Mercedes E-Class Saloon (2003-2008) review

Driving
The E-Class's aim is to deliver peerless comfort and refinement. In that regard, it's excellent. No rival rides as well on the motorway or across pitted tarmac. However, the body is neither as stiff nor as well insulated as it could be, and the Mercedes occasionally becomes unsettled on particularly bumpy roads. We suspect the suspension is set up for heavier variants that steamroller over rough roads more effectively. Roll is an issue in corners, and the E isn't as engaging as, say, BMW's sporty 5-Series, with less precise steering. But it copes well, is nicely balanced and effortlessly easy to get on with. There's a wide range of V6 and V8 engines that all perform well too - though the surprise of the range has to be the lowly four-cylinder 2.2-litre, whose smooth, quiet manners and ample torque help make it stronger than you may expect. Avoid the sloppy manual gearbox though; buyers will be far better off with an automatic.

Marketplace
Mercedes gave the E-Class a mid-term facelift in 2006. But exterior changes were minor: headlamps and grille were subtly raked, foglights gained some glitzy chrome trim and both new colours and wheel designs were introduced. It's not a pretty car, but is elegant and conveys an air of upmarket refinement. The range is huge, and incorporates both saloon and estate bodystyles, plus a bewildering array of engines and trim lines. Rivals, naturally, include the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Volvo S80.

Owning
The E-Class is a big car. The 540-litre boot is vast (although the tailgate springs up too quickly when released), while split-fold rear seats are optionally available. In the cabin, the impression of space is helped by the large windows, and even the tallest occupants in the back won't fail to be impressed by the headroom on offer. The seats are comfortable (more so than those up front, in fact) and fold-flat headrests mean rear visibility is unimpeded. Just as good is the view out of the windscreen. The dash-top is mounted lower than it is in rivals, so you see more of the road directly ahead, while the three-pointed star on the bonnet allows you to gauge parking distances easily. Also, the design and layout are excellent. Given this ergonomic excellence, you have to ask why, when Mercedes made 2,000 changes during the facelift, it didn't add a right-hand column stalk. The chairs also lack lateral support, and the pedals in the manual car are badly offset to the right. Meanwhile, retained values are not great for a premium saloon, and running costs are high.