Overview & Reviews

All new and sporting a face anybody's mother could love, the E-Class comes in three flavors: E300 Diesel, E320 and E420. A new front suspension and larger wheels and tires provide better handling, while optional gas-discharge headlamps mark new technology. Side-impact airbags are included in the doors of all E-Class models. E420's can be had with ESP, which is a new safety system that makes sure the E420 is under control at all times. The E420 also gets a new five-speed transmission.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 19.00

• 

  The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Beachlivin - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car to cruise the highway and indeed, a pleasure in L.A. traffic. Its very comfortable, turns heads, and will hold its own in an accident. The V6 & 4-speed are srong and reliable, with no major issues at 160,000 miles. However, the electrical problems are a nightmare. A dashboard light comes on every 3-4,000 miles. Notorious problems include faulty EGR valves, sensors, rattles, and a stereo amplifier that will eventually die. The only ugly thing about this car was the cost to maintain it. 10 months = $3,000, without a major repair.

• 

  The deisel that wasnt - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jwkrotec - July 4 - 10:00 am

  The new 4 valve deisel is a work of art. There is plenty of power for accelerating and the broad tourque curve makes highway cruising at 75 effortless. Unforntunately, many little problems with various systems have had the car spending days at the dealer. The dealer took several tries to get it right each time! very bad. At 95,000 miles the legendary Mercedes deisel stopped! I was informed that the bad fuel in this country gummed up the vanes in the induction unit and it cost $3,500 to repair. This is rediculous. One buys a deisel to prevent this sort of thing.

• 

  Good reliability - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By highlander - March 12 - 1:06 am

  I drive some 6000 miles every year on the snow and ice in the mountains and the electronics takes care of the occasional error. This car has has minor corrosion problems all corrected under guarantee at no cost to myself.

• 

  mercedes reliabilty - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By richard snyder - February 19 - 10:00 am

  when we purchased this vehicle in nov of 96 we were so happy. then we found out it had a german smaller gas tank. the dealership replaced it tthe proper size tank. then we started to have a series of reliabilty problems, such as the following: glow plugs not working (8 times),care stalling while in motion (10 times), 3 blower motors, 2 control modules replaced, order pump for ww wipers.if you wish i can you copies of the work orders. It just to much effort to wrie here. MB did extend the warranty to 75,000 miles and the were good in providing a loaner car with no cost to me. The problems have with this car up to this writing. richard snyder

• 

  Love car, HATE the electrical problems!! - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MikeA - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I love the car. I have owned it since 1997, and the style still turns heads. Hovever, the constant electrical problems reflect a Yugo, not a Mercedes Benz!! Nearly once a month something electronic fails. Thank God I bought an extended warranty. Next time, I am buying the Lexus LS430, (less problems).

• 

  Electronic Nightmare - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MrBill - July 7 - 10:00 am

  This car looks and feels great. Its eye catching, and sturdy. The V6 can hold its own but the maintenance especially the electrical problems are killing A dashboard light comes on every month. Notorious problems include faulty EGR valves, sensors, bulbs and a shoddy Bose stero system. Ive owned the car for 8 months and have spent about 2k in minor repairs.