Mercedes Benz E Class 320 3.2 V6 Avantgarde

Like many, it came down to a choice between the E class and a 5 series BMW. In my case it was a tale of inside vs out - the E class wins hands down for it's classy and well equipped interior compared to the slightly dodgy BMW with it's metallic horizontal strip, whereas looking at the cars next to each other at the dealer, the BMW wins comfortably based on kerb appeal. The caveat is that the BMW was the M Sport version - in standard guise it looks pretty bland. The other factor for me is that the BMW suspension is just a bit too firm - with a family on board the emphasis will be comfort. I would be happy with either, but overall the Merc wins, particular when you add the seven seat option.

My wagon is dark turquoise metallic with beige leather interior and is just the best looking color combo ive ever seen on any Mercedes. Mine has 4MATIC all wheel drive and feels so attached to the road even on slippery wet conditions. The car weighs 4010 lbs/ 1810kg and you would never believe it after seeing how well it handles. COMMAND navigation system is great but not as advanced as newer models. At a track i got a 0-60 mph run in just 8.2 sec and the quarter mile in just 16.3 sec @ 87 mph. Not sports car territory but still pretty quick. This car is perfect for long road trips in that it gets very decent highway mpg's and is very comfortable and the ride is silky smooth. When you want to make a quick pass from 70 mph to about 110 mph this car does it very few seconds. Even cruising at 125 mph on an open highway the car felt so attached to the pavement and the engine was barely making an effort to keep it up to speed. Perfect family car in my personal opinion.

Mercedes Benz E320 3.2 V6 Avantgarde Estate Car Review

As I have quite a big family, I have found it hard to maintain driving pleasure while shifting them around. As a personal car, I have a fiery Skoda Octavia RS Turbo, which satisfies my thirst for driving pleasure, but I also wanted a large car which can take my family while still providing fun and if possible, a touch of class...

Up until a few mounths ago, I had a 2.3 Honda Shuttle. Now make no mistake, it was a decent drive for a people carrier, with adequate handling and a revving 2.3. But it was a people carrier. So I decided to look else where to gain a balence between me and my family. The result? A silver 1999 E320 Avantgarde Estate. Now the Shuttle is a reasonably good MPV. In comparison, the E is so very smooth and quiet, and it handles alot better than the people carrier. With rear-wheel-drive, it does know a thing or two when I chuck it in bends, and body roll is minimal compared to the MPV. It has a pretty good equipement list, although mine didn't have a CD player when I got it, which is a bit of a downfall. What was and still is a big niggle is the radio. While on a tape player, it goes onto the radio sometimes, and even then it changes station randomly. This is more of an annoyance rather then a big issue, but never the less it is a flaw in the E's armour. It also drinks alot of petrol, and averages about 28mpg when driven nicely. This falls to low twenties when I drive it hard, but then that is the final flaw of this impressive car. Of course the E320 CDi would address the feul issue with 35 mpg, which I deeply admire, but trust me, rev this and rev the CDi and you'll just want the petrol V6. It sounds glorious- not too noisy but it hits the right notes and reminds you that this is a proper, thumping V6. 224bhp of power is also very welcome- even with the whole clan packed in I managed to completely distroy a 1996 Celica GT coupe off the lights, which is no bad achievement. A good comparison for this car is my trusty Octavia RS. The Skoda is smaller and feels more agile, and on the straight it is definetly quicker (6.7 seconds compared to 8.5 seconds to 60mph). However, the gap closes in the bends, where the E320's rear-wheel-drive chassis privides excellent levels of grip and agility. Of course, the rival BMW 530i touring does an even better job than this, but the Merc still does excelently. The Merc's 3.2V6 sounds much nicer than the Skoda's 1.8 Turbo, and the Merc is a much nicer ride. At high speeds, the RS begins to allow wind noise, but the E320 feels alot more solid and sturdy.

But while this can be a potential fast car, it is more of a luxury cruiser. It is quiet, refined, comfortable and spacious. It is an executive car first and a family car second, yet it does both jobs very well. I can drop my family off somewhere and drive back in a machine which looks classy and professional. How many of you Galaxy and Zafira owners can say that, eh? In short, a superb car.