[3] The side-valve six-cylinder 2,968 cc engine delivered a maximum output of 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) at 3,500 rpm which translated into a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).

Power was transmitted via a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels which were fixed to a rigid axle suspended from semi-elliptic leaf springs.

The cylinder dimensions were slightly changed, giving rise to a small increase in total engine capacity to 2,994 cc.

At the back, however, the final drive ratio was changed from 5.4 :1 to 4.8 : 1, and the listed top speed went up to 108 km/h (67 mph) Although sales levels improved, the volumes continued to undershoot the manufacturer's expectations, and for 1928 the W04 received a further makeover.

1929 was the last full year for the W05 car which was replaced by the W10 “Typ Mannheim” model, which would be built on a slightly shorter wheelbase.

[8] The six-cylinder sedan/saloon sector in which the Mercedes Benz W03/W04/W05 competed was crowded at a time when the number of customers who were willing and able to spend around 10,000 Marks on a car was limited.

The car competed for customers with similarly sized, often significantly less expensive, models from established manufacturers, including Adler, Wanderer and Horch along with several smaller and more completely forgotten German automakers.

German Market growth in the late 1920s was increasingly focused on smaller cars, and Mercedes-Benz were far from alone in being disappointed with the volumes achieved in the six-cylinder class.