Used 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Consumer Reviews

Best car I have ever owned!

Totally trouble free. This car has been as reliable as my Honda (no small feat!). 36MPG on the highway at 70 mph. Quiet, passengers have no idea it is a diesel. Performance is better than the gasoline version of the same car. This is the last year with the straight 6 mercedes diesel, as bullet-proof a motor as Mercedes has ever made. I would never consider buying another Mercedes that wasn't a diesel.

Most Fun to Drive (Still is.)

The 2005 E320 CDI is the most fun to drive car that I've ever owned in my short 70 years. This car was made to be driven and driven hard! I've owned four Mercedes vehicles-1 gas and 3 diesels and the 2005 E320 CDI is the fastest and nearly has the most torque of the three. I absolutely love to drive this car. It literally is as solid as a rock. It tracks down the highway like an arrow and when I pass a semi at highway speeds (or a little more) it doesn't waver one single millimeter. I sometimes take it out on the Interstate and drive it just for the fun of it. I LOVE THIS CAR!

Car Performance

Car when running correctly was wonderful, but had it in 11 times for major problems, 0 rings replaced twice, two fuel line leaks, transmission went out, and on and on. Lots of keyless go problems. Mercedes would not extend warranty for me. Dealership was very good in handling these problems, but Mercedes would not stand behind product

Still fast and a headturner after 4 yrs.

After leasing my 2005 E500, I decided to keep it. And I don't regret it. I love this car! It's black with chrome wheels and gets a lot of attention. I have not had any major problems. Other than the scheduled maintenance, I took it in for an AC glitch. I love the luxury equipments that came standard. From the GPS and satellite to the pulsating seats and xenon headlamps. And this bad boy gets excellent gas mileage. I averaged 29.6 mpg on the highway last month, on a trip to San Francisco. City epa averages around 18- 20 mpg. I'll be keeping this till the next E Class comes out.

Works for me

I love this car. After owning it for 2.5 years, it's been in the shop once, for an oil change. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. A very fast car with just the right balance between race car performance/handling and luxury tourist. Gas mileage on the highway going 75 mph with A/C on around 27 mpg and city around 16 mpg which is amazing considering the large fast engine.

Happy with E320 wagon

This has turned out to be an excellent purchase choice for a luxury car. Went with a wagon instead of a sedan and very happy to have done so. Much more flexible, better ride and handling. Constant 24 to 26 mpg on daily 30 mile freeway commute. Best mileage on long trips around 28 to 29 mpg. The electric rear tailgate door is a must. Makes grocery trips and other loading with hands full a breeze. Very comfortable ride and handling in town and out on the open road.

Outstanding automobile

This is my third MB. It is the best auto I have ever owned or driven. My wife and all who have driven it, rate it as the best drive and ride they have experienced. Mileage is fantastic. A 1000 mi. trip, with 900 miles of turnpike driving resulted in 35.9 mpg as measured with fill to cap to start and fill to cap at finish

The Best E Class I've had yet

I've driven this car for two years, and it is the best E Class yet. It is fun to drive, and with four snow tires it is very good in the snow. I am going to get a E550 4Matic. I got 23 mpg on the highway with the air conditioner running and 16-17 mpg around town.

You've gotta love it!

This has got to be one of the most invigorating driving experiences I have ever had. This car is as much fun to drive as it is to look at. With DVD Navigation and Satellite Radio (Sirius) you have one of life greatest pleasures getting from one destination to another. The Harmen Karden stereo has such a vibrant sound. All in all -- a great driving experience

A Great Ride So Far

We bought our 05 CDI with 48K on it 1 year ago tomorrow so I thought this would be a good time to right a review since I came here to read a bunch before I bought it. This car is a joy to drive and has been nothing but great for us. We downsized from an 07 Suburban because we really didn't need the room anymore and the Suburban is hard to give up if you've ever driven one. Great mileage, pretty much 28 in town and 35-37ish highway. This car feels safe, drives great, is quiet and has been bulletproof. I had one service issue, a door lock problem. The extended warranty covered it for 100 bucks. Drive one and put your foot into it. The diesel torque will put a smile on your face, I promise.

After first year - BEWARE

This is a warning to anyone looking for a 2004 or 2005 E320. It is well known in the auto world about the problems with this model and Mercedes in general right now. It is basically an electronic nightmare. Since January of 2004, I have had the following replaced - rear door lock, instrument cluster (in speedometer), brain for the Dynamic Seats, 2- rain sensors, Command Center/GPS, 6 CD-player, brake issues. All of this in 11 months! It is a beautiful car and rides wonderfully and has some neat extras but you really need to think hard before buying this car. This is my first Mercedes and after paying $57,000 I am at a loss for words. Please take my words to heart - BEWARE.

