flush01

hi guys... so after owning 330ci for few years I'm thinking switching to something bigger and better within a year, so I'm starting to do my homework... 5 series don't look that good anymore, so I'm thinking about e500 ... now, my question is, how reliable e500's are ? are there any known/common problems ? anything I should know/stay away from ? maybe e320 more reliable then 500 ? please fill me in

i know it's not toyota in reliability but if maintained properly can they go long way in terms of engine/tranny (main parts) ?

sorry for long post, just trying to ask as much as I can

DWP

Hi. I know from long posts and believe me, your post isn't long.

If you want something bigger than your current 3-Series, an E-Class Mercedes will fill the bill nicely. If you want something better, consider the new 3-Series. If you want something bigger and better, I hear that the Infiniti M is excellent. Um, just kidding. The W211 E-Class is the finest car ever conceived by the mind of man. Yeah, that's the ticket. The finest.

It's difficult to generalize about the reliability of the current E-Class, except to say that an '06 will probably be more reliable, on average, than on '03. Even some '03s, like mine, have been tolerably reliable. There were several common problems on early W211s (engine mounts, audio systems, among others) but the current W211 probably wouldn't have the same set of problems. There isn't likely to be much difference in reliability between an E350 and an E500. The V8 has been around longer than the six, but the six seems pretty reliable so far. The E500 has Airmatic suspension and the E350 doesn't (usually) but the Airmatic doesn't seem to be a problem area.

And that's all I've got say about that.

jameson75

Keep in mind that the e-class is bigger, you will not get that "BMW sport feel", even though it's consider the best european sports sedan. With the e-class and what you don't get with the 3 and 5 series is the elegance factor. I think that with the late 04's and definitely with the 05's and 06's the bugs have pretty much been worked out. In terms of the v6 or v8, i would without a doubt recommend the v8. I test drove a v6 and the power simply wasn't there. with the v8 you can feel the torque.

aceman

Funny,

I was ready to buy a Infiniti M35X and stopped by and drove a E320 on my brothers recommendation. I took it out and was very impressed by the ride quality and quite frankly the acceleration. Well, turns out the dealer had a lot further away so i went over there to look at colors, and in doing so, he gave me E500 to take over there. I was sold after the 1/2 mile trip. I've had my car for 9 months, 18000miles and am very happy w/ my purchase. I picked up a stripper E500 4matic, added xenons, sirius, nav, illum door sills, spoiler, and tint for an additonal $ 3300.00 (OUCH!) but i now have a fairly loaded car in my opinion and its very sporty w/ the tint & spoilers...

Aceman

flush01

yes I know, in bmw you feel the road more and better cornering, but I think I dont really care about that anymore, just want a pimp ride... like black on black, dark tint, and some 20's, im sure it will look better then current 5series with same thing... what you think ?

DWP

.

I think that a W211 Benz will always look better than an E60 BMW. The W211 is a successful combination of traditional Mercedes gravitas and sport-sedan flair. The BMW is an unsuccessful mashup of conflicting design ideas.

If you want a pimp ride, though, you should consider a Chrysler 300 or a Cadillac Escalade. The W211 is a car to drive, not just a car to be seen in.

flush01

dont get me wrong, i like driving too... and there's no way im going to get 300c (bentley wannabe) or escalade (played out)... i just want next car to drive and look good at the same time, and 5 series not doing it for me...

DesiBaba

E class is for classy pimps.

RHBENZ

I have an '03 E500 (lease ending soon), and just bought a '06 550i Sport. The 58 extra ponies on the 550 aside (E550 will fix that). E500 has is a much more luxurous than the 550; in ride, look, amenities (not available on 5 Series), and feel. The E has the best interior in it's class and then some. The 550 is more stark, but wayyyy sportier. I'm going to miss it in some ways, but my wife will probably get an '07 end of this year!