Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon 2009 - 2016 review

Category: Executive car

If you fancy a slice of reliable luxury motoring, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class should be on your shortlist

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)
Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon 2009 - 2016 review
Star rating

What's the used Mercedes E-Class saloon like?

There are those who will argue that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the best car in the world, and with good reason. Also known by its development code of W212, this fourth-generation car served as a rival to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF, and can count ride comfort and build quality among its strongest features.

There is easily enough space for four to travel together, although a fifth will have to straddle the sizeable transmission tunnel that runs down the centre of the car.

Overview

If you fancy a slice of reliable luxury motoring, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class should be on your shortlist

  • Spacious interior
  • Comfortable ride on most versions
  • Strong reputation for reliability
  • More expensive than some rivals
  • Not exciting to drive
  • Noisy 2.1-litre diesel

Inside the E-Class has a real sense of solidity about it. That said, some of the dashboard plastics feel a little tinny, and aren’t up to the standard of the high-quality Audi A6. Meanwhile, the central infotainment system lags behind BMW’s iDrive, and the combined indicator and windscreen wiper stalk, along with the column-mounted selector for the automatic gearbox take some getting used to.

You need to be careful that you avoid sportier models fitted with stiffer suspension and larger wheels, as the ride quality in these can be jarring. However, choose a more laid-back E-Class – SE and Avantgarde versions fit the bill – and you’ll enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride that’s exactly as a Mercedes should be.

The boot is the same size as that of the Audi A6 and Jaguar XF, which is to say slightly larger than you’ll find in a BMW 5-series, but not all models came with split-folding rear seats, so if you need this feature be sure to check it is included. The engine range consists of an underpowered 1.8-litre petrol, a rattly 2.1-litre diesel, smooth petrol and diesel V6s, a diesel-electric hybrid and a couple of V8 petrol units, not least the high-performance E63 AMG model.

A facelift in 2013 resulted in a noticeable step up in interior finish, the standard inclusion of automatic emergency braking, and improved engine options, including a 2.0-litre petrol to replace the old 1.8. These cars are easy to spot because the headlights were changed from a two-piece design to a single, combined unit. Find a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon in the What Car? Classifieds

Ownership cost

What used Mercedes E-Class saloon will I get for my budget?

Fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class ownership starts from £7000 provided you’re happy to settle for an early model with a high mileage, or a Category C or D write-off.

It would be wiser, though, to find £9000-£10,000 and look for either a later car or one that has covered fewer miles, although if it’s a petrol model you’re after you can’t afford to be too picky as the vast majority of E-Class’s were diesel. In fact, even the hybrid is more common on the used market than a conventional petrol engine.

Some of the best value E-Class Saloons sit around the £14,000-£15,000 bracket, where you’ll find either a late pre-facelift model or an early facelift car from 2013 with a sensible mileage.

If you’re after an E63 AMG version expect to pay upwards of £25,000 and insist on a full service history and plenty of evidence that the car has been cared for by its previous owners.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)

How much does it cost to run a Mercedes E-Class saloon?

There was a good reason that diesel E-Class Saloons were so popular: they are the most affordable E-Class to run. In fact, driven carefully you can expect as much as 50mpg out of an E200 BlueEfficiency diesel, or 46mpg out of the E220, which uses the same 2.1-litre engine but with more power. That’s more efficient even than the E300 Hybrid in normal motoring.

If you do want a petrol car the 1.8-litre entry level model used for pre-facelift E200s needs to be worked so hard that you’ll struggle to get decent economy; better to opt for the post-facelift E200 with its 2.0-litre unit.

For servicing, once the car is out of warranty you will be able to reduce costs by using an independent Mercedes specialist, because franchised Mercedes dealers don’t offer a fixed-price servicing scheme for older cars like BMW and Audi do. Even then, don’t count on it being as affordable as a mainstream model such as a Ford or a Skoda.

Our recommendations

Which used Mercedes E-Class saloon should I buy?

Before the 2013 facelift, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range was divided into SE, Avantgarde and Sport trim levels, and as we’ve already discussed, it’s the former two which offer the best ride quality. Opt for SE and you’ll be restricted to a four-cylinder engine; for most, the 2.1-litre diesel will provide the best blend of performance and economy, but it’s pretty noisy, which is why we recommend upgrading to the larger V6 diesel if you can.

Post-facelift Sport became AMG Sport or AMG Line, both of which have large alloy wheels that do nothing for ride comfort. All models also benefitted from improved specifications and safety equipment, making these the ones to go for if your budget allows. If you fancy more power and can stomach the higher running costs the V6 engines are well worth a look.

Our favourite Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 2013-on E350 CDI SE

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Mercedes E-Class saloon?

The BMW 5-Series is the benchmark saloon in this class thanks to its blend of comfort and driver enjoyment. It’s not quite as spacious as the E-Class, but otherwise well worth a look, particularly as BMW’s 2.0-litre diesel engine is so much quieter than the Mercedes alternative.

Jaguar’s XF also beats the Mercedes when it comes to an involving drive, but while the interior lacks nothing in drama it is not as well built as the Mercedes’. Finally there’s the Audi A6, which comes closest to the Mercedes in its comfort-oriented approach, but still can’t quite match the car with the three-pointed star on its bonnet. It is, however, cheaper to buy meaning you’ll get a newer or lower-mileage example for your money.

Find a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon in the What Car? Classifieds here

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (09 - 16)