M_L

Hi, Im thinking of buying a 03/04 E500, but some of my friends said that it can cause you a lot of problems such as the airmatic. So which W211 will cause you less problems? I have around 25K to spend and I can get the 320, 07 350, 03/04 e500, so which one is the best choice from your opinions? I really want the airmatic one, but if it will cause a lot of problems then the non-airmatic is fine too.

one more question, will the wald (not the black bison) kit fit a 07/09 model?

thank you

KEY08

Problems or no problems I love the airmatic ride and yes I have had to replace shocks, pump etc., but still love the ride nonetheless and the V8 is strong in this car. It flys down the highway like a bullitt.

M_L

yes i do love the V8 too. beside the airmatic, what other problems may occur for this car? how much have you spent for the car?

Barry45RPM

Unless you've got DEEP POCKETS, I'd stay away from 03 & 04. The newer the 211 the better the quality was.

Vik888

stick to MY07+

njcpa

I have 07 E550 4matic - ready to sell it anytime between now and March 11. 60k miles, just serviced, new brakes, rotors and tires. will sell for $24k.

M_L

trying to find something under 40k miles, thats why i cant afford the 550

does anyone know whether wald kit will fit the 07-09 models?

M.leonard2

Man are you Nuts That is a Steal!!!!

M_L

well, i might be considering his car, but i will be trying to find a low millage car first.

KEY08

That is indeed a steal on a 550-4, which gives me hope when my 80K mile E500 4matic gives up the ghost. I replaced a leaky rear shock, rear pump and just did Plugs,trans, transfer case and differential fluid changes and fixed a bad parking sensor. My engine and trans run very strong. The V8 does not burn any oil and I hope it will hang in there for another 40K or so with continued maintenance.

M_L

will the dealer be covering all the costs of all that
how about the 06 350? is that good?

KEY08

Dealer cover wha? I drive an '04 with 80K miles, the only one covering these costs is me. I don't know anything about the 350, so can't comment. I came from a C32 AMG and like the power of the 500 plus all the goodies that were available in '04.

njcpa

07 was facelift, so keep that in mind when comparing 06 to 07.

M_L

actually im more into the 06 model, because im not sure whether the facelifted model will fit with the wald kit

vettdvr

Your friends are correct. By the time my E500 2003 had 80,000 miles cost to repair failed items in my estimate at dealer cost would exceed $10,000. Just my estimate of course too many failures to list.

Rennlaufer

Check out my ad in the classified forum... Super clean '05 E500 sport with only 44K miles and under FACTORY WARRENTY until 10/2011!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry45RPM

If you're looking for a pre facelift car, the '06 is as good as they got untill that time.

hinrg2010

I bought a 06' 350 4matic with 30K miles in Dec.08 and drove until Aug. 2010 adding 25K miles. Only issue replaced power steering pump at 47K miles under MB warranty. Replaced last month with 06 350 4matic CPO with 44K miles purchased private.

During search process basic criteria was between 30-45K miles, <$22K,4matic drive, all records, OEM warranty coverage, 1+ year in remaining brakes & tires condition. clean car fax; no accident history. pass 3rd party inspection.

As much as I would like to have a V8 it didn't fit into what I wanted to spend without accepting higher miles and/or without 4matic.

Research on non-4matic car has 7 speed trans. (vs 5 speed in 4matic) and shifts a lot and air suspension. Have no experience with 7 speed trans. so consult other owners. I had a air suspension on a Lincoln I owned and although there different brands I personally don't want to bare the cost of repair after the warranty expires.

Took some effort/time to get exactly what I wanted for the money I wanted to spend. For several months everything $25K-$27K but found desperate private seller. Deals are out there just need to be patient and look hard.

Solid/ reliable car no complaints. Good luck.

Barry45RPM

Life expectancy on the 7 Speed is as good as any other transmission. (Excluding damage caused by other system failures in the car). Occaisionally, the 7 speed is not silky smooth when coming to a stop as it does its 2>1 downshift. When it happens like that its noticeable to even a novice driver. It has never been completely eradicated by MB despite numerous and continuous attempts by them.

The best way I can describe their attempt to fix it is to delay that final downshift to when they assume you will already be at a complete stop. ...That doesn't work however when the stop is momentary like at a stop sign because, you are already starting to put your foot back on the gas to leave the stop sign & the transmission wants to slide into down into 1st.

Silky smooth? Leave it in "C" use it as a 6 speed (No 1st at all).

Short answer? except for the occaisional 2>1 bump. its a a good gearbox.

mwb928

I just purchased a 2003 E320 in a Mercedes dealer last week and cost me $15500 plus tax. The car comes with upgrade leather upholstered seats, metallic paint, E2 and E5 options, phone equipment includes voice control, parktronic audio/ visual parking assistant and 6 discs CD changer. It has 45600 miles and seems a descent miles. The car comes with 60 days warranty. Currently it is in shop because of the no heat supply,electric seat and trunk light issues. The dealer also will perform the dents removal and paint four rims. The frame is straight and never involved in accident. I thought it is a very good deal and I like the 12 speakers upgrade Harman Kardon audio system. I will avoid the 4matic since the transfer case has a recall issue and some dealers may not perform the repair as good as well.
From my point of view, I suggest E320 or E350 without 4matic and easy to repair. Your budget can get a very nice and low miles E series.