How is the E-class long term?

[Black TL]

I am debating on whether or not I should tell my dad to buy the new E class. The only thing I am worried about is how reliable Mercedes' are. This car has to last at least 150k without problems. Our accord has 175k and its running without a glitch. I don't want him to spend lots of money fixing it when he wants it to be his last car.

Thanks

[pkmaven]

You don't specify which series of E-class you are considering but since the series began in 1986 they have proven to be extremely reliable. If maintenance is observed, and rubber parts replaced when needed, the 124 can last hundreds of thousands of miles. There are differences in E-class series. When Mercedes decided to make their E-class more like an American car in terms of handling (1995), many enthusiasts were disappointed because they liked the self-centering driveability on the highway, and crisp handling on city streets. The brand new E-class is a high technology wonder that once again has the tight driveability and the feeling that you are driving a block of iron!. The newer E-class is only serviceable at a Mercedes dealer. Most charge $89/hour for flat rate labor. P.

[edonis]

Mercedes is considered one of the most reliable cars made, and where I live they're the most used taxis, which mean they have to be pretty reliable as they cover up a lot of miles. Only thing is that on a couple of year old E-classes there has been a lot of rust problems. Don't know if its on the new one, though...

[manoli53]

Originally Posted by edonis

Mercedes is considered one of the most reliable cars made, and where I live they're the most used taxis, which mean they have to be pretty reliable as they cover up a lot of miles. Only thing is that on a couple of year old E-classes there has been a lot of rust problems. Don't know if its on the new one, though...

I must have gotten a lemon. I am the not so proud owner of 1999 e320. It was doing fine for the first 35K miles. Since July 2003, the harmonic balancer fell apart as a result almost everything had to be replaced (timing chain, cover, oil pan etc.) and even though the car was out of warranty MB aggreed to pick up the cost. Next the power steering hose (high pressure) was replaced, next the power steering pump and just got back from the dealer where I was told the car needs a new steering rack and pump for a total cost of $3000. The car has only 44K miles and I love the power the V6 has and the way it handles but.... My other car (commuter car) is '97 528 bmw with 115K miles and no problems whatsoever. Before that I owned a '93 525 which died 2 years ago at 251K miles (I drive 1000 miles a week). You be the judje.

[Tomsriv]

Check Consumer Reports Auto Issue. The new Mercedes are not as reliable as the old ones. But they are not bad cars by any means.

[kman10587]

I've read a report lately that the German cars are lagging behind even the USA domestics in terms of reliability. This is really a bad sign.

[josiebaby]

There are a couple of problems with the 211 chassis E-Class. Mainly electrical (what's not nowadays?!) the most common incident is the battey running itself flat and not showing any fault codes. We're not sure whether it's the fact that some people leave the key in the ignition while the car is in the garage (even if it's not at the "on" position) thus the car never "going to sleep". The sat nav discs have been known to keep running, as they do on the new S Classes. It's like with anything, you could get a 211 and it'll be fine, no problems what-so-ever but you could also get one and have THE car that has all the problems. To cut an ever-increasing-in-length post short. They are over all good cars.

[younghv]

1996 E320, 80,000 miles. So far, nothing but routine maintenance. Usually only about 50 miles a week (very short shopping trips) which are the worst miles to put on a vehicle.
When we do take long trips, handles like a dream.

[gregco]

My wife has a 1994 e320 wagon and it's served us very well over the years. It looks like hell because we've raised our kids in it but it still rides very well and is reliable. I'm still amased that it drives so nice after having it over ten years. I have a e430 and have no complaints. I don't drive it that much because I'm mainly hauling the kid around but I don't want to get rid of it because it's so reliable and has a nice ride. Another thing you might want to consider is the excellent way most Mercedes dealers treat their customers. I've had BMW's, VW's, Hondas, etc. (and we now have a GMC Yukon XL). Mercedes really takes care of their customers from loaner cars, fixing small problem for free, taking care of out- of -warrenty issues without charge all the way down to washing your car after service. I havn't had this kind of service from other dealer in my area (BMW was pretty good). So, in a nut shell, I'd say tell the old man to go for it. It's a nice car that will last him a long time and it won't hurt him to be treated really well when he goes in to have it serviced. Life's too short to be jacked around by a car dealer.

[andyondre]

about 2 1/2 years ago bought a 96 e320 with 70,000 miles, now have 110,000. no mechanical problems. Hope to get 300,00 miles by keeping the maintainance up. However am getting alot of rust showing through. The few times I drive it in winter I do wash it immediatly and always keep alot of wax on it. I don't know how the owner before me treated it though.

[josiebaby]

Don't forget you have all got 210 chassis E Classes, and the build quality was a whole lot better than the new one...

[finally_retired]

The new E class is a master piece. And where did you get the udea that mercs are unreliable? I've owned a 230SL Pagoda since new in 1964, and I think its only ever failed to start twice!

I've had more problems with BMW's over the years, but Mercedes have never presented me with much of a problem.

[blindside.AMG]

Originally Posted by finally_retired

The new E class is a master piece. And where did you get the udea that mercs are unreliable?

Actually, the newest E-class (211 chassis) is probably the most unreliable machine on the road. It certainly is beautiful and when it's running good it's a great car to drive. The car is, unfortunately, plagued by electrical problems which will cost consumers thousands of dollars when the car is out of warranty.

[josiebaby]

I make a living out of fixing them so I guess I have a pretty good idea of how (un)reliable they are...especially seeing as it's a decent living!

***Imagine this***
One of our drivers collects a BRAND NEW UNREGISTERED SL350 from one of our branches and is driving it 30 miles to our dealership - it breaks down half way between dealerships.
Because this car isn't even registered (it's on trade plates) Mercedes-Benz Service 24hr won't assist because the car isn't registered so we're stuck with an £80 recovery charge for a brand new car... reliable my ass...!

I deal with ALL the breakdowns for my area so I see a wide range of problems.

The older ones are real Mercedes-Benz, give me a W129 (300SL) over a new one any day, mass production I'm afraid, we all knew it'd bite them in the ass eventually.

[finally_retired]

Originally Posted by josiebaby

The older ones are real Mercedes-Benz, give me a W129 (300SL) over a new one any day, mass production I'm afraid, we all knew it'd bite them in the ass eventually.

I Can't argue with that. As I said, my Pagoda has caused me only the slightest of problems, and I've had a 300SL Gullwing since 1979, and the only problem that I've had with that is a flat tyre! Hardly a reliability thing is it. Not bad either for a car that is nearly 50 years old.

I still must defend my newer Mercs. I had one problem with an ECU on a '98 S500, but since then I've had an S600, and SL55, SL600, and an SL65, and not a single problem.