houseofcharm

Hi all, new to here and this is your chance to tell me if you'd do it all over again. I have an attraction to an 05 E500, 50k, dealer & auction car so no real history. Love the car and am ok with being called upon some maintenance(but have become spoiled with 3 jap cars in a row after an M3 sedan) but should I break off my love affair before it starts? Would you buy your car all over again?

I've seen some posts about the VMI 7 getting an inspection but this one's out of state. And would forking out for a insurance/warranty pay off? Any/all replies much appreciated.

WEBSRFR

I'd buy one all over again but WITH the warranty extended to 7 years like I did. My advice is pay a bit more and get a CPO car and extend the warranty before purchase if you can. You will enjoy a better ownership experience.

WEBSRFR

PS: You will love the car. Listen to your heart and buy it but also listen to your brain and get one under warranty.

foreyes

I love my 2003 E500. I bought it 2 years ago with 100,000 miles; it has been an excellent car. Well-engineered, great fit and finish, good power, excellent ride and handling. I changed the engine oil and transmission fluid/filter right after buying the car; the only repairs in 2 years have been the replacement of both lower ball joints and a faulty crank position sensor. It's comfortable, powerful, and gets compliments regularly. I plan on buying a 2007 CLS 550 soon, but will keep the E500.

KEY08

I have an 2004 E500 with over 80,000 miles. I switched from a C32 AMG in 2005. I love this car and as the previous poster had said you need to take care of the things that are known problems with some demanding more wallet than others. The power and the low v8 growl when you go WOT is addicting. I will always have an E class and will get a used E550 or E63 when this one dies.

novae500

I have an 06 E500 4matic i got in 2008 w/27k miles original owner. W/CPO warranty thru 2013/100k miles i enjoy it. I try and diy maintenance as much as i can. So far at 45k miles, 3 oil changes, cabin filter change, K&N filters.

Things gone wrong and covered under CPO warranty:
leaky valve cover gaskets
bad front ds airmatic release valve wire/harness

Only reason i would sell this car is for another E55 AMG

houseofcharm

So good passion & good news. The one I was chasing is off to Canada evidently so will seek a CPO wagon. This one was a deal at about $18k so will expect to pay more and better to have a cpo than an aftermarket.

What's the deductible under cpo, $50 like on Bimmers?

Robaustin

I have an '07 E550 with 41k miles. Excellent car. I love the V8 and would definitely buy another (though I hope to get 200k on this one!)

gnma

I love the car. The V8 is amazing. HOWEVER, the 2003-2006 E Class use an SBC braking system. Had I known this before purchasing the car, I would have walked away. Search this forum for "SBC brake failure", then determine if this is a potential deal-breaker for you.

PS, the CLS and SL use SBC also. Personally, I would look for a clean W210 E55, or if you can afford it, a E550 bec. MB stopped the SBC in 2007+ in the E Class.

Good luck!

gaazmon

like gnma said, if i could've swung it, i would've gone with an 07+ with the restyle.

the 500 is an amazing engine (we own an 02 CL500). Just the sound of it starting up is beautiful.

The one recommendation I can give as a W211 owner is get the CPO and extended warranty through MB. My pano roof broke and it's gonna cost twice as much as the extended warranty would have so i'm not even fixing, just leaving it closed (oh and i pulled the fuse lol). Also just had both ball joints and bushings replaced on both front sides and next year have to change the control arms as well peace of mind takes you a long way

But some food for thought if your considering a 550 like a couple have said:

I was in my friends CLK550 and it was really nice and she was really hittin the throttle sunday night on it with the top down. But to be honest idk why but for some reason i thought the CL500 sounded better than her CLK550 (and remember the CLK550 even has an AMG muffler vs the CL500 has two regular ones). Granted they are a different car but the engines are all streamlined across the brand. The 500 engine sounded idk "meaner" vs the 550 sounded more "refined" (even though obviously the 550 is much faster than the 500, i think it's the hp to torque ratio maybe idk to be honest ). Even the way the car started I was like "huh?" Not puttin' down the 4-valve variant in anyway though, it pulls better overall through the bands because of the better design (extra valve per cylinder, DOHC vs SOHC on 3-valve engines) and better intake system.

