During my time with the E200, I was left disappointed with the car due to the lack of features in the E200. This on the other hand, would not be a problem for the E300, as Mercedes Benz has loaded the car with added technologies and features that a modern day luxury car should possess.  By testing this E300, I’ll set out to find the answer to the question of whether it is worth spending that extra RM 52,000 on the Mercedes Benz E300 sedan.

While the silhouette of the E300 is similar to the E200, Mercedes Benz designers did some minor exterior changes, to make the E300 look even sportier than the E200. The most notable change is at the front, where the E300 comes a more aggressive looking front bumper paired with the 3D patterned front grille. These changes alone instantly make the E300 look meaner in the rear view mirror.

Apart from the front bumper and the front grille, the headlights on the E300 have also been updated with the high tech Multibeam LED headlights. This Multibeam LED headlights has the ability to switch on and off individual LED bulbs, to prevent blinding oncoming cars and the cars in front. Lastly, the E300 comes standard with a set of unique looking 19 inch rims that creates a smooth surface for the air to flow past, thus providing additional aerodynamic efficiency.

Interior wise, the dashboard of the E300 has been finished in open pore black ash wood trim to enhance the luxuriousness of its interior. Other than that, Mercedes Benz has fitted the E300 with their unique looking dragonfly style steering wheel. This steering wheel may not look good in pictures, it actually looks way better in real life. Besides that, the rim on this steering wheel feels rather thick in my hands, and it speaks confidence when holding on to it.

Premium audio system is a must in a luxury vehicle, and the E300 has been blessed with the Burmester premium audio sound system that was missing in the E200. The Burmester sound system produces crisp and clear sound, while the bass is well balanced to provide a wholesome music experience. Lastly, the E300 also comes with a large panoramic sunroof to brighten up the interior.

For the E300, it is powered by the same 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine as the E200. But in the E300, power has been increased to 258hp at 5,500-6,100rpm and the peak torque figure is now at 370Nm at 1,800 – 4,000rpm to provide even better driving pleasure. Power is sent to the rear wheels through the 9 speed automatic transmission. The E300 can hit the 100km/h mark from 0 in 6.2seconds, and to a top speed of 250km/h.

At lower speeds, the increase in power is barely noticeable by the driver. In order to experience the additional power, the engine needs to be at higher rpm to extract this additional performance. By then, the E300 felt rapid and got up to speed at a much quicker pace. Just like the E200, the 9 speed transmission is as smooth as ever while changing gears, and it also helps the efficiency of the engine thanks to the 2 overdrive gears.

At all corners, the E300 uses the same suspension setup as the E200. No fancy adaptive suspension is available at the current moment. Just like the E200, the E300 has no problem keeping the car stable and comfortable when going through uneven roads. Handling wise, apart from having better turn in and more grip through the corners, the E300 does give the driver plenty of confidence when tackling the twisty roads.

In terms of safety, the E300 gets a long list of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to keep the car safe. Most of these systems are not available on the E200. Among the different systems available on the E300, one of my favorite features is the adaptive cruise control. This is because Mercedes Benz engineers did a great job in simplifying the whole operation into just a press of a button. The E300 comes standard with 7 Airbags, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Pedestrian warning function near pedestrian crossings, and PRE-SAFE® PLUS.

With a price of RM 397,888.00, I do think that the extra RM52,000 is justifiable to upgrade to the E300. This is because the added features that were fitted onto the E300, will cost even more when it’s being added individually. It may be the more expensive E-class, but the E300 is the E-class you’ll want. These added features made the E300 an even more enjoyable car to live with.

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