[K-A]

Hey guys, I have some questions which would be appreciated if I could get some help with. I got my S Class recently and am in love with it, but after recently going to my Dealership and looking at an '05 E320 w/ Sport Package, and most importantly, 100K Warrantee....Along with the better Gas Mileage with these unfortunate prices, I'm weighing my options. The S is out of Warrantee which really scares me.

I know the early E's had major reliability issues much like the early W220's, but I've been told 05+ are much more reliable, is this true? Also, if anyone has had or has any knowledge on whether as a whole, the W220 or W211 is a more expensive car to "operate" reliability wise, that would help alot.

And lastly, I know the E-Class is a very safe car, but it got a frontal crash rating of 4 Stars, I dunno, I just assumed an E should be 5 Stars all the way around? Just curious if anyone knows any specifics on why it got 4 Stars that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

I'd focus on 07+ up E350's. That was the first year of the face-lift. The car looked a whole lot better and was much more reliable. 05 was the first semi-reliable year, 06 was better, 07 even better.

 

[01rollas]

as far as from what i've been told by my dealer is the engine displacement. why i don't know and i think its BS. The Chief SA said it had to do with the V6 being the smaller and the V8 filling up the bay a bit more. like i said i think its BS.

what i do know is my 01 corolla has a 4 star and my 98 as well. when that car crashed into a wall at 55MPH it did fairly well also considering it slid into a metal barrier after that. the dang little thieves that stole it survived. im not really worried since the 04 W211 i have now has side airbags and is waaaaaaaay better engineered than my other cars......sorry for going a bit off topic.

 

[K-A]

Thanks. I dunno, going back and forth in the ol' mind about the whole situation. I will say, IMO the E-Classes with Sport Package are soooo much sharper looking than the regulars, which are also nice cars, but if I were to pick up one, I would really love to opt for the Sport, which the one I was looking at fortunately has.

My budget seems to be most fitted with an '05, I'd love to save some $$ and get a lower Mileage '03 or '04, but if they are the least reliable of the bunch, I'll only focus on '05+

Yeah, that 4 Star Frontal thing just irks me, I mean I'm not doubting this cars Safety, but just find it wierd MB would allow it to roll off the assembly line with anything but 5??

Thanks again.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Yeah, that 4 Star Frontal thing just irks me, I mean I'm not doubting this cars Safety, but just find it wierd MB would allow it to roll off the assembly line with anything but 5??

Thanks again.

Are you referring to some US rating or the EURO NCAP (if those are different)? I believe 4 was the maximum when W211 was introduced. Later on tests for pedestrian safety were added and things like seat belt reminders (which you hate but still hate 4 stars while 5 is impossible without the reminder ) now give additional points.

Pedestrian safety is more or less a joke in the US, where can you hit a pedestrian when all are driving a car . Anyway, W211 might not even be very good with that, later cars have hood structures and pop-up hoods that make it "softer" for a pedestrian to face the car. Glad to hear that you are so concerned about fellow people.

Also note that a collision with a 4 star Corolla and a 4 star MB doesn't mean both are equally protected. It would only be in a case where the cars are of equal size.

 

[01rollas]

................

Also note that a collision with a 4 star Corolla and a 4 star MB doesn't mean both are equally protected. It would only be in a case where the cars are of equal size.

thanks for putting that in there, i forgot to write that in there. Was in a hurry when I typed it. Ruben

 

[K-A]

Thanks, yeah that's what I was looking for, basically if there were other, non car-safety related stuff that would hurt the point. I do think the 5 Star was available at that time though since the car got a 5 Star Side Rating and 5 Rollover Rating, but it would make sense about the Pedestrian thing huring the Frontal Rating perhaps. I think it was the US Rating, it's the one that shows on the Cars Window Sticker and you can see it at the Carfax Safety Website.

 

[asianml]

Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the safest car in the USA

 

[K-A]

Nice, thanks. Yeah I remember seeing that Article, although it does state it's rated for the 00-03 Models, but I doubt M-B would make the new body less-safe. Crazy to see how that E got a higher rating than the S!!