1996 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class review

1997 Mercedes-Benz E 320. Click for larger photo

Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers classy look, luxury interior, excellent handling with very comfortable quiet ride and a high level of standard safety equipment. The 1996-2002 model is the second generation of this premium German vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz E-class is built with very high quality, but because it's such a complex machine, it will not be completely trouble-free and is quite expensive to keep.

Overview

Mercedes-Benz E320 interior. Click for larger photo 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Inline-6 engine. Click for larger photo Available as a sedan or wagon, the 1996-2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a classic rear-wheel drive layout. An all-wheel drive model (4MATIC) became available from 1998. The most popular model E320 first came with the 3.2L DOHC inline-6 engine. From 1998, it was replaced by a 3.2L SOHC V6. Other engine choices included the 3.0L Diesel in the E300, the 4.2L V8 in the E420, and from 1998, the 4.3L V8 in the E430. The high-performance E55 came with a 355-hp 5.4L V8. Only an automatic transmission was offered. Inside, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers a signature conservative style with excellent quality materials and high level of standard features. Everything is designed to offer maximum comfort for the driver and the passengers. The sedan has plenty of room for 5 passengers. The seven-seater wagon has two more small seats in the back. The seats are firm, but comfortable on a long trip. The cabin is very quiet and the audio system sounds very good. On the road, Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a pleasure to drive with excellent handling and very comfortable and quiet ride. Even the 3.2L engine offers plenty of power. The vehicle feels very solid and safe on the highway. The surprisingly tight turning radius makes city driving and parking easier. The NHTSA did not do crash-tests for the 1996-2002 E-class, while the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) gave "Good" overall rating to models manufactured after January 2000. For more details, visit IIHS.org

Pros

- Classy elegant look
- Excellent well-balanced handling
- Luxurious interior with many features
- Decent fuel economy for a heavy luxury car (6-cylinder models)
- Smooth and quiet ride
- Durable construction
- Variety of engine choices
- Tight turning radius

Cons

- Expensive to own
- Difficult to work on
- Requires premium gasoline
- CD changer is in the trunk
- Corrosion on some body panels

Overall

With a classy look, luxurious interior, and excellent handling the Mercedes-Benz E-class is definitely one of the best premium cars on the market. It's a well built luxury machine with many bells and whistles. However, similarly to other European vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz is expensive to keep and not every garage can handle the repairs. If you OK with this, you will certainly appreciate this solid piece of German engineering. Troubles with wiring and electronics, a bad mass airflow sensor, transmission issues and corrosion on body panels are among common problems.

Mercedes-Benz E-class problems

A failed transmission conductor plate (installed on top of the valve body) or a fluid leaking at the harness connector can cause the transmission to go into the limp mode where it would not shift out of second gear. If your Mercedes-Benz has this problem, have the transmission control module scanned for trouble codes and check the fluid level. A bad conductor plate usually causes the codes for transmission speed sensors. Also, check the round transmission harness connector for fluid contamination.
A bad mass airflow (MAF) sensor can cause lack of power, hesitation when cold and the "Check Engine" light on the dashboard. A computer scan could show the codes P0170 or P0173. It's a very common issue; a new MAF sensor usually solves the problem, however, other causes like vacuum leaks or low fuel pressure should also be checked. The MAF sensor can be easily checked with a scan tool.
The plastic vacuum lines and rubber tubes under the hood often become brittle and break easily.
Issues with various electrical equipment, such as an ignition lock, heater blower motor, sunroof, heated mirrors, brake light switch etc. are not uncommon too.

What to look for buying a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz is a very complex car, so it's best to take it for an inspection to a knowledgeable mechanic closely familiar with Mercedes-Benz products. Before looking at the car, check its history records to see if the car hasn't been involved in an accident or has had other issues in the past. Follow this link: how to check used car history.
Watch for the corrosion around the door moldings, fenders and the trunk.
Check all the interior features and all the electronics. Make sure the heater and the air conditioner work. Slide the sunroof open all the way to see if it moves freely. See if all the lights on the dashboard work. Check the heated outside mirrors for corrosion. Make sure the display in the instrument panel works properly. Learn more what to look for when buying a used car. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Mercedes-Benz cars often cost more to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Maintenance tips

There is a lot more to maintaining your Mercedes-Benz than simply changing the engine oil. Take your vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz dealer or Mercedes-Benz specialized shop for a regular maintenance. Touch up chips and scratches in the paint before the corrosion starts.
The timely repair of the rusty spots will keep the corrosion from spreading further. Read car care tips.
Regular oil changes will help keep your engine in a good shape. Use only the recommended fuel and oil type. If you notice the engine temperature rising more than normal, have the problem checked before the engine overheats. Check more car maintenance tips. If you are looking for diagnostic procedures, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedule, component locations, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc., follow this link: where to find repair manual.

2002 Mercedes-Benz E 320 specifications

Mercedes-Benz E-class Photos

2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 Photos: Mercedes-Benz Canada