Overview & Reviews

Diesel fans, rejoice! After years of waiting, a Mercedes-Benz diesel is once again available in the States, as the E320 CDI joins the lineup. For now, this model is only 45-state certified, meaning that it's unavailable in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York or Vermont. Beginning in March 2005, the base E320 becomes the E350 with the addition of a 3.5-liter V6 with 51 more horsepower. At the same time, a sport package will be added, which features upgraded suspension tuning and wheels, as well as steering wheel-mounted shift buttons. Complimentary scheduled maintenance program has been dropped for 2005.

• Sleek and dignified design inside and out, pleasing blend of ride and handling, sophisticated safety features, all-wheel drive available on both sedans and wagons.

• More expensive than competitors, confusing control layout, electronically controlled brakes lack progressive feel.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 177.00

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  At 100K miles, hello headaches - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Frank G., Lexington, KY - December 29 - 7:36 pm

  Once these cars age, they eat parts like a kid eats candy. I bought mine a year ago at 90K miles and it has been a constant headache and very unreliable. Always heard MB cars are good to 300K miles, but doubt that now. I thought I was getting a bargain, but its not. Most parts online are reasonably priced but take days to get; local parts stores charge as much as twice what online parts dealers get, but often dont have what I need. I do much of the work myself and luckily have a reliable independent shop that works on European cars to handle what I cant; if I didnt do much of it, I couldnt afford this car. These are complex cars and you pay extra for the experience it takes to fix them. Plus they can have hard-to-solve problems. For instance, I have a voltage "leak" that drains the battery if not driven in two days, and the shop cant figure it out. Mercedes dealers are notorious for charging seriously outrageous prices for parts and service (most car dealers make more money from service than new car sales), so get ready for a shock when they hand you a bill. My car performs very well, is super comfy and the tunes are awesome ... when I can drive it. I love it when its working right but so glad I have a second car. In short, its a real love/hate relationship. Buyer beware.

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  not like 1999 model - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jac 45 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  The new one is smaller and much more plastic. Driver seat is comfortable, passenger is not. Sure, it has more zip but it should be called a 200 series as that is the size of the body. Nowhere near the space for passengers in rear.

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  Stay away from the airmatic suspension - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By robert davis - February 10 - 8:26 am

  With 1500 miles on my new E class a red message came on the dash, "do not drive-stop the car now" The airmatic suspension failed and the car looked like a "low rider" I had the car towed and four days later it was repaired. The control module failed along with a few other things. This module is approx. $3000 , what a nice thought down the road. The brake pedal squeaked, the door trim is a light color with no door sill so it is always dirty, (replaced once), the wipers were noisy and chatter and Mercedes doesnt seem to know what to do. I had to put white lithium grease on them to stop the squeak. Noticed this when I went to pick up the car after four days in the shop. Stay away from MB .

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  After first year - BEWARE - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jeff C. - October 20 - 5:56 am

  This is a warning to anyone looking for a 2004 or 2005 E320. It is well known in the auto world about the problems with this model and Mercedes in general right now. It is basically an electronic nightmare. Since January of 2004, I have had the following replaced - rear door lock, instrument cluster (in speedometer), brain for the Dynamic Seats, 2- rain sensors, Command Center/GPS, 6 CD-player, brake issues. All of this in 11 months! It is a beautiful car and rides wonderfully and has some neat extras but you really need to think hard before buying this car. This is my first Mercedes and after paying $57,000 I am at a loss for words. Please take my words to heart - BEWARE.

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  Quality - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bistein - May 1 - 2:50 pm

  Rebuilt transmission twice, numerous electrical issues, new shocks & struts within the first year. No service dealer.

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  Still Improving - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By J Moran - August 2 - 10:00 am

  With less than 3000 miles the AC went out . This should not Happen, but it has with outher models. Quality Control seems to be slipping.

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  Longing for a Lexus - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mistake in Philly - March 31 - 10:03 pm

  I have a 05 E500 sedan and wagon (4- matic) The sedan has been a problem since day one. The wagon has been a joy to own and since it is my wifes I dont get it that often. The sedans brakes have been and continue to be an issue. The electronic brake system needs to be trashed. After numerous trips back to the dealer due to the hydralic pump activating for no reason, the system was finally replaced. The brakes have been squeaking even after 2 "treatments". The wipers "stink on ice". In addition, it is not as quick as my wagon. There is a noticeable lag in acceleration. I am truly disappointed in this car-- especially for the price. Thank God I leased it. Mercedes can have it back.

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  My Final Benz! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ed cooper - January 24 - 7:33 pm

  I have had 61 new cars in my life, and 8 M-Bs before this. Clearly, this is the worst car ever owned and the worst Benz! When it wasnt in the shop or on the back of a truck headed to the shop -- which happened every 2 months or less -- it was excellent. The dealer tried to help, but he couldnt make a silk purse out of this sows ear. Hopefully I can dump it before a potential buyer finds that it is a Consumer Reports "used car to avoid!" M-B has produced a real disaster, and was totally unwilling to even discuss assisting me with my problems beyond the now expired warranty. Maybe its time to return to Japanese quality -- quality cars which have never let me down/left me stranded.

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  Bad decision from start to finish - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Victoria - April 29 - 8:53 pm

  I purchased a certified pre-owned 2005 E320 from a VERY reputable Mercedes dealership in North Carolina. It was the worst decision I have ever made. I fell in love with the appearance of the car, the dynamic Italian leather seats, navigation etc. Unfortunately, it doesnt run properly. In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance, the Mercedes service department (at two separate dealerships) has had my car in for "repair" EIGHTEEN times. In two years. No joke. It has a stalling issue that Mercedes trained and qualified service technicians cannot fix. It supposedly does not generate any error codes when it does this, so Mercedes cant fix it and Im stuck with it. BEWARE!

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  Stay away from E320: Poorest quality - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jerry - January 7 - 2:16 am

  More problems than you can imagine with the computer, buttons falling off, phone not working. Worst navigation system (Acura & Lexus are better -- I have both). Car had a sticker of $62K new with options. Could have bought four Hundays for that. Made the mistake of buying the SCAM of an extended warranty when the original warranty expired. Nothing but excuses as to why something isnt covered. Hands free phone that came with car doesnt work. Now they are saying its "trim" and not covered. Do yourself a favor and buy a Lexus. Thats what Im going to do. Mercedes "Summer of Love". Give me a break!