1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 320 sportline 3.2 inline 6

Summary:

A great handling and overall comfortable car

Faults:

Transmision was rebuilt at 86000 miles.

New engine mounts put in at 82000 miles.

Radiator replaced at 79000 miles.

Twice When I have taken the car into the shop for its service a few various problems have been found that were easy fixes, just a bit costly.

General Comments:

The Sportline edition has great suspension and steering, better driving than many new cars I have driven.

Inside and outside of car look brand new and everything has kept well.

Sport bucket seats in front and rear are very comfortable and do a good job of keeping passengers tight in their chair.

Thought not the quickest car off the line, its top end power is great.

Very smooth and comfortable at highway speeds and higher.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2003

1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 420

Summary:

A fine example of German Engineering!

Faults:

The alternator failed at 129,000.

General Comments:

The cornering on this car is unbelievable. Its as if all the wheels are turning at once.

The car flies on the freeway. It feels like the space shuttle when you accelerate.

The dealers are very helpful, but, the parts are a fortune by themselves.

The car shines like a gold ring and the interior is beautiful when clean.

This is the best car I have ever owned and will only sell it to someone who will take as much care of it as I have.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th May, 2003

1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E420 4.2 liter gasoline

Summary:

A wonderful car to drive, and a terrible car to own

Faults:

5/15/98 Replaced starter.

9/25/98 Replaced fuel injection control unit and PVC hose.

10/9/98 Replaced EA motor.

10/22/98 Repaired vacuum leak at intake.

10/8/99 Resealed power steering reservoir.

5/30/00 Replaced left front motor mount, front struts, and rear shocks.

5/30/00 Repair power steering (leaking from 10/8/99 repair).

8/1/00 Rebuilt the transmission.

11/00 Repaired a leak in the evaporator.

12/00 Low compression in one cylinder. Cause never identified.

General Comments:

This car is mechanically unreliable.

Dealer service was slow with repairs taking from 3 to 10 days, frequently on the basis of parts not in stock.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th March, 2001

21st Jun 2001, 12:36

Ralph C. just picked up an "E." I think it looks rather cheap compared to the more solid models. There are much better ways to blow 50 G's.

20th May 2007, 04:48

I have to disagree with the original review. I have owned a 1994 E420 and have had to perform only one type of non-standard maintenance on the vehicle ever: I replaced the headlights that had been cracked from extended highway use in the US (rocks, etc... from semis).

24th Oct 2007, 23:26

At what mileage did you have to have the transmission rebuilt? I'm curious because the auto trans in my '87 300E was slipping badly by 108k miles and needed a rebuild. I would expect better longevity in a car of this class. Maybe Volvo has spoiled me.

19th Dec 2007, 21:33

I've owned my 1994 E420 since 2001 when I purchased it with 65,000 miles. Now it has about 25K and it looks almost as good as it did since I purchased it.

If you are a do-it-yourself person, then this is a car that you can work on. I've had issues with it, but nothing serious yet.

This thing should run to 300K.

22nd Nov 2008, 02:16

I have had my E420 for 10 years now. I have not driven it much in last 5 years. It's a beautiful, fast, reliable car. It's a beast when it comes to racing!!

Interior has sat in the sun for years and its nearly perfect. My third Benz and the only times I had issues has been when my Benzes have sat for long periods of time. Benzs are made to run run, and they do run run...