Mercedes-Benz W210
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1994–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2003) Magna Steyr (4MATIC models only)
Production	June 1994[1] – March 2003 (sedan) May 1995[2] – December 2002 (station wagon)
Model years	1996–2002 (North America) 1996–2002 (sedan) 1997–2003 (station wagon)
Assembly	Germany: Sindelfingen (sedan and station wagon[3][4]) Rastatt (sedan, until October 1996)[5] Austria: Graz (4MATIC models only)[6] Egypt: 6th of October City (EGA)[7] India: Pune (TELCO)[8] Mexico: Santiago Tianguistenco[9]
Designer	Steve Mattin *(1991: sedan, 1993: T-Modell) Bruno Sacco[10][11] (1991: sedan, 1993: T-Modell)
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan (W 210) 5-door station wagon (S 210)
Related	Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C208)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol I4 2.0 L M111 2.0 L M111 supercharger 2.3 L M111 2.3 L M111 supercharger I6 2.8 L M104 3.2 L M104 3.6 L M104 V6 2.4 L M112 2.6 L M112 2.8 L M112 3.2 L M112 V8 4.2 L M119 4.3 L M113 5.0 L M119 5.4 L M113 6.0 L M119 6.3 L M119 Diesel I4 2.0 L OM604 2.2 L OM604 2.2 L OM611 CDI I5 2.5 L OM605 2.5 L OM605 turbo 2.7 L OM612 CDI 2.9 L OM602 turbo I6 3.0 L OM606 3.0 L OM606 turbo 3.2 L OM613 CDI
Transmission	4-speed 4G-Tronic automatic 5-speed 4G-Tronic 722.5 automatic 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.5 in (2,832 mm)
Length	189.7 in (4,818 mm)
Width	70.8 in (1,798 mm)
Height	55.8 in (1,417 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W124
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W211

The Mercedes-Benz W210 is the internal designation for a range of executive cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz and marketed under the E-Class model name in both sedan/saloon (1995–2002) and station wagon/estate (1996–2003) configurations. W210 development started in 1988, three years after the W124's introduction.

The W210 was designed by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1988 and 1991, later being previewed on the 1993 Coupé Concept shown at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1993. The W210 was the first Mercedes-Benz production car featuring Xenon headlamps (including dynamic headlamp range control, only low beam).^[12]

Design patent and facelift

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.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18]} On 21 July 1998, design patents were filed on an updated W210 (designed in 1997).^[19][20][21]

For model year 2000, a 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 +/- gate positions for semi-manual control of the gearbox, marketed as "Touch Shift." This electronic system replaced the previous gated shift arrangement. Exterior changes included a revised front with a steeper rake, similar to the CLK, and restyled bumpers and lower body trim. Sedans received new taillights, and the wagon's tailgate was revised, moving the CHMSL from the base of the rear window to directly above it. 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 Citroën-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.

Engines

Sedan (pre-facelift)

Wagon (pre-facelift)

Interior (pre-facelift)

Sedan (facelift)

Wagon (facelift)

Interior (facelift)

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 165 kW (224 PS; 221 hp) and 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) of torque and offered a 0–60 mph (0–97 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)^[22] and a 5.4 L naturally 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, that were internally designated as OM606.

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.