smooth_caramel

Hi all, I've been lurking here for a while but I finally decided to sign up to chat here. So .......HI!

I'm looking at getting a 06 E500. I've been looking for 3 months now, but finally found the one I want on the opposite side of the country. What's the biggest complaint if any for these cars so I know what to look for? Like....something that is bad, but didn't notice it until AFTER you bought the car.

lkchris

Can't think of a single thing.

locomercedes

none here, best car ive owned, 4 years of ownership

smooth_caramel

Excellent.

Any problems or issues I should look for when buying used?...

D.Schlichting

I can't think of anything, either. Having come from a Cadillac Seville with Northstar, I thought I wanted an E500. Despite heavy discounting of the E500 at the time (closeout prior to to new engine), dealer talked me out of the V8 and test drive confirmed.
Unless you really, really want the performance, I'd rethink the V8.

Captain FA

Take the time to make sure that all of the technology works as it should. I just realized that my "one-touch auto-close" on the moonroof doesn't close all the way, so I have to hold the button down to close it.

Look the car over and find out exactly which features it comes with (or doesn't come with), go over to edmunds.com TMV and price it accordingly.

Always make sure you look at the CarFax report as well and get as much info as you can on the history/maintenance of the car.

Benz-O-Rama

Creaks. My only problem.

With dynamic seats and it being a 2004, I do have some creaks.

LaicepsYdobon

Congratulations on finding the car. My one and only complaint is, and its very minor, is that you can't pop up the windshield wipers. If you look closely the base of the wiper arms are too deep into the hood so you can't pop them up. If you try you'll just end up scrapping the paint off the edge of the hood. Like I said it's really a non-issue but this is the only thing I can find on the car that I don't like.

ap10046

The only things I could find not quite right with the car...no headlight selector panel illumination (!!) and no A/c sync mode for the two sides (pax and driver). Otherwise, she is a fantastic car! Wish I had a nice, growly V8, though!! Good Luck

Barry45RPM

Your 1 Touch Close problem may only be a matter of the dealer lubricating the tracks/mechanism (if it reverses when almost closed) or normalizing the system (if it stops short of a full close).

Barry45RPM

The wiper arms on my '04 were as you describe, but the arms on my '07 let you pull the arms up. (I believe I noticed this at the car wash many times, but as I am in sunny Florida right now & away from my car, now I'm not positive) ... But I remember seeing it... or am I nuts...

steveberde

My 06 500 4matic is the nicest car I've owned - It performs like a sports car in all ways but has the luxury of a touring car - I recently drove it from Salt Lake City to Seattle (the roads were bone dry) and for several hours through the ID mountains drove a steady 120-140 while my wife was asleep in the back - It purred at those speeds and easily would have gone faster - I was concerned about wildlife as it was dusk and beginning to get dark - btw there was almost no traffic and I had my trusty Escort detector on -

You will love this car - if you find one with the Sport Pkg. jump on it - mine has the suspension adjusting settings that allow you to tailor the suspension for road conditions -

If you can find one still in warranty you'll have an extra level of comfort for a year or so -

Steve

220S

My only complaint is that they don't perform like a sports car. Too much body roll and numb steering. Aftermarket sways could help with the body roll, but the steering is, well, the way it is. Also with the DBW setup, the go pedal feels heavy and there's lag. A Sprint Booster should help a lot.

Otherwise, an excellent comfort cruising car with a great turning radius and a somewhat nimble feel in city driving despite its weight. And perfect for long trips. But not a sports car nor a sports sedan in the true sense.

neyugnj

biggest complaint is the cupholder. breaks all too easily and it's a stupid design. at least in my year.. idk how they are with later years or after the facelift.

Dema

Many complaints, but nothing major, for example no good right armrest, small storage, navigation/radio cumbersome.

shadinator

umm surprised no one has said this yet, but COST OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE!!!

Captain FA

another thing: DEPRECIATION

Long Islander

1. Inability to control an iPod using the Command system (at least in the case of pre-2009 models), even after you've paid $500 or so for the iPod connection option.

2. The need to buy a $500 multi-handset interface (MHI) in order to link a cellular phone to the car via Bluetooth.

3. Significant brake dust (easily remedied by switching to Porterfield brake pads).

4. The fact that you can't get electric folding mirrors which are optional in Europe but not in US, and rear park assist on US wagons.

Boulder GT3

I bought a used 2006 E320 CDI. I think the styling is is pretty bland but I don't really care as I bought it for utility.

I've had several E's and I'm glad to be driving one again because there is very little the car does that annoys me. I had a BMW 750 with 20" rims and so on. The car trolly tracked and did many things that just got old. Depreciation that would make your eyes water. Not so with the E. It's not a great looking girl friend but a good looking reliable wife.

If you are buying the car from a distance, pay somebody $200 for a PPI, get a carfax to check for wrecks, and have your dealer run Netstar if there is no window sticker. Also, have your service advisor pull the service history to see if there are any repairs that are out of line.

Hard to go wrong with whatever flavor. Good luck.

Yacht Master

+1 The depreciation is obscene, so get exactly what you want to live with, long term. Other than that, the W211 in any form is a fine automobile.

220S

In my experience, both depreciation and maintenance expense are more a Euro car characteristic in general than something that's specific to a Mercedes E Class.

155

Parts outside of routine maintenence are backordered. Cost of parts aren't too bad but if you're coming from a Jap car it's expensive.

Biggest complaint = Brakes

I find it too overassisted and numb. Otherwise the E500 is a hell of a car for the money!

madelko

The front (dashboard) Parktronic display is nearly impossible to see when it is in direct sunlight. Other than that, my 09 BlueTEC has been great since our July delivery. Merry Christmas everyone!

Dema

Paying once a year $100 for oil change? Lexus was much more expensive for me.

smooth_caramel

This is something I'm a little apprehensive about. The part's prices for my current "German" are ridiculous and it's not even a luxury car. The car I found a little more miles than I'd like, but I you know how it it when you want what you want....and this car is the closest to it.

It's got about 45k miles for an 06....meaning almost out of warranty. I don't want an aftermarket warranty, but I may have to unless I want to pay out the wazoo for a major repair.