1996 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class review

Strengths

- Classy elegant look
- Excellent well-balanced handling
- Luxurious interior with so 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

Weaknesses

- Expensive to keep
- Requires premium gasoline
- Not every garage can handle repairs
- CD changer is in the trunk

Overall

With classy look, solid handling, smooth and quiet ride and luxurious interior, the Mercedes-Benz E-class is definitely one of the best premium cars on the market. However, similarly to other European vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz is expensive to keep and not every garage can handle the repairs.

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

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc. Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed before buying a car; in worst cases repair might be very expensive.
- Look for corrosion on the doors, fenders and the trunk.
- Check all the interior features and all the electronics.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase, I strongly recommend to have the car inspected by a mechanic closely familiar with Mercedes-Benz products - there are many specifics.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Mercedes-Benz vehicle often costs more to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.
Consider an extended warranty, to protect from unexpected repair costs.

Few maintenance tips

- There is a lot more to maintaining your Mercedes-Benz than simply changing the engine oil. I'd recommend to take your vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz dealer or Mercedes-Benz-specialized shop for regular maintenance.
- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Make sure to use only recommended fuel and oil type.
- Stick with original parts.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- At least once a year have your car inspected in a garage on the lift (e.g when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the car must be on the lift.
Check more Car maintenance tips

2002 Mercedes-Benz E 320 specifications

Links

If you are looking for Service Manual

If you need an online repair manual with diagnostic procedures, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc, follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin