advice on e500

[THOMO]

im looking to purchase a e500 my2003/2004. they seem to riddled with problems .my friend has a 270 cdi he had problems with electrics and suspension .honest john .co.uk scares the life out of me.i loved my clk 430 no problems at all in 18 months of ownership.i need 4 doors so im opting for the e500.whos got one and what do you think.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Ensure that you look at cars manufactured after the second quarter 2003 so that you've got galvanised body panels.

I wouldn't be put off buying one. If you're after reliability and lower running costs then you'd probably buy a Toyota or a Nissan.

If you're after a car that make you feel good then you'll have to take the consequences of increased running costs and POTENTIALLY worse reliability.

As an owner of a V8 already you'll know what these cars cost to run, the E500 won't be any worse.

As with any car you could buy money pit, which is why provenence is all. Don't let what honest john says worry you too much.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Ensure that you look at cars manufactured after the second quarter 2003 so that you've got galvanised body panels.

I wouldn't be put off buying one. If you're after reliability and lower running costs then you'd probably buy a Toyota or a Nissan.

If you're after a car that make you feel good then you'll have to take the consequences of increased running costs and POTENTIALLY worse reliability.

As an owner of a V8 already you'll know what these cars cost to run, the E500 won't be any worse.

As with any car you could buy money pit, which is why provenence is all. Don't let what honest john says worry you too much.

Very much as Chris has said. The E500 should be an excellent car. The ones I have seen have been very well specced, modest mileage and in excellent condition, but resale value has been low because of perceived running costs and the threat of a major rise in VED at some point.

If you have done your sums, and it works for you then you might easily sieze an excellent bargain in today's market.

Good luck - don't rush.

 

[MBDiesal]

Ditto - excellent car but very thirsty - I havn't heard of too many problems other than if something goes wrong, it will cost a pretty penny. That said, its very rarely major as long as one purchases a well looked after low mileage vehicle.

If you overly worried about repairs then an MB is probably not for you. If you are worried about rising fuel prices then an E500 is definetly not for you. If think a little more positive you will love an enjoy the MB experience. Even a 5-year old E500 will run blissfully around town and effortlessly on motorways. Just try and buy as high spec as you possibly can as the car will be that much easier to resell when you move on to your next vehicle.

 

[S500 Pete]

Hi,

I bought an E500 at the end of last year for a local main dealer and got a late 2003 for about a quarter of what it cost new with a B service thrown in. consumption is what you would expect from the V8, poor around town but nearly 30 to a gallon on a run. I also throw away a bit of fuel occasionally by giving it some heavy right boot but why have a V8 if you are not going to enjoy it occasionally.

Since I bought it I have needed a new battery and a new brake light switch which were both done under the years warranty that Mercedes put on it and even if I had needed to pay I guess a battery is getting on a bit at 4 years old.

As said before go for full spec and history.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

E500

Had a browse on Autotrader. This one is due to "arrive soon" in Wokingham and seems to tick all the boxes.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=54

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

Had a browse on Autotrader. This one is due to "arrive soon" in Wokingham and seems to tick all the boxes.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=54

Now thats a lot of car for the money.
Alfie B