Please check out link regarding the power of this car. Here's a quote from "New Car Test Drive" on this vehicle. My post is not a bad post, it's a fact. Please do your homework.

"After its initial tip-in, the E420 has the throttle response of an aircraft carrier catapult. Pushing the pedal to the softly carpeted floor returns a thrilling explosion of acceleration, pushing you back into the seat as the car builds velocity. The cabin fills with the engine's refined snarl and the tachometer's needle climbs toward the redline."

I was not exaggerating about the burst of acceleration. It does literally thrust your head back without shifting gear. I did experience this serveral years ago. The car still has good power, but the burst was not there that it had.

Link for thoses that would like to read this write up:
http://www.nctd.com/review-drive.cfm?Vehicle=1997_Mercedes-Benz_E420&ReviewID=336