Newbie trying to decide to purchase a '03 E500 or '04 E500? pls help!
Hello everyone, this is my first post on Benzworld so pls bear with me on the long detailed post. I've been a avid Mercedes fan for a number of years. I'm in the market to purchase a E500 w/sport pkg and I'm trying to decide if i should buy a 2003 or a 2004? I know that there are several differences between them such as the 2003 doing better gas mileage along with major/minor engine differences and etc. although i'd say i'm pretty familiar with most of their cars, the E500 is one i'm not completely familiar with. i've read numerous reports from motor trend, kkb, consumer reports, other forums and etc and i noticed that there are always people talking about the number of electrical and engine problems in these cars, but despite that, i still see them selling. But besides that my heart still falls for the E500 and so i'm still looking to buy one. In the end, on a general overview i still think the car is great, has an awesome design, great power, and has crisp handling. so can someone pls help me determine which one has less problems, a 2003 or a 2004, so i can figure out which one i should buy? thanks, really appreciate everyones feedback!
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,372
My advice would be to buy as new a model year as you can afford. Some of the early ones had a few issues. I'm with you in that I really like those, and especially with a sport package. I think you are wise in opting for the 500 vs. the 320 in those years too. I like my engine, but I miss the 8 cylinders I had in my former E430. Good luck with whichever one you buy!
p.s. You might also ask this question on the W211 forum. Those owner/members should really know these better than the rest of us.
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Last edited by Musikmann : 06-13-2007 at 06:56 PM.
think about a warranty also just in case something does happen it can get expensive real quick but i love mine and wont even think about getting rid of it.
Buy one with a warranty if you must have one of these.
And, as I lived in San Francisco till not too long ago, I would most definately avoid going to Mercedes Benz of San Francisco (the dealer there), they are not good, or from what I have heard, Walnut Creek dealer. Even the Independent Mercedes dealers are pretty much a gamble, in San Francisco, and doubly so with the new cars. I never really found a good independent there from 1996-2004 that was reasonably priced and good, though Sal's Autohaus on San Jose Ave. was alright, but I think they only like to work on the older cars.
I'd try RAB Motors up in San Rafael, if I had to go to a dealer. "JoshuaJeeper" a member here, is a service writer for them, and one of his bosses, David Santy is a good guy, who used to be a service guy.
They are really nice looking cars, and absolutely beautiful to drive and ride in when when they are running right. but owning one is a gamble, the W211 cars are pretty dodgy as regards reliability and dependability.
__________________ "I swear to god, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity."
I recommend the 2004. I typically lean toward the newest version in the nicest condition. And disregard any noise regarding the 124. The 2004 E500 will outrun one like Steve Nash against der chinmeister in a foot race.
hi! thank you so much for replying back, yeah i keep hearing the same thing over and over again, that i should opt for the newer one from the two, because the earlier ones end up having more problems. now i'm thinking i might end up getting an '04 or even might possibly look into an '05 if i can afford it!
hi thanks for replying back. yeah i think a warranty for these cars would be manditory when i purchased the car. with all the feedback i'm getting i'm now thinking about an '04. and thank you for the recommendation on the service areas. have you heard anything about the Autobahn dealer in redwood city, ca?
you know with all the reliabilitiy issues of the E500, i spontaneously starting looking at a BMW 745i, and believe it or not, a 2002/2003/2004 745i or so is around the same price range as a 2003 or 2004 E500. on top of that, the 745i does better gas mileage, more power, better reliability, and less problems reported than the E500. i am so confused?! what do you guys think?
Newbie trying to decide to purchase a '03 E500 or '04 E500? pls help! 
"I swear to god, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity."
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