Considering purchase of 2005 E500 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

m4coyote · #1 06-09-2009, 08:26 AM

My wife and I have a 2007 Acura TL type S, and are thinking about selling it, and purchasing a 2005 Mercedes E500. We drove the Mercedes, really liked it, and were impressed with its comfort & features.

This E500 the appearance of being brand new, and belongs to an 81 year old lady that has decided not to drive any more. It has 41,000 miles on it, and all service has been done at the local MB dealer. Would we be making a big financial error by moving over to a MB from our Acura?

Thanks for any suggestions!

mbdoc · #2 06-09-2009, 08:52 AM

The cost of ownership can be much higher on that type of car than what you are used to paying!

I would have the local dealer Star-mark warranty the car!

m4coyote · #3 06-09-2009, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the reply!

I have always performed my own maintenance & most all repairs on my vehicles. Oil & fluid changes, tune ups, brake jobs, and most anything else that does not require proprietary diagnostic equipment I can handle. I have familiarized myself with the SBC system components enough to perform a brake pad and rotor replacement.

Are the general main systems (engine, transmission, differential) of the E500 sound? Are the electronics on the car durable enough to handle the stress of day to day driving, or are they temperamental and full of hidden gremlins like the 7 series BMW?

I have a nice twin post rack, and most all common automotive tools.

I guess my question is, if I do all routine maintenance to the E500 myself, as I do with my Acura, would it be a sensible decision to make the swap.

TimFreeh · #4 06-09-2009, 09:56 AM

There seem to be quite a few posts on this board about the ABC suspension system - it seems to be a bit problematic and the fixes are not cheap. I don't think even basic diagnosis is possible without factory computer scanning equipment.

The SBC brake system also requires a computer to put the brake system in 'sleep-mode' for routine brake pad changes. Somebody here did find a way to do it without the factory scan tool but the procedure was complicated.

It's not really possible to answer your question about ownership costs, every car is of course different. But generally speaking I'd guess the average ownership costs of an E500 is going to be higher than a comparable Acura.

In some cases much higher. Cavet emptor.

m4coyote · #5 06-09-2009, 11:27 AM

Thanks for your guidance guys. It sounds like we really need to re-think the E500 before jumping in. I was hoping that it would be possible to "owner service" this car and avoid frequent dealership visits, but that does not sound like the case.

We did own a beautiful 2001 BMW 330ci and it was the most undependable car either of us had ever had the pleasure of driving. We loved the driving experience, but hated the almost continuous problems. In just two years of driving it required the replacement of 6 cam shaft position sensors, 4 electronic thermostats, complete suspension rebuild, oil pressure & level sensors, both doors locking linkage, both wiper arms, all interior wood trim pieces due to clouding & cracking, etc. Those items are just what I can remember, and could list many more if I looked at my copy of the records. It was under CPO warranty, and we do not wish to go down that road again, especially with an extremely undependable vehicle that has no warranty.

Hirnbeiss · #6 06-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Check out a W211 forum (e.g. http://www.mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211-20/) for better specifics. If you have a lift and are smart enough to research before diving in then I would think you'll be OK. The '05 500 is the M113 engine, and it is not a problem child. I've heard nothing like your BMW experience, just that the W211 is less DIY-friendly than earlier models. Note that during my last trip to Vienna the '04 W211 cab had 480,000 km on the odo. The driver said it was a "strong machine", and that the wheel bearings had been replaced but no major items outside routine maintenance.

Southern · #7 06-09-2009, 06:43 PM

I own an older Mercedes E class as well as an older Acura TL and do my own maintenance. The Acura is cheaper to maintain and they are more responsive with voluntary recalls. The Mercedes parts cost a bit more but also last. I was able to maintain my Mercedes without a factory service manual, since Mercedes didn't make them available to the general public but with the knowledge of Mercedesshop I was able to do without the service manual. If you live in a snowbelt area I would recommend snow tires for the Mercedes since it is rear wheel drive. I prefer the ride of the Mercedes over the Acura but I am also partial to rear wheel drive vehicles.