MB Museum Youngtimer Display - Rare Hi-Po Sedan of the '90s (W210 E60)

[gerryvz]

MB released the following information this morning, along with photos.

This relates to the E60 AMG of the W210 chassis. Per @captruff .....

Rare High-performance Sedan of the 1990s: The Mercedes-Benz E 60 AMG in the special exhibition “Youngtimer”​

Stuttgart, October 20, 2025

• With 280 kW (381 hp) and 580 newton metres the top model of the 210 model series
• The rare AMG Technology Package (Code 957) distinguishes the highly exclusive special version of the E 50 AMG
• This powerful E-class is almost as expensive as an S-Class with a long wheelbase and twelve-cylinder engine

“Close-up” – the name of this series from the Mercedes-Benz Museum says it all. Each instalment tells surprising, exciting and interesting stories about vehicles from the exhibition. In the spotlight this time: the Mercedes-Benz E 60 AMG (model series 210) in the special exhibition “Youngtimer”, in Collection Room 5. Until 12 April 2026, this exhibition displays ten vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s in a colourful and lively presentation.

No. 7/2025: Mercedes-Benz E 60 AMG (W 210)​

Power package: The Mercedes-Benz E 60 AMG is a car of superlatives. Its high-performance V8 engine with 280 kW (381 hp) made it the most powerful E-Class in the mid-1990s. Its price of around 200,000 DM placed it in the top league. The most expensive vehicle in the portfolio at that time was the S 600 (model series 140) with long wheelbase and a twelve-cylinder engine (290 kW/394 hp), priced at 210,220 DM. The Mercedes-Benz Museum is presenting a black E 60 AMG as the highlight of the special exhibition “Youngtimer”. Standing at the center of the room, this extremely rare high-performance sedan attracts attention.

Discreet design: At the same time, the top model of the 210 series is a wolf in an elegant tailor-made suit. Only the understated body kit and the AMG 18-inch light-alloy wheels hint at Affalterbach’s craftsmanship. The Mercedes star and radiator grille shine in black instead of silver chrome – two exceptional design features for a sedan of this generation of the E-Class. And to put the price in context within the 210 series: in 1997, the year this E 60 AMG was built, the E 430 – also with V8 engine – was listed at 104,995 DM.

Metamorphosis: The E 60 AMG is based on the E 50 AMG, presented in 1996. This is already a high-performance saloon with an impressive 255 kW (347 hp) from almost five litres of displacement. Those who ordered it with the AMG technology package (Equipment Code 957) triggered the transformation: AMG bored the V8 engine to 5,956 cubic centimetres of displacement, achieving a power increase of 25 kW (34 hp) and 100 newton metres more torque. A total of 580 Newton meters are available. This effect distinguishes the E 60 AMG: it accelerates even more impressively from 0 to 100 km/h – in just 5.9 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the already highly dynamic E 50 AMG. The speedometer scale tops out at a confident 280 km/h, the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Opting for the AMG technology package came at a price. It cost around 50,000 DM – in addition to the 148,350 DM for an E 50 AMG.

Fundamentally new: The company launched the E-Class of the 210 model series in 1995. This was in keeping with the dynamic spirit of optimism prior to the new millennium. The distinctive twin-headlamp face, elegant appearance, excellent aerodynamics, more than 30 innovations and a commitment to sporty performance characterised this generation of the E-Class. The design created under the direction of Bruno Sacco received the coveted “Red Dot Design Award”.

Technology for speed: The sporty top-of-the-range vehicles of the 210 model series were largely handcrafted. Mercedes-Benz supplied the bodyshell to Affalterbach, where the experts integrated the components developed there: the engine, transmission, powertrain and axles. Under the body of the E 60 AMG, an AMG sport suspension ensured a good feel for the road. 1:2.82 was chosen as the final drive ratio. The front brake system was likewise an AMG in-house development, while the rear brake system was adopted from the twelve-cylinder roadster Mercedes-Benz SL 600 (R 129). In 1997, the E 60 AMG was also used in Formula One as the Official FIA F1® Medical Car – alongside the C 36 AMG.

