1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210

• The quad-headlight design became a signature look for the brand.

• A wide range of engines, from fuel-efficient to high-performance V8.

• Still holds its own against rivals like the 5 Series and A6 today.

That Front End Changed Everything

You didn’t mistake it for anything else on the road. When the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210 rolled out, its twin-oval headlight design instantly split opinions—before winning most of them over. It set the tone for what a luxury midsize sedan could look like heading into the new millennium.

The rest of the exterior feels very Mercedes of that era: long, purposeful, and slightly conservative in profile. There’s a confidence to its shape—nothing overly dramatic, just balanced surfaces and a solid stance. The proportions are tidy, the beltline calm, and there’s a sense of presence without showiness.

Under the Hood: Pick Your Personality

One of the W210’s strongest suits? Range. From the workhorse E 200 with its 2.0L four-cylinder, all the way to the E 55 AMG’s brawny 5.4L V8—it was a lineup that left no buyer behind.

In the middle, the E 240 and E 320 gave buyers respectable V6 options (170 hp and 221 hp, respectively), while the E 430 brought serious grunt with its 275-hp V8. The AMG-tuned E 55 was the real bruiser, pumping out 354 hp and letting you know this was no ordinary E-Class.

Whether you needed a calm cruiser or a sleeper performance sedan, W210 had you covered.

Inside, It’s All Business

The interior plays it pretty straight—classic Mercedes thinking. Big, supportive seats. Logical controls. Wood and leather where you expect it, without the gloss overload of some of today’s designs.

It’s built to last more than impress. And that’s part of the appeal. There’s a purposeful calm to the cabin, a sense that everything’s where it should be. Room in both rows is generous, and trunk space is more than decent for an executive sedan. It’s not flashy—but it never needed to be.

Tech Where It Counts

For 1999, the W210 was well-appointed. Features like automatic climate control, traction control, multi-airbag systems, and a quality stereo system put it right in step with segment expectations. It didn’t chase gimmicks—it just gave you what you actually used.

In Good Company, But Holding Its Own

The W210 had stiff competition back then. The BMW 5 Series brought the sportier edge. Audi A6 leaned into its all-weather confidence. But Mercedes positioned the E-Class somewhere smarter—between luxury and pragmatism.

It wasn’t chasing trends. It was just building a car that could outlast them. Two decades later, it turns out that was the smarter bet.

Final Thoughts

The 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210 didn’t try to be everything to everyone. It just did its job—with elegance, capability, and more range than you’d expect. Even now, it still manages to feel relevant in a world that's moved fast and forgotten a lot. But not this one.

Technical Specifications: 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210

Performance:

• Engine Options:

  • E 200: 136 hp (100 kW) @ 5,500 rpm

  • E 240: 170 hp (125 kW) @ 5,500 rpm

  • E 280: 204 hp (150 kW) @ 5,700 rpm

  • E 320: 224 hp (165 kW) @ 5,600 rpm

  • E 430: 279 hp (205 kW) @ 5,750 rpm

  • E 55 AMG: 354 hp (260 kW) @ 5,500 rpmultimatespecs.com+2es.wikipedia.org+2autoevolution.com+2

• Torque:

  • E 200: 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm

  • E 240: 225 Nm (166 lb-ft) @ 3,000–5,000 rpm

  • E 280: 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) @ 3,000–5,000 rpm

  • E 320: 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) @ 3,000–4,800 rpm

  • E 430: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) @ 3,000–4,000 rpm

  • E 55 AMG: 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) @ 3,000 rpmen.wikipedia.org

• Acceleration (0–100 km/h):

  • E 200: 10.8 seconds

  • E 240: 9.3 seconds

  • E 280: 8.9 seconds

  • E 320: 7.9 seconds

  • E 430: 6.6 seconds

  • E 55 AMG: 5.7 secondskbb.com+11autoevolution.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11en.wikipedia.orgru.wikipedia.org

• Top Speed:

  • E 200: 209 km/h (130 mph)

  • E 240: 229 km/h (142 mph)

  • E 280: 230 km/h (143 mph)

  • E 320: 238 km/h (148 mph)

  • E 430: 250 km/h (155 mph)

  • E 55 AMG: 250 km/h (155 mph)en.wikipedia.org+1autoevolution.com+1autoevolution.comcarfolio.com

Body Measurements:

• Length: 4,818 mm (189.7 in)

• Width: 1,799 mm (70.8 in)

• Height: 1,417 mm (55.8 in)

• Wheelbase: 2,832 mm (111.5 in)

• Front/Rear Track: 1,539 mm / 1,532 mm (60.6 in / 60.3 in)

• Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in)

• Cargo Volume: 521 liters (18.4 cu.ft.)

• Curb Weight: Varies by model; e.g., E 320 approx. 1,630 kg (3,594 lbs)es.wikipedia.org+2autoevolution.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+1autoevolution.com+1

Powertrain:

• Engine Types:

  • E 200: 2.0L Inline-4, Naturally Aspirated

  • E 240: 2.4L V6, Naturally Aspirated

  • E 280: 2.8L V6, Naturally Aspirated

  • E 320: 3.2L V6, Naturally Aspirated

  • E 430: 4.3L V8, Naturally Aspirated

  • E 55 AMG: 5.4L V8, Naturally Aspirated

• Transmission Options:

  • Manual: 5-speed or 6-speed

  • Automatic: 4-speed or 5-speeden.wikipedia.org

• Drivetrain:

  • Standard: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)

  • Optional: All-Wheel Drive (4MATIC)

Capacities:

• Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 liters (21.1 US gallons)

• Seating Capacity: 5 passengers

• Cargo Volume: 521 liters (18.4 cu.ft.)autoevolution.com

Price:

• Original MSRP (1999):

  • E 320 Sedan: Approximately $46,200 USD

  • E 430 Sedan: Approximately $52,000 USD

  • E 55 AMG: Approximately $70,000 USD

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