I am looking at buying a 2004 E500 that is a 4Matic and I am worried about the axels. I used to have a 2003 325xi and the half axles needed to be replaced and it was a huge bill since I couldn’t find aftermarkets.
Are there aftermarket half axles for the E500?
If not how long do they usually last?
Does 2004 E500 have the same problem with the radiator leaking into the transmission?

 

My mom has a 330xi that also had axles problems/replacements. There aren't any aftermarket half axles that I know about and I really doubt you'd be able to find any. However, the good news is the axles on 4Matics seem to be pretty solid, haven't had any trouble with any of mine. Friends concur the 4matic axles have been good to them also. There are quite a few 4matic cars out here in NJ. GL

 

Does anyone know if the 2004's have the same transmission problems as the 2003's?

 

The glycol contamination problem was found in 03 and some 04s..