Road test: Mercedes-Benz E 350 d AMG Line

Like cats, Mercedes buyers have their preferences in quantities of eight out of ten. That’s the proportion who go for straight-four engines in today’s climate of thrift.

So the E-350 d is for the two out of ten. The top two.

It has Merc’s much-loved 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, which is becoming of a car whose appearance is very much that of one which knows its big brother is the S-Class. That’s the level of elegance at which we’re operating.

In this case, ‘much loved’ means you ought to love it too. This is a final outing for the V6, which is great because Merc’s engine bods have been refining it and refining it throughout its life cycle to the point where now, with that life cycle approaching its end, it’s more refined than ever.

Refinement is nothing without performance, however, especially not in an exec, so you’ll be pleased to hear that with 255bhp, getting this E-Class moving is simply not a problem. You don’t need to kick it down, just squeeze the throttle and between the V6 engine and 9G-tronic auto box you’ll glide up to whatever speed you desire.

On a fast cruise it feels as if the engine isn’t even running at all. It must be, but you can’t hear it, far less feel any vibes – there’s a rumble of road noise, but that’s all.

Whatever the engine is doing, anyway, it only needs a gallon of fuel every forty miles or more. Which in a big and relatively heavy executive car is an achievement of some note.

The motorway is its happiest hunting ground; push it hard on a rougher road and ride quality starts to come apart before you’ve reached the limits of what 255bhp allow you to ask of a car.

The answer is to keep some in reserve; you don’t need to rush, because by dint of the fact that you’re even driving this car, you’ve already arrived. You have one of the finer things in life here, so enjoy it without treating it like you hate it.

Once again, the E-Class comes across like a smaller S-Class – not just in its looks but in its serene ride, general comportment and exceptionally crafted cabin. In this way, the 350 d engine is perfectly suited to it – when you’ve got a car this good, surely it deserves the best engine you can give it?

KEY STATS - Mercedes-Benz E 350 d AMG Line