Road test report ------------ December 2009 ----- by Kevin Fenix.

Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI

The above pictures may be confusing, as one shows dark upholstery, while the other shows light upholstery. There is, however, a simple explanation. The test was started with a car having dark upholstery (09-D-19555), but half way through the test it developed an electrical fault in the engine management system, so the remainder of the testing was carried out in the car with the light upholstery (09-D 19558). One of the things that intimidated me, when I first sat into the new E class, was the amount of electrical related equipment it had. It had so much electrical wizardry, that you could almost get into the back, relax and have a cup of tea, while the car drove itself to your destination, on receipt of your voice command. While our modern, vibrant, computer competent generation, will have no problem with this, I found it intimidating, as when I first started to drive, all those years ago, the one thing that most motorists feared, was electrical faults. The mechanicals had become basically very trouble free, but the electrics were another matter altogether.
My first test car was driving perfectly. I stopped to take some photographs and then drove around the corner to take a few more. After the first stop, when I restarted I thought the engine sounded a bit rough, but ignored it. After the second stop I noticed a yellow warning light, in the shape of an engine, in the tachometer. As I had to drive a little further to my next photo stop, I was aware of how rough the engine had become, rather like a fifty year old tractor, running on one well rusted cylinder. So I returned the car and fortunately for me, they had another car to replace it. The second car ran perfectly throughout the remainder of the test.

Both cars were the E220 CDI model, with a five speed automatic transmission. This model and combination has a silky smooth and effortless performance, delivering a top speed of 229 kph (142 mph), with a very satisfying 0-100 kph acceleration time of 8.0 seconds. While the top speed is largely irrelevant, as there are very few places in Europe where you can use it legally, that effortless acceleration is most satisfying, as you can use it all the time. For example when you get stuck behind a dithering driver, who has forgotten where they left the gearlever at the traffic lights, or who is more interested in scrutinising the pedestrians, as they drive at a snail’s pace along the carriageway, or those who consider themselves to be very safety conscious, by driving at 10 kph (15 mph) in a 60 kph (40 mph) zone. Given the opportunity, all you need is a touch of the accelerator, to whisk past these obstructions, so that you can then continue your driving in comfort and safety.
This effortless and scintillating performance does not come at the expense of a massive fuel consumption. On the urban cycle, this large, comfortable car, has been tested to give 34 mpg (8.1 lt/100 km), while once warned up, if you can get out onto the open road, this will almost double to an amazing 60 mpg (4.7 lt/100 km), on the extra urban cycle. Overall this gives an average of 47 mpg (6.0 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. I consider that to highly satisfactory for a car of this size, performance and comfort. That level of fuel consumption gives exhaust emissions of 162 gm/km, putting the E 220 CDI into Irish road tax band D with an annual road tax burden of 448 euro.

The instruments and controls are a combination of ancient and modern. In the traditional manner there is a hooded binnacle behind the steering wheel, containing an old style analogue instrument panel. The large central dial is the speedometer, somewhat spoilt in the picture above, by the reflection of the camera’s flash light. The centre section gives various bits of useful digital information. On the right there is a tachometer, also with a selection of warning lights, with a matching analogue clock on the left. The two smallest gauges are for fuel level (left) and engine temperature (right). All are convenient and easy to see whilst driving.
At the top centre of the facia there is a screen that has a number of functions, covering the audio system and satellite navigation. The audio unit itself is below the two central ventilation outlets, with a battery of buttons covering all its operations. There are further controls on the steering wheel for this and the Bluetooth telephone installation.
Below the audio system, ahead of the gear lever, are the controls for the air-conditioning. Controls for the four electric windows and the heated, electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors, are in the driver’s door handle. A circular switch, on the right of the facia, below the air vent, operates the lights.
This is a bit of duplication, as the lights operate automatically, whenever the operating system considers them to be necessary. Thus at night when you start the engine, the lights come on automatically, so there is not much point in the driver then switching them on manually, unless of course you need the fog lights as well, or want to leave the car parked with the parking lights illuminated.
The steering wheel is reach and height adjustable, while the two front seats adjust manually for reach and electrically for height and backrest angle. Both front seats have enclosed storage spaces beneath them. The steering is hydraulically power assisted, with 2.75 turns from lock to lock. Whilst always remaining effortless, it still has a precise and comforting feel, no doubt helped by the high quality feel of the leather covered steering wheel.
On the road the car handled well, with good all round visibility and a comfortable, well controlled ride. I drove it in the relaxed manner you would expect of an executive car, not as a potential world rally championship contender. I was particularly impressed with the suspension, which smoothed out and minimised potential rough patches I am familiar with, on our third world type road surfaces, in and around Dublin and especially the Fingal area of County Dublin.

Space and comfort are one of the hallmarks of the E class Mercedes. This latest E220 CDI does not disappoint on that score. Both cars had a black ash wood trim with bright metal highlights. Personally I preferred the light coloured finish of the second car, but I know that many people find a darker colour to be more acceptable, as they say that it requires less maintenance. It is a matter of personal preferences and what you prefer, is the best solution for your requirements.

If you travel in comfort and style, you will probably also need a commodious luggage space, to accommodate your touring and shopping requirements. The E class offers 0.540 cubic metres of luggage space, with the addition of a shallow, compartmentalised tray, below the floor mat for additional small, flat items. The only downside for grand touring, is that the car comes with a Spacesaver spare wheel, as do many other cars today. In the case of the E 220, that compartmentalised storage tray below the floor, sits above the spare wheel and tools and is the devil’s own job to remove and replace. While Mercedes thoughtfully provide a pair of knitted gloves, with the jack and wheel changing tools, I rather doubt that any E class drivers, actually change a punctured wheel themselves. If they do, they will surely be driven to distraction, trying to put all the bits back securely in the storage well below the luggage floor, not to mention trying to replace that tray above it all. I certainly was !

Above left : Normal luggage space

Above right : Below floor, compartmentalised storage tray

Above : Spacesaver spare wheel and tools

If the normal luggage space is not enough for your requirements you have two alternatives. You can carry up to 100 kg in a suitable container and mountings on the roof, or you can opt for a small trailer. The E220 CDI can tow trailers, without brakes, of up to 750 kg in weight. If your needs extend to something bigger like a large caravan or boat trailer, the car will accept a braked trailer of up to 2000 kg in weight. That should be more than satisfactory for most normal requirements.
Both cars were finished to Avantgarde specification and come with a two years warranty, plus a thirty years anti-perforation warranty, provided owners have the car serviced regularly, at the required intervals, by an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer. Servicing is required at intervals of 25,000 km (15,00 miles) or once a year, whichever comes first.

Technical data