1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 from North America - Comments

Things that had to be fixed/replaced during my nightmare ownership (in no particular order):

1) Alternator (twice)

2) Had to rewire car because it didn't meet Canadian regulations (warranty, but this is pretty ridiculous for such a car)

3) Rust on door

4) Transmission rebuilt at 50000kms ($4000)

5) Replaced dash display

6) Steering fluid reservoir BLEW UP while driving

7) Moon roof broke ($3000)

8) AC condenser broke at 80000km ($3000)

9) Right headlight due to water and mold damage

10) Both taillights due to water and mold damage

11) Rust on door

12) Multiple sensors

I kept this car in a clean, dry, indoor garage. There are many other problems, in all it cost me over $30000 on maintenance and repairs for this car over ~8 years. Service is really bad too, I would not recommend this car manufacturer to anyone I like.

This is seriously the worst car in the world.

Well this is very rare. Mercedes standards are ahead of all country vehicle standards so sounds like your Mechanic was spinning you a yarn there. The faults you describe sound like the car was not only poorly serviced, but even damaged in service. Not all garages can service a Mercedes properly, even dealerships. Probably the most crucial part of owning a European prestige car in the States or Canada, is to get a decent mechanic located BEFORE you buy. Euro spec cars are way ahead of US & Canada spec vehicles, with the Mercedes CDI models not imported for three years because the fuel quality in the US and Canada was not up to Euro spec. Quite often, these vehicles suffer at the hands of mechanics used to dealing with more basic engineering. Very unlucky?

You make some good points there - I live in the UK where we have a large no. of Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the road. Most of your fellow Benz owners over here can give you a great horror story about the time when their car was serviced by an idiot who managed to put years on its life.

We are the original owners of a 1997 E-320, Dealer Service is recommended for these cars in addition to an extended warranty.

I completely agree, I have owned a Mercedes 190 E that I bought second handed and I was able to put 300 thousand miles on it. The Most important thing when you buy a German car is to find a decent mechanic that knows how to work on German cars, and to my surprise I have found that most dealerships that sell German cars are INCOMPETENTS. I currently own a 2004 VW Passat V6 4motion and I would have never bought another German car if I didn’t have a good mechanic around.

How to find that magi mechanic? Any ideas? I am planing to buy a 97 E 320 with 102K on it. As far as I see it should be a good car to own, but with these second hands you just never know.

To the first commenter, yes a reputable MECHANIC (dealers steal) who is familiar with german vehicles is important.

But you make a bold claim that "European spec vehicles are way ahead of US and Canadian spec vehicles" The straight six e320 is actually fairly simple mechanically.

I see plenty of 10 year old American cars that have excellent drivetrains (not to mention cheap to service).

Oh and the reason that they did not release the Benz CDI vehicles here is because NY and California have strict pollution standards, unlike Europe; not because the US has lesser quality fuel.

BTW, this was also the first E Class under the DiamlerBenz coop, and when Mercedes lost its reliability and got into the business of making sexy, expensive luxury cars that also made money at the service department.

Mercedes are not what they used to be! It is not the case,that you need a good mechanic for the E Class. What you need is luck and more luck. The E Class W124 was a fine bit of kit. It may be the most well built car on the road and are all good for 300,000 miles. The replacement to the W124 is not as good. The engine is capable off high mileage etc but the build is not up to scratch. They rust badly! It is common practice to weld 9 year old ones and yes, it does affect areas that will make the car fail an MOT. What a shame, the W124 was so good and the replacement was so bad. I love the shape, but the money you will throw at this car just to keep on top of the rust is not worth it. The W124s are now worth more than the replacement, and they are still passing MOTs without repair.

Should have bought a Lexus.