e32063701

There's been some discussion lately about comparisons among cars but I wanted to throw my question out there, too. I have a 98 E320 (110k mi)and a 99 E320 Wagon (125k mi)...Love them both, no big issues and the repairs that have been necessary have been easy enough DIY jobs. I stumbled across an 03 E500 yesterday for sale by owner. It's been a long time since I had an 8 cyl. MB, the last being an 86 420SEL. So I started wondering how the E500 compares with the 6 cyl. E's in terms of reliability, maintenance, cost/ease of repairs, etc. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I'm new here but loving this list.

John

TPAbnz

A good first step is to search this forum; there are countless posts on reliability, etc. It's really a beaten-to-death subject but you'll finds lots of help and opinions. Good luck with your decision and welcome!

gaazmon

there are many issues posted with the 03 models. lots of info out here

nstanford99

yeah i would go with 2004. ive had mine for a while and havent had problems, car has nearly 60k on it. i used to have a w210 320, and when i stepped up to the 5.0 V8 it felt insane. Youll love it if you get one, the engine has alot of power and thrust to it!

fortlaudsummer

do some research on airmatic issues...that should get you started...

Vik888

I'd get an E350 because that means it is 07+.

petep86

def a e350 over a 03 e500

gaazmon

the 05s are good cars too. 06+ are better. 04s are iffy. 03, most likely, will bring trouble down the line.

NorseWagon

The 5.0 liter engine in the E-500 should be bullet proof.
Never heard any negatives about the power plant nor had any problems.
(Yeah, the air suspension, the electronics, etc.)

The 500 is quite peppy and highly recommended.

I drove a 2007 E-350 2-Matic the other day and could feel the difference right away: Much lighter car, but also quite peppy at the lower speeds.
Never got to wring out on the freeway, where the E-500 really shines accelarating like a turbine from 60 to 120 mph.

petep86

"2-Matic" hahahahaha i want one!!

Neoii

Actually, there was an 06 350.

NorseWagon

Them 2-Matics are out there and all over the place...Lighter, cheaper, less maintenance and not needed for flatlanders like moa in Florida.

The 4-Matic is good stuff however and if I hit the throttle too hard going out of a slow corner on a rainy day, I won't spin out of control..Something to be said for that as well.

CJ_E350

If you decide you want an 06 E350 - I have mine for sale. I bought it new and pampered it. It's sliver with black pano roof and black interior. Has 333 Sport Package with staggered 18" wheels. Love the car but bought an E55 about a month ago. Let me know if you want more info.

Clinton Horn

I am going to stick up for the older cars. Our 03 E320 was an off lease purchase. To date at 48000 miles it has required two batteries, a set of tires and a few oil changes. It did have a loose battery cable early on. Many of these negative comments are from people who don't own one, they have "HEARD" about problems. It is curious that the pre-facelift cars ALL have the same parts (good and bad). The assembly people may have had a come to Jesus meeting sometime in the early part of the new millenium but M-B did not trash all of the parts / assemblies in 04,05,or06. As for the 07 cars, I'll give you a plus for deleting the SBC but in exchange you get de- contented vehicle, 7 speed tranny with its on set of problems, same squeaky blower, weak ball joints, cave man nav and the list goes on. Since my car did not have a Valeo radiator, factory nav, and airmatic, I was able to dodge most of the early build complaints. Just keep knocking those older cars. The resale is going into the toilet and I may pick up another one.

Vik888

Just because your 03 E320 was trouble free doesn't mean there weren't serious problems with MB cars in 2003. You can see from the ratings MB was getting back then how bad things had become.

gaazmon

it didn't have the valeo radiator? nice. mine was an 02/04 build and my tranny failed. i guess it's just luck with the radiator. yes, airmatic is costly (not as bad as ABC though). i don't like the 7 speed either.

i chose an 04 cause it was the easiest to find options i wanted with. i was in the market for 05s, but couldn't find anything. 06's were much more pricier at the time.

fortlaudsummer

You're right Vik anecdotal evidence does not constitute proof. However, I also agree with Clinton in that MY03 was NOT as bad as it has been made out to be. Also, most of those quality issues have long since been address at this point via warranty repair, recall, etc.

vettdvr

Stay away from SBC brakes and airmatic suspension.

Clinton Horn

More "anecdotal" evidence. I drove past a young woman in a W212 stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. I woudl have stopped to help but I feared for my life. She must have been out of gas. What else could it be? Emergency Flashers were working A-OK

AmazinglySmooth

My 2005 e500 is awesome even at 56k miles.

werewolf34

My dad bought a 1987 SEL brand new. This car would stall periodically w/o warning (bad ECU)--new car gremlins

There are 6 count'em 6 w212s in my parking garage now. I will keep an eye out for stalled cars