Item: Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 1999 - 2003
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Estate

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

E CLASS

The Mercedes E-Class Estate looks the part whether at the tip or the local gymkhana

Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 1999 - 2003

The E-Class Estate needs a service every 9000 miles, which can rack up the bills in labour charges alone if you cover a lot of miles, especially as franchised dealers' service rates are some of the highest of any manufacturer and genuine Mercedes parts are not cheap, but essential. The best bet is to use a Merc specialist where the labour rates will be more affordable, but they still know their way around the car.

Depending on what you're willing to spend on fuel, the E-Class offers anything from 46.0mpg with the E220 CDi all the way down to 22.0mpg for the E55 AMG performance version. We reckon the E320 CDi is the best balance, turning in 36.0mpg.

Insurance is reasonable for this size and type of car, although if you want a V8 petrol you will have to be prepared to fork out considerably more for cover.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

The Mercedes E-Class Estate looks the part whether at the tip or the local gymkhana


The E320 CDi turbodiesel is easily the pick of the bunch, thanks to its brawny 3.2-litre engine. At its best when coupled to a five-speed automatic, it will return 36.0mpg.

The E220 CDi diesel is also a sound choice if you don't mind trading some performance for greater economy. It'll return up to 46.0mpg.

The smallest petrol engine struggles with the sheer size of the car, so we prefer the petrol V6s for their refinement, performance and decent economy. If you're in more of a hurry, the E430 V8 is silky smooth and quiet while delivering strong acceleration, or there's the high-performance (and very thirsty) E55 AMG with its 349bhp 5.4 V8.

The most basic trim, Classic, comes with air-con, a CD player, front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control, which should be enough for most people, especially if you can find a car with some choice options fitted.

Alternatively, hunt out an Elegance model, which adds alloy wheels and wood trim, or an Avantarde with sports suspension. Both gained leather seats as standard from mid-2001.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

These <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercs</a> wear their miles very easily, so look for a full service history to back up the mileage.

Warranty Direct reports very few problems with E-Class Estates of this vintage, but it's worth making sure the suspension has been serviced according to the schedule. The front suspension needs new bushes every 60,000 miles to maintain the ride quality.

Also listen for squeaky brakes. The E-Class is a big car and often used for towing, which gives the front brakes a lot of work to do. Budget for replacement pads at the next service as a precaution.

Surprisingly, rust can be an issue around the front wheelarch lips. Look carefully for any signs of bubbling, and peer under the plastic wheelarch trim to get a proper view.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Lift up the rear hatch of the Mercedes E-Class Estate and there's an auditorium-sized load bay, which can be expanded to full concert mode by folding down the easily tipped rear seats. With them up, there's generous space for three in the back, while those in the front are treated to firmly padded but comfortable seats.

The smallest petrol is the 163bhp 2.0-litre but you're more likely to find an E240, E280 or E320 with 2.6, 2.8 and 3.2-litre V6 petrol engines respectively. Most of these have auto 'boxes, as do the superb E320 CDi models with a strong six-cylinder diesel. The E220 CDi uses an economical four-cylinder 2.2 turbodiesel. Topping the range are muscular V8 petrols.

The E-Class Estate majors on comfort and is a great long-distance machine thanks to its excellent refinement and smooth ride. And, while it's certainly a good drive, if you expect the kind of handling or steering responses that will match a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/estate/review/n34">BMW 5-Series</a>', you'll be disappointed.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 1999 - 2003 review

Fill out our 2022 Reliability Survey - and win a prize!

Citroen C3 Aircross

Audi E-Tron

MG ZS EV

Cupra Formentor

Fiat 500 Electric 

Kia Niro EV

Renault Megane E-Tech

/news/complete-the-2022-what-car-reliability-survey-for-the-chance-to-win-a-prize/n15554

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Looking for alternatives to the used Mercedes E-Class 1999 - 2003? The expert What Car? review team guide you through some great options.

New car deals >>

Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 1999 - 2003 review

Mercedes-Benz E Class 2.6 E240 Elegance 4dr

Mercedes-Benz E Class E60 AMG AUTO 6.0 V8 32V

Alternatives

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

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information