Good Solid Car

This is a good solid family sedan. We special ordered the E500 with all the options( only missing is the distronic feature) Car has been trouble free for past two years. Keyless Go option is very nice to have, that you only need to carry the key with you in the pocket and you can open the car door and turn the ignition on without ever turning the key. Seats are very comfortable ( esp with dynamic seats, which automatically puts air into selective located area of seats when you turn the car in high speed for comfort" like G- suits in fighter jets" Engine is smooth and planty power with 7 speed transmission. wiht 305 HP engine passing is effortless and smooth and quiet overall.

Best car I've ever owned

This is my second E-320. Both are fine cars, but the 2005 is clearly the superior machine. I think the best one-word description for this car is "precision". It is fun to drive and does exactly what I expect. In the first six months of ownership there have been no problems at all. Having suffered quality issues in recent years, Mercedes has returned to the high standards of old with a car which seems nearly bulletproof.

My E500 AWD

A great automobile with plenty of power, excellent comfort, and good mileage on trips (22+ mpg). The drive dynamic seats, keyless go, parktronic and navigation systems are super. No failures in the 19 months/19000 miles.

Teutonic Elegance.....but will it last?

My wife and I both love the car. Although a utilitarian vehicle, we sometimes think we're driving a sports car. The interior comfort, ride and handling can't be beat. Our car was described by Mercedes technicians and sales reps as "bullet proof". Mechanically, it has been, but if only they had kept the electronics simple and more reliable. The car regularly flashes inappropriate warning lights on the dash, emits "beeps" while driving with no known reason and the satellite radio has been erratic and unreliable. To check the oil level, you need to access the owners manual and go through a series of commands to reach the correct screen. Overall, a great car. We just hope it holds up.

Beauty AND the Beast are one in the same!!! STILL!

Bought this well-cared for E320 CDI from a MB mechanic. Engine and chassis all in great condition. The interior is kinda dirty but cleaned up decent, and I will re-dye the seats. As for performance in my short time having it...it has been the fastest, best handling yet fuel efficient car I have owned in my 61 years. It has classic MB looks, so does not look dated. The ride is smooth, braking smooth and power???? Yikes! Now, to be fair, the previous owner did some mods, like a Race IQ performance tune, EGR, cat and muffler deletes and a larger intercooler. He claims it has 280HP in this configuration and about 470ft lb of torque. All I know, is it goes 0-60 in about 5 seconds!!! He liked this car so much, that when it hit 200k miles, he found another one of same year but with only 60k, which he will simply do it all over again. This car is beauty AND the Beast! UPDATE: 3/11/12 My 2005 E320 CDI is the Bomb! The ride is sooo nice and love the way it throws you back in the seat. It looks like new outside and decent inside. The cloth side got patched, so it looks ok. The positives for this car is: 1. Great MPG for such a fast car, at 37mpg. 2. It IS such a fast car. 3. The ride is smooth with decent cornering. 4. The body is holding up amazing for a 17 year old car in NE Ohio. Still original paint. 5. All systems work. 6. Nice size trunk. 7. Most of the work that needs done on the car(brakes, thermostat, oil/coolant/transmission/brake fluid changes, suspension parts, the average mechanically inclined person can do...especially with the help of YouTube. Cons are: 1. Yes, it has had some work. It has 204k miles. 2. Diesel is $1.00 more than regular. While diesel is more expensive, the ride more than justifies the small extra cost per tankful If you can find one of these in good shape...buy it. You too will love it. UPDATE: I have had the first issue. One of the brake lines started leaking, so the SBC system shut down and the car only had 40% braking power. Enough for me to carefully drive it home. used my Foxwell scanner on it but the car didn't throw a code it could read. Took it to a indie garage that is good w euro cars, and they found the leak/issue. Cost me $400 for line replacement/brake system flush and bleeding. Dealer would have been worse. Still love this car, but be aware...if you have a CDI MB, most indie garages will not want to work on them. So that means you need to find one that will, or you're stuck w the Stealerships. Luckily, I found one. This is still my second favorite car I have ever owned out of approx 40 cars in 62 yars. I have 5 as of today. I like buying cars that have depreciated to 80% of new value but have good reliability reputations. This was just such a car. UPDATE: I have owned this car for 21000 miles. In addition to the brake line mentioned above, I have replaced the battery, motor mounts, a wheel bearing and usual maintenance. It has been a pretty reliable car and is my most fun to drive. Now that I have a good indie to work on things I can't do, the costs aren't too bad. It still looks great, runs great and is still worth what I paid for it. No new car can say the same.

