Overview & Reviews

A favorite in the midsize luxury car class, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has provided an appealing mix of comfort, performance and safety for decades. The trademark qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as vaultlike solidity and cutting-edge technology, have also contributed to the E-Class' great popularity among luxury buyers.

Over the years, the E-Class has been offered as a sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible. Contemporary E-Class models come loaded with luxury features and offer stunning acceleration in higher trim levels, with diesel power available if you want to maximize your fuel economy. The E-Class has never been the sportiest car in its segment, but its handling has improved significantly in recent years. Rivals are better in certain respects, but if you're looking for the complete package in a medium-size luxury car, an E-Class will be hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  Solid Car - Great Value - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dizzle - October 23 - 11:53 pm

  Bought a 07 CPO E350 Sport/ Premium 1, Blk/Blk with 21,000 miles for $31k Aug 09. The car is very solid and well-built - no chassis flex, creaks, or rattles, very stable (runs likes its on railroad tracks - smooth, stable and tracks very straight even at high speeds). Great value for a car with an MSRP of $55k. Acceptable performance; but its no rocket or track-day thrill ride. I also own a 06 BMW 330 w/ sport package - the E350 cant match the 330 in terms of performance but it is certainly a very comfortable, solid, spacious, safe and prestigious (if that sort of thing matters to you)car. Very happy with the purchase, a top-of-the-line Accord will run you about the same money!

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  IMPRESSED - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bh - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned most high end sedans and 2 other E Class automobiles. This is a totally different experience than any of the others. It has the size and comfort of the Lexus LS 430, the style of a staring value of my 911 and that tried and true Mercedes quality. If you drive an E 500- you will have to have one.

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  Makes other sedans seem unworthy. - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Scott - October 21 - 4:46 pm

  Ive owned my 99 E320 for 15 months now and could not be more satisfied; I purchased it used with only 78k miles and now have 86k on it. This sedan is a testament to the quality of German engineering and performance! People may claim the car is expensive to repair, but show me a car from this era or later that isnt (and Ive had great luck with getting parts at reasonable prices from Rock Auto). The 3-valve V6 has excellent power - it will leap to 60 in 7 seconds flat while returning 25mpg (30+ on the highway). Laser-accurate cruise control, great seats, a 21-gallon fuel tank, and typical German highway prowess enable it to leap tall states in a single bound. The suspension has the magic ability to soak up road imperfections and then firm up in the curves - body roll is almost nonexistent. I was also lucky enough to get a fully-optioned model with heated leather seats, moonroof, Bose audio, Xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, etc. All this for a car that only cost $4200, Ive put about $2500 additional into it to make it nearly perfect. Despite all these hosannas, there are a few problem areas with the 96-02 E320s you should know about when purchasing one. 1) Rust - the MB/Chrysler merger resulted in paint quality issues due to the move to water-based paint; check for rust around the wheel arches/door edges. ALSO - early E320s also have a serious issue with rust in the front suspension spring perches - check this especially if the car has lived in the snow belt. Mine was quite obviously garaged by the POs (an elderly couple) and has neither of these issues. 2) Rear window regulators - like VWs and BMWs, the rear window regulator guides are plastic and are prone to failure. I havent had this issue either, but I rarely use the rear windows. 3) Valve cover gaskets - these will eventually leak, and may or may not be synonymous with clogged breather passages in the upper part of the left-side valve cover (it literally has a second cover on top of the valve cover). This usually results in leakage onto the exhaust system and a lovely burning-oil bouquet wafting through the ventilation system. I did enjoy this problem and had it repaired for around $500. 4) Transmission - the 96-99 models use the 722.5 transmission which is known to have issues at higher mileage; be sure to check the transmission shifts smoothly before purchasing the car and CHANGE THE FLUID & FILTER ASAP. FYI, when you first drive the car, its designed to not shift out of 1st until about 2500rpm to ensure the cats are at operating temp. But excessively harsh shifting or the car hanging onto gears longer than normal is a warning sign. The 00-02 models use the 722.6 transmission which is essentially bulletproof. Also the tranny electrical connector (a $10 part) is known to leak through its O-rings causing erratic shift behavior (and if left unattended, can eventually cause the fluid to wick up the wiring harness and destroy the TCM), this is a simple and inexpensive fix but often masquerades as a much more serious issue - mechanics that are not familiar with the car can mistakenly advocate replacing the entire transmission. 5) Dash displays - on the 00-02 models, the separate left/right displays on the instrument cluster for the clock and PRNDL indicator WILL fail - check the dash photos for any 00-02 model for sale online and 90% of them will have this problem. The dash display on the 96-99 models are centrally integrated and immune to this issue. Its caused by the ribbon connectors inside the cluster separating, can actually be fixed for $0 by pulling the instrument cluster and wedging a small chunk of solid foam into the ribbon connectors to force it back together, but its a fiddly business and many shops will advise to just replace it. 6) Oil leaks - the 96-97 E320 uses the M104 (straight-six) 4-valve motor which is highly prone to oil leaks; stay away from these for this reason alone. The 98-02 models with the M112 (V6 3-valve) motors are simply superior - more power, 100lb lighter, better mileage, lower emissions, and better flexibility. 7) Catalytic converters - these are known to fail around 80-100k or so, they disintegrate inside and cause horrible rattling noises at lower engine speeds. I destroyed one of mine blowing away some moron in a brand-new Infiniti who (incorrectly) thought he could jump me at a light from the left-turn lane. His expression when I shut the door on him was nearly worth the $1200 bill for 4 new high-flow Bosal cats (to be fair only 1 failed, but to be prudent I replaced all 4 and put in 4 new Bosch oxygen sensors, which is why it was so $$$ - I could have just replaced 1 cat for around $200-$300). With a timing chain instead of a fragile belt, the 3.2 V6 is known to go 250k+ miles without a rebuild. What you cant put a price on is how this silk-turbine powered LearJet glides over the road like a puck on an air-hockey table. Youll soon forget whatever you used to drive.

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  One great Sedan - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jorge Paplos - October 20 - 3:04 pm

  This was a pick between the C class and E class. I was so impressed at the comfort and design difference, I went with this older car and never felt sorry. It is an awesome car, comfortable, great ride, incredible stereo and all around, ac, lights, seating, just great!, greatly recommend it.

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  A lot of car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By williebegoode - October 19 - 7:03 am

  I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street, and a pickup truck was bearing down on me; so I gave it some gas—it let out a low roar and went into hyper space. I did not expect that kind of performance, but it was there when I needed it. Ive always liked the design of this model on the outside, but the inside is gorgeous too. Im using a car cover—my last Mercedes Benz (bought new in 1983—240D) lasted me 16 years; and I hope this one does too. The car cover helps keep the nicks and scratches down and protects it from UV rays-- looks like new for life!

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  Great car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By rick350 - October 18 - 6:23 pm

  Overall a fantastic car! The ride is smooth, yet without the disconnected feel. Whatever you do, get vented seats! Navigation kinda dumb sometimes when it comes to choosing the best route. Love the multi-language option. Engine is powerful enough. 7 speed transmission is a disaster. Downshift takes too much time, you really need to floor it to get "instant" shift. Im used to driving a stick, automatic has always been a drag for me. Gas mileage stinks. I get about 20 avg reading on the highway, vs. advertised 27. Breaks work brilliantly. Sound system has a weird frequency response curve, the louder you make it, the less highs you hear, and the mid sticks out like a sore thumb. Fast!

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  Worst time for Mercedes? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By freddys555 - October 16 - 10:59 pm

  I regret to say that this was the worst Mercedes I have ever owned. It seemed that something went wrong with it every other week. The digital read-outs on main display failed causing to lose the ability to use particular options, HVAC system completely failed and needed total replacement, window regulator failures, side mirror motor failures, seat heater failures, seat adjustment motor failure, trunk release failure, fluid leaks, engine mounts needed replacement (@ 60K miles!), and many more malfunctions. Despite this being Mercedes, nobody should be experiencing this many problems with a car costing this much. It is by far the worst car I have ever owned.

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  First Car - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By automaniac9 - October 16 - 7:22 pm

  This car is an amazing piece of machinery and is the last year of the reliable Mercedes. This car having a 4.3 liter V8 just made the car a sleeper, especially considering that it had no badging anywhere. The transmission shifts almost seemlessly. It has great power and good handling, but this particular car stood out from the pack because of the real Brabus exhaust, and the replica Brabus 19" wheels. The car sounds fantastic and it isnt overly loud. The interior of this car doesnt have the flare of Mercedes of old, but its simple and functional, and thats all you should need. The exterior is much like the interior, simple but nice to look at, especially in the white color mine was in.

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  134k Miles and counting! - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By chevegan - October 12 - 6:03 pm

  My father purchased this car in 1999 at the end of his friends lease for $36,500. The car has been nothing but a joy. It has every single option that the dealer + merc had to offer at the time. In all these years shes been so good to us. Now with the economy i sold off my cars and started driving the merc which was sitting for 2 years. Issues? No. Creaks? Squeeks? Rattles? NONONO. I love this car. yes 91 octane BUT i Average 22mpg in mostly L.A. traffic. Note one thing that all these e-classes seem to need a new steering pump ONLY since it starts to leak. Other than that not ONE crazy repair unlike the other guys rant. Can you say LEMON? or maybe hes hard on his cars what can i say.

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  S550 performance at an E550 price tag! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By westcott - October 11 - 7:16 pm

  My first MB and I now understand all the hype surrounding German engineering. The attention to details, the technology, brute performance, and respectable handling and braking for a luxury sports sedan. It will take a top of the line S600 or E65 to pass you and cost a whole lot less. I really enjoy all the conveniences and I am quickly getting a handle on the voice activated Command System. Keyless Go really is a nice feature. The AMG sport package really adds a nice touch. Operating the 7 speed auto via FI style paddle shifters really makes it feel like a performance vehicle. The safety features are not to be ignored. A fun car to drive!