Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)


The Mercedes-Benz W211 is a chassis designation for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, produced from 2002 through 2009. The W211 models replaced the W210 E-Class models and were superseded by the Mercedes-Benz W212 in 2009. The car was available in two body types: Sedan and Estate.
The C219, sold as the CLS "4-door coupe", was introduced as a niche model in 2005, and is based on the W211's mechanical package.
Launched in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model. Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men in Black II. The W211 development program began in 1997, followed by design work. The final designs were chosen in 1999 and German patents were later filed on December 18, 2000 utilizing an E 500 prototype. Development ended in 2001 after 48 months of development at a total cost €2 billion. Pilot production went into testing in the summer of 2001, the W211 E-Class debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2002.

2003–2006

The third generation E-Class debuted at the 2002 European Motor Show Brussels featuring twin-headlights, angled slightly rearward. The 2003 E-Class was larger than its predecessors while offering less interior space, particularly in the estate version, than the W210 it replaced. It offered gasoline or diesel engines with a choice of rear or 4-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz claimed to have reduced the fuel consumption of the new E-Class by up to 0.9 litres per 100 km compared with the outgoing model though the official figures for some models were worse than the predecessor. The on-board computer of the W211 was more accurate than that of the W210 as it took into account stationary periods: consequently the W211 showed consumption of 7 to 10 mpg worse. In fact the cars use roughly the same amount of fuel.
The redesigned 2003 model featured electrohydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control, which was standard equipment in the E-Class. Options included multicontour front seats and AIRMATIC DC air suspension system.
The multicontour seat automatically adapts to the current driving situation, while the air suspension uses microelectronics to control both springing and damping. Airmatic was standard equipment in the top-of-the-range E 500 V8 model and was available as an option on all other E-Class models. The W211 is a more complex car than its predecessor with a programmable serial bus and many automated systems.
The 2003 E-Class was manufactured in a 4-door sedan or 5-door station wagon body style; the three existing equipment lines – Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde – continue as before, offering different features to meet varying customer requirements. The W211 is also the first E-Class since 1985 that is equipped with two windshield wipers.
The transmission options were 5 or 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. The manufacturer's cylinder options were V6, V8, with up to 24-valves, and the Inline-4 or Supercharged Inline-4. Engine outputs of the E 240 and E 270 models had both risen 5 kW to 130 kW, while the E 500 borrowed the 225 kW 5.0-litre V8 from the S-Class to supersede the E 430. The E 320 remained unchanged, with the V6 pumping out 165 kW of power.

E 320 CDI

The E 320 CDI used the in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine, OM648, that made at 3,800 rpm and at 1,600–2,800 rpm.
Engines were updated as a part of facelift process and new 320 CDI was a 2987 cc V6 delivering 224 hp at 3,800 rpm.

E 400 CDI

The E 400 CDI used Mercedes-Benz's OM628 V8 diesel engine, that made at 4,000 rpm and at 1,700–2,600 rpm.

E 55 AMG (2003–2006)

The second generation E 55 AMG debuted in September 2002 at the Paris Motor Show. It debuted as the fastest production sedan in the world. The E 55 AMG was also offered in an estate version for later model years.

E 55 Powertrain

The E 55 AMG is powered by the M113 ML55 engine, a 5.4 L V8 with a Lysholm type supercharger manufactured by IHI. The E 55's engine won International Performance Engine of the Year for 2003. The E 55's engine, although the same as the one in the SL55 AMG, had less horsepower, at and of torque. The difference in power is due to a smaller-diameter, longer-length exhaust system in the E 55.
The supercharged 5.4 L V8 engine was mated to the Speedshift 5-speed automatic transmission, which has a torque capacity of, as the newer 7G-Tronic introduced in 2003 is limited to, not enough to handle the torque from the supercharged V8.

E 55 suspension, brakes, wheels & tires

E 55 came with an AMG tuned Airmatic suspension with 3 different driving modes as well as the ability to significantly raise the car. The E 55 features 14.2 inch cross drilled disc brakes at the front with 8 piston calipers. The rear brakes consist of 13 inch discs and 4 piston calipers. The E 55 came with 245/40/18 tires up front and 265/35/18 in the rear with performance tires on the standard AMG 18" split spoke wheels.

E 55 Performance

Car and Driver reported in their testing that the E 55 AMG was faster than the SL55 AMG. The E 55 AMG was the fastest four door car in Mercedes-Benz's lineup at the time, and easily outperformed its rivals. While the E 55 could accelerate from 0-100 mph in 9.8 seconds, it took the Audi RS6 11 seconds. The E 55 was the fastest production sedan available until Mercedes-Benz released the S65 AMG. However, Car and Driver criticized the brakes on the E 55, chastising them for being difficult to modulate, and said that the car as a whole felt 'aloof'.
Car and Driver also tested an E 55 AMG Wagon, which weighs more than the sedan. They found that it accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and 0-100 mph in 9.7 seconds.
The E 55 was a sales success, being the best selling AMG until the release of the C 63 AMG.

