NEED BUYING ADVICE, 2003 E500 94,000 MILES
 

GOING TO LOOK AT A W211 2003 E500 THAT APPEARS TO BE IN MONT CONDITION. IT ONLY HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT.

WHAT FLAWS OR TELL TALE SIGNS SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

IT'S NOT AN AUCTION CAR AND WAS TRADED IN AT A NON MERCEDES NEW CAR DEALERSHIP.

DOES AN E500 HAVE THE DREADFUL AIRBAG SUSPENSION LIKE THE EARLY 2000 MODEL S CLASSES?

AFTER SEARCHING HERE, I SAW THAT THEY ALSO HAVE A NOT SO DESIRED BRAKE SYSTEM..... WHAT MIGHT I LOOK FOR TO INSURE THAT THERE AREN'T ANY UNDERLYING PROBLEMS?.... I WAS A MECHANIC ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO SO I DO KNOW HOW TO CHECK A CAR, JUST NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS MODEL.

THANK YOU GUYS IN ADVANCE!!

Bigdaddy, Go over to the benzworld.org/forums/w211-eclass/ and poke around there. It is devoted to the 211 owners. The last e class we owned was a '95 E420. It was the most trouble free Benz yet, although my CL600 is faultless. You mentioned the "dreadful" airbag suspension. I'm not so sure of what you speak. The 2003 has I believe without looking the car up on EPC that you have the ADS or ABC suspension system. I've had two cars with this system and IF YOU DO THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE on them they should last a long time. I'm talking about flushing the hydraulic system, replacing the filter and fluid (genuine Benz stuff!!) What I would look for is regular dealer maintence on the car and find a GOOD independent Benz mechanic in the area to do a PPI for you. I would inspect the 4 struts and the leveling mechanisms next to them for any signs of leakage. The replacement struts are north of $800 each and I understand the ABC pump is pushing $3000. The 500 engine is faultless and would not worry me at all. Have no feeling on this transmission but once again if the fluid has been changed every 30K then it should last well into 200K. Not sure what your brake concerns are, "brakes by wire"?
The Benz forum guys will have all sorts of answers for you if you just ask. These are wonderful, expensive vehicles but require more attention than a toyoter or honder. If they haven't had top notch service then woe on you. I have a sign in my garage that says: "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes". From your personal profile it looks like you have owned a lot of Mercedes and your current crop are relatively new. Doesn't the ML have the ABC system?
Anziani
'97 CL600 52K

Anzani, I just got an 2006 E320 DCI

The early 211's are going to be a lot higher maintenance than the post facelift 211's. Plus you have to deal with the airmatic and SBC which are both expensive.

If anyone is looking for information on the W211 platform, check out the link below to our site's DIY tech articles on it.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 (2003-2009) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts


-Dmitry