2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 from North America

Summary:

A durable, fast, economical cruiser

Faults:

The air conditioner has never really worked "properly". It is working good this summer after another repair.

Other than the air conditioner, just regular maintenance.

General Comments:

I'm not much of a reviewer, but thought after 30K miles of driving this one, and after owning many other Mercedes, I'd write a review.

First, the car is nice looking. It catches your eye even though there are many of them on the road.

Secondly, the performance compared to the two 300Es I've owned is really good. The combination of quickness and speed, but also great fuel economy along with exceptional handling, is a great value to me for a car that cost 6K. It does not seem to run any differently now than when I bought it. No hesitation on acceleration and easily gets up to speed.

The interior is durable, if not the most comfortable. I like hard/firm seats. My wife, however says the car is uncomfortable to her. I am 6'4 and the car has plenty of leg room for me at the driving position, and is not too shabby for space behind me. Another 6'4 guy couldn't sit behind me, but maybe a 5'10 guy could.

The sound system in this thing is really nice, but the radio does not get very good reception, especially AM stations, unless you're within about 20 miles of the station.

Braking is as Mercedes are, it stops!

Nothing inside the car has broken or chipped off (16 year old car). The rear visor still goes up and down! The trunk button inside however, does not work anymore (haven't checked the fuse yet).

The thing I like most about this car is, it starts every time! After that, the sound system and durable interior. Now, Mercedes should have done a much better job on the paint, cup holder, and head lights. All of which seems very cheaply made. For what I paid and considering the trouble free miles, I'll take it the way it is and would buy another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th July, 2017

17th Jul 2017, 21:06

The W210 was the nadir of Mercedes, in terms of both styling and build quality -- a huge leap backwards from the previous generation.

In reply to 17th Jul 2017, 21:06

27th Jul 2017, 13:42

Original poster here: If your comment was meant to cast shadows over this model, it's odd considering my review is a positive one. Through actually owning one, it seems the car is probably getting abused by some owners, then the car gets the blame. The model is certainly a long way from perfect, and maybe my view would be different had I purchased it new. After 50k miles of driving it, my belief is much of the negativity is due to owners getting abused examples or not caring for them. I see many still on the road, which says a lot considering this is 2017, and the last line of these were made in 2001. Add to that, this model only had a 5 year run of production.

2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E430 4matic 4.3L V8 from North America

Summary:

Rust and the cost of frequent repairs turned me off; now buying a Continental

Faults:

Replaced parts:

2013

Front strut R.H.

Front coil spring R.H.

Brake light switch.

2014

Front drive shaft (4matic).

Front bearing windshield (cracked due to rust in windshield drain in the car body; not a stone or any road hazard).

Rear springs (R.H + L.H.).

A/C condenser.

A/C compressor.

A/C fan.

Rust creeping (paint job).

2015

HID bulb.

Hood lock.

Water pump.

Serpentine belt.

Thermostat.

Rust creeping again (2nd paint job).

General Comments:

Mileage (kilometers) driven since purchase: 175,000 - 125,000 = 50,000km

Cost of repairs (excluding regular maintenance): CDN $5,940.

AVG. $5,940/50,000km = CDN $0.12/km.

Driving comfort and "roominess": more than sufficient.

Engine: smooth and "delivering".

Fuel mileage: good for the car's size (do not get too excited; it is "premium"!)

Transmission: hesitates at lower RPM (similar to "turbo lag"), "lazy transmission".

Not an engine or riding comfort, but the numerous and frequent repairs/replacements and the cost of car ancillary equipment (OEM or not) caused me to lose my enthusiasm towards the brand.

Decent fuel mileage does not compensate for the cost and nuisance of "incidentals"!

This was not my first MB! Previous car was a C280; not a perfect car either, but in retrospect, a better one. In my opinion anyway.

Enough of used Mercedes for me!

Next car: Lincoln Continental 1997-2002 vintage.

At least replacement parts will be less expensive and NO RUST.

P.S. Beware of those "best car ever built" or "battle ship durability" types comments coming from the overenthusiastic owners that put 5 or 6k miles on a car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2015

31st May 2015, 22:25

Interesting, a similar era Volvo needs about the same repairs at similar miles. This includes the shock absorbers, a few (but expensive) suspension bushings, A/C and alternator pulleys. Also the radiator fan. As for the thermostat, belts and pulleys, it's normal maintenance at these miles.

On the other side, about every single 2000s E-class I see here in my town in Canada is more or less terribly rusted. It is just pathetic. Together with the Maxima, it has to be the most rusted 10 years old car on the road. There is also the Mazda 3, but this one is in a 'class apart'.

In opposition, I have yet to see a rusted Volvo.

Finally, I wish so much my Volvo had the same interior space as the E-class. I'm really jealous when I see the Mercedes and how comfortable it does indeed look.

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