Mercedes W210: Pre vs Post Facelift

I go over many of the differences that happened during the w210's facelift which includes differences in the exterior styling, interior styling and materials, and engine options. The prefacelift model cars were 1996-1999 and the facelift was 2000-2002. The early model years had some unique aspects about them as well such as the infrared key, lack of certain options such as the one touch up and down windows. Some features and options mentioned are specific to AMG models and some are specific to euro spec cars. If you haven't checked out my video on differences between the USA and Euro specification differences I suggest you give it a watch.

Link to the USA vs Euro spec video:

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Invisible Glass:

303 Aerospace Protectant:

Meguiar’s Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner

Meguiar’s Ultimate Synthetic Paste Wax

Leatherique Kit

Gtechniq L1 Leather Guard

Rain-X

Yellow microfibers:

Keyless Entry system in my W124

Bluetooth module

RCA to 3.5mm Adaptor

Noise filter

Cabin Air Filters

W210 LED interior light kit

T10 LED

W210 LED Sidemarker Smoke

W210 LED Sidemarker Clear

W210 LED license plate lights

1156 LED Amber Bulbs For W210 Turn Signals Front and Rear

H7 LED Bulb For W210 High Beams

LED city lights

LED tail lights

1156 LED Reverse Lights for W124

1156 LED Reverse Lights for W210 Error Free

H4 LED bulb for W124 Low beams

W210 H&R V8 springs

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Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish:

Mothers PowerCone360:

Steel Wool grade 0000:

Phone mount:

MOVO external microphone:

MOVO Lightning adaptor:

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#w210

[timsd]

Only true w210 geeks find this very interesting

[AJK-]

Great video! Not enough quality and modern W210 content around. Would be interesting if you could make a video on of the Diesel versions of the W210.

[JohnnyBean]

This video...right here...really helps to distinguish the small differences between the W210 model years. Both of those W210 models are beautiful. I have a 1997 W210 M119. All black with black interior. Beautiful machine and she still runs smooth as silk. I love my car and the few videos I come across, like this one, makes me appreciate my car more and more and what a small club this is. Thank you for this detailed and in-depth video explaining every single little detail. The love and hard work you put into this with having two models side by side, instead of using powerpoints, pictures and other video. You mashed this into a brilliant video.

[wjvtv]

Incredible having these three beautiful w210s together for this comparison. Well executed, very detailed!

[александркузнецов-юж]

hi, I'm watching you from Russia, I want to note that cars released after 1999 have a slightly different structure of soft plastic. When the dream is directed in the opposite direction of the car's movement, the light from the torpedo, to the windshield, if viewed above the instrument panel, is reflected differently.

[speedracerjeff]

Great video. I have a W211 E55 and a W210 E430 now. I love both W210s and W211s, but to be honest I would take a W210 E55 over a W211 E55. Maybe it’s cause I already have the M113k, but in my opinion the W210s are true classic Benz’s… they’re more reliable, have less issues, simple and functional engineering and styling, and W210s make for the best daily driver between the two.

[othnielmalcolm]

Great comparison, love the content keep them coming. I am an owner of a 1999, 2001 and 2002 E55 AMG love these cars.

[gits]

Great video, the best 210 content on the web.

The number of slats / chrome frets on the euro 'classic' trim level grill also varies between pre and post faceift. 2 chrome frets on the pre-face and 3 chrome frets on the post facelift.

[BMWyCia]

0:33 the non amg prefacelift sideskirt is not unpainted: it doesnt have a plastic sideskirt its just the body that you see finished in black

[javantgarde]

I love how subtle the brick era facelifts were. I own a pre facelift w202 w/ 184k miles and I'd prefer the pre facelift W210, glass headlights and boxier design.

[rickhowland]

Hey there buddy- I met you a couple years ago at HB State Beach when you had a small group of MB enthusiasts there with 2 of your gorgeous W210 AMG's- I was riding my bicycle and we discussed waxes/polishes. Anyway, GREAT comparison! Thank you!
I had an awesome 97 E420 that I tricked out but totaled it in early 2019 (it saved my life- a 16 year old kid, driving a Tahoe blew a signal that was red for OVER A MINUTE while texting- I hit him between his f&r wheels going 50+mph). Now I have a 2002 E55 that I bought immediately after my accident. One of the minor differences I noticed was the cool yellow color map light that is located on the bottom of the rearview mirror. Not sure what year that was updated??? Thanks again for putting this great video together!

[tonychavez]

210 was the last of the classic looking E-class. My E420 sport was one of the best cars I ever owned, M119 motor was a gem. Great video.

[sydneylivecamera]

I had the realisation watching this that the ASR button (anti-skid/slip system) is designed to be at the hand of the driver in a Left Hand Drive Euro/US car. In Australia where we are Right Hand Drive, the centre console layout is left unchanged, and your passenger is always turning off traction control while they try to put up their window. Great video, thanks for making it. And I kept getting distracted by those fresh Michelins!

[angelob.]

Those cars look beautiful. I can imagine it takes a lot of dedication to keep them looking that great. I have a W201 and a W140, but recently, I acquired my grandfather’s 1998 W210 E230. Always wondered why so few of these can be seen where I live because it’s a wonderful car. Been doing a lot of work on the car because my grandfather could no longer maintain or use it in the later years of his life, but it’s all been worth it so far. Thanks for the content.

[garethsmith]

I am in Australia and have a 1998 model (RHD), but it has some of the features shown here for the facelift model, eg smart key and auti drop on the passengers mirror for reversing and the third LED brake light, plus some more.

[markoilijagalic]

I love e320cdi it is tge best daily driver (for my needs) which i can own. It doesnt break down, its fast and flexible engine which burns 7-8 liters on highway. Very comfortable and cheap maintenance

[firstlast]

Great video. A Mercedes mechanic told me that on the pre-facelift W210 AMG, there was 50 lbs. more solder than on a regular W210 (and I think a lot of it was silver solder)

[babybenz.]

Awesome video.

I know you’re all about the 210’s but I’d love to see a video like this for the W140 😊

[TheInsaneShecklador]

7:00 What is the purpose of the defroster line cutouts? 22:50 The only thing that comes to mind is the parking sensor displays are different. Facelift has them integrated into the wood trim over the center vents. Pre-facelift has extra plastic bits that go over the top of the wood. One above those center vents and another one on the short piece of wood on the other side of the instrument cluster.

[nikolay]

There is one more infrared key between the ‘95-‘97 key and ‘99-‘02 key.and that kind of key is the first infrared key of W210 for cars manufactured from may ‘97 till ’99.know it