2006–2009 (mid-generational refresh)

The W211 was updated in 2006 for the 2007 model year, to address quality and technical issues raised by earlier models. There was new standard and optional equipment, which enabled the W211 to hold its own against its competitors. Sensotronic was dropped due to customer complaints about its software, while Pre-Safe was made standard. The announced vehicle was unveiled at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. In total, 29 model variants were available, with 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. New standard equipment included PRE-SAFE active protection, NECK-PRO head restraints, flashing brake lights, tyre pressure monitor. The optional Intelligent Light System included bi-xenon headlamps and 5 different lighting functions. The bodies were restyled including the front grill, rear view mirror, side mirrors, redesigned headlamps, front spoiler, rear lights, gear knob and steering wheel.
Coinciding with the minor model update, the largest factory built engine in the E-class range, the E 500, had its engine size increased from 5 litres to 5.5 litres in 2006.

E 63 AMG (2007–2009)

The E 63 AMG was the refreshed high-performance model of the W211, replacing the E 55 AMG. Besides the Saloon, it was also offered in the Estate body style similarly to the E 55 AMG estate model to compete with the new wagon versions of the BMW M5 and Audi RS6, though those two high-performance wagons were never sold in North America.
This engine had a high-pressure die-cast alloy cylinder block with twin-wire arc spray coated running surfaces. Compression ratio is 11.3:1. According to many auto journalists, the E 63 AMG was one of the quickest production sports sedans in the world. Both the sedan and wagon had a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 4.3 seconds. Compared to the previous E 55 AMG, the E 63 AMG had more horsepower but less torque, enabling it to be mated to the newer 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
While the E 500 and E 550 had the standard Mercedes Airmatic DC suspension with adaptive damping, the E 63 AMG had the AMG-tuned Airmatic suspension which with the stability control turned off gave it far better driving dynamics than its non-AMG predecessors.
The AMG Performance package P030 added electronic speed limiter deletion, limited-slip rear differential, Alcantara sports steering wheel, stiffer valving Airmatic suspension over the standard AMG tuned Airmatic, AMG 5-spoke multi-piece wheels, and optional AMG carbon fibre trim.

E-Guard (2006–2009)

The E-Guard was an armoured version with category B4 protection level. Engine choices included E 320 CDI, E 350, and E 500. The vehicles were reinforced with steel and aramid. Other safety equipment included Michelin MOExtended run-flat tyres with pressure loss warning system. All models had a top speed of.

E 320/300 Bluetec (2007–2009)

Direct Injection with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, launched in the US as the E 320 BlueTEC in 2007 and in Europe as the E 300 BlueTEC in 2008. The W211 never had a urea injection system throughout its production. The Bluetec name was only adopted to have consistency between the petrol and diesel nomenclature.

Mechanical

Engines

There was a wider range of engines available in Europe than North America and other markets.
Optional equipment:
5-Speed Automatic – code 42/3 in the data-card;
7-Speed Automatic – code
2/7 in the data-card;
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 220 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 270 CDI6-speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI5-Speed Automatic-
E 320 CDI5-Speed Automatic-
E 400 CDI5-Speed Automatic-
E 200 KOMPRESSOR6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 2406-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 240 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 3205-Speed Automatic-
E 3507-speed Automatic -
E 350 4MATIC5-speed Automatic-
E 5007-speed Automatic -
E 500 4MATIC5-speed Automatic-
E 55 AMG5-speed Automatic-

From 07/2005:
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 220 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI6-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic
E 320 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 320 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 200 KOMPRESSOR6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 2806-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 3507-Speed Automatic -
E 350 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 5007-Speed Automatic -
E 500 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 55 AMG5-speed Automatic-

From 09/2005:
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 220 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI6-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 320 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 320 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 420 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 200 KOMPRESSOR6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 2806-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 3507-Speed Automatic -
E 350 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 5007-Speed Automatic -
E 500 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 55 AMG5-speed Automatic-

From 01/2006:
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 220 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI6-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 320 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 320 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 420 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 200 KOMPRESSOR6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 2806-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 3507-Speed Automatic -
E 350 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 5007-Speed Automatic -
E 500 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 63 AMG7-speed Automatic -

From 09/2007:
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 220 CDI6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI6-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 300 BlueTEC 7-Speed Automatic -
E 320 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 320 CDI 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 420 CDI7-Speed Automatic -
E 200 KOMPRESSOR6-Speed Manual5-Speed Automatic
E 200 NGT5-Speed Automatic-rpmrpmrpm
E 2306-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic
E 2806-Speed Manual7-Speed Automatic
E 280 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 3507-Speed Automatic -
E 350 CGI 7-Speed Automatic -
E 350 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 5007-Speed Automatic -
E 500 4MATIC5-Speed Automatic-
E 63 AMG7-speed Automatic -

From 04/2008:
The same, except:
ModelStandardOptional
E 200 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY5-Speed Automatic-

Safety

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

Sales

On 19 December 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced it had delivered 1.5 million units of W211 E-Class vehicles, with 1,270,000 sedans and 230,000 wagons.
US and Germany sales
US Calendar YearSales
200355,683
200458,954
200550,383
200650,195
200748,950
200838,576