frozen in May 1992 and developed for a show vehicle by late 1992. This design was previewed on the 1993 Coupé Concept shown at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1993. Design patents for both the Coupé Concept and the W210 E-Class were filed on 25 February 1993 in Germany and 25 August 1993 in the US.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

On 21 July 1998, design patents were filed on an updated W210 (designed in 1997).^[12][13][14] As a result, for the 2000 model year, a new multi-function information system was incorporated into the instrument cluster below the speedometer, and the introduction of steering wheel controls for the audio/navigation/phone system. In addition, the 5-speed automatic transmission introduced "Touch Shift," which used the +/- gate positions for semi-manual control of the gearbox. This electronic system replaced the previous gated shift arrangement and simplified gear changes. Exterior changes included a revised front with a steeper rake, similar to the CLK, and restyled bumpers and lower body trim; additionally, sedans received new taillights, while the wagon's tailgate was redesigned, moving the CHMSL from the base of the rear window to directly above it in the underside of a small integral spoiler lip. The final W210 production included the E 320 and E 430 special editions released in two exterior colors - quartz silver (limited edition), obsidian black, and with Xenon lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and black maple walnut trim. Estate cars (sedans optionally) had Citroen-like self-leveling rear suspension with suspension struts rather than shock absorbers, gas-filled suspension spheres to provide damping and an under bonnet pressurizing pump. Unlike the traditional Citroën application Mercedes opted for a fixed ride height and employed rear coil springs to maintain the static ride height when parked.

It was the first Mercedes-Benz production car featuring Xenon headlamps (including dynamic headlamp range control, only low beam).^[15]

This was the first time a V6 engine was offered (model year 1998) to replace the straight-six configuration (1995–1997). This new Mercedes-Benz M112 engine produced 164 kW (223 PS; 220 hp) and 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) of torque and offered a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) of 6.9 seconds. Other offerings were the E 420 (1997), E 430 (1998–2002), and E 55 AMG (1999–2002) with 260 kW (354 PS; 349 hp)^[16] and a 5.4 L normally aspirated engine. In North America, the range also features two diesels, including both non-turbocharged (1996–1997) and turbocharged (1998–1999) 3.0 litre straight-six units. In 1999, Mercedes-Benz discontinued diesel powerplants in the E-class in North America. In Europe, the diesel engines were superseded by more advanced Common Rail (CDI) units (2000–2002). The CDI engines were not offered in North America until the E 320 CDI in the newer W211 model.

Gasoline Engines for North American Market and Curb Weight.

Diesel for North American Market.

The early four and six-cylinder W210 E-Class carried over the 4-speed 722.4 automatic from the previous W124 generation E-Class. In 1996, Mercedes installed in the E-class its electronically controlled model "722.6" five-speed automatic transmission, a gearbox introduced in 1991 that was also available as an upgrade option in some of the six-cylinder W124 models. The 722.6 transmission is now used in a number of Daimler-Chrysler (Now Daimler only.) vehicles.^[17]

A five-speed manual is also available, although after the facelift in 1999, it was replaced by a six-speed manual. The 5-speed transmission was marketed as "sealed for life"; however, Mercedes dealers now recommend changing the fluid at regular intervals.

The W210 chassis originally came with one of the following OEM wheel setups:

ET is the German abbreviation for Einpresstiefe or offset, where the number is in mm and indicates the amount of offset. This ETxx is stamped on the inside of OEM rims for easy reference.

The bolt pattern is 5x112 (12 mm x 1.5 lugs), with an offset range of 30–40 mm, a wheel size range of 16"x6.0" to 20"x8.5". This is the same bolt pattern as most Mercedes, including the previous E-Class (W124). The newer Mercedes, including the 2003 (W211) to the present E-Class (W213), have 14 mm ball seats, making the wheels interchangeable only with the use of aftermarket lugs that combine a 14 mm ball seat (also known as "R14", the "R" meaning radius) with a 12 mm thread.

