E500 advice?
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I own a 2003 E500 and at 93,000 miles it drives like a new car giving 25.5 mpg and using no oil between 13,000 mile service.
Issues:
1) SBC brakes
2) Airmatic suspension
3) A/c Blower fan will squeek and fail easy to change
4) Hot water valve to heater. easy to change
5) Ball joints you can also do yourself.
These are the big issues. If you buy the E series w/o airmatic suspension the only big issue is the SBC brake system which is warrantied for 10 yrs.
If I were to do it over I probably would not have bought the E500 2003 and would have bought something else.
However now that I own one and know the issues I can work around them and it is amazing that at 93,000 this car still drives like a new car the day I picked it up.
I realize your results may vary but I probably have had one of the worst reliable cars I have ever owned in the 2003 E500 but knowing the issues makes it more toleable and it is a great driver car.
Oh left out bubble on the armrest as a PIA but not a reliability issue.
Hope this helps note,, I drive a corvette the Mercedes is the wifes' car.
I wish the MB was as reliable as the Corvette. vettdvr
Issues:
1) SBC brakes
2) Airmatic suspension
3) A/c Blower fan will squeek and fail easy to change
4) Hot water valve to heater. easy to change
5) Ball joints you can also do yourself.
These are the big issues. If you buy the E series w/o airmatic suspension the only big issue is the SBC brake system which is warrantied for 10 yrs.
If I were to do it over I probably would not have bought the E500 2003 and would have bought something else.
However now that I own one and know the issues I can work around them and it is amazing that at 93,000 this car still drives like a new car the day I picked it up.
I realize your results may vary but I probably have had one of the worst reliable cars I have ever owned in the 2003 E500 but knowing the issues makes it more toleable and it is a great driver car.
Oh left out bubble on the armrest as a PIA but not a reliability issue.
Hope this helps note,, I drive a corvette the Mercedes is the wifes' car.
I wish the MB was as reliable as the Corvette. vettdvr
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Hopefully they are upgraded and I won't have to do a do over for the same reasons.
If I do have a do over my next car won't be a MB.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
CL600
I was about to recommend a used '03 E500 to a female friend but now I won't. Nice looking car in white for $11k but buying it would be the least expensive part of ownership! Gone are the days of the inexpensive used Mercedes!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 2
2009 E350 Sport
Wow 11k is tempting but I think you would want to see a long list of repairs / recalls made.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Breakdown list available privately as verification.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
05 E500
Stay away from 03..04 are much better...if you do decide to buy one..make sure you get a VMI from the dealer and see which things have been replaced undert warranty, recall or campaign.
I have had a 2005 E500 build 08/04 and has been a wonderfull experience. One of the best cars I have ever had. Comofrt and drive is unmatched. So far I have had to change bushings and ball joints but that is wear and tear.
Maintnance is very expensive. Parts are very expensive. 11,000 seem cheap but thats not the real price.
good luck
I have had a 2005 E500 build 08/04 and has been a wonderfull experience. One of the best cars I have ever had. Comofrt and drive is unmatched. So far I have had to change bushings and ball joints but that is wear and tear.
Maintnance is very expensive. Parts are very expensive. 11,000 seem cheap but thats not the real price.
good luck
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
MB E500
2003 E500 has antifreeze transmission leak problem. Mine had to have the transmission replaced and torque converter with car only having 60000Km. Big expense for me so buyer beware of E500 2003 or 2004 with a valero radiator..... It will lean antifreeze in your tranny sooner rather than later.
Alberi co
Alberi co
