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2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
An expanded model line for the most popular Benz.
2004 E-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The appeal of a mid-size luxury sedan lies in a combination of safety, luxury, practicality, sportiness, status, and cost of operation that no other category can match. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been a benchmark in this class. For 2004, the E-Class offers a huge range of choice, with the well-behaved and utilitarian station wagons, a seven-speed transmission, an all-wheel-drive system, and the ultra high-performance E55 AMG.Our choice in this model line is the E500 for its responsiveness and overall balance.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Jim McCraw and Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz E320 ($48,170); E500 ($56,270), E55 AMG ($78,370); E320 wagon ($50,670; E500 wagon 4MATIC ($60,670) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6 |
| Engines (optional) | 3.2-liter sohc 18-valve V6; 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 5.5-liter supercharged V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | five-speed automatic with Touch Shift manual operation |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic, 7-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | antilock brakes (ABS); Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control; seatbelt pretensioners; dual-stage front airbags, front and rear occupant side airbags; side curtain airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-367-6372 (800-FOR-MERCEDES) |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 48170 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz E 320 sedan ($48,170) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic dual-zone climate control, charcoal leather seating inserts, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 10-way power driver and passenger seats, cruise control, walnut trim and 10-speaker stereo |
| Destination Charge | 720 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | special paint, $655; Airmatic Dual Control suspension ($1,575); four-zone climate control ($550); heated front seats and steering wheel ($875) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 52545 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 221 @ 5700 |
| Torque | 232 @ 3000-4800 |
| Fuel Economy | 19/27 |
| Wheelbase | 112.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 190.3/71.3/57 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.4/52.4/41.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.7/53.8/35.6 |
| Trunk Volume | 15.9 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent with upper and lower control arms, variable damping shock absorbers and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent five link, variable damping shock absorbers and stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 3635 |
| Stock Tires | 225/55HR16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | 12.3-in vented discs with four-piston floating calipers/11.8-in vented discs with two-piston fixed calipers; ABS, EBD, Brake Ass |
| Fuel Capacity | 20.6 |
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2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
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