1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 300E Avantgarde 3.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Awesome

Faults:

Besides regular maintenance... absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

Runs and drives like the day I bought it, just an amazing vehicle. We use it mainly for road trips, it's been all over Europe many times over, and I'm sure it's going to do it for many more years. Still has its original paint that looks fantastic. I do have it buffed once a year, interior shows very little wear, there are no oil leaks, oil changed every 20,000 km, transmission service every 100,000.

Love this car. We have a 2014 Mercedes E Class; a nice car, but it's not half the car the 1998 is.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2016

1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 200 TE S.W. 2.0 gasoline

Summary:

Fantastic car, lovely design

Faults:

Nothing went wrong except the radio; that was fitted posthumously.

General Comments:

A good station wagon, my daily driver.

Although a little bit slow for its weight, it has wonderful brakes, good road holding, perfect comfort, acceptable consumption (8 liters for 100 Km. running with gasoline, 10 liters running with LPG).

It was hit by a truck, and I came out of it with no harm at all.

No signs of rust at all. I bought it used for very little money, and it was an absolute bargain.

I don't understand why other people despise it so much, saying it isn't a "true Mercedes". It has more plastic than my 1988 500SE, but it is definitely more comfortable and with less internal noise from the interior.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st May, 2012

3rd Mar 2014, 02:59

I'm the original writer. 190,000 km now. I had some little problems that show that the quality of this car isn't as good as that of the former models.

The light bulbs burn frequently.

There is water in the projectors.

Had to change the heads of the steering system, 170 Euros.

The automatic climate control was not pumping enough warm air. Mercedes suggested to buy three pieces together for the repair, at about 1,000 Euros; luckily my mechanic found the way of buying only one by a different brand, 180 Euros.

All in all, a good car, would buy it again, but not very different from the quality/reliability of a Ford or Opel...

20th Mar 2017, 19:29

I'm the original writer again! 250,000 km now.

No other problems except light bulbs frequently burning.

Just changed the front disc brakes at 190,000 km. Original rear disc brakes, original clutch, original gearbox, original timing chain.

Oil change every 20,000 km, along with oil filter.

Consumption: 8 liters gasoline for 100 km, 10 liters LPG.

The virtues of a Mercedes Benz show in the long run.

I'm very happy with my daily driver and see no reason to change it.

In reply to 20th Mar 2017, 19:29

20th Mar 2017, 22:37

Thanks for the updates.

I live in the UK and it seems late 90s Mercedes have a reputation for rust here, how is your car now? I note in your review you said it had none, but some were famous here for having rust at just 7 years old or less... wondering how yours is holding up at 20 years old?

And did anyone ever get to the bottom of the rust mystery on these cars? Was it just cosmetic? Cheap paint perhaps on some models shipped here in the UK?

In reply to 20th Mar 2017, 22:37

2nd Feb 2021, 07:44

I'm the original writer. It is 2021.2.2. No sign of rust at all, the car is always parked outdoors. But some of these cars rust frequently, due to some bacteria in the paint. Maybe mine had a different paint. You must also consider that Italian winters are not the same as Canadian ones....

2nd Feb 2021, 07:48

I'm the original writer. The car has now 316,000 kms. Original timing chain, original clutch. Made a repair or two, nothing major (fuel pumps do wear with LPG). Some wear in the plastic and leather parts. Fuel pressure regulator war changed. I'm very happy with my car.