Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s introduction of the locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line today also saw the local W213 E-Class line-up on display, which provided an opportunity to take a closer look at the revisions brought about for the CKD E 200 Avantgarde, E 250 Avantgarde and E 250 Exclusive variants as a result of a MY2018 update.

The main one is with regards to pricing, which was revealed during the company’s zero-rated GST price announcement made at the end of May. The E 200 Avantgarde received a RM 15,000 price drop and – with GST savings included – now retails for RM 315,030.


The E 250 Avantgarde also had its price revised down by RM 9,000, to RM 348,992. The E 250 Exclusive is priced at RM 357,483, itself dropped by RM 5,000 from before. The new E 300 AMG Line top the range at RM 388,888. These prices will remain in effect until September 1, when the three-month sales tax holiday comes to an end.

There are also changes in specification, but these are minor and concern interior trim and materials. In the case of the E 200 Avantgarde, COMAND has been dropped, which omits the centre console touchpad controller, leaving a rotary dial for function access. An Audio 20 system replaces the COMAND Online infotainment system in the scheme of things, though the Widescreen Cockpit displays are left intact.


In terms of trim, the E 200 Avantgarde and both E 250 variants see the piano black console trim being replaced with a new centre console piece to match the top trim panel (as seen on the MY2018 E 350e). On the E 250 Avantgarde models, it’s now of the open-pore black ash variety, while the E 200 Avantgarde and E 250 Exclusive get open-pore brown wood trim. Curiously enough, the E 300 keeps the piano black trim.

The E 250 Avantgarde also gets new upholstery, in this case a leather/fabric combination. The fabric inserts aren’t the final word in luxe to the touch, but looks to be long-wearing and durable. The E 200 Avantgarde gets Artico leather upholstery, while the E 250 Exclusive maintains its Nappa leather seats. Artico leather-wrapped dashboard is present in all variants now, which is new for both Avantgarde models.


Of more significance is the revision to the climate control system. The three-zone configuration of the previous models has been replaced by a two-zone layout, with the rear AC vents now featuring a non-adjustable blower. The rear, B-pillar side AC vents are also gone, so rear occupants will have to make do with just the two central vents for cooling. Only the E 300 AMG Line keeps the three-zone system and rear side vents.

Both E 200 and E 250 variants are equipped with a M 274 DE 20 AL 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. On the E 200, output is 184 hp and 300 Nm, which is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 7.7 seconds, while on the E 250 the mill offers 211 hp and 350 Nm, resulting in a quicker sprint to the century at 6.9 seconds. The E 300 makes 245 hp and 370 Nm, and gets to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.

Power is applied to the rear wheels via a 9G-Tronic nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission with a Direct Select column gear selector.