1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
Price Estimate: $215 - $348

Mercedes-Benz E-Class model years
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Attractive, sporty, and refined, the E-Class cars are some of our favorites. Excellent fuel economy. Decent acceleration.
Cons
- High price. We don't like this car's transmission.
What’s new
All-wheel drive comes to the Mercedes' E-Class lineup via the E320 sedan and all-new E320 wagon. Like the rest of Mercedes' model lineup, E-Class cars formerly powered by an inline-six engine now receive a more fuel-efficient V6 unit that is also supposed to improve the cars' low-end response. The 1998 E-Class cars receive the benefit of BabySmart airbags which are able to detect the presence of a Mercedes' car seat in the front passenger seat and disable the front passenger airbag. BrakeAssist is also a new feature, which aids drivers' stopping distance in a panic-stop situation.
For sale nearby
7 listings
- 130,000 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Autobahn Auto Sales (211 mi away)
Close
Located in Johnstown, PA
1998 Mercedes E320 Sedan Automatic A/C V6 Leather Moon roof Power windows, locks, seats Alloy wheels Very nice condition Runs and drives great Our sal...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBJF65F3WA530029
Stock: 530029
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-19-2025- 144,551 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Cars of Charlottesville (271 mi away)
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Located in Charlottesville, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBJF70F1WA629266
Stock: 5799YAS
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-22-2025
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. This year, the cars' receive their first major update. Inline six-cylinder engines are replaced with more powerful, more fuel-efficient V6 engines in the E320. The V6's broader torque curve guarantees better acceleration in stop-and-go traffic. The E300D replaces its diesel engine with a turbodiesel 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.
The E-Class gets Mercedes newest safety technologies, which include Brake Assist and the BabySmart system. Brake Assist is designed to give drivers maximum braking power in a panic situation by detecting a "panic" application of the brake pedal and adjusting braking power to their highest limit. We've not tried this new system yet, but we are somewhat hesitant of a car that thinks it knows more about our impending doom than we do. The BabySmart airbag system works in conjunction with a special Mercedes car seat, allowing moms and dads the option of putting little Suzie in the front passengers seat without having to worry about the front airbag deploying in her face.
The newest model in the E-Class lineup is the E320 wagon, which comes standard with seven-passenger seating. With an available 83 cubic feet of cargo space and all-wheel drive, the new E-Class wagon is the perfect car for those wanting the security of a sport-ute and the practicality of a car.
Following the trend for more versatile vehicles, Mercedes has made traction control available on the E320 sedan and wagon. The system uses a 35/65 front-/rear-wheel power split for most driving conditions. Unlike other AWD systems, the E-Class's is able to divert maximum power to one wheel, providing exceptional power in foul-weather driving conditions.
Occupants are treated to an automatic climate control system that can be set for driver and passenger comfort, and filters dust, pollen and odors from the air. The usual burl walnut trim covers the instrument panel, and E320 models come with standard leather seating. A three-position memory feature is standard on all models, and it positions the driver's seat, steering wheel, headrests and side-view mirrors for up to three different drivers. Cupholders are provided front and rear.
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4dr Sedan 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 $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$189/mo for E-Class E320
E-Class E320
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(80%)
4(14%)
3(3%)
2(3%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
E320 at 195,000 miles
4.5 out of 5 starsjbnj1, 11/02/2011
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 4dr Sedan
ok at an amazing 195k on the clock this car just never stops amazing me , I bought this car about 1.5 yrs ago and my wife takes this car from nj to Lex va reguraly about 1000 miles round, I have no fear in letteing her do this with this car, I WOULD NEVER let her use any of our other cars ((3) all with less milage) to do this,,, this car gets about 30mpg , stops on a dime with akbono … pads , and you can eat a bowl a soup in this car at 100-120mph and yes I've run this car personaly on I95, I81, and I76 multiple times in the triple digits ,The BEST USED CAR I've ever owned, this veh gets regular service , and when it was bought i recvd complete records, if you can do so too , buy it
Colorado 1998 MB TD 300
5 out of 5 starsColt Simmons, 01/18/2018
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300TD Turbodiesel 4dr Sedan
Extraordinarily Great car / very dependable... 32 MPG City and 34 HWY ... mine has 300k mileage on ... in Europe I’ve seen 500 to 750 k on them .... maintenance is key though ... MB dealer offered me lifetime oil changes and detail wax job 20 years ago .... every 6 months car is in for MB Service and detail. A keeper for daily drive.
Very Low Maintance
5 out of 5 starsfrank castle, 02/14/2016
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E430 4dr Sedan
Not a single drive train problem in ten years. Not a single tune up problem. Original plugs replaced at 150 000 miles. 27 on the highway. My mechanic has warned me not to get rid of the 98 320e. He has several he maintains. Yes, the center arm rest is not perfect, but it is fine. Amazing how well the paint has held up. Ours is a bronze gold. I cannot think of a problem we have … had with this car, our 10th. We did replace valve cover gaskets when they leaded. Just did a round trip Boston to Florida. Tomorrow I will drive 200 miles to NYC without a worry. We did replace the headlights when they became less than water tight. Not cheap. Roomie for five. Trunk more than adequate. The man who bought our car new bought a 430, so this is a very powerful car, but the 320E I have driven is more than adequate. the 320E V6 has 12 plugs and is quite smooth. I would buy another today if it had been super maintained.
Solid Car
5 out of 5 starsSolar Winds, 08/11/2010
1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300TD Turbodiesel 4dr Sedan
I was rear ended at a stop light by a pick up truck going fast and all I heard were screeching tires and then the crash. The e300 took a hard hit and did well. I got out out with whip lash. The seat held me in like a glove and felt if I was driving a lighter tinier car it would have been worse. The insurance company paid me 2300 more then what I paid for it. This diesel engine is great … and gets up to 30 city and 36 hwy going 80 mph. I am debating on a new diesel or a 320, 430 e or c class This is a safe car and fuel is cheap knowing your safe...
1998 E-Class Highlights
Sedan
E320
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $189/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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