There were four engines that AMG installed in the W210. The first was the E 36, M104.995, launched in 1996 for select markets then the M119.980 in the E 50 AMG produced from early 1996 until late 1997. This model was assembled in Affalterbach under the one man one engine philosophy, only available in left hand drive European markets although many were exported to Japan from new. It is estimated around 2,800 E 50’s were ever produced in its limited production run. There was also an option for the M119.980 V8 that was bored out to 6.0L and increased power to 381 PS (280 kW; 376 hp) the cars these were fitted to were designated as the E 60 and came in sedan and wagon varieties. A limited edition 6.3L version, also badged E 60 AMG were built in 1996 generating 405 PS (298 kW; 399 hp) and 454 ft⋅lbf (616 N⋅m) of torque. In 1998 came the M113 powered E 55 which used a 5.4L V8 SOHC 24V to produce 354 PS (260 kW; 349 hp) and 391 ft⋅lbf (530 N⋅m) of torque.

The body styling on all of the W210 AMG models was the same until 2000 when a facelift and interior upgrades were implemented. The W210 E 55 was the last vehicle for which a major portion of production took place at AMG in Affalterbach. Production was actually split between Affalterbach and the Bremen Mercedes Benz facility until the end of 2001.

The rarest of all AMG models due to low productions numbers worldwide, the European-spec E 36 was produced from 1990 - 1993 W124 and 1996 - 1997 W210 and was not available in the US market. In Australia, they cost upwards of AUD $185,000 (new) and there were only 49 units sold, making them a very rare and sought-after car amongst enthusiasts.

Production Figures: <400 (production models).

Performance

The E 36 looks identical to the E 55 (pre-facelift).

The European-spec E 50 was only produced for the 1997 model year. The E 50 was not available on the US market. This model is becoming very desirable for collectors due to its rarity.

Production Figures: ~2,870 (production models).

Engine

(Same engine used in the S500/C, SL500, with tuned exhaust and cylinder head)

Transmission

Performance

The 1998 and 1999 E 55 are identical to the E 50 (pre-facelift).

The 2001 model year E 55 was a rare version of the W210 E 55 AMG, of which only 653 units were produced in 2001. It has a 5.5-liter V8 that produces 354 hp (359 PS; 264 kW) and 391 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m) of torque. Various road tests revealed ranges of 0–60 mph (97 km/h) times in 4.8-5.3 seconds and quarter-mile times in 13.3–13.5 seconds at around 105–107 mph (169–172 km/h).

Common items were AMG exclusive "Condor" leather, black birdseye maple interior wood trim, AMG monoblock staggered 18-inch wheels and tires, AMG sport suspension, AMG brakes, AMG/Avantgarde front and rear body aprons with "dynamic" side skirts, AMG body shell modification, HID xenon headlights, Avantgarde fog lamps, heated multicontour AMG sport seats with power and memory, multifunction computer, automatic climate control system, Bose premium sound system, power tilt and telescoping leather-covered AMG multifunction sport steering wheel, power glass sunroof, power rear sun shade, and blue glass. Most of these items were standard in North America.

The W210 E 55 was produced for 5 years 1998 through 2002 with a facelift in 2000. Production Figures. ~12,000 accounted for (production Models). 3000 per year. 500 per year imported to North America.

Engine

Transmission

Performance

Suspension

Brakes Hydraulic dual-circuit braking system with vacuum servo unit, disk brakes, internally ventilated, two piece front "floating" rotors and 2-piston front floating calipers.

Steering

Wheels and tires (tyres)

Dimensions and weight

Options available Power adjustable front seats, power tilt & telescoping leather-covered AMG sport steering wheel, leather upholstery, leather shift knob, 5 speed automatic transmission, Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability System (ESP), automatic climate control with charcoal filter, heated front seats, heated rear seats, front and side airbags, power windows, metallic paint, xenon HID headlamps. Most of the options were standard in North America.

Suspension

The W210 was available with factory armoring, these cars were known as GUARD versions and were available with 2 different levels of armored protection, B4 or B6.

The E 320 and E 430 were offered with B4 armoring and the E 430 and E 420 with B6.^[18]

Features of Guard include:

• ISOCLIMA bullet proof glass.

• no sunroof

• driver's glass with partial opening, all other windows are fixed

• Full reinforced structure and suspension to hold extra weight

• SLS (self leveling rear suspension)

• Microphone with external speaker (optional)

• Users manual includes a Special Protected Vehicles B4/B6 booklet

• Datacard codes for GUARD lists 979- Safety Version added with Z04- B4 Reinforcement on Special Protection Version or Z06- B6 Reinforcement on Special Protection Version

In 1998, Mercedes-Benz reintroduced the 4Matic all-wheel drive system in the US on the W210, although it was previously available in some European territories. Although this 4Matic system shares its name with the 90's 4MATIC system of the W124 300E, the system was totally redesigned and simplified. Rather than using the clutches and couplings of the earlier design, Mercedes opted to use three open differentials: front, center, and rear. The front suspension design of the 4Matic-equipped models is different to the rear wheel drive models and makes some replacement parts (such as shock absorbers) more expensive.

