2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E500 from North America - Comments

Tires had to be replaced every 12000 miles, alignment by the dealer kept changing.

Transmission electrical connector had to be replaced multiple times after fluid leakage and finally the torque convertor, control module and radiator failed. On a Mercedes with slightly over 30000 miles on it!

Beautiful automobile,fun to drive and ride in, but it needed something repaired every time I got in it.

Constant Repairs and Problems.

I just couldn't help, but laugh out loud at this review!!! Thank you so much!! It is ironic that people hold Mercedes up as such an icon of perfection while Consumer Reports lists them as one of the most UNRELIABLE and trouble-prone manufacturers. Virtually every Mercedes line falls at or below the "worse than average" rating, and several fall in the "MUCH worse than average" category.

My family members have owned both Mercedes and Saturns. The Mercedes are great for the ego, but the Saturn is more likely to get you where you want to go for longer at a mere fraction of the cost. Congratulations on a wise decision!!

Anyone who trades a Mercedes into a Saturn needs to have the head checked. What makes you think the Saturn will be any more reliable?

It's a GM car and like most GM products, it's a sub-standard product designed by sleazy bean counters and built with no care.

Actually, Saturn is rated as far more reliable than almost ALL current Mercedes models, as are most GM cars.

Contrary to the common saying, you DO NOT always "get what you pay for".

For ego alone, buy a Mercedes. For dependable transportation at a fifth of the cost (in both purchase price and upkeep) buy a Saturn, or if your ego insists on a more expensive car, try the Lincoln MKS (one of the highest rated cars on the planet for reliability, light years ahead of ALL Mercedes models).

Actually, commenter 06:41 should check out the most recent automotive edition of Consumer Reports. ALL of the domestic "Big Three" manufacturers have higher average overall reliability ratings than Mercedes. I guess the "bean counters" are doing something right.

And for both ego and sensibility, get a Lexus. The name will do wonders for bragging rights and Lexus has always been at the top of the reliability chart ever since it was sold here.

People who buy mercedes, are gullible slaves to social image. Also. Have you ever noticed how most mercedes drivers are - well - fat.

I have a co worker at my job who has a Mercedes E-320, 2003. I have ridden in it before. I comment that this E-320 is like any other car. He says he paid about $55,000 for it. I definitely feel its NOT worth it, especially for how clumsy the reliability is for a Mercedes (I keep hearing about anyway).

Just like one of you said, Mercedes is for people who want to show off how much money he has. But speaking of which, the only kind of people who can afford a car with a price tag like that are mostly old fellas, (and um.. fat too).

I was looking at some used Lexus LS400s, same type of car as the E-320. Then my wife comments to me: "Those look too much like a car for old people". I have to agree with that! They DO look like cars that mostly old people have.

And for this guy, his car is probably worth maybe $22000 now. He lost $30000 in the value!

Even if MB breaks down every now and then, I will never hesitate to buy one.

If Lexus or GM are engineered in the way MB does, they will cost least twice as much and be far less reliable.

If you drive at 200kmh everyday you will never buy anything other than MB for their economic, safety, and comfort. Most cars screw up, both engine and chassis, on high speed/demand driving within 50000 km, and leave you the only option to replace the car. MBs don't, they feel the same even with half a million k's on the odo, even if all done at near redline rev.

I am a owner of 3 MBs and used to own many other japanese cars.

Well pointed out above. Mercedes Benz leads the way for Autobahn ready luxury autombiles and the people who know a good thing. I would say that it is worth the cost, to be the boss. When it comes to solidity of chassis and suspension components plus refined comfort behind the wheel or as a passenger, Mercedes Benz is THE benchmark. I have a 25 yr old 300D that is as solid today as the day it left the factory. This car still looks good inside and out, has NO rattles or squeaks and has allowed me to survive a roll over with it. It is driven hard more often than not and I often get complimented and asked to sell it. The springs in the suspension were changed 12 yrs ago so the ride is still 'magic carpet-like'. It has eaten up long stretches country roads and highway for almost 300,000 miles and after a roll over and fix-up I don't want to sell it.

The newer modern Mercedes cars are far more refined and hi-tech efficient, yet just as solid as the old. Once the warranty is allowed to serve its purpose, they are unbeatable. I also have a CLK320 that has exquisite style, comfort, ride quality and handling. It is reliable and capable in all conditions due to the TC and other modern safety and convenience features that Mercedes are renowned for. The CLK320 V6 performance is a bonus that gives nearly 30 mpg while cruising silently at 140 kmh. I sometimes have to commute over 100 miles each way and either Benz can handle it with ease and they cost no more than the fuel and scheduled maintenance, which is an inspection and synthetic oil change every 20k. Mercedes Benz hold up better than many other marques cars and trucks as is evidenced around the world. In the long term, a MB represents the best value in luxury automobile ownership because they are built to last and "engineered like no other".

I just purchased a used e500 from MB. I traded in a BMW 540i and the first 3 weeks of my purchase the car was at MB service center in repair. The radio would not come on sometimes and it took them 3 weeks to find the problem. Yes the car is nice but I think the dependability is not that great. My BMW had 130k miles and all I ever did was change the oil very dependable. The repairs were in the 2k.