Anticipating a long anniversary weekend on the Mendocino coast, we debated what vehicle would best suit this trip. Our plans included highway and curvy back road driving, vineyard visits (and cases of wine to be purchased), coastal gardens to explore (and plants to purchase) and evenings out to dinner.
The 2004 Mercedes E500 station wagon we selected was perfect on all counts. We believe this may be the best station wagon on the road today.
This is the first Mercedes station wagon ever powered by a V-8, using the same 5-liter engine as in Mercedes’ big sedans. With 302 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque under the throttle, the car is capable of getting from zero to 60 in less than six seconds. Now that’s hustling.
Needless to say, we had no problems holding our own in high-speed traffic. Cruising up U.S. 101 on the first stage of our journey from the Golden Gate to Cloverdale, our impressions were all positive.
With urban traffic behind us and smooth sailing ahead, one flick of a small wand on the steering column actuated the cruise control and set the speed. Cruising speed was neatly displayed in the form of a band around the outside of the easy-to-read speedometer. Miles per hour are also displayed in digital form, a feature we appreciate.
There’s ample cargo space and this car will seat seven, just like a sport-utility vehicle, but gas mileage at 16 city and 22 highway is a bit better than most SUVs.
With its Airmatic suspension system, the car’s ride was smooth as silk. The 10-way adjustable seats cradled each of us comfortably in soft leather. This impressed us, since Mercedes seats in past years have had a reputation for being too stiff.
In the tastefully trimmed cabin, the Harmon-Kardon sound system took full advantage of our favorite music in the in-dash multi-CD changer. The drive was blissful until the navigation system (one of the easiest we’ve used this year) alerted us that our turnoff to state Route 128 at Cloverdale was ahead.
As soon as we made the turn and took a few quick curves on the road toward Boonville, we thought we had been magically transported into a different car. Instead of the comfort of a luxury land yacht, we were suddenly experiencing the taut response of a well-engineered sports car, and a thrill to drive at that.
Mercedes accomplishes this sleight of hand with a combination of systems in the E500 that automatically sense and respond to changing road conditions and driving styles.
First, the air suspension tightens up to minimize sway and float. Second, the electronic throttle and transmission adapt by changing shift points and acceleration response. Third, the speed-sensitive power steering alters turning ratios to provide a crisper steering feeling. And, finally, the full-time all-wheel-drive system gives a feeling of confidence in the corners, with no hint of oversteer.
How well this all works was proven as we followed a real sports car through the curves in the redwoods. With no effort, Genie was able to stay with him all the way to our first stop in historic Boonville to pick up some lunch fixings. We’re sure the driver of that quick little coupe was disconcerted to look back on curve after curve to see the same full-size station wagon filling his mirrors.
Just past Boonville, we stopped at Navarro Vineyards to select several cases of some of their gold-medal-winning white wines. And five miles west, Roederer Cellers offered an opportunity to buy a celebratory bottle of champagne for our wedding anniversary dinner, as well as a few more for good measure.
Navarro’s beautiful gardens were a great place to have lunch, shoot some pictures, and admire the attractive lines of the car.
In the past few years, Mercedes has scored at the top of the luxury car market, while other makers seem to have lost their way with less-than-inspired styling. In particular, the Mercedes E-class wagon manages to combine grace and elegance to give this utilitarian package the presence of a luxury sedan.
The practicality of the wagon was proven as we loaded our wines into the extensive, multi-use cargo area. The two-person rear seat is easily tucked under the flat floor, and cargo nets and hooks deployed to stabilize the wine. A net hidden in the back of the second seat can even be raised to prevent loose objects from flying forward in event of a panic stop.
A convenient button automatically opens and closes the substantial tailgate, a useful – and much-used – option. A cover automatically opens and closes to cover luggage or cargo.
Even with additional cargo, the remaining miles to Mendocino passed quickly and smoothly, and we were soon at the recently renovated MacCallum House in the center of the town. Mendocino hasn’t changed much since “Murder, She Wrote” backdrops were filmed there in the 1980s. That evening our dining experience at 955 Ukiah was marvelous. Anticipating our celebration, the wait staff had even decorated our table with glitter and a 25th anniversary centerpiece.
The next day we explored the coastal cliffs and walked the paths of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg to admire the incredible variety of plants in bloom. Since we still had some cargo space left, we even picked up a few plants for our garden at home.
As they say in the travelogues, all too soon we reluctantly wound our way homeward, though not without a few blasts around the curves of the Comptche-Ukiah Road that is a little-traveled alternate to Route 1 south of Mendocino.
The base price for the E500 wagon is just under $60,000 but our weekend in the new Mercedes wagon proves that it is possible to satisfy a family’s needs for sports car, luxury sedan, people hauler and cargo van on the same four wheels.
The options of electric sun roof, automatic tailgate, navigation system, entertainment package, appearance package, and multicontour seats added about $8,000 to the price.
The value of celebrating a wedding anniversary weekend on California’s picturesque north coast roads, with the optional winery stops, botanical gardens visit, and dining delights, was priceless.
He liked: Power, style, and practicality in the same package.
She liked: Sports car handling and well-designed gauges and controls.
We agreed: Though not inexpensive, this may be the best all-around family vehicle on the road today.
