04 E320 4matic - would like opinions on purchase
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
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2000 e320 4matic wagon
04 E320 4matic - would like opinions on purchase
New to this thread, and wanted to get some "expert" opinions. I just bought a used 2004 E320 4matic wagon for $19k. The car:
- essentially 1 owner (it was listed as a corporate car for its first 10 days of life)
- 75k miles
- premium package - navigation system, heated/ventilated seats, drive dynamic seats, Harmon Kardon sound, sunroof
- desert silver with beige leather interior
- zero dings, zero scratches, zero defects
- perfect maintenance record, totally clean CarFax report
First, we felt like this was a good deal, given what else we've looked at. Are we alone in that thought?
Second, is there anything we need to know about this car - good or bad? Seems like most reviews are good, with the few bad mixed in.
We're replacing an 03 Audi A4 and I'm 99.9% sure no car could be as horrible as that one was. Worst. Car. Ever. Plus, we own the 2000 version of the E320 4matic wagon and have not had any problems outside normal wear and tear.....it has 151k miles on it.
- essentially 1 owner (it was listed as a corporate car for its first 10 days of life)
- 75k miles
- premium package - navigation system, heated/ventilated seats, drive dynamic seats, Harmon Kardon sound, sunroof
- desert silver with beige leather interior
- zero dings, zero scratches, zero defects
- perfect maintenance record, totally clean CarFax report
First, we felt like this was a good deal, given what else we've looked at. Are we alone in that thought?
Second, is there anything we need to know about this car - good or bad? Seems like most reviews are good, with the few bad mixed in.
We're replacing an 03 Audi A4 and I'm 99.9% sure no car could be as horrible as that one was. Worst. Car. Ever. Plus, we own the 2000 version of the E320 4matic wagon and have not had any problems outside normal wear and tear.....it has 151k miles on it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
Hi
I am driving 2004 E320 for 2.5 years (2 years in Chicago and then in Europe) and have the following problems:
- first had to change middle lower ball joints - after 6-9 month I heard that ball joint were starting to talk.....
- then a transmission cable connector because I had a huge leak,
- last month both valve cover gaskets....
- and now the spring....it's unusuall for a car in this class....for pictures go:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...74k-miles.html
- both headlights are yellowished (that is common in MB)
- rear right shock absorber needs to be changed - I have a a half inch different between the right and left side - will have to change both obviously...
It is not the same quality than before...years ago mercedes was the best wuality on the road but not now...
even though I like the car
and the fact that it is a wagon. I will never buy a sedan.
Hubi
I am driving 2004 E320 for 2.5 years (2 years in Chicago and then in Europe) and have the following problems:
- first had to change middle lower ball joints - after 6-9 month I heard that ball joint were starting to talk.....
- then a transmission cable connector because I had a huge leak,
- last month both valve cover gaskets....
- and now the spring....it's unusuall for a car in this class....for pictures go:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...74k-miles.html
- both headlights are yellowished (that is common in MB)
- rear right shock absorber needs to be changed - I have a a half inch different between the right and left side - will have to change both obviously...
It is not the same quality than before...years ago mercedes was the best wuality on the road but not now...
even though I like the car
and the fact that it is a wagon. I will never buy a sedan.Hubi
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
now 74K
ball joints were replaced at about 65K......thats ridicules....
coil spring about maybe 2 months ago so probably arounf 72K
......not much in my opinion......
on our other S550 in 07 (first 10 that came to chicago area) at about 5K miles the transmission sensor (Bosch) had to be replaced because the trans was jerking!!!!
can yyou believe it
Hubi
ball joints were replaced at about 65K......thats ridicules....
coil spring about maybe 2 months ago so probably arounf 72K
......not much in my opinion......
on our other S550 in 07 (first 10 that came to chicago area) at about 5K miles the transmission sensor (Bosch) had to be replaced because the trans was jerking!!!!
can yyou believe it
Hubi
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
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Lexus LS430; Mercedes - Benz E320 4matic 2004; Pontiac Vibe AWD 2006
I went ahead and bought it. Seems to be ok. We put 500 miles on it over the 4th of July weekend. No match to my Lxus LS430 whatsoever, but the wife likes it. We'll see.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 121
From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Should I know anything, what should I look for?
Just did my front struts, extended warranty kicked in and paid up.
Also oil leak between tranny and engine, heat exchanger valve, and a few other things.
The dealer will give you a print-out of service, maintenance and warranty issues performed since the car was new.
Overall I am quite happy with my 4-matic wagon.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
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Lexus LS430; Mercedes - Benz E320 4matic 2004; Pontiac Vibe AWD 2006
Ours has 123Kmiles. Paid $10.5, actually $11.3 after taxes. Rides and drives nice. I was a bit concerned after reading this forum, all my other cars were always lexii and infiniti. I guess we'll give this German a chance 
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Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
good luck! maybe some pics?
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Mercedes E329 / 4 drs
I have had my '05 E320 going on 7 years. Several times, especially lately looked for a chg like a suv. Not a new one but fairly new with low mileage. (like everyone else ha). Then I drive them (Not mercedes) and I return to my '05 and say what a heck of a car. Have not had any major problems, The most expensive cost was the sterring wheel. I hid the horn hard and I damage the internal parts of ???. Aside from that I have had very good service from this car.
I recently put on a new set of tires and the ride has changed. Been that the car has 116k miles maybe I need to install shocks. Maybe someone can respond as to how long are the org. shocks suppose to last. Otherwise I believe that this car has been a very good car. I use to change cars evry 3 and max 4 years, so this one is the longest I have had hold on to a car. I'm 77 years old so I have had experiences with cars.
I recently put on a new set of tires and the ride has changed. Been that the car has 116k miles maybe I need to install shocks. Maybe someone can respond as to how long are the org. shocks suppose to last. Otherwise I believe that this car has been a very good car. I use to change cars evry 3 and max 4 years, so this one is the longest I have had hold on to a car. I'm 77 years old so I have had experiences with cars.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Mercedes E329 / 4 drs
Seems that several members have had to replace struts, can someone explain what happens when struts need to be replaced and what is the average cost of replacing them. I think that after 116k miles thay should be replaced expespially if the comf. ride is not there. But I would like to be sure before I take the car into the shop because I have a feeling what they will say.
