I am interested in purchasing a 2004 E500 4matic with 26k on the clock for 21k.What should I look out for(problem areas)in this particular model?Is it reliable?

 

It's the second generation 4matic-I have the first. The scuttlebutt is that the first generation was too complex and problem ridden. I think that's BS personally and an excuse to cheapen their later cars.

As with anything, reliability depends on service, climate and how it's driven/used. Some dealers sabotage cars and 'create' problems. I give the first generation an A- for reliability, but I don't know anyone personally who has the second generation 4matic. My parent liked my car so much that they bought a second generation 4matic wagon-we weren't speaking then and they both passed, so I'm not sure what happened to the car or how it held up.

4matics were pulled around '94 in the US and came back with a vengeance some yrs later with the second generation 4matic. I saw one of those new, butt-ugly M class things with "4matic" written across the back the other day.

Kevin