I've been running my E270 CDi on finance for a few years now and I think its a really sound car. I have been tempted to think quite seriously about the new one but I think this one is good enough and I don't think the new model offers anything substantially better than this.
Its a quick car if you want it to be, I think the quoted 0-60 time is about 8 seconds and this sounds realistic. The nice thing is you can combine good performance with all of the benefits of a diesel, 40mpg most of the time, something which doesn't happen very often in my experience. Its a nice ride and very comfortable, it can be a little rough over poor road surfaces but this is a sacrifice you have to make for the performance side of the car.
The Merc does have the same trouble as I've had with BMW's of the past: it's a bit pricey. You don't really get very much for your money if you buy one which is annoying. The best standard feature is the stereo system which is pretty good but if you want anything more exciting, you'll have to fork out the extra. Four adults are comfortable, five less so but still a reasonable amount of room. The boot is also a decent size, quite impressive.
I'm not sure what's more fun really, getting up to 60 in about 7 seconds, or knowing that I'm getting about the same fuel economy as our old Yaris (which was frugal indeed). The Mercedes E350 CDi Sport for us was a bit of a step up for us and it's been a dream come true really.
I love all the gadgets. The wipers that come on automatically when it's raining, that still makes me smile. The clever hand free phone setup, love that. Cruise control is just awesome. With the auto gearbox I hardly need to do anything on long drives. I almost feel like a pilot setting the plane to auto pilot, I just sit back and steer occasionally.
The space inside is fantastic too, the boot is BIG and the back seats fold down separately so you can always get the right combination of storage and people space. The Mercedes E350 CDi Sport is big overall but we got ours with a parking camera at the back which is just another massive step forward for us, and it's brilliant. The only problem was in the winter when it got a bit fogged up sometimes, so I suppose it's always important to actually know how to park so you don't need to rely on them so much.
There are some bad design features. The rear head rests are fixed in place and can't be moved up or down. That's bad for visibility and also for some of the taller passengers I've had in terms of safety. And I'm really not sure why there's no middle seat. There could be plenty of space for one.
So it's a great car, but that is, apart from when it's not. There was some problem with the engine after a few months, which took the best part of three weeks back with the dealer to sort out (and they were hardly eager to return my calls about it). The windscreen also seems prone to chips, which isn't good. And there's a really unexpected level of road noise at speed. Sad really as the Mercedes E350 Sport is otherwise so good. These things do make me think twice about Mercs.
A load of these came on to the second hand market over the last few years, probably cos a load of rich people got a lot poorer all of a sudden. Happy days for someone with some money stashed away, so I got myself a nice Mercedes E500 second hand. At least I thought it would be happy days, but it's been a bit of a disappointment.
I don't really know how the previous owner treated it, I got it through a dealer and he wasn't saying anything about the previous guy. All I know is that it was only five years old with 30k on the clock when I got it and it's already needed a new clutch and gearbox, as well as some bits of work done to the exhaust. It's hardly the everlasting reputation that Mercedes have built up.
These and other jobs have mostly been done on the used car warranty the dealer gave, but it's still a big hassle. I've also got some ongoing trouble with the tracking which doesn't get much better however many times it's looked at.
Still excellent car when it's working. The park sensor jobbies are a must, as the car is veeeerry long and easy to misjudge. Don't let a dealer talk you into getting ones from them though, they're much cheaper done after market. It's only a little beeper after all (if you get a cheapy option, which I find works fine).
It's really not cheap to run, fuel economy is very poor. I think Mercedes have upped their game on that more recently, but this old E500 Avantgarde (it's not that old) is really miserable. Feels like a bit of embarrassment how often I'm at my local garage filling up.
But the E Class is a joy to drive really. Can't be beaten for style and comfort. And when I'm ferrying clients around, they don't know what I'm paying for fuel or how much it's cost me in repairs. All they see is their bags dropping into a massive boot, then the fancy interiors and plush seats inside the car. That's what it's good for, but overall I couldn't really recommend it.
The most important thing really is that my wonderful old Merc has done almost 200 thousand miles, had hardly any repairs need doing, and kept me reliably on the road without a single breakdown. I have been keen on the services and keeping fluids topped up and so on, and it's repaid me every step with excellent driving conditions.
However, despite this good service, I've been feeling ultimately let down as the rust is setting in really seriously now, mostly on the underbelly, and is threatening to put my darling Mercedes E300 Elegance down before its time, perhaps in a year or two from now.
It came up with a couple of advisory notices on the last MoT and I can only assume those will become failures one or two MoTs from now. I may have to sell up and cut my losses.
The trouble is it's such a valuable car I'll be stuck replacing several huge expensive panels underneath, long before it gets anywhere near being a write off, so it would be a long drawn out expensive end to my time as a proud Mercedes E Class owner.
I have got all sorts of good things to say though. It's really still tight as a drum even at nearly 200k, never misses a beat. It can be either sedate or a beast, depending on your mood. It's fantastically comfortable.
The out and out best thing about the Mercedes E300 Elegance is the sheer vast space of the thing. I've worked in different fields over the years but spent time as a part time art dealer and elsewhere a rental AV equipment delivery type bod, and it just takes everything and wants more. The biggest challenge funnily enough was probably taking three kids to university, but it managed each one in turn. A real workhorse all round, just let down in the end by what I can only see as unexpectedly poor quality bodywork.
We've had our Mercedes E-Class (E200 CDi) for about 2 years now and it's always been a good reliable work horse. The only problem with it though is it's appeal. Only middle aged to old people, i think, want them. They have no 'youth appeal', no 'cool' branding and no 'sexy lines'. It's just a boring saloon for OAPs - and I am one, so I can say that!
The Merc E200 CDi is a comfortable cruiser, a reliable horse, a boring way to get from A-to-B. Don't get it twisted, though, as I love this car. it does everything i want it to do and more, but it's anything but an exciting car.
I'd recommend one to anyone who plays golf, as the boot is enormous. You will be seriously impressed. Likewise mums and dad's who need a lot of space for kids and luggage, the E-Class gobbles them all up in no time.
It's a comfy car that will appeal to anyone over the age of 50. If you're younger, go for a Jag or a BMW, or you'll be very disappointed.
Looking at the prices the Mercedes E Class goes for nowadays, compared to the comfort features, build quality and reliability they offer, they certainly are A LOT of car for your money.
Not alot of models offer german quality, with heated electric seats and plenty of power for under two grand.
The handling and fuel consumption on the Mercedes E280 are also surprisingly good for a car of its size and weight. Overall plenty of car for your money and luxury thrown in to.
Really the first word that anyone should think of when they hear the word 'Mercedes' is 'luxury'. Mercedes has spent a lot of money over the years making sure that this is the case. This isn't a pedestrian BMW, a family-oriented Audi or a boring old Volkswagen. It's a luxurious Mercedes.
So what does this word 'luxury' actually mean? Well, when I sit in my Mercedes E-Class, the first thing I notice is how comfortable I am. And if I'm not, I'll just use the electric seat adjuster to make sure I am. Little touches like the "foot-brake" (as opposed to handbrake) help, too. Next I notice the leg-room and how it feels like I'm really travelling first class. Then I look at all the space-age equipment delicately blended into the dash and I know the true meaning of luxury.
I must admit: I don't own a Mercedes. Yet. I rent one, albeit very regularly. But when I'm inside, I really feel like a king, because that's how this car treats you. It's well worth the money.
I had a C-series Mercedes and it was very poor workmanship. This E-series is much better in terms of both major components such as engine and transmission and small things like buttons and seats. If you are going to invest in a used, older model Mercedes-Benz, a well-maintained E-320 would be a good choice.