Overview & Reviews
More airbags find room in the E-Class, which now features a full curtain side airbag protection system. The E300 Turbodiesel and E320 wagon are enhanced with leather seat inserts, and all E-Class cars get fiber-optic technology in their sound system/optional telephone unit.
- Attractive, sporty, and refined, the E-Class cars are some of our favorites.
User Reviews:
Showing 41 through 50 of 97.00-
Pleasantly Surprised - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Dr.B - December 10 - 2:00 amChose this over Lexus, BMW, and Audi. I live in the Rocky Mountains and get a good amount of snow. Ive always been partial to Audi (Quattro), but thought I would give the 4-Matic a try. Not a single complaint with the drive. Couldnt find a suitable BMW with AWD and a quiet ride. The bigger Lexus were only available in RWD and still felt too Japanese. Ive had 23 vehicles, including all the luxury brands, in the last 12 years and this is my favorite.
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Makes other sedans seem unworthy. - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Scott - October 21 - 4:46 pmIve 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-$300). With a timing chain instead of a fragile belt, the 3.2 V6 is known to go 250k+ miles without a rebuild. What you cant put a price on is how this silk-turbine powered LearJet glides over the road like a puck on an air-hockey table. Youll soon forget whatever you used to drive.
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The everything vehicle - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By gmerge - August 12 - 2:00 amThis vehicle satisfies the following; 1. It is a luxury sedan with snob appeal 2. It is as solid as a tank 3. It is among the safest of all cars 4. It is my SUV (all wheel drive) 5. It is my convertable( w/sunroof) 6. It is quick (0-60 in 7.5 sec) 7. It is fast (over 135mph) 8. It my economy car (27.5mpg hwy) 9. It has held 70% of purch.$ after 4yrs
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Great car - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Happy Owner - August 9 - 7:43 amI bought this car brand new, and been driving it since 1999. I am happy with every aspect of this wonderful car. Keep in mind, owning MB is not cheap, maintenance is on expensive side, but the pleasure of owning and driving this wonderful car is all worth it. I wish the new body style was as elegant as this one.
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Totaled one to appreciate it! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Gringobob - June 24 - 10:00 amA bit Boring. But let me tell you, this car is a life saver! I had the car for three, effortless, worry free years. That is until one day when someone took a left turn onto 45-50 mph oncoming traffic. She is fine (wiplash etc, lasceration but walked away)I walked away with very minor effect. No pain, No problems! Car: total loss! The E320 went into its Teutonic engineer mode and protected me admirably. The air bag deployed, yet never hit me, but was there "just in case". The passenger compartment integrity was superb! Crumple zones worked, absorbing the crash without serious or lasting injury. THANKS Mercedes!
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Used e320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By aj - April 6 - 7:13 pmI bought the car on ebay. Have had it for one year. Replaced the rear window mechanism and catylitic converter. I love the way the car drives on the freeway. Gets great gas mileage and handling.
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E430 rules - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Tommy - March 27 - 2:33 amThe E430 is my third Mercedes Benz. Ie had the C280, E320, E320 4matic and now the E430. I miss my awd but I can honestly say this model has made me the most satisfied to date. The power is awesome and drivers give you respect when you come rolling thru. Its truly the ultimate in luxury. Once you drive one theres no turning back.
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Amr - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Khaled Ebrahim - January 29 - 10:00 amChanged the electric window motors for both back windows left and right. The CD players/Radio/Cassette has been fixed as it just freezes as is in any condition low/loud whatever. Other than this it is perfectly fine.
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Mercedes E430 - Excellent - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Clark Christensen - December 23 - 2:00 amExcellent machine - I will continue to buy Mercedes sedans the rest of my life. I like it so much, I cant imagine parting with it in the next 10 years.
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Mercedes E320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
By Z Fares - November 30 - 2:00 amIt is most enjoyable i have ever owned . My car has 82000 miles and still ride and look new . BEST HANDLING SEDAN IN IT,S CLASS.