But yes SBC is something that "feels" completely different. But the airmatic is awesome and the 500 really pulls. I think overall you will enjoy it. Also the 04+ V8's come with the 7speed (which i would NOT go for an 03 btw) for some better hwy mpg. Its a fun car, and she will be full of surprises... and i mean good ones. Good luck

(damn i talked too much. guess i gotta make up for not being here for a while )

WEBSRFR

Just wanted to chime in about your comments regarding the 550. Personally I would not want it any other way. This is not a sports car and when I have passengers and I decide to accelerate, I want the car to just waft and fly away. No noise, no drama, just unadulterated torque and acceleration. Anything less and I would have been actually turned off. I can imagine MB tuning the coupe/convertible but for for a sedan I love the acoustics and driving dynamics of the 550 engine -- I do feel and hear the rumble of the V8 whenever I accelerate but it is just so refined (as it should be!). I'm hoping with the new supercharged engines coming out for the W212 they do not introduce any unwelcome sound into the cabin.

novae500

I thought my E500 had some hp/torque until i bought the E55 3yrs later. What a night/day difference in throttle response!! Yes the E500 is fast @ 302hp, but 469hp w/the E55 def throws you back into the seat!

More def growl w/the E55, but the E500 has a growl as well, just not as pronounced.

Taylor-Made'90

My '03 E500 has 164k miles on it. It had 32k when I bought it. I've had the usual mechanical issues (engine crank sensor, heater control valve, fan assembly motor, lower ball joints, etc). But the engine is strong and still 'puts it on the road' when I put the pedal down.

I've always changed my oil, and it runs like a dream. I've got Potenza Re-050A 255/40 zr17s run-flats, so my ride's a lil stiff. But she flies down the highway...

KEY08

^That is awesome!! I'm halfway there!

gaazmon

i think ur right. from what i could guess is a lot of people complained about engine noise cuz even the 320 is more coarse than the 350. even when i have people in both cars (my E and the CL) i've had passengers say it's pretty loud for a MB (the engine tone that is, when the windows are down). but overall the refresh is a "better" car in all the aspects that matter (quality, reliability, driveability, etc.).

vettdvr

Mama said to "run Forrest Run". Mama is usually right.

gaazmon

LOL

houseofcharm

Ok all, thread ressurection time-the last ride got swooped out form under behind the scenes online and this one has caught my attention: 04 e500 waggin, 34k 1 ownah, clean reports, near zero options. Any life altering changes from 04-05-anything to watch for that should have been done? If the price is right, it's time for the Sube-MB swap.

Barry45RPM

Yeah, but the 210's are so plain and so old school looking. They really have an ancient looking interior with no nod to style... Its just how they were made back then...

Look for an '07+... and never fall in love with a car.

houseofcharm

I like the 07s+ but am unwilling to shell out for them as I want to pay $$, no kar loanz anymore for moi...!

Davel

i would say run from that particular car, nothing to do with the year or model, but why play craps with an auction car with no known history (mechanical or collision)? I say the chances are slim and none that the car was well maintained and properly cared for the the previous owner(s). Find a safer car with possibly a warranty and only "cry once"

houseofcharm

Yeah, the wonders of ebay-3.9 million cars sold and how many disappointments? I've bought/sold 2 dozens vehicles, boats, bikes there and only a couple bummers, many less lately. There are some guarantees w/ebay that you don't get locally though.

And dealers there have a reputation to maintain, not so locally. Plus free carfax for what they're worth-ask a local dealer for one and it's like pulling teeth. and I live in podunk FL where there's tons of luxe cars but they don't ever sell them as they only come out 5 months/year and last forever or they get traded in.

novae500

What is your max $$$ to get an E500?? I have 06 4matic E500 w/49k miles. CPO warranty thru 12/2013 by Mercedes. Black exterior, birdseye interior, pano roof, a/c/heated front seats, sport package, renntech elm v3 lowering module.

houseofcharm

Sounds nice but I need a wagon-you handy with a torch?

CharlyE500

I believe there is a SBC recall so not to worry.
I missed my E500 it has more than enough power in any occasion drive. Just don't race with M because you won't win. Its a nice comfort power full daily drive. And if you buy 04+ is more reliable. We all know what the common problem, CPS, airmatic suspension, engine/tranny mounts, ball joints. This are very common problem even you get E550. I hear the 550 is not as reliable as 500 in term of engine. The 500 engine is been in different chassis in many years so its very reliable.
Even Camry need to change tranny/engine mount, ball joint. The airmatic suspension cost $1500 with labor and they don't break every year. Stay away from 03 due the radiator problem can affect to the tranny. Read some thread you will find its a big problem from 03. Good luck.