The customers can request the E 55 AMG with 4Matic option. More than 1500 units have been built to order, making it one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Some known problems include the front spring perch has corroded and tearing away from the inner fender (wing), causing the front suspension to collapse. (4Matic models are not believed to be affected.) Other problems include defective harmonic balancer pulleys (recall), rust on trunk lid near latch, rust on Mercedes emblem on front hood, rust on door frames under window seals (recall), rust on front wings just above bumper, defective mass airflow meter, melted rear light bulb sockets, defective blower motor regulators, and rear window regulator failures.

Harmonic Balancer - Some M112 and M113 engines used in W210 models were equipped with a harmonic balancer pulley which, due to a supplier quality problem, may fail and cause engine damage. If the rubber insert of the harmonic balancer pulley delaminates, the pulley may grind through the timing chain cover and oil pan, causing several thousand dollars of damage. Mercedes-Benz USA issued Service Campaign #2005-020003^[19] which included inspection of the part and replacement if necessary at no cost. The part number on the harmonic balancer pulley can be compared to those given to Mercedes-Benz dealers in the Service Campaign notice^[20] to determine if the part is a faulty original or has been replaced with the updated part. Replacement of the faulty part with the updated part should be a permanent solution to this problem.

Blower Motor Regulator - If this part fails, the climate control fan will not operate faster than approximately 50% power. Mercedes updated the regulator to improve its reliability, but the redesigned regulator requires the installation of a new blower motor. The old-style regulator, which is compatible with the existing blower motor, is no longer manufactured. The blower motor regulator may be replaced with the much less expensive W140 S-class blower regulator, provided that the E-class wiring harness is re-attached to the S-class regulator.^[21]

Front Sway Bar Drop Links - While not a serious concern, most E-classes end up with a sub 35 mph (56 km/h) clicking or rattling sound from the front end. This is usually due to worn out front-end sway-bar drop links. These can easily be replaced by anybody with minor knowledge of vehicle DIY, for no more than around £20.^[22]

Front Spring Perches - Some owners have reported rust problems on the front spring perches - the top perches, which hold the tops of the springs for the front suspension. The perches are spot welded to the chassis, and factory coated in a weatherproof mastic to stop their rusting, however in some rare occurrences, water gets behind the mastic causing the perches to rust and eventually to fail - leading to collapse of the suspension. The car remains controllable. This is a problem that Mercedes USA have acknowledged. The problem is not identifiable without first removing the mastic to check.

Body corrosion - Most model year versions of the W210 displayed body rust, notably on European-sold cars. Rust would sometimes appear spontaneously on panels such as doors and roofs on cars less than a year old. In response to this problem, the manufacturer would in some cases change or repair the affected panels under warranty or good will.^[23] Mercedes-Benz has been criticized in the European press for not officially acknowledging this problem. This was due to problems introducing water-based paint technology within the German automobile industry, between the years 1998-2002.

Window regulators - The power window regulator, essentially the mechanism that transfers power from the electric motor to the window, has a few plastic parts that can fail after several years causing the power window to stop operating.^[24]

Cylinder Head Gasket - The cylinder head gasket on the M104 is known to fail, causing an oil leak at the rear of the cylinder head.^[25]

Differential Bushing - The rear IRS differential bushing wears rapidly during high performance driving and cornering.

Diesel injection distributor pump - The OM604 engines (E 200D and E 220D) were equipped with an electronically controlled injection pump from Lucas. The seals of the Lucas injection pumps become brittle over time and leak. The electromechanics have also been known to fail. Since the replacement of the entire injection pump is very expensive, a repair kit is offered in which the affected seals are replaced. Failed Lucas pumps are also commonly replaced with Bosch pumps from W124.

The W210 models replaced the W124 E-Class models after 1995, launching in mainland Europe in September 1995 and in the United States on November 8, 1995. W210 sedans were replaced by the W211 E-Class after 2002, and wagons/estates changed body style to the W211 after 2003.