Test drive Mercedes Benz E-class w211 2002-2006 sedan

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Mercedes E200K - limousine for every day
 
Only the person who works a lot can evaluate this car. I came to this conclusion, having spent a couple of weeks driving a brown sedan with a three -beam star on the hood. Is some loafer able to fully enjoy the impeccable comfort and special smoothness that distinguish Stuttgart cars from any others? No, not capable of, because he has nothing to relax from. Meanwhile, these features of the business class auto class themselves are already taking off the accumulated fatigue. E-class makes it possible to relax at the wheel. Moreover, it does not matter at all whether you are driving quickly or drag yourself in a traffic jam, the sun outside the window or a gloomy sky. That is why I consider Mercedes an excellent option for a businessman, and a very suitable vehicle for corporate parks - as a personal car for middle and senior managers. In the latter case, it makes sense to take a closer look at the E200K version.
 
Image and pragmatism
 
This version is the simplest, rather economical, there is nothing in it that may seem extra loans manager, but there is the main thing - all the main qualities and image of the Mercedes E -class. First of all, a solid appearance. We have already talked about this model after restyling (AI No. 11, 2006), so I only note: the appearance of W211 has gained additional expressiveness, a certain acuteness that emphasizes the potential of the car itself and, I would say, the consciously disinterior lifestyle of its owner. It contains both recognizable classical motifs and features that speak of obvious aspiration to the future. In fact, I recall that in 2002, two thousand changes were made in 2002, although this is least noticeable in the exterior.
 
The salon was not very transformed, it is still ergonomic and comfort. The modernized block of the climate control system with a separate display is noteworthy, and the steering wheel made in a new design with oval blocks of control systems-music, navigation, cruise control, telephone, etc. Here I personally especially liked two things. Firstly, the ability to display exhausting road information on a round display inside the speedometer - about the time after the start, medium speed and fuel consumption, the amount of kilometers before refueling and air temperature overboard. Moreover, at the same time. Secondly, the secret niche in the lower part of the central console: pressed on a chrome strip key under the emergency stop triangle, and the panel drives forward and upwards up and up, freeing the shelf, which, in theory, no one should know. Need or not such a hiding place, but cool!
 
In itself, the decoration of the e-class cannot but rejoice: excellent leather upholstery, high-quality soft plastic, wooden decor, excellent sound insulation. Plus a wide range of seats and steering column adjustments. You feel at home, or in your personal account, where every thing is in your place, everything you need - at hand. And this feeling of comfort does not leave you for a second.
 
Drive without tension
 
For a working person, this, in my opinion, is very important - not particularly strain, driving a car. Which does not mean a boring drive at all. Not at all: E200K will move as the driver wants. The engine equipped with a compressor has become more powerful, it now gives out 184 forces, providing quite decent dynamics. Automatic transmission is the simplest, 5-speed, not 7G-Tronic, as in some other versions. But for an office mobile, in my opinion, it is quite suitable. The box does not suffer with thoughtfulness, it is possible to switch the programs manually, there is a sports regime. Honestly, I quickly refused this regime: the automatic transmission is already adaptive, reacts to the supply of gas quite adequately, and to maintain always increased revolutions in normal driving mode, it seems. And besides, the comfort mode somehow corresponds to the nature and image of the car. Competitions from a traffic light with some flight - this is not fun for the owner of Mercedes.
 
As for fuel consumption, 8.9 liters per 100 km are, of course, too bold assumption, not for Moscow. Only on weekends, the consumption was less than 10 liters, on weekdays it was at the level of 13 liters, and during the peak hours he reached 15 and even 17 liters per hundred kilometers of mileage. There is nothing surprising in this if you move at an average speed of 15 km/h a couple of hours in a row, and even jerking.
 
The most kind words deserve a suspension - again, the usual, and not the active hydropneumatic Airmatic DC, which has several modes and makes it possible to change the clearance. Ordinary, but well -tuned, silent, providing comfortable movement and at the same time unable to frighten the body rolls in the most desperate turns. On the highway and at good speed, it guarantees an excellent, as already noted, smoothness and the amazing stability of the car. By the way, the e-class almost painlessly transfers not only tram crossings, but also the notorious rut. To knock it out of the course can be too deep ruts. That is, the suspension is thoroughly finalized in comparison with the dorestyling version of the sedan.
 
The settings of the steering have also changed - it has become noticeably sharper and informative. The sense of connection with the road does not disappear for a moment; At small and at high speeds, you know exactly what angle should the steering wheel turn. In other words, the E-class Mercedes, including E200K, pleases with handling. If desired, it can be turned into a truly driver. But, I repeat, it was created more for relaxation on the road, and not for racing, although it can move very quickly.
 
All constructive changes in the suspension and steering, along with some other innovations, were included in the so-called Direct Control package, which the buyer of any version of the E-class can now count on. As well as the adaptive brake system Adaptive Brake (above praise!), And to the PRE-SAFE security complex, which until now was available only to S-class owners.
 
I can assume that when buying such a Mercedes to the company's fleet, the list of options will hardly be thoroughly studied. But one of them - the new Intelligent Light System - I would venture to recommend. Very useful, and first of all - from the point of view of security - a system. Especially in the winter Moscow twilight. The point is not only that she knows how to direct the luminous flow towards the turn. The complex of bixenon and fog headlights, depending on road and weather conditions, automatically changes the direction, length and width of the light beam. The opportunity not to strain vision, especially after a day near the computer, believe me, is worth a lot.
 
Return to the position
 
With the restyled version of the E-class Mercedes, it seems that the leadership in the segment of the business class sedans segment. Of course, competitors are not asleep, but this car seems to have everything you need to conquer market positions. And the price does not seem too high - from 43,800 euros, including VAT. A special series, which is now offered by dealers and is characterized by solid configuration, costs 44,900 euros.
 
The only thing that can somewhat disturb future owners is a rear -wheel drive in winter conditions. Well, there are all -wheel drive versions for this case. For example, E350 4MATIC. The snow just fell, so the reason and to look at it, which will be described in one of the closest AI numbers.
 
Text: Oleg Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 22 (111), 2006]