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2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 4Matic Road Test

Grace Under Pressure

There are BMW people and then there are Mercedes-Benz people, and never the twain shall meet. Or at least it seems that the two automakers target audiences are very different, ironically negating them from being true competitors at all.

But Ive had a Mercedes. It was a 1973 280 SEL that I drove in 1994, mind you, not exactly a car that required me to re-mortgage the house in order to claim as my own. Ive also lived with a single Audi over the years, plus just one Jaguar. In retrospect my car buying exploits have been extremely one sided, being that six BMWs, the last of which I ordered new from the factory, have graced my garage. This fact could either make me overly biased when discussing the new E500, or possibly might give me an unorthodox and therefore valuable perspective. You be the judge.

Once

Having owned six BMWs and only one Mercedes, I probably have a unique and somewhat unorthodox perspective on the new Mercedes E500. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

I caught a glimpse of the E500 press car, its silver metallic paint glistening in the sunshine and ultra-cool glass roof transforming the roofline, I have to admit to becoming a little excited. Sliding in behind the steering wheel, what seemed like an open sky above cast a unique pattern of light and shadows across the Es exquisitely designed dash. Yes, exquisite is a word that describes this new models interior design details with no exaggeration. Its plain and simply gorgeous. Hardly

Exquisite is a word that describes E500s interior design details with no exaggeration. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

plain and simple in execution mind you, the jewel-like silver-faced gauges actually caused a little tingle to cascade up my spine - Im a major design buff. A thin strip of charcoal stained wood, bending downward slightly at center, gives traditional customers an expected "luxury" cue without being overbearing. From a design perspective alone, the E Class offers a classically styled cabin ideal for those not impressed with flashy trends or me-too gadgetry.

But thats not to say it lacked many up-to-date features. OK, no MP3 player is available but most buyers in the E500s demographic

The top-tier Harmon Kardon Logic 7 audio system incorporating a multi-disc CD changer made my favorite tunes sound sensational. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

would need their kids to figure out how to work it anyway. I was also a little disappointed to have to step on a mechanical pedal when engaging the parking brake and worse, pull a dash-mounted lever to disengage, when rivals from BMW and Jaguar, among others, use a much more sophisticated electronic parking brake switch. But the top-tier Harmon Kardon Logic 7 audio system (optional) incorporating a multi-disc CD changer made my favorite tunes sound sensational, an easy-to-use 4-zone automatic climate control interface kept all occupants comfortable, and ample steering wheel buttons made accessing everything easy.

Other options

The panoramic sunroof is a $1,530 option, a literal steal considering the priceless ambience it sheds on the entire interior. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

include Distronic adaptive cruise control, a tire pressure monitoring system, a power trunklid, integrated roller blinds for the rear side windows and a power rear sunscreen. Keyless Go, a touch-sensitive entry and engine start option will impress your colleagues at the club. M-B also offers a solar panel and infrared reflecting multilayer glass all around with break in resistance.

Those wanting yet more can add parking assist, heated and ventilated front seats, a split rear folding seatback, Nappa leather upgrade and much more, including a Sport Package that adds a sculpted skirt kit, ivory-color gauge faces, birds-eye maple wood trim and chrome dashboard moldings, P245/45WR17 tires (replacing P245/45WR17

The 302-hp, 24-valve, SOHC, 5.0-liter V8 gets the Mercedes sedan up to speed quickly. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

95H tires that come standard) and 17-inch 5-spoke alloy rims, dressing it up further inside and out. Such wild abandonment at the order desk equals a price that might have you questioning whether to opt up for an S Class, escalating the E500s point of entry from $56,325 ($59,545 for the 4Matic) to $86,832 (plus more for dealer installed options).

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