Luxury with character: The experts in Affalterbach also did a thorough job with the interior of the E 60 AMG, creating an atmosphere of casual yet dynamic luxury with a great deal of best craftmanship. This includes elegant wood inlays, Alcantara-lined door and seat centre panels as well as lavishly finished fine leather. The embossed door sill panels bear the model designation, as do the shift lever, the special carpets and a cover flap in the centre console. The flap also features the signature of Hans Werner Aufrecht, the AMG co-founder. The famous AMG sticker with his signature also adorns the rear window.

Precise handling: Another important highlight is the steering wheel, the central control element in the driver’s hands. To allow agile handling of the high-performance saloon through bends and hairpins, it was given a compact AMG steering wheel with a diameter of 390 millimetres, finished in leather with wood inlays.

A delight for all the senses: The AMG sports exhaust system ensured that the powerful eight-cylinder engine produced a sound befitting its status. While a Bose sound system spoiled those who were looking for musical accompaniment.

Rarity on wheels: Exactly how many E 60 AMG were built? This is not known because the number of units of the special version was not shown separately in the total production figure of 2,960 E 50 AMG models. There were probably fewer than 200. This certainly makes the E 60 AMG a great rarity, and therefore a highly sought-after recent classic. This also applies to the E 60 AMG of the 124 model series as this model had already existed before.

Back to the future: The E 60 AMG at the Mercedes-Benz Museum is part of the current special “Youngtimer” exhibition. It will be on display in Collection Room 5 until 12 April 2026. Ten iconic vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s are specifically exhibited in a colourful and entertaining presentation. The theme islands range from “Easy Life” to “Refinement” and “Space”. They embed the vehicles in the lifestyle of their era. Interactive stations with topics ranging from generative image creation with the help of artificial intelligence to retro gaming accompany the exhibition, and also bring the turn of the millennium into the present.

 

[gsxr]

• The rare AMG Technology Package (Code 957) distinguishes the highly exclusive special version of the E 50 AMG
• This powerful E-class is almost as expensive as an S-Class with a long wheelbase and twelve-cylinder engine

Metamorphosis: The E 60 AMG is based on the E 50 AMG, presented in 1996. This is already a high-performance saloon with an impressive 255 kW (347 hp) from almost five litres of displacement. Those who ordered [the E50] with the AMG technology package (Equipment Code 957) triggered the transformation: AMG bored the V8 engine to 5,956 cubic centimetres of displacement, achieving a power increase of 25 kW (34 hp) .... Opting for the AMG technology package came at a price. It cost around 50,000 DM – in addition to the 148,350 DM for an E 50 AMG.

OMG. Talk about a glaring error. The 210.072 chassis with code 957 indicated an E50 AMG.

There is NO code for the E60. Period, full stop. You cannot tell an E50 from an E60 by the datacard. @WDB748372 can likely confirm. The only way to tell the engines apart is by looking at the serial number stamped on the block. 5.0L engines are 11:1 compression ratio and have no AMG engine stamps, they are "normal" engine serials. 6.0L engines are 10:1 and should have an " AMG 60" stamp with near the serial number. Both are 119.980 engines.

You would think Mercedes Museum / Classic / Youngtimer / Whatever would know this stuff.

Technology for speed: The sporty top-of-the-range vehicles of the 210 model series were largely handcrafted. Mercedes-Benz supplied the bodyshell to Affalterbach, where the experts integrated the components developed there: the engine, transmission, powertrain and axles. Under the body of the E 60 AMG, an AMG sport suspension ensured a good feel for the road. 1:2.82 was chosen as the final drive ratio.

The E50 AMG had 3.06 gearing from the factory. There is little to no formal documentation on the E60 gearing, but it does appear most or all E60 builds did have 2.82 gears. The EPC only shows 3.06 because the EPC only has E50 data / part numbers... not E60.

 

[WDB748372]

There is NO code for the E60. Period, full stop. You cannot tell an E50 from an E60 by the datacard. @WDB748372 can likely confirm.

Correct. Don't think we will ever know the exact production numbers but a little over 157 for the sedans and 13 wagons that I've documented so far.