Segment:
Mid-size Luxury Sedan/Wagon
Target Audience:
Affluent individuals and families seeking comfort, performance, and advanced technology.
Key Competitors:
BMW 5 Series (E39), Audi A6 (C5), Lexus GS (JZS160), Jaguar S-Type, Volvo S80.
Design Philosophy:
Elegant, timeless styling with a focus on occupant comfort and advanced engineering.
Powertrain Emphasis:
Smooth, powerful V8 engine and refined ride quality.
Safety Technology:
Advanced passive and active safety features expected of a luxury Mercedes-Benz.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, fuel system, cooling system, lubrication, ignition system, exhaust system, transmission operation.
Chassis And Suspension:
Braking system, steering system, suspension components, wheels, tires.
Electrical And Electronics:
Instrument cluster, lighting systems, infotainment system (radio, CD player), climate control, locks, security, power accessories, driver controls.
Safety Systems:
Airbags, seat belt operation, child seat installation, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
Basic Operation:
Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection, parking, operating lights, wipers, mirrors, windows, locks, and climate controls.
Maintenance Checks:
Checking fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks, bulb replacement.
Customer Assistance:
Contact information for customer support, reporting safety defects (U.S. only).
Cleaning And Care:
Exterior and interior cleaning recommendations, upholstery care.
Depth:
Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on understanding and operating vehicle systems, basic checks, and maintenance. Not a repair manual, but provides critical data for owners.
Required Software:
PDF Reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader)
Device Compatibility:
Any device capable of reading PDF files (PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone)
Quality:
Digital reproduction of factory manual; clarity and readability are dependent on the source scan quality.
Type:
N/A (Digital Format)
Type:
N/A (Digital Format)
Transmission Type:
5-speed Automatic Transmission (722.6 '5G-Tronic')
Drive Wheels:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) or All-Wheel Drive (4MATIC)
Shift Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes.
Fluid Type:
MB 236.10 Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
Capacity Approx:
8.7 Liters (with torque converter replacement)
NHTSA Front Impact:
5-Star (Driver and Passenger) - Typical for this era's tested models
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (Typical for this era's tested models)
ABS:
Standard (Anti-lock Braking System)
Esp:
Standard (Electronic Stability Program)
Traction Control:
Standard (ASR - Acceleration Slip Regulation)
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, side airbags (front doors), optional head curtain airbags.
Seat Belts:
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.
Child Seat Anchors:
ISOFIX/LATCH compatibility (rear seats).
Audio System:
Bose premium sound system with AM/FM radio, CD player, and cassette player (optional).
Navigation:
Optional COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation Device) with GPS navigation and integrated radio/CD.
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control (THERMATIC) or dual-zone automatic climate control (THERMATIC) with recirculate function.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Parking Assistance:
Optional Parktronic parking sensors (front and rear).
Telecommunications:
Optional integrated hands-free cellular phone system.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (using synthetic oil).
Major Service Interval:
Variable based on Mercedes-Benz 'Service A' and 'Service B' indicators, typically around 15,000-30,000 miles for more comprehensive checks.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 Synthetic Engine Oil meeting MB 229.5 specification.
Coolant Type:
Mercedes-Benz approved coolant (e.g., MB 325.0, typically a silicate-free 50/50 mix).
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 specification (e.g., MB 331.0).
Engine Oil Capacity:
8.5 Liters (8.0 US quarts) with filter.
Coolant Capacity:
Approx. 9.5 Liters (2.5 US Gallons)
Common Problems W210 V8:
Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor issues, ignition coil failures, biodegradable wiring harness insulation degradation (older models), vacuum hose leaks, crank position sensor failure, rust on fenders/wheel wells.
Intermittent Misfires:
Often attributed to failing ignition coils, spark plugs, or MAF sensors.
Rust Prone Areas:
Front fenders, lower door edges, rear wheel arches, and around the sunroof often susceptible to corrosion.
Manufacturer Origin:
Germany
Luxury Focus:
Long-standing reputation for engineering excellence, luxury, and durability.
W210 Introduction:
Introduced in 1995 (for the 1996 model year), the W210 replaced the W124 E-Class.
W210 Facelift:
Received a significant facelift for the 2000 model year, which included updated styling (clear-lens headlights), revised interior, and improved features.
E430 Positioning:
Positioned as the V8-powered option in the E-Class lineup, offering enhanced performance over the E320 models.
Production Years W210:
1995-2003
Assembly Locations:
Germany (primarily Sindelfingen), and various other international locations.
