2008 Mercedes-Benz E Class Review

Four different models of the E-Class are now offered in the U.S. The E350 has a 268-horsepower, 3.5L V6; the E550 has a 382-horsepower, 5.5L V8; the high-performance E63 AMG has a 507-horsepower, 6.3L V8; and the E320 Bluetec comes with a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 that makes 208 horsepower and 388 lb-ft of torque.

The E350 and E63 are also available in a wagon body style in addition to the four-door sedan. The E350 and E550 have a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system available. All models get a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The new 6.3L V8 in the E63 AMG is the first engine to be completely developed by AMG; it has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket-style tappets, and a variable intake manifold.

The E63, as the performance leader of the line, can reach 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds; it can also be ordered with a performance package that lifts the 155-mph electronically limited top speed to 186 mph. It includes a specially tuned Airmatic sport suspension, a limited-slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, larger front brake discs, and an AMG sport steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Meanwhile, the E320 Bluetec is as clean as a modern gasoline car, according to Mercedes-Benz, and the 3.0L CDI V6 is ranked 32 highway in the EPA cycle.

Window curtain air bags and side-impact air bags are standard on the E-Class, along with PRE-SAFE, a system that tenses the seatbelts if it anticipates a collision, and closes the sunroof and side windows if it anticipates a loss of control.

Each of the E-Class models come very well equipped as luxury cars. Options include a hands-free system, DVD navigation, side window blinds, Sirius satellite radio, the Parktronic parking aid, bi-xenon headlamps with active curve illumination, and a panorama sunroof. A newly available AMG Sport Package adds much of the E63's appearance equipment to the E350 or E550.
For 2008, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues without major changes, but a new AMG Sport Package brings many of the appearance cues from the E63 AMG-including the flashy wheels, AMG steering wheel, and manual shift paddles-to the V6 E350 or V8 E550.

Also, the PRE-SAFE system is now standard across the entire E-Class line. see less