1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
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Used E-Class for sale
Appraise This CarMercedes-Benz E-Class model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Attractive, sporty, and refined, the E-Class cars are some of our favorites.
Cons
- High price, and we don't particularly enjoy this car's transmission.
What’s new
More airbags find room in the E-Class, which now features a full curtain side airbag protection system. The E300 Turbodiesel and E320 wagon are enhanced with leather seat inserts, and all E-Class cars get fiber-optic technology in their sound system/optional telephone unit.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$215/mo for E-Class E320 4MATIC
E-Class E320 4MATIC
vs
$187/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Mercedes-Benz introduced an all-new E-Class for 1996, sporting a distinctive countenance, larger dimensions, door-mounted side-impact airbags and more standard equipment than ever before. Last year, the cars received their first major update. Inline six cylinder engines were replaced with more powerful, more fuel-efficient V6 engines in the E320 that provide 221 horsepower and 232 foot-pounds of torque. The V6's broad torque curve guarantees fast acceleration. The E300D replaced its diesel engine with a turbo diesel unit that boasts a peak horsepower of 174 and peak torque of 244 foot-pounds. With numbers like that, even Americans may become interested in this eco-friendly auto.
For more power, there's the V8 muscle of the E430, which generates 275 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque. And if you have a serious desire to break all land speed records, the E55 AMG is available. This steroid-infused sedan's 5.5-liter V8 puts out 349 horsepower and 391 foot-pounds of torque, which takes the car from zero to 60 in about five and a half seconds.
But performance isn't the E-Class sedan's selling point. The E-Class is also the car that thinks for you. Loaded with safety equipment and plenty of extra gadgets to choose from, the car seems equipped with its own constantly-alert copilot. First, antilock brakes are standard. The brakes also come with Mercedes' new Brake Assist system, which monitors the brake pedal and can detect an emergency situation. In the event of a real emergency, Brake Assist applies full braking force in a split second.
In addition to Brake Assist, ASR traction control is standard. This system knows if one wheel is spinning faster than the other, and applies the brakes to that wheel, or reduces power to that wheel by cutting off the electronic throttle. On slippery surfaces, this advanced traction control system significantly reduces lateral motion, keeping the car going in a straight line. Understeer and oversteer are controlled effectively.
Another power-stopping feature is the BabySmart recognition system, now standard. When first we heard of this feature, it sounded like Mercedes had somehow devised a way to make children more intelligent. Alas, BabySmart is simply an airbag cutoff. With the BabySmart child seat in place, the front passenger airbag is automatically deactivated.
Finally, we must mention the advancement of the ignition key. Mercedes has developed an infrared key fob that acts in place of the old-fashioned metal contraption used for the last thousand years on various mechanical locks. Dubbed SmartKey, the snub-nosed device sends a unique signal to the car, unlocking the steering column and starting the engine. And after each use, the key reprograms itself with a different code, just in case somebody figures out how to clone the little computer inside. It works like any other ignition system, only SmartKey is more expensively developed. And people wonder why carjacking is becoming more popular these days. Thieves can't take the car unless they have the key.
Interior ergonomics are typical Mercedes: fine except for the illegible hieroglyphics that decorate most of the controls. We appreciate the door-mounted seat adjustments, and the E-Class cars come with such niceties as dual climate zones, telescoping steering column, wood trim and a rocking stereo system complete with eight speakers.Mercedes builds a four-door E-Class for everything. The E-Class series of cars is versatile, and can handle the demands of most families. They're speedy, comfortable, can carry up to seven people, and they're solid as a rock. These cars represent an excellent argument against buying the more trendy, but less efficient, sport-utes.
The E-Class is the epitome of luxury, giving its owners a technically magnificent vehicle in a striking package. This is definitely our choice of cars in the middle-luxury segment. The Mercedes E-Class cars make a statement. They say, "I'm rich." Then they add, "But I'm also an intelligent buyer who wants a comfortable and safe car, and that's what I'm paying for." Very talkative, these cars. And they're very correct.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
5 star(74%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(1%)
102 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
last of the bank vault Benzs
jr17, 11/14/2012
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD
I know my MB's trust me on this. The 96-99 E class is by far the best years of the E class. DO NOT buy a 2000 or newer. I have 215k on mine. Paint is starting to fade a bit, a little rattle in the Cat Conv other than that, it drives and runs like new. Chrysler ruined the name from 2000 to like 2007 or roughly around there. They tried to infuse their technology into the E class at this … time and failed miserably. A 2000 E class is a K car with a MB star on the hood. The 99 is heavy, solid, and feels German. It's a little underpowered, and don't buy a 4matic if you are worried about gas. If you value your family's safety, want to to stay out of trouble, and want to look cool, buy a 99
4.75 out of 5 stars
Crossing 275k
riccar1, 06/12/2014
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4dr Sedan
Couldn't be a happier owner.
Purchased a formerly leased car with 43,000 miles and have just crossed 275,000 miles with zero problems of any significance. Of course have had some things wear out that are normal, but the car remains powerful and absolutely dependable.
Much better car than the 1990 Lexus 400 it replaced in 2003.
5 out of 5 stars
It Just Keeps on Ticking!
carolyn baker, 10/12/2015
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD
Bought my 99 e320 4matic in 02 with 78K miles. A tree fell on it in a hurricane in year 2 and creased it down the middle. I thought it would be declared as totalled. It was repaired by the insurance company at a cost of $7,000. Had the transmission replaced 2 years ago.
This vehicle lgets excellent gas mileage. On the highway I get 470+ miles to a tank of gas which I believe … holds 18.5 gallons (about 25 mpg highway). I absolutely love to drive this car. The header is falling down a little in the back from where the tree creased it. Otherwise, it is pretty enough. I am presently at 256,000 miles and look forward to my next road trip.
Update: July 2021. I'm now at roughly 350000 miles and still ticking.
3.88 out of 5 stars
First Car
automaniac9, 03/04/2014
1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E430 4dr Sedan
This car is an amazing piece of machinery and is the last year of the reliable Mercedes. This car having a 4.3 liter V8 just made the car a sleeper, especially considering that it had no badging anywhere. The transmission shifts almost seemlessly. It has great power and good handling, but this particular car stood out from the pack because of the real Brabus exhaust, and the replica … Brabus 19" wheels. The car sounds fantastic and it isn't overly loud. The interior of this car doesn't have the flare of Mercedes of old, but it's simple and functional, and that's all you should need. The exterior is much like the interior, simple but nice to look at, especially in the white color mine was in.
1999 E-Class Highlights
Sedan
E320
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $206/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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