drove new e class in germany for 3800 km
trunk is too small. could only carry 2 large suitcases plus 4 carry on bags. my 1999 e320 4matic had a much better trunk. even my son's 2001 audi a4 has much more trunk room.
the lack of a spare tire sucks!!
overall i like my 2000 s430 much more than the new e class especially with regard to the trunk size. i would not rent this model again much less buy one.
Though Mercedes kept the sedan's overall length the same, it stretched the wheelbase and widened the car about an inch. The extra shoulder room is obvious, but none of the extra space between the wheels turns up in the cabin. Instead, there's a considerably larger trunk and a front end better suited to surviving a severe impact.
On i112151's comments of comparison to the '01 Audi A4, his 2000 S430 and his last E320 4matic, I checked the specs of all and found the trunk volumes as follows in descending order of size: '03 E: 15.9 cu ft.; '00 S430: 15.4 cu ft; '99 E320: 15.3 cu ft; and last and least, '01 Audi A4: 14 cu ft. I can only assume that the more rectangular configuration is what bothers i112151, not the actual volume. To me, it is a vast improvement-especially when coupled with the fold down rear seats (now confirmed on my E500 order @ $100 "Launch special price").
I also got the fold down seats at the promo price which will make the trunk space even better and much more flexible.
Trending Topics
overall the car was pleasant and fun. interior is great. very comfortable and stable up to 130 mph.
trunk is too small. could only carry 2 large suitcases plus 4 carry on bags. my 1999 e320 4matic had a much better trunk. even my son's 2001 audi a4 has much more trunk room.
the lack of a spare tire sucks!!
overall i like my 2000 s430 much more than the new e class especially with regard to the trunk size. i would not rent this model again much less buy one.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
What's that got to do with anything?
I don't carry suitcases to work with me on my commute.
If I wanted to carry suitcases all the time I'd buy an SUV
.....or get an RV.
btw i had a e220 tdi in germany--same body style as e500 but easier on fuel. performance was much better than you'd expect with such a small engine because of great torque. other available diesels in europe include 270, 320 and 400. our car had a range of 1000 km (600mi) per tank! damn shame these common rail diesels are not available in the u.s.
i112151, you are driven the E220 CDI on the "autobahn" it drives very well, or not?
next year we complete the range of engines.
Modelle PS NM Zyl. cm³ 0-100 km/h km/h Verbrauch
E 200 CDI 122 270 4R 2148 12,0 s 203 5,9l
E 220 CDI 150 340 4R 2148 10,1 s 220 6,1l
E 270 CDI 177 425 5R 2685 9,0 s 230 6,5l
E 320 CDI 204 500 6R 3222 7,4 s 240 7,4l
E 400 CDI 252 560 V8 3996 6,7 s 250 8,9l
E 200 CGI 170 250 4R 1796 -s - -l
E 200 K 163 240 4R 1796 -s - -l
E 240 177 240 V6 2597 9,1 s 236 10,7l
E 320 224 315 V6 3199 7,7s 243 9,9l
E 500 306 460 V8 4966 6,0s 250 11,5l
E 55 AMG 476 700 V8 5439 4,7s 250 12,9 l