I would drive this into the afterlife if I could

Go for the mechanical beauty of the naturally balanced Inline 6 with the iron block. At 18:1 compression it will outlast subsequent aluminum versions. Use Power Source Diesel Kleen once in a while and keep the injectors clean and lubricated. I have had my 2006 CDI for 145,000 miles and would not part with it EVER. I have driven 1,300 miles in one sitting (several times) and felt great afterwards. MPG is best with the right tires. I had Michelins and could easily get 40 mpg. Switched to other brands and it was a little harder to get that level of MPG. The car is VERY solid and well built. Get clear impact film for the driving lights to protect them from rocks. The rear seat is a little awkward to get out of. The cloth door jambs have worn a bit on the driver's side. Great stability. I upgraded the headlight bulbs to Phillips brightest and it was a great improvement. Suggestion for MBZ, let us adjust the high and low beams individually not as one set. Honestly I would put this against any other car for comfort, performance, efficiency and longevity.

The true family hauler!

With room for seven and nearly 500 hundred horsepower this wagon delivers a safe and fun experience for up to seven passengers. This car is very expensive new but is a serious piece of engineering. It's luxurious and fun to drive and looks subdued but sporty. It's a sleeper....

2005 500E

I've owned this vehicle for about 9 months now and the longer I own it and drive it the more I'm enjoying it. I've averaged up to 28 mpg on the highway at speeds to 70 mph. The ride is very comfortable. The suspension is a little firm but that's why I bought the 500 and not the 350. The xenon light are incredible and the handling is as one would expect from such a car, the acceleration is almost as good as my 911. My only complaints are that the glove box is a little small to be very useful, and the seats are a little hard to put in a comfortable position, maybe to many adjustments. I've had only one small problem with the electrical system which was fixed under warranty. Excellent

I love my E500

I love this car. I have owned Hummer H2's Lexus LS400 and SC430's, Cadillac DeVille's, MB c240's etc. The E500 is by far the best I have owned. It's fast as hell ( my best 1/4 mile time is 13.9 at 102mph with a few chips) smooth riding, great pickup sexy looks and extreme attitude. You can't mess with this car it messes with you!

Change your transmission oil!

I really loved having this car, but now I am told that I need a new transmission. I drive a lot, which is why I got the diesel. One time I got 40 miles per gallon on a trip to the shore! I brought the car in religiously for service which is why I was so shocked that my tranz needed replacement. Transmission oil is not listed to be changed at intervals like regular oil. I wish I changed it at 80K because then I would not have been writing this review. Learn from my mistake. Change the tranny oil.

Merc E320 4Matic is the best

Initially , i use to be a big fan of Audi as i owned one , heavy weight and great dynamics i thought could not get better than Audi. But once i sat in E320 4matic i just loved interior and bought it without second thought. It never turned down my expectations. Once i was driving in New England Storm i took exit for gas and got stuck in 3 foot snow. But i now my merc can handle it like nothing , i switched to Sport mode and press the pedal it jumped of the heavy snow like a tiger everybody around just baffled as they shoveling hard to get their car out of snow. I can drive 50 miles an hour on ramps like nothing . I drove from Pittsburgh to Boston with 31.5 MPG , Jap owners went jealous..:)

Economy With Class

Fast,Quiet,Smooth. My sixth E class and the best.

Absolute Dream Car- 2005 e-320 4matic

Have owned car for four years and have put less than 16,000 miles with total mileage under 62,000 It drives flawlessly and is in perfect condition. The key is having an expert Mercedes Mechanic. The Guy that services my car worked for Mercedes Truck division is incredible. He knows my car intimately and knows exactly how to maintain it. In 2017 I placed a fuel pump and this spring replaced tires with Good Year top of the line Touring tires. That is it. My 320-E is a flawless example of Mercedes engineering and is a joy each day to drive.

295000 miles need I say more

Best kept secret

Super car

Reliable, very comfortable and a lot of engine performance.

Best car I've ever owned.

Longing for a Lexus

I have a '05 E500 sedan and wagon (4- matic) The sedan has been a problem since day one. The wagon has been a joy to own and since it is my wife's I don't get it that often. The sedan's brakes have been and continue to be an issue. The electronic brake system needs to be trashed. After numerous trips back to the dealer due to the hydralic pump activating for no reason, the system was finally replaced. The brakes have been squeaking even after 2 "treatments". The wipers "stink on ice". In addition, it is not as quick as my wagon. There is a noticeable lag in acceleration. I am truly disappointed in this car-- especially for the price. Thank God I leased it. Mercedes can have it back.

