Talk me out of buying a 2004 E500 Wagon
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Joined: Apr 2008
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2007 R320 CDI, 2010 FJ Cruiser, CTS-V
Talk me out of buying a 2004 E500 Wagon
I am about to purchase (in a few days) a 2004 E500. Prod Date is 12/2003.
The car has had only one owner with all services performed at the local MB dealer.
It has 64K miles.
All service actions and recalls performed. SBC was replaced and under ext warranty until 2014. Major service performed at 60K miles.
Driveshaft (rear) was replaced as well.
I don't see any nagging problems other than the COMAND DVD NAV failing twice and getting replaced twice.
Any thoughts?
The car has had only one owner with all services performed at the local MB dealer.
It has 64K miles.
All service actions and recalls performed. SBC was replaced and under ext warranty until 2014. Major service performed at 60K miles.
Driveshaft (rear) was replaced as well.
I don't see any nagging problems other than the COMAND DVD NAV failing twice and getting replaced twice.
Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Won't be as reliable as your W202, imho. And you already own a Land Rover. Why another potential headache?
Are we doing a good job talking you out of it?
(on the other hand, it could be a decent sample but if the rest of the car is out of warranty, and it's got 64k and is a 2003 build, then just be prepared with some $$ for repairs.)
Are we doing a good job talking you out of it?
(on the other hand, it could be a decent sample but if the rest of the car is out of warranty, and it's got 64k and is a 2003 build, then just be prepared with some $$ for repairs.)
Thread Starter
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2007 R320 CDI, 2010 FJ Cruiser, CTS-V
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Bethlehem,PA
2005 E500 Estate Wagon
Hmmmmm...we have an 05 E500 wagon (4-matic). We got it a couple years ago with 28000 miles, and it's at 75000 now 
. It is CPO'd till 100000, or until may 2012 
. Only problem we had was a front air shock went out 
...but was replaced under warranty 
. It's been a blessing to us and a great car 
!!!
. It is CPO'd till 100000, or until may 2012 . Only problem we had was a front air shock went out ...but was replaced under warranty . It's been a blessing to us and a great car !!!
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
Shocks will need to be replaced at $1400 a pop front, $600 rears at some point. The radiator may leak into the transmission causing glycol contamination, not a pretty $5000 bill. Unless the radiator has already been replaced as a preventive measure (I did that on mine) and you know for sure the warranty will cover the shocks, stay away from it.
Now if you were talking about a 05+ E55 wagon.... now that would be hard to talk you out of.
Now if you were talking about a 05+ E55 wagon.... now that would be hard to talk you out of.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 685
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From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Love my 2004 E-500 wagon.
No regrets buying. about 80K miles now and tight as a drum.
Extended or aftermarket warranty is a must however.
Had the front struts replaced recently, $4K at the dealer.
Heat exchanger valve failed and blew hot air in the back, $800.
I paid $17.7 @ ebay one year ago, 74K miles. Sticker price in 2004 was
$68K..It dropped $50,000.00 in 5 years, remind me not to buy a new one.
No regrets buying. about 80K miles now and tight as a drum.
Extended or aftermarket warranty is a must however.
Had the front struts replaced recently, $4K at the dealer.
Heat exchanger valve failed and blew hot air in the back, $800.
I paid $17.7 @ ebay one year ago, 74K miles. Sticker price in 2004 was
$68K..It dropped $50,000.00 in 5 years, remind me not to buy a new one.
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2007 R320 CDI, 2010 FJ Cruiser, CTS-V
We went and looked at the E500 to discover that it had front end damage that did NOT show up on the carfax and our dog kennel did not fit. This car was at a Toyota dealer.
At the end of the day, we came home with 07 CPO R320CDI instead purchased from an MB dealer. The only thing we wanted that this particular car did not have was the NAV. Everything else was there including Sirius and bluetooth.
Obviously it is larger than an E class and heavier too, but still handles well and it got an impressive 24 mpg over 235 miles and three hill climbs later.
At the end of the day, we came home with 07 CPO R320CDI instead purchased from an MB dealer. The only thing we wanted that this particular car did not have was the NAV. Everything else was there including Sirius and bluetooth.
Obviously it is larger than an E class and heavier too, but still handles well and it got an impressive 24 mpg over 235 miles and three hill climbs later.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Much, much smarter to buy a CPO car from a dealer, even if you do pay a bit more. Enjoy the new ride.
Hopefully we all did our job well by trying to talk you out of it
ps, pick up a portable Garmin or TomTom and stick it in the glove box. Probably will work more effectively than the OEM nav system anyway.
Hopefully we all did our job well by trying to talk you out of it
ps, pick up a portable Garmin or TomTom and stick it in the glove box. Probably will work more effectively than the OEM nav system anyway.
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
i agree with 220S, the OEM nav is not that good anyways. I thought of having the DVD drive installed but my indy shop guy told me it was not worth it since the aftermarket garmins and tomtoms are so much better (and you can move it from car to car).
congrats on the purchase.
congrats on the purchase.
