USED Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon (02 - 06)

My car

Almost perfect, does anyone need more from a car?

Likes:

Owning one. Living with one. Looking at the three-pointed star.

Dislikes:

The 220's diesel is noisy up to 25mph. The What Car? test reports say there's only 700mm leg room in the back and 711mm in the C-Class. I have owned both, look at your photos. "The E class console is cluttered" - rubbish. The heater controls do the heater, the radio and steering wheel do the rest.

BMW cannot put a cover on the armrest in the rear, the switch gear looks black and naff and the leather hard and folded round the curves of the seats. The seat controls and seat belts are black the leathers grey. The E Class is finished as it should be. These are comments from a BMW driver.

They may be a drivers car? But finished they're not. You talk about Nissans being dull inside, look in a BMW! Please look at the whole picture when testing the cars.

Keep up the good work (as you can see, I don't always agree).

My car

I have owned this car since December 2002 when the new E-class was launched.

I really love the car, the performance is brilliant with endless torque, I've never been left wanting for more power. The engine can be a little noisy around town, but at cruising speeds it's silent (even when accelerating).

I love the design of the interior and dashboard. It makes other cars look boring and the 5-series just dull. It all feels beautifully put together and is a wonderful place to spend time. For more information have a look at www.mbclub.co.uk.

I drive the car very hard and average 35mpg, although it's easy to achieve 40mpg by being more gentle with the throttle.

In 38,000 miles it's had two services, four tyres (at 28,000) and front brake pads, which isn't bad.

My car

I own the E55 featured which was used for this review by What Car?

They are an awesome vehicle, better than the vehicles that I have owned in the past. If you want a luxury saloon with supercar performance, this is the one to buy.

You can even fit a pram and golf clubs in the boot at the same time!

My car

I had the previous model E-class diesel and owning this new model is a real revelation and a real treat!

The new one is MUCH better. A much smoother ride but still great handling around corners. The brakes are just stunning, using another car now scares me to death!

Appearances are subjective but I think the interior and exterior ooze class and continue the Mercedes philosophy of being evolutionary and appreciating the only thing that goes out of fashion, is fashion!

In my view, it has elegance and modernity mixed in the right proportions. I have read about the “plasticky” interior as a problem. I don’t see that at all, same amount of plastic as any other car. The dials and instruments are all really clear and the interior in general is classy without being gimmicky.

This model came with a great automatic 'box as standard and also has xenon lamps, part-leather seats and lots of other “extras” as standard. This car starts off very well equipped and has one of the best Hi-fi in-dash CD changers anywhere.

I have to say, it is better built that the previous model, at last returning to Mercedes quality. Virtually everything is guaranteed forever. It's a good car to lease and they buy at they end! In terns of value it is unbeatable.

It is as quick in acceleration as the petrol E320, has LOADS of torque (put your foot down uphill and everything else disappears!) and I have averaged 41.3mpg for the last 30,000 miles. Tell me diesel is no fun!

Highly recommended