2005 E320 CDI Review

A fantastic car to drive! Great fit and finish. Love the acceleration...better than my previous Q45. Stalks on the left side of the steering wheel take some getting used to and the cup holder layout in the front is abominable. I would highly recommend this automobile! A lot of fun!

Bad decision from start to finish

I purchased a certified pre-owned 2005 E320 from a VERY reputable Mercedes dealership in North Carolina. It was the worst decision I have ever made. I fell in love with the appearance of the car, the dynamic Italian leather seats, navigation etc. Unfortunately, it doesn't run properly. In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance, the Mercedes service department (at two separate dealerships) has had my car in for "repair" EIGHTEEN times. In two years. No joke. It has a stalling issue that Mercedes trained and qualified service technicians cannot fix. It supposedly does not generate any error codes when it does this, so Mercedes can't fix it and I'm stuck with it. BEWARE!

2005 E320 4matic Awesome Ride

This car handles great and has been very reliable compare to what others have written about it. It has very good acceleration, gas mileage is decent and the interior/exterior design is fantastic. I love it. Black with beige interior two tone is luxury. Everybody looks when I drive. Aerodynamics is nothing but the best. Stereo could be a little louder but great sound anyway. Trust on this one change your transmission fluid...no such thing is lifetime. Don't get past 60k without changing fluid...you won't regret it. The interior lighting is a whole lot better than BMW. Tires should be rotated at least once a year because they are expensive. This is my life time car....would never sell it.

E320 wagon

One of the better cars I have owned. Not as good as the '82 or '93 M/B sedans I purchased new way back when, but very good compared with what ever else is out there. Audi maybe the only other better car. I had an S4 Avant before this M/B Wagon and it was actually finished better, also much faster. The MB e320 wagon can acheive 28-29 mpg if you stick to 65-70 mph. Electric rear tailgate is a must!

Fast, fun and furious E555 AMG

Blazingly fast, extremely comfortable and totally unflappable. Cruises easily at 40, 80 or 120 mph. Easier to drive at triple digit speed than my old Grand Sport Corvette. Seats very comfortable and infinitely adjustable. Sound system can use more wattage for high speed cruising with open sunroof. Outrageous cost for installed telephone. Transmission sometimes lurches a bit, but slapstick is easy to use and dropping two gears quickly is easier than with manual transmission. Surprisingly good gas mileage on highway driving, although difficult to keep to speed limit. I would definitely buy another

Quick

The seven speed transmission and 304 HP engine give the E500 the ability to make even the most routine trip a fun experience. The car responds with you press the gas pedal. The feel of the brake-by-wire requires a little getting used to, but the brakes are excellent. A well engineered vehicle as would be expected for this price level car.

Outstanding Vehicle

I couldn't be more pleased with this auto. The advanced sound, control, navigation and safety features make this one of the best MB's I've ever owned. A good value for the dollar.

2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 - A Nice Business Car

As a 42 year marketing veteran who transports clients in his car, I needed a dependable business sedan that has an image matching my success and style. This car's performance and economics are there and its the passenger accomodations provide my clients with the comfort and pleasure to focus on their business decisions. This is my fourth Mercedes and we have been a great team!

Looks good, poor reliability

Nothing but problems with the vehicle. SRS light on and fixed seven times, three leaks, the list goes on. And the most disappointing fact was the poor customer service I received. I was treated like an outcast and MB did not care about resolving the problems.

2005 E 320 Sedan

Fantastic mileage,...drove 920 miles to Florida on less than two tanks of fuel!!! Great road car for comfort, speed & handling. Purchased car, used, 3 yrs old with less than 10K. Even performed well this past winter in driving for it's weight,....truly is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. This is my 4th Mercedes. Hope to drive it for a long time. Service is 2nd to none at my selling dealer.

2005 E320 CDI

First 6000 miles are uneventful. The attention to detail is amazing. I need to make excuses to not drive this car all the time. Getting an average of 29.5 mpg (60% highway) is a little disappointing but has been improving with time. The ride is not too soft but soft enough for the horrible roads around here, especially for my neck problems. The acceleration is more like a big block V8 with the fuel economy of a Corolla. Handling is very confident and I don't even need to slow down on highway entrance ramps. I love the safety features, which include very refined brakes, head curtain airbags, and standard yaw control. The computer is easy to use.

