cawimmer430

It doesn't get any more pointless than this. Sure, the specs are impressive but the E320 CDI is satisfying enough. Furthermore, this car together with the E63 AMG will make up only 1-2% of all E-Classes sold in Europe according to Auto Motor und Sport. If you live in Europe, you'll know. Pointless, pointless...

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Test Mercedes E 420 CDI
Diesel der Extra-Klasse
Mit 314 Diesel-PS setzen die Stuttgarter in der Oberklasse neue Maßstäbe. Leider auch beim Preis. Der Mercedes E 420 CDI kostet 62.176 Euro. With 314-horsepower, the Stuttgarters are announcing a new power war in this class, at a price: 62.176 Euros is the price to pay for ownership.



Typisch Mercedes. Die Stuttgarter können es mal wieder nicht lassen und fahren das PS-Protzen in eine neue Runde. Der E 420 CDI bleibt mit 314 PS zwar unter den Luxusklasse-Dieseln in Audi A8 4.2 TDI (326 PS) und BMW 745d (330 PS), erreicht in der Oberklasse aber bisher unbekannte Dimensionen. Scheinbar völlig losgelöst von irdischen Zwängen wie Massenträgheit oder Rollwiderstand schiebt der Vier-Liter-Biturbo die zwei Tonnen E-Klasse nach vorn. With 314-hp, the E420 CDI isn't exactly class leader (Audi A8 4.2 TDI = 326-hp, BMW 745d = 330-hp) when it comes to power, but it is a leader in interior dimensions. The V8 turbodiesel also moves the 2-ton car with a feeling of lightness.



Eine Anfahrschwäche muss man schon suchen, dann findet man sie auch: klein und unbedeutend, irgendwo unterhalb von 1800 Touren. Der Rest ist eine einzige Machtdemonstration – die dank serienmäßigen Partikelfilters und günstigen Verbrauchs (9,8 l/100 km) politisch weitgehend korrekt bleibt. Rund sechs Sekunden auf 100 km/h lassen selbst Sportwagenfahrer aufhorchen, das unglaubliche Drehmoment von 730 Nm lässt ihnen beim Zwischenspurt auf der Autobahn kaum eine Chance. There's a slight turbo lag underneath 1,800 RPM, but it is hardly noticeable. The rest of the car is a demonstration of power. The E420 CDI comes standard with a particulate filter and consumes on average 9.8 L / 100 km (23.9 mpg) - acceptable. The 0-62 mph time is around 6 seconds, thanks to 730 Nm (538 lb/ft) of torque. Even drivers of certain sports cars have no chance against this car during midrange acceleration sprints on the Autobahn.

Unterstützt wird die eindrucksvolle Leistungsschau von der nahezu perfekten Siebenstufen-Automatik – Gangwechsel sind bestenfalls zu erahnen, die Anschlüsse stimmen exakt. Nur beim Kickdown dürfte der hauseigene Automat ruhig etwas zügiger runterschalten. This impressive performance is supported by the almost perfect 7Gtronic automatic transmission. Shifts are precise and smooth. Only at kickdowns does the transmission hesitate a bit to downshift.



Komfort wird beim E 420 CDI mindestens ebenso groß geschrieben wie Kraft. Die Luftfederung bügelt souverän selbst fiese Frostaufbrüche glatt, der Common-Rail-Motor gibt sich allenfalls im Leerlauf als Selbstzünder zu erkennen, das piekfeine Interieur lässt kaum Wünsche offen. Also eine einzige Ansammlung von Superlativen? Ja, leider. Denn der Preis fällt mit 62.176 Euro ebenfalls extraordinär aus. Auch das typisch Mercedes. Comfort is equally impressive. The airmatic (air suspension) smoothes out nasty road conditions. The diesel engine is slightly audible when the car is in neutral, but the rest of the interior seems perfect. The only problem? 62.176 Euros. Typical Mercedes...

Mr. M

Woah, with that torque I need no other car.

The Artist

damn i love these V8 diesels..so damn fast and economicall
damn i hate sweden with their retarded high diesel tax..
now bring on the S420 CDI

Imhotep Evil

Well the 745d has exactly the hame amount of torque, plus more HP and a little
better fuel economy.

Mr. M

And probably with a much higher price tag.

Tycoon

My car with 42hp, 170Nm and one gear less has more or less the same acceleration... Makes me even more proud of it.

ojis

Say that to MB, BMW and Audi. I'm sure they have no idea what they are doing.

cawimmer430

Well they do.

As I said, these cars are low-volume vehicles sold in very small numbers. These company's don't make much profit on these I would suppose, but they have to offer them for the badge snobs out there.

Now, if you're the owner of an E420 CDI etc., you'll have nightmares when it comes to resale value.

Snake Vargas

Yeah, seriously, who needs such an engine in such a car? It's not like the E320CDI is so slow. People who need something fast would get an E63 or an E500.

I don't know what those cars cost, but the E420CDI has neither the great fuel economy nor the great acceleration to appeal to both of those types of people. It's stuck somewhere in the middle.

Better they leave this to the ML, GL, S and CL classes.

cawimmer430

Exactly.