luxcar

I am planning to buy an E500 and need advice. Should I stay away from the first year i.e 2003? Is any year better than the other. Does the new 7 speed trans helps in performance. Should I stay away from some options like airmatic etc etc

Most cars that I looked in my price range are already out of warranty. What should I expect in maintenance/repair cost per year.

Should I look for an aftermarket warranty?

Thanks in advance

Benz-O-Rama

Stay away from the 2003's. The 2004's were less problematic but they really didn't get it right until about 2006. The 7 sp tranny is a huge improvement over the 5sp and all 500's come with airmatic.

Maintenance will be expensive if you're not used to MB prices. For instance, an oil change is $120.00. I wouldn't drive one of these cars without some sort of warranty unless you're completely familiar with it's history. Meaning, it was a family member's car and you know everything about it.

Barry45RPM

AMEN!

luxcar

Thanks for the info. I am not worried about the service cost but am concerned about repair costs. How much I should budget (on average) to spend on repairs per year.
I am in Canada and MB extended warranty runs out at 75k. Do you guys know any good aftermarket warranty in Toronto?

Benz-O-Rama

Not sure about the Canadian warranty but if I were to guess a number for money spent on repairs for a 2003/2004 E500 w/65K+ miles, I would say $2000.00 (US)/year.

Does that seem out of line, guys?

I can tell you that 1 lower ball joint, which is a common repair on these cars, will run you about $750.00 and if you lose an air strut, you're looking at about $1500.00. The engines are pretty much bullet proof in these cars if maintenance was kept up but suspension parts and electrical gremlins are a common source of headache for the early W211s.

Good luck, it's a fine, FINE car if you get one that's not sick.

Musikmann

I know nothing about Canadian warranty companies but I think I know enough about the newer Mercedes to advise you to buy a warranty on any of them. If you're looking at after-market warranties, pay particular attention to the exclusions.

Barry45RPM

Newer ('07 >) 211's are pretty rock solid.

Definitely allow $1200 to $2000 USD per year for unforseen, non routine services. An extended warranty will come in handy, though.

Musikmann

Hey Barry, I'm glad you have a good one. Let's hope the rest of the MB classes follow suit. I'd love to own an E550 or an E63, but money (or rather the lack of it) stands in my way at the moment.

prince_30144

If the car you are thinking of has an airmatic, which it most likely will, since you are looking at the E500.. try and get a warranty... I just had to replace my damn AIRMATIC struts today and it cost me freaking 1600.. This cars can get expensive pretty quickly.. I was out of warranty by Flipping 89 miles and Mercedes Benz of Buckhead.. here in Atlanta made me pay to fix airmatics.. but I still like the car...

Musikmann

I see we have another vote for a warranty. I am on a foreign forum since I own a W210, but in about 3 weeks my CPO warranty expires. I'm looking seriously into an after-market one that my dealer sells for about $3000 for 3 years (don't know miles yet). I think it's well worth it and only need to figure out how I'm going to pay for it. For what this is worth, the CPO paid for itself at least 2 times over what I paid for it.

jimmydagreek

Getting extended warranty from an outside (non MB) source is less expensive if you purchase while you're still in your current CPO warranty. I have Warranty Direct and so far so good! I take it in, pay the minimal deductable and the car is repaired. I have an 03 E500 and although it did have some electrical issues in it's history, it currently runs great at 74k miles and I love it!

gnma

Your choice of an E500 is outstanding! The V-8 motor is phenomenal. (E550 must be amazing)!

Keep in mind the 7 spd. is avail. only for RWD, and I do bel. the 7spd came out in 2004 - (just had this clarification elswhere on here in the W211 forum). And it is as smooth as silk!

Also the command screen was the smaller version in '03. (Not sure about '04).

Airmatic is standard on the E500, and is $$$ to fix. Research airmatic. BUT the ride is amazing!

I've had my '05 RWD for 6 months with an ongoing tire balancing issue, but the car is amazing! Rock solid, and can you say German hot rod on wheels?

I've given you a few items you should know about concerning what options were avail. for what years. As others suggested, you need a warranty, and it seems the '03 did have problems. If you have a car history, you can see what was repaired. It seems that those 211's that had the repairs, perform very well. Good luck!