I love my MB 05 E320

We have been completely happy with our purchase. Owned it 3 years at this point, bought it 2 yrs old with 27k miles (cert preowned buy). It now has 72k. Sold my 04 C320Wagon (that we also loved) and bought the E Dont buy a Benz if you dont want to pay the premiums for servicing. This isn't a car for those who like to change their own oil. My Ford bought new and now same miles -yes cheaper to take care of but way way less of a vehicle. Changed brakes and tires at same intervel w Ford. I was warned by non Benz owners (jealous?) about alleged electronics issues but after 3 yrs haven't had any probs.

Still reliable after 15 years!

Bought our 2005 E320 new in 2005. Now, 15 years later, it has 65,000 miles on it. Yes, we’ll below average. Have taken it on a few semi-cross country trips over the years. It has been one of the (if not THE) most reliable vehicles we’ve ever owned. Never broke down with it, never had any major repairs, and gets a great gas mileage (around 25 mpg in mixed driving which is not bad for a 2005 model with a 6-cyl. engine). We’ve been maintaining it per recommended schedule, and it still looks gorgeous (in black). Would get next to nothing for trading it in. So, we’re probably going to keep it “forever”.

Performace over 33 months

When the car is performing well, not in the shop, it is wonderful. Have had numerous major problems with the car, such as O rings having to be replaced twice, the transmission going out, numerous problems with the keyless go, and on and on. Have asked MB to extend warranty to 75K with being turned down. Will not buy another MB car, ever

2 in my garage

Having owned 7 MBZ's in total, we have finally come to where I can say this is the real deal. I like them so much, that I have two of these in my garage. A 2002 and 2005 for me. Yes, we are blessed! High maintenance cost, brakes/tires, but a once in a lifetime thrill. Everbody checks it out.

Great Stylish Ride

After the initial bugs [SRS Airbag waring sensor issues, and electrionic key ignition excitering failure] were worked out after the first 10 months, the car has been a pure joy!

Stay away from the airmatic suspension

With 1500 miles on my new E class a red message came on the dash, "do not drive-stop the car now" The airmatic suspension failed and the car looked like a "low rider" I had the car towed and four days later it was repaired. The control module failed along with a few other things. This module is approx. $3000 , what a nice thought down the road. The brake pedal squeaked, the door trim is a light color with no door sill so it is always dirty, (replaced once), the wipers were noisy and chatter and Mercedes doesn't seem to know what to do. I had to put white lithium grease on them to stop the squeak. Noticed this when I went to pick up the car after four days in the shop. Stay away from MB .

Woeful Experience.

Purchased my new 05 E-55 after having owned 3 problem free Porsche 996's. Initially I loved the car but quickly lost the attraction after the engine stopped running on a very busy local highway at rush hour. Car was towed in and repaired (loose wiring harness). Two weeks later my interior insulation filled with fuel due to problem with the fuel pumps. Left rear shock leaked and car would settle over the wheel when parked for a few days. Brakes squealed like a Yugo. The squealing brakes problem never stopped after several visits to MB service. Lost confidence in the product and sold the car. Done with MB. Without question the worst vehicle I have ever owned.

Super Car!

Solid, smooth, handles well and is a wonderful alternatve to a bulky, poor-handling SUV! This wagon drives like a sedan, is comfortable like a sedan, yet has tons of storage space. My only complaint is the usual problem with the stupid headrest that travels upward, whether you move the seat back or forward. Mercedes needs to fire the engineer who designed this bizarre feature into the car! Other than this, the best car (wagons) on the road. Had an Audi Allroad and this is FAR superior in all respects!

Incredible car

I bought this car after having driven its larger, S-class, cousin in Europe. I rented one for a week and, after a week of driving in the mountains and highways of northern Italy was amazed at how few liters of fuel went into the tank before returning it. Impressed, I bought an E-class shortly after my return. I have not been disappointed. It's performance is nothing short of phenomenal both in 0-60 terms and when passing at highway speeds. Better yet it consistently delivers 37-38mpg on trips and in the high 20's around town. Coupled with its comfort and handling, it's clearly the best car I've ever owned. My only complaint is that the HVAC controls are needlessly complex.

Beware of Certified Pre-Owned

I lost a BMW 528 in an accident and needed a car. Found this sharp platinum blue / parchment E320 with chrome wheels. After one week, the brake problems started. I've had the car a year and the break problems went away for one week when something else broke. I took it in to have the other problem fixed and the brakes were bad again. The certified warranty is up and so is my luck. I'll not only never buy from this dealer, but won't buy a Benz again.

not like 1999 model

The new one is smaller and much more plastic. Driver seat is comfortable, passenger is not. Sure, it has more zip but it should be called a 200 series as that is the size of the body. Nowhere near the space for passengers in rear.