Item: Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon 2002 - 2006
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

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Saloon

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 leads the pack for refinement and space

Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon 2002 - 2006

Owning an E-Class is never going to be cheap, but you can reduce bills by finding a good independent garage for servicing and repairs. Check, though, that they follow <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a> schedules and use proper branded parts rather than cheaper copies to keep your warranty intact.

The car decides its own servicing schedules based on how it's driven, and tells you when work is due. However, a major service is needed every three years, so the smart move is to go for a car that's just had this done.

Engines and transmissions are durable, so there's no real need to budget for repairs on them. But, the E's complex electrical systems have caused grief for too many first owners, and threaten nasty bills later on.

Fuel economy is reasonable: 30mpg for the E200, up to 40mpg for the diesels and mid-20s mpg for the E280 and E350. The only really scary ones are the E500 or E55, which barely reach 20mpg.

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The Mercedes E-Class leads the pack for refinement and space


Five petrol engines, three diesels and four trim levels make choosing the right E-Class a potential headache. Fortunately, sticking with the smaller engines and entry-level Classic trim buys you 99% of what's best about the car at a value price.

Buy from Merc dealers or reputable non-franchised specialists, stick with the E200 petrol or the E220 diesel, insist on an auto gearbox and you can't go wrong.

If you have cash to spare, the E280 petrol or diesel Elegance/Avantgarde have extra kit and added power, but we wouldn't stray further up the model list because the bigger, more powerful engines don't suit the car's wonderfully relaxed nature.

As well as that, you should pick the colour of your car carefully. Pale metallics look best and fetch the most come resale time, whereas dark blues and greens look dull and are consequently worth less. Similarly, a fully documented history and only a couple of previous owners help shore up values.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.

And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.

Executive

Above all, look out for problems with the electrical systems, especially on early cars. Mercedes prides itself on being first with advanced electronic gizmos, but this car had problems.

Prod and push every switch to ensure they work. And, if the car has an automatic gearbox, make sure that it changes gear as it should, that the engine idles smoothly and there are no flat spots when accelerating.

On every model, also check that all the warning lights come on when you turn the igintion on, and then go out when the engine fires. Note also that the battery can go flat if a car is left for as little as three days (some owners fitted an upgraded battery to counter this), the electronics governing the brakes can go haywire, leaving the system in 'limp-home' mode, and the paintwork on older cars can scratch too easily or even flake off.

Overall, the car received a kicking from owners reporting to the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, while the What Car Reliability Index shows plenty of faults, too.

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The Mercedes E-Class lopes along with regal smoothness, smothering bumps and shutting out noise almost completely. Good as it is to drive, though, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5-series</a> is definitely better.

The huge and very comfy cabin is adorned with wood, even on the entry Classic. It isn't as barge-like as previous Es, so while passenger space remains good, rear headroom is perhaps a touch tight. That said, the boot is still a cavern.

The huge range of engines and trims makes buying any E a maze. And, if that's not enough, the number of options available when the car was new means you'll rarely find two used cars alike.

The smaller engines and lower-spec models are the most common and also represent strongest value. Most have auto gearboxes and they're so smooth we'd shy away from manual shifts. In any case, the foot-operated parking brake makes hill starts a wrestle if you also have a clutch to deal with.

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Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon 2002 - 2006 review

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