This is my first post in my life to a forum so please be gentle with me.

My old early 90's 300E has been great but it's time for a new Mercedes.
I don't know a lot about cars (let me get that out before you figure it out on your own)

My husband wants to buy me the 2006 Lexus GS400 but I kind of like the look of the new Mercedes E350 (2006) or E320 (2005).

His argument is the reliability of the Japanese car over the German.
Someone told him the Mercedes, in general, has a lot of electrical problems (although my '93 has only had about $1000 in dealership repairs & service each year for the past 4 or 5 years so it has been good to me).

What I need desperately from you is some ammunition about the mechanical & electrical reliability of the new E350/320? Is there a reliability comparison between these and the Lexus out there?

Do YOU have good or bad experiences with mechanical & electrical issues on these Mercedes cars?
Thank you for your advice.
Vanna

 

late models are okay. not much problem.

 

I must admit .. I have defected! I have been a "new" and "improved" MB owner for the last 10 years ... 1996 E320, 1998 ML320 and a very strange and rare 190 E36 AMG. I sold the AMG .. too many tickets. I sold the ML .. too many problems. I kept the E320 ... I have a soft spot in my head and my heart.

When I needed a third car (who needs a third car!??) ... for my wife ... another SUV to replace her beloved behemoth 1998 ML ... I bought a Hyundai Tuscon ... it is soooooooooooo much better than a MB. I can only imagine how great a Lexus would be .. go for the Lexus big guy .. the 430 ... I hear it is a dream!
C

 

Vanna, the early W210 E class cars are known for electrical problems...that would be 1996/1997 vintage. I believe many of the issues have been sorted out. We just purchased a 44k mile '02 E320 wagon. I have the complete warranty printout and maintenance history. This particular car does not have a single black mark against it.

If you were to refer to a source such as Consumers' Distort, etc., I suspect you'll find that it's on the "not recommended" list. The Japanese are going to top the lists and the Koreans have made massive progress over the past five years.

OTOH, if the Benz is the only thing that's gonna satisfy, well, that's a different story. Has your MBz dealer been able to successfully repair your cars when needed? IMO, the local dealer can make or break a car ownership experience - - whether German, American or Asian. We've owned 7 or 8 Benzes and there has never been a problem car among the group.

HTH