Kirk04

Thanks for all the helpful info! I drove past a 2003 E500 last night at a non Mercedes dealer. The prcie is listed at 43,500. This price seems low for southern CA. Will MB sell me an extended warranty if the auto is not purchased through them? It has 27k miles. sunroof, folddown rear seats. It was too dark to see any other features inside. I have read mixed comments about this year E. It is so beautiful in silver with black interior. I want this car!! I will drive it today.

benzboy

I'm driving an '03 E500 (silver/ash). You'll love the car even more once you drive it. It's been trouble free for me. The price seems fair since it's now 2 model years old. Most dealers offer extended warranty packages (not through MB). Be sure you get one just in case.

ElDiabloJoe

I have the same car. an 03 E500 Sport. Silver/Charcoal. Love love love it. Hate the cupholders (whole 'nother Oprah).

HTH,

EDJ

Omegaonne

Really? I love the '03 cupholder better than the '05.

Spartan

I hope it's platonic love and not the physical type.......

I make it very clear to my wife, I’m already in love with the car and she can be replaced by a mannequin.......zoom: nb

Double Eagle

Check the build date. If you get a 2003 built after May 2003, it would have most of the bugs out that were in the early build vehicles. My NAV replacement built in June and delivered in Aug 2003 has been virtually trouble free while my first 2003 delivered in Nov 2002 had a lot of little bugs; however, when I traded it in for the new one, it was running well and quicker off the line than the replacement. They made a number of software changes to the Airmatic suspension and to the brake/throttle interconnect that should be in the vehicle you're looking it. If you have trouble parking on a hill with it or using left foot braking at slow speeds, it would not have the new changes and be a bit more difficult to drive; however, it should be upgradeable.

I would go for it if it's a mid 2003 production vehicle but be cautious of an early build. Also make SURE you get the remaining warranty up to four years total or 60,000 miles from first delivery.

BudC

Do a CarFax on it. Don't buy it if it's a demo, a program car, had more than one owner, been in an accident or it's been registered to a corporation. That's way too much money to gamble with.

How do you tell if it's a demo? Check the mileage when it was first registered to an owner. If it's much over 100 miles, it's a demo. The last thing you want is a demo or a car that was used as a rental or a car that a corporation bought.

CarFax will tell you the car's history. Buy only one that's been registered to one owner and only for personal use.

Kirk04

Thank you all for your imput. I drove the E500 twice today.
It is a very quick sport sedan. Handles very well. Does not pull to right. Brakes do not grabe at slow speed, throttle is not overly sensitive. Fit and finish are flawless except for a small skuff under front spolier. I ran a Carfax, it stated one owner and last service was at 13k it has 27k on it now. The dealer will sell me a 7 year 100k warranty from the day I purchase it for $1700. He said it is the same warranty as MBZ. Covers seals and gaskets not hoses, belts, lights etc. Also I asked him if he had a little room from the asking price of 43k and he said yes. The E is on consignment I think. I was suprised to find the hidden 6 CD slot and tape cassette door. It does not have NAV. Will the 357 trick work to watch DVDs on that small display!? I will update with my buying progress soon.

Double Eagle

It sounds like a good deal, especially since you can get the long warranty. If you have the small display, I don't believe the 357 trick will work. It will work on the 2003 Nav Replacement vehicles and I love having it on mine; however, I believe you need the large screen and Nav to have it work.

paulhu

I saw many 2003 E500 w/26,000 miles listed for around $46K in August, so $43K seems a good deal. However, I would start negotiating from $41K, since 2005 is just around the corner, and the price would drop again around the beginning of the new year.(a 2003 would be a 2 year old in the year 2005 ). After you purchased this baby, then start upgrade one step at a time, no hurry. I upgraded mine to DVD navigation, VCS, telephone system, illuminated sills, CL grill, flat hood emblem one at a time so my wife would not notice the drastic change.

tendons

unnoticed by his wife, a friend traded his silver s430 for a silver s500,

MB SF

What options does it have? As long as it has the options that you want I would go for it as it sounds like a prettty smokin deal. If it is not EXACTLY what you want (ie, color, options, etc) i would hold off and get the one that you want. The E series is the biggest seller in the MB line so it is not like there is not enough on the resale market

Best of luck.