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 Vehicle
reviewed: Mercedes-Benz E430 Elegance Tiptronic
Model year: 2000
Odometre reading: 1300km
List Price: (Nov.2000) R514000
Standard Equipment:
ABS brakes
ESP and ASC (anti-crash gadgets)
2 front, 4 side, 2 window Airbags
Leather upholstery
Power steering
Central locking
Separate front/rear Air conditioning/Climate Control
Electric windows all-round with child-lock
Electrically adjustable and retractable exterior mirrors
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
Alarm, Immobiliser and Remote
Mag rims (235/50R17 rubber)
Rear screen demister
Third brake light
Remote boot opener
Headlight wash units
Adjustable steering wheel
(I've probably forgotten a dozen…)
Optional equipment:
Metallic paint
COMMAND System with LCD monitor, 6 disc CD shuttle, frontloader CD,
navigation, multifunction steering wheel and BOSE 12 speaker sound
system
Front seat ventilation and heating
Integrated Nokia/Mercedes-Benz cell phone
Airconditioned cubbyhole
Glass sunroof
Park distance Control
Pop the hood and behold a:
4297ccm V-formation 8 cylinder, SOHC-24 Valve engine
205kw @ 6000rpm (280bhp)
400Nm @ 2000rpm
5 speed Tiptronic/adaptive automatic gearbox
0-100km/h: 7 seconds
v.max: 250km/h (electronically governed)
100-0km/h: 2,9 seconds
Yes, yes. I hear you. Half a million for a car, and that
on a website for a town filled with students? But hey, you've gotta
dream… Tata ma chance, my friend. (please, please, please…)
Anyhow. Stand next to this beauty and besides the fat tekkies and
fog lights, nothing sets it apart from, say, an E200 worth half the
price. Silly really, once I got into this prime example packed to
the hilt with every optional extra.
 It's
an E-Class, allright. But this one comes with all the bells and
whistles, everything that opens and shuts, and then some. A big
crowd-stopper (and rather useless in this country… I couldn't
receive EGOLI on the TV) is the LCD display for onboard television
and navigation. It's all part of the 5-digit COMMAND extra, which
gives you the multifunction steering wheel with 4 tilt buttons and a
central display in the speedometre, which corresponds with the LCD
monitor. While driving, you can check the car's mileage, odometre,
oil temp, fuel level, range, average consumption, service interval
and of course the navigation… which, if it worked in this country,
would show and TELL you the directions to your desired destination.
In fact, this system can be trained to receive voice commands, but
the COMMAND user's manual was exaccctly twice the thickness of the
car's manual. So I just kept my hands off that feature.
The 12-speaker BOSE sound system, frontloader CD, 6 disc shuttle
and radio (which rival a grand concert hall in acoustics) can also
be controlled from the wheel. Oh, and the Phone to.
The seats look and feel great, especially when you've got the
seat ventilation on full blast. No more sticking to the seats. The
driving position is impeccable, with that lovely three-pointed
crosshair on the bonnet guiding you in the general direction of
lesser and slower cars.
 Insert
the stubby plastic key into the ignition and the chip unlocks the
steering lock, to be followed by a barely perceivable rumble and
then, nothing. Check the rev-counter (after 200 lights and park
distance control beeps have died down) and yes, she's alive. Snick
her into Drive and off you go. The Benz feels more agile and nimble
than it's exterior proportions would suggest, the pedal and steering
feel being very light and responsive. The E430 is a joy to drive,
park and show off around town, and the Park Distance Control
provides constant amusement at pedestrian crossings or the local
parking lot. Two arrows embedded in the dashboard (with 3 amber and
2 red sections) show you the way, while a VERY audible beep warns
you about the impending damage you are about to inflict to the car
and a year's worth of salaries. Engage reverse and the same two
arrows can be found in the roofline above the rear windscreen.
The E430 is full of surprises, and the engine is undoubtedly the
biggest and most wonderful of all, closely followed by the Tiptronic
gearbox. While driving, shift the gearlever to the left, and a
little display in the digital clock changes from “D” to “4”.
It's a wonderful, wonderful toy to have, especially when mated to
280 or so horsies. Overtaking, pink slips, cruising, it all becomes
abundantly easier. 4 clicks to the left and you're in first. Four to
the right, and the autobox takes over again.
Leave the lever alone and the E430 will dordle along happily in
city traffic, but bury the loud pedal and you're flying... plenty of
power from the big motor and the smoooothest gear changes from the
autobox. “It keeps you glued to the seat right up to 200km/h and
happily marches on. 3000rpm in fifth means 160km/h. 3500 translates
into 190!”
One thing, though. If you've got the BOSE system going and the
Climate control working hard, you won't hear the engine. Not even
under full load. I had to turn off noise and wind, open all windows
and the sunroof so I could hear a very smooth and refined grumble of
a V8 being tortured. Needless to say, this Merc was designed as an
effortless powerhouse of luxury and refinement (and boy, did they
succeed!), not a high-octane drag racer. Buy an AC Cobra if you want
noise.
Keep the enthusiastic driving up and fuel consumption becomes
disastrous, the COMMAND system will immediately remind you of this.
While cruising in town, the consumption hovered around 11L/100km,
until I put my foot down from one traffic light to the next. The ASC
system went bananas, warning light flashing as the 235 rubber fought
hard to bring 280 horses down onto the tarmac. My facial features
were re-arranged, my cell phone slid right across the console into
the back foot well and I think I might have heard a few squeeks from
the tires, accompanied by a heavily muted symphony of 8 cylinders.
Consumption check, 20 seconds later? 14,5.
And that's my overall impression of the beeeeeg Merc. Elegance,
Luxury and Technology, with a reassuringly vast reserve of power.
The 430 is an excellent long distance cruiser, it's got toys and
entertainment aplenty, performance is amazing, overtaking is child's
play (kickdown up to 200km/h) and the brakes feel very solid and
confidence inspiring.
With the E430 you get awesome power married successfully to a
super-smooth gearbox, in a sure-footed limousine that oozes luxury,
refinement and elegance.
Mom's Express Taxi or Dad's business-ride on steroids.
For:
Power, Power, Power.
Silky smooth autobox with amusing tiptronic
Interior finish, extras and toys
Passive safety
Timeless looks nicely updated
Against:
Price, Price, Price.
For 50g's more you get an M5 Beemer
Lack of decent exhaust note
Thirsty when hurried (duh!!)
Banker, Director, Wine farmer appeal
Decent understanding of COMMAND system requires degree in quantum
physics
Rivals:
BMW 540i
Audi A6 4,2
Lexus GS430
Stellenbosch.co.za advises: Always buckle up, be aware,
adhere to speed limits, never give anyone the key to the E430 and
play Tata Ma Millions as often as you can!
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