Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 – 2016) Review

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 – 2016) At A Glance

4/5

+Distinctive and sharp looks. Excellent CDI diesels. Good motorway cruiser. Very comfortable and refined. Feels very well built.

-Steering could do with more feel. Interior not as inviting as other premium saloons. Numerous reports of automatic transmission problems and software glitches.

Insurance Groups are between 29–47
On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is now in its ninth generation and sees Mercedes-Benz return to its core qualities of cossetting comfort, safety and high luxury. But most importantly, Mercedes says it signals a return to engineering integrity. After the issues and reliability problems that dogged the previous Mercedes E-Class, especially in the early days, this is an important area for the firm if it wants to regain its reputation for strong build quality and reliability.

First impressions are very favourable and the E-Class certainly feels well built when you get behind the wheel. From the heavy 'thud' of the doors, to the solid feel of the dash and buttons, it's clear this is a far superior car to its predecessor. There's also a welcome return to the more angular interior styling of older Mercedes models, giving a functional and sturdy feel - although it's perhaps not as inviting as other premium cars such as the Jaguar XF.

The bold and sharp exterior styling is certainly a big departure from the previous model, but it retains that disctinctive Mercedes-Benz look. And there are big changes under the bonnet too with new petrol and diesel engines that offer significantly improved fue consumption and better performance too.

On the road the E-Class is everything you'd expect from a Mercedes saloon with a smooth ride, a cossetting cabin and superb refinement. It's not quite as good in corners as a BMW 5 Series, but is still reassuring and composed nonetheless. It's also available with some sophisticated and genuinely useful technology such as a blind spot warning system and adaptive highbeam which automatically dips the headlights if a car is coming in the opposite direction.

Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 – 2016)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

75%

Real MPG

18–56 mpg

MPGs submitted

1266

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

I want a Mercedes E-Class for high mileage - what diesel engine should I choose?

"I'm after a high mileage E-Class Estate (2010-2016). Can you recommend a specific diesel engine that will do 200k as there are a lot to choose from? Also are the diesels chain driven?"
If you want a W212 generation Mercedes-Benz diesel for high mileage, we would suggest choosing one of the six-cylinder OM642 versions found in the E300 and E350 models, as this is more reliable than the four-cylinder OM651 unit. Both of these engines are chain driven.
Answered by David Ross

Should I replace my E-Class diesel with an EV?

"I presently have a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel but am thinking of a greener option for the future. However, I am sure I am not alone in seeing "range anxiety" as my biggest worry and am therefore very wary of a pure electric vehicle. Right now I have a vehicle that takes me about 10 minutes to refill at any petrol station and thereby ensures I have a further 350 miles of worry-free motoring. Even though I rarely do much mileage, I can only think that a hybrid will be the only option that will give me the reassurance of not constantly looking at the fuel gauge. Am I wrong?"
Many of the latest electric cars can comfortably cover more than 200 miles from a charge. How often do you cover more than 200 miles without stopping for a half-hour break (during which you could charge the car)? We wouldn't recommend an EV if you're a high mileage driver spending five days a week travelling up and down the motorway, but you might be surprised at how easily an EV fits into your life. If you can charge a car at home and mainly cover short journeys, it'll actually be less hassle than owning a petrol or diesel car as you'll never have to visit a filling station again. If you're not convinced that an EV will work for you, consider a plug-in hybrid as an introduction to electrified motoring.
Answered by Andrew Brady

How much does it cost to replace an oxygen sensor?

"Mercedes have diagnosed a failed oxygen sensor on my diesel E-Class (2010 model) and suggested replacing it would cost around £500. This seems very high to me. What would you consider a sensible price for this work?"
I'd expect to pay £350-£450 at a dealer. However, given the car is 10+ years old, I'd recommend using a local independent Mercedes-Benz specialist (you'll pay £100 less).
Answered by Dan Powell

Dealer said my tyres need changed due to cracks on the surface. Is this a con?

"I took my Mercedes E-Class for its MOT at my local Mercedes dealer. I received a strange phone call from the tyre department advising me that my rear two tyres need replacement because of age rather than tyre wear. My car is a 2015 model with only 4600 miles on the clock. When I challenged that they said that tyres tend to deteriorate with age and develop cracks on the surface. They quoted me £420 including VAT and fitting. When I said I would like to get an independent assessment, they dropped the price to £350 all-inclusive. This reeked of a blatant rip-off. I told them I do not want to get them replaced, and they agreed reluctantly. Please advise. Also, could you please recommend good all-weather tyres for my car, considering I do very little mileage (having other run-around cars in the family)?"
While there's no definitive age limit as to when you should replace your car tyres, once they reach 7- 10 years old, you should keep a close eye on their condition and consider replacing them. Tyre ageing is commonly identified by small cracks, known as crazing, which appear in the tyre sidewall. This can happen more significantly after 5 years, and some experts suggest that after 5 years - close attention should be paid to the tyres as they're more likely to start deteriorating. I would Google image search crazing if you don't know what it looks like, and then take a look at your tyres. Then you can make your own decision on whether the dealer was right or not. As for the all-weather tyres, I don't know your tyre size so can't be too specific - but we highly rate Michel CrossClimate+, Continental AllSeasonContact or Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2. Saying that, if you're not doing very high mileage but want all-season tyres, I'd go onto Black Circles, Kwik-Fit or another online tyre retailer's website and input your tyre size. You might find that a mid-range brand is more financially savvy if the car isn't seