woe Friday, March 14, 1997 - North Shore News - 34 rem earene tase! IN a sense, the recently redesigned Mercedes- Benz E-Class sedans were the first of a new ~ generation of non-tra- ’ ditional, youth-orient- ed Mercedes-Benz automobiles. The 1996 E320, intro- duced in the Fall of 1995, surprised traditionally-conser- _vauve Mercedes buyers with its bold oval headlamps and greater emphasis on handling and driving pleasure. . A year and a half later, those daring oval headlamps seem tame when compared . to the uncoaventional new vehicies coming out of : Mercedes-Benz. The sporty new SLK roadster is raising _eyebrows, as is the soon to be released M-class sport a «udility wagon, and the E- *- Class look a like CLK coupe. In addition, Mercedes is promising a new E-class sta- tion wagon and coupe. The changing face of ‘Mercedes-Benz seems to have hit a harmonious chord with buyers. In 1996, Mercedes-Benz Canadian sales were up by more than The 1996 E-320 was the :. first major redesign of the E- ~ Class in 10 years. It was given high marks by critics for its larger interior, smoother ride, improved handling and performance, and extensive standard safety @ features such as door-mount- ed side airbags. . Though it’s kard to imag- ine that a car worth $65,900 _ could be a good value, IntelliChoice, a U.S. based :, automobile research compa- ny, found the E320 to be the «Dest overall value in cars riced over 'U.S.$20,000. . The award is based on cost of ownership and resale pro- jections over five years. Phote submitted THE 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 offers a 275 horsepower V8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, four wheel independent suspension, and numerous safety features including duat side airbags. Test drive the new E420 at Mercedes Benz Canada at 1375 Marine Dr., North Vancouver (984-9351). The E320’s base price of $65,900 is reasonable by Mercedes-Benz standards, being about $12,000 cheaper than the standard $320 full- size sedan. The E300 Diesel, though not as popular, is even less expensive at $59,950. The six-cylinder E320 and the E300 Diesel were joined by the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz E42U sedan in the spring of 1996. Priced at $73,300 ($7,400 more than the F320), the E420 has a 275 horsepower 4.2- litre four cam, 32 valve V8 engine (58 more horsepower than the six-cylinder E320}, larger front disc brakes, a more sophisticated traction control system (ASRS), and different 16-inch diameter alloy wheels. The E420 was the first E-Class car to offer the 5-speed automatic adap- tive transmission, but this transmission is now standard on the E320 and E300 Diese! as well. The E420 is also available north shore $274 milion is spent atenually on the operation of cari and trucks on the Nerch Shere. Ta reach this karate market, plare your ad where the eadenhip is B.C.A.A. " AR.A. APPROVED CENTRE ‘DON TAYLOR Same ovmer, same high > Td tech envipped sh shop “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” am AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR £ TALKING x Estimates * Consultation 299-9000 (riaisis. 985-7455 _- 174 Pemberton Avenue’. blks’ south of Marine), with Mercedes-Benz’ option- al anti-skid system, the clec- tronic stability program, a feature that is not available on the E320. Other than those mechanical differences, there’s very little that’s dif- ferent between the two cars ~ which begs the question: is the E420’s increased horsepower, smoother engine, and superior traction control worth an extra $7,400? In terms of acceleration and pertormance, there’s not much difference between the E420 and E320. Zero to 100 km-h (62 m.p.h.) takes 7.8 seconds in the E320 and 7.0 seconds in the E420. Both engines have dual over- head camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing, so there’s pien- ty of high-end performance in both engines as well. But the E320 gets better fuel economy, averaging 10.2 litres per 100 kms (28 m.p.g.) compared to the E420’s 11.0 litres per 100 ‘The more intelligent tuxury and perform: V6 190 hp engine » automatic trans: AM/FM cassette * dual ait bags kilomerres (26 m.p.g.}. The E420's V8 1s margin: ally smoother and quicter, and has more immediate throttle response due to more low-end torque. Bur the E420 feels heavier thai the E320, and is not quite so lively, even though like all E- Class sedans, it has a fully independent suspension, four wheel disc brakes with ABS, and beefy 215/55 HR-16 inch radials. One important difference berween the E320 and the E420 is the type of traction control system used. The E320 has standard ETS (elec- tronic traction system) which uses ABS brake intervention to restore traction, whereas the E420 has standard ASR5 traction control which uses both ABS and throtle con- trol to restore traction and directional stability. For drivers who want improved handling and appearance, an optional sport package designed by German tuner AMG is available on * featuring a class leading speaker CD system with it conditioning * power accessories * cruise control * heated front seats * 15 inch wheels © heated mirrors end much more. : Pons on 24 moss OF $1 ab0.t P $10.212 ‘mus taxes & cent? | 700 block Marine Drive 985-9211 pres ane net of factory incentives. Appeaee on site t pay top dollar for trades. Extra concessions made by afi chartered banks All awe fet immediate delivery & special rates. REGENCY We want to Sell you u Car, For the Rest of ‘your fafe. AUTO GROUPY the E420 only. It includes low-profile P235/45ZR-17 inch radials and special alloy wheels, foglamps, deeper front air dam, sid skirts, and a rear “apron.” The package costs $6,400 which Mercedes says is “well below the cost of adding these same features individually.” All 1997 E-Class sedans feature a refined infra-red remote entry system that makes it easier to “aim” at the car, and a new anti-theft code in the ignition key. Another new feature for "97 is an auto-dimming driver's side rearview mirror to reduce headlight glare. The E-Class is one of the safest sedans on the road today, with a strong body structure.and rollover cage, dual front airbags and side Technical Data. Base price: $73,300 | Type: four-door, five- : passenger sedan Layout: longitudinal front cngine/rear- wheel-drive . _ Engine: 4.2-litre v8; DOHC, 32 valves airbags, five three-point seat- belts and five adjustable head restraints. To prevent the Passenger airbag from deploying when there is a child seat in the front passen- ger seat, a sensor in the front passenger seat deactivates the parsenger airbag when there is less than 12 kilograms (26.5 Ibs.) in the seat. Though the E420 is a mid: ize car, it looks and feels larger — and might be considered a less expensive alternative to the S-Class sedars. While we're on the subject of value, the E320 offers almost as much as the E420 for quite a bit fess money. The E320 would be my choice. But if you gozta have a V8, the E420 is the way to SELECTED PRE-OWNED AUTOMOBILES §f ——— PRE-OWNED VEHICLES —-— °96 M-B C220X ‘96 M-B C280W °95 Cherokee Ltd M-B C280W M-B £320 Cabrio. M-B S420V M-B S500V Volvo 850T5SR M-B C280W Infiniti Q45 Lincoln Town Car Jaguar XJ Volvo 850GL M-B I90E 2.3SE Cadillac Ailante Jaguar XJ6 M-B 300E 300SE VW Passat GL White/Grey Red/Tan Black/Beige Black/Creme Garnet/Creme Smoke/Creme Smoke/Creme Yellow/Black Green/Beige Green/Grey Taupe/Black Cabriolet Red/Tan Taupe/Beige Pearl Grey/Grey White Pearl/Creme Blue Green/Creme Taupe/Bi Nautical/Grey White/Blue 11,000km 10,000km 48,000km 32,000km 23,000km 18,000km 19,000km 39,000km 22,000km 58,000kin 15,000km 26,000km 51,000km 37,000km 50,000km 21,000km 95,000km 110,000km 52,000km Town ComPANY DRIVEN VEHICLES — ‘97, $320W ‘96 E3() Diesel Black Opal/Grey Black Pearl/Grey 8,000km 5,000km