1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong with the car in the short time I have owned it.

Received the car in good faith in 1999.

Quality has dropped right down.

Japanese cost-cutting affected the marque appallingly.

Performance fairly good.

Looks attractive.

Strength of build not there.

Buy a BMW (or a pre-'94).

Mercedes needs to concentrate as well as profligate.

This is what I'm worried about. How can I replace my late model W124 E Class??? I can't stand BMWs and Audi command respect, but not love.

Having owned two Mercedes E-Classes, currently I have an W124 '95 E320. This is an amazingly well built car with a lot of power and fun to drive. However, I am concerned about the later-model E320s. It's sad that such a quality manufacturer as Mercedes is making these cutbacks. It makes me wonder whether my next car will be a Mercedes... are there any manufacturers out there still producing cars like the W124s?

1996 E320 drives like dream; Audi or BMW can't make up to. Currently 220000km; next car MB ONLY.

It seems the above commenter has overlooked the point. *After* 1997, many, many, people have complained about a substantial decline in the quality of MBZ. Having owned some earlier vintage models, I test drove a 1999 model myself. It may not be a scientific evaluation, exactly, but the car was tangibly a lesser car than the earlier models--quality of the trim, leather, hardware, fit & finish, even the ride quality. Such that I wasn't willing to invest in it, especially in light of the comments I'd seen from so many others. Albeit, just two cents...

Can't agree. I have both a 1990 300td 4-matic (180K miles), and, now, a 1999 e320 4-matic sedan (140K miles). While I was expecting poor build quality based on everything I've read, the 1999 e320 is a great car, solid, stable, reasonably quiet, handles better, much better acceleration, radio, climate control, legroom, and generally more fun to drive than the earlier car. The earlier car is also very solid, stable and reliable, but in no way is it "fun to drive."