More information on the 2001 E430 would make it easier to make a recommendation. If a MB dealer is selling the E430 you can purchase a Starmark Component Warranty for 3 years/up to 100,000 miles which will prevent you from absorbing any major expense for a while, assuming the car doesn't have high mileage on it. It will be difficult for anyone to predict the reliability of a new car; however, you may prefer the styling of the 2005 E-Class cars over the 2001 E-Class. As you suggest with MB keeping E-Class prices relatively stable over the years something has to be sacrificed ... typically the quality of the materials.

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Fred Hoelzle