The 03-06 Mercedes-Benz E 500 is a Bargain, but is it a good used car? Review and Test Drive by Bill

Early W211 E-Class Benzes have a mixed reputation - they are almost universally appreciated as being attractive, with lovely body lines and richly finished interiors. The V8s are considered to be excellent engines, and the 5G transmissions are bulletproof. But Mercedes-Benz introduced a lot of new technology in to this E-Class, and some of it is widely considered not-quite-ready for prime time. The Sensotronic brakes were so problematic for Mercedes that they recalled 680,000 cars to reprogram the software, and removed the system altogether when they refreshed the model in 2007. Also, the AIRMatic suspension is considered to be high maintenance (though not quite as bad as ABC Sport), and the variable-assist steering is a point of contention with the way it feels, if not mechanically.

All of that said, this is a $60K plus car that can now me had for less than 10% of the original window sticker, and is loaded with the kind of German opulence that makes it a joy to drive - strong V8 pull, exceptional chassis tuning, highly luxurious interior, and loads of lovely equipment all around. All of this makes it very tempting. But is it a good used car?

Probably not - short answer. Owning this car will necessitate the owner to do maintenance above and beyond many other cars in this price range. The cost of ownership will be higher than on a Lexus ES, Infiniti M, and lots of other nice cars at this price point (notice I didn't mention the BMW 5-Series). Nut they simply won't have the same soul, and that's where some people will decide the added maintenance is worth the cost.

Full review and test drive by Bill. Vehicle is for sale at Auto Europa Naples, www.AENaples.com, or call Marty at (239) 298-8000.

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