Mercedes E400 Coupe: Review

Bye-bye V8, hello twin-turbo V6 - can Merc's defiantly old-school coupe still waft like it should?

Of the BMW 435i and Audi S5 it overlaps with the Mercedes E400 Coupe is the most expensive and quite decisively the least sporting of the bunch. A heavy-handed facelift has left the E-Class a slightly confused mix of hard-edged 80s revivalism and new-school Benz swoopiness and the previous V8 has lost two cylinders and two litres of capacity to bring the E-Class into line with the downsizing norm.

On paper it sounds like a bit of a lost cause before even turning a wheel. Happily the reality turns out to be anything but the case.

'100' and two cylinders less; more poke though

Basically Mercedes knows what it's doing with cars like this. After all, there have been pillarless coupes in the range following the same basic format for the last 70-odd years. From the Ponton (referenced in the rear arches of this car) to the W123 and W124s of the 80s, they've never been sporty cars. Curiously nor have they ever been particularly ostentatious, the SECs, CLs and S-Class Coupes taking the flagship roles in their respective ages. Think of it as the kind of car ladies what lunch would have driven to the health spa before they discovered SUVs or retired GPs or lawyers might treat themselves to upon retirement.

Less is more?
The pre-facelift E500 was exactly one of these cars. Parked beside a regular four-cylinder diesel version you'd never have guessed it was packing a 383hp 5.5-litre V8, this creamily smooth motor an arch combination with Mercedes' seven-speed auto. But now it's gone, replaced, inevitably, with a downsized V6 of 'just' 3.5 litres but boosted by a pair of turbos.

As such it carries a 52hp and 37lb ft deficit over the V8, though it beats both the Audi and BMW on torque and now records respectable official stats of 40.9mpg combined and 161g/km. Big improvements over the V8's 26mpg and 245g/km, even if in the real world the difference actually turns out to be marginal. This is the same engine as that in the forthcoming C450 AMG Sport, which sounds very promising indeed from the initial info.

Downsized turbo V6 punches above its weight

There's no escaping the fact the big-engined (relatively) E-Coupe has lost that beguiling waft of the V8 either. Though commendably smooth the engine sounds a little gruff at low revs and under load and though lag has been minimised it can't be completely overlooked, especially accelerating in-gear. In lower gears the sudden torque spike - peak of 354lb ft comes in at just 1,200rpm - easily overwhelms the Continental WinterContacts Mercedes UK has fitted to its press demos for the season, making for surprisingly lively handling on wet roundabouts. Feel free to substitute 'enjoyably' for 'surprisingly' as required but for a car like the E400 it's not necessarily what you'd expect.

It is very rapid though, the V6 on boost sweeping the E-Class along at a more than respectable lick with the low-rev gruffness forgotten. And then you can start really appreciating the good stuff.

Classic pillarless look remains a charmer

Hello old friend
Like ride comfort. Remember that? The 435i we ran on the PH Fleet managed to be neither comfortable nor controlled, the softer mode on the adjustable dampers leaving flabby body control while Sport just ramped up the NVH. It's been a while since we've been in an S5 but on the big wheels and sportlich suspension preferred by many buyers it's not a car with a love of wafting.

Being based on an older car means the Merc still has hydraulically assisted steering too; not so long ago we'd have probably described it as light and vague but in the fog of gritty, insincere electric systems like that fitted to the 435i it's a beacon of tactility and feedback. This, paired with decent suspension travel and excellent body control, makes the Mercedes a relaxing and effective means of making respectable progress.

There is a sport setting on the dampers which helps contain more extreme weight transfers on roundabouts and the like but, we'd venture, will rarely be selected because the default is so pleasant. On bumpy roads the firmer setting can also send the odd shudder through the shell and steering column, the assumption being that the pillarless shell suffers a little for torsional rigidity.

A 435i/S5 rival on paper if not in spirit

A price worth paying when you can drop all the windows and enjoy that trademark Benz coupe vibe. Over the shoulder visibility is, of course, excellent too. In the Mercedes way the ergonomics and comfort are top notch too, even if the tech isn't quite up to the standard of the rivals. It might sound nit picky but hopeless DAB reception and slow-witted and unnecessarily cautious 'active' LED headlights are dropped balls compared with equivalent kit offered by BMW and Audi.

In conclusion then this is a proper Benz and all the better for it. Like the W123 and W124 coupes of an earlier age it's an acquired taste but one Mercedes understands well and has successfully updated for the modern age. For the effortless V8, more cohesive styling and price we'd be happier with a used E500 but this is a sympathetic update and the essential character has survived intact.

MERCEDES-BENZ E400 AMG SPORT PLUS COUPE*
Engine: 3,498cc V6 twin-turbo (E500 5,461cc V8)
Transmission: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 333@5,250-6,000 (E500 387@6,000rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 354@1,200-4,000rpm (E500 391@2,000-4,800rpm)
0-62mph: 5.2sec
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1,735kg
MPG (NEDC combined): 40.9mpg (E500 26mpg)
CO2: 161g/km (E500 254g/km)
Price: £46,100 before options (£52,075 as tested, comprising Panoramic Glass Sunroof £1,370; Memory Package inc. Easy Exit steering wheel, lumbar support, electric front seats with memory settings £1,225; metallic paint £645; Driving Awareness Package inc. blind spot warning, lane-keeping system and Distronic active cruise control £2,345 and reversing camera £390.)

*Relevant comparison figures for pre-facelift E500 coupe in brackets

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

WokkaWokka

Original Poster

699 posts

139 months