Forbes magazine review of new MB E500
Look for the Auto Spies review of the new E500 coming soon
Forbes magazine E500 review
A very well done review of the impressive new E500
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/vehicles/2002/10/28/cx_mf_1028feat.html
Highlights from the review:
While rival BMW is going through an apparent identity crisis, with the latest 7 series prompting the rise of spiteful Web sites dedicated to spamming that company's head designer, Chris Bangle, Mercedes is suffering from no such pangs. Apparently Mercedes can seamlessly target a younger buyer without abandoning an older boomer core audience. Neat trick--one Cadillac isn't achieving with its knifelike new look.
Audio settings, however, are not quite as simple to adjust. There are various submenus on a center-console-mounted LED screen, so adjusting tone, for example, requires navigating to the right menu first. Anyone ever hear of knobs?
Finally, one rather amazing option is the panorama sunroof ($1,500). This is a pair of glass roofs, one over the front, which opens, and one over the backseat area. The sunroof lets a lot of light into the cabin and creates a wonderfully airy quality to sunny-day driving.
OK, so we like the handling and the suspension. And guess what? We love the motor, too. The new 5.0-liter V-8 delivers a respectable 302 horsepower, but we're more impressed by the 339 foot-pounds of torque knocked out by this unit at a mere 2,700 rpm.
So where's our beef?
With the brakes. Mercedes has continued with this car to incorporate its new electronic braking system (now on the SL and S), and we still don't like it. It's not that we doubt the safety of these brakes. But the difference in pedal feel between electronic brakes (tied by sensors and computers to the calipers and discs rather than via hydraulics) is pronounced. Push softly, and Mercedes has a system designed that's supposed to prevent the usual jolt to a stop that's common in stop-and-go traffic.
The main message here is a luxury car without rival and, by the way, one that can go fast but doesn't have to sacrifice pleasure. Like we said, this is Mercedes' most important car, and once again they nailed it.
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