The Mercedes-Benz W210 is a mid-size luxury car / executive car produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1996 through 2002 (the W210 wagon was carried over to the 2003 model year). They were sold under the E-Class model names in both sedan and station wagon body types. The W210 signified the entrance of Mercedes Benz into a new era in which they were to appeal to a younger market segment. The use of four separate headlights on the car's front end was a significant departure from longstanding Mercedes design conventions, with some critics labeling the new model the "Four-Eyed Benz." The W210 was an extremely successful model, and the four-headlight concept took off in the late 1990s as a result; the 1997-2005 Lexus GS featured a very similar fascia. The E320 W210 quickly became the model to sell the most units in MB production.

In the 2000 model year, a new multi-function information system was incorporated into the instrument cluster below the speedometer, and the use of a fiber optics system for the audio/navigation/phone system was introduced, all of which were able to be accessed by steering wheel controls. In addition, the 5-speed automatic transmission now featured "Touch Shift," which used the +/- gate positions for manumatic control (similar to the VW/Porsche "Tiptronic" system). Exterior changes included a revised front fascia with a steeper rake (emulating the popular CLK) and somewhat more aggressive bumpers and lower body trim.

Engines
This was the first time a V6 engine was offered (1998) to replace the straight-6 configuration (1996-1997). This new Mercedes-Benz M112 engine produced 221 hp (164 kW) and 229 ft·lbf (310 N·m) of torque and offered a 0-60 mph (98 km/h) of 6.9 seconds. Other offerings were the E420 (1997), E430 (1998-2002), and E55 AMG (1999-2002) with 354 hp (264 kW) and a 5.4 L normally aspirated engine. In North America, the range also features two E300 diesel engine models, including both non-turbocharged (1996-1997) and turbocharged (1998-1999) 3.0 litre straight-6 units. In 2000, Mercedes-Benz discontinued diesel powerplants in the E-class in North America. In Europe, the diesel engines were superseded by more advanced Common Rail (CDI) units (2000-2002). The CDI engines were not offered in North America until the E320 CDI in the newer W211 model.

Gasoline Engines for North American Market.

E 320 (I-6 M104, 3.199 cm³ 3.2L, 162 kW/220 hp) 1995-1997
E 320 (V-6 M112, 3.199 cm³ 3.2L, 165 kW/224 hp) 1997-2002
E 420 (V-8 M119, 4.196 cm³ 4.2L, 205 kW/279 hp) 1997
E 430 (V-8 M113, 4.266 cm³ 4.3L, 205 kW/279 hp) 1998-2002
E 55 AMG (V-8 M113, 5.439 cm³ 5.4L, 260 kW/354 hp) 1998-2002
Diesel for North American Market.

E 300 Diesel (I-6, 2.996 cm³ 3.0L, 100 kW/136 hp) 1995-1997
E 300 Turbodiesel (I-6, 2.996 cm³ 3.0L, 130 kW/177 hp) 1998-1999

Transmissions
The 1996 model W210 E-Class carried over the 4-speed automatic transmission from the previous W124 generation E-Class. In 1997, Mercedes installed in the E-class its newer, electronically-controlled model 722.6 5-speed automatic transmission that first saw duty in 1996 in the V8-powered W140 S-class models. The 722.6 transmission now powers numerous Daimler-Chrysler vehicles. The 4-speed and 5-speed transmissions are both fairly robust, although the 4-speed has a slight edge in durability. The 5-speed transmission is "sealed for life." Mercedes-Benz engineered the transmission fluid to last as long as the transmission's expected lifetime. Many owners do not share Mercedes' expectations for the transmission's lifetime. Since the frequency of fluid changes directly affects the length of a transmission's usable lifetime, many owners and repair shops recommend renewing the fluid every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.