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 11 through 19 of 19.00

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  wish I had read here - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dr John - April 26 - 2:20 am

  This Mercedes has been the least reliable vehicle I have ever owned. The electronic engine control hooks to an antitheft interlock which fails randomly. The dealership is happy to take my money but unable to solve the problem. Hence I can be anywhere and try to start the car and have it disable the vehicle, leaving me stranded. The Mercedes club people know of this problem and tell me that Mercedes made a replacement computer that disables the lock out, but will not sell it to me. The us Mercedes people were uncooperative. Since I bought the vehicle used, they state that someone could have changed my computer before I bought it. Yeah, sure.

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  Great Ride! - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bhaggie - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 8 years and am the first owner. All the major components have been ultra reliable. However, the light bulb socketing technology is the worst in the world. Ive had 20+ light bulbs (headllamps, foglamps, dash lights, brake lights, running lights, etc) fail to light because of contact problems. A little persussion maintenance usually, but not always, fixed the problem.

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  What a workhorse - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By cabernt13 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  With gas prices going up, its nice to be getting 35 mpg with less expensive fuel. Its safe, nice to look at, and very economical.

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  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

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  Great cross country car - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JKA - January 16 - 2:00 am

  We have owned several MB diesels. Our 96 300D is a fantastic road car. We have made many cross country runs from Minnesota to Maine and always find this car able to offers us a dependable and comfortable ride.

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  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).

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  Excellent Automobile - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By roderickmallen - March 1 - 12:26 am

  I just purchased the car recently but love it. I have heard about the quality & performance of the Mercedes-Benz brand but am thrilled to finally experience it first-hand. The car performs flawlesly and the comfort if among the best.

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  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.

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  Very reliable! 24.5MPG @ 245K Miles - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Chriss - February 17 - 8:13 am

  Ive had no mayor problems with the car, the biggest job was a transmission service @ 177,000 miles. The car has around 245,000 miles and it runs like new. It smogs fine and it does about 24 MPG. I dive it every day and about once a month i drive to LA from northern californa (about 300 miles) and it feels great. It has some minor issues like a stereo volume knob that is worn due to normal use and like any W210 the original head gasket leaks around the front of the engine (cyl 1) which didnt cause any problems other than the leak itself which if you had warranty its fine if not its around 150usd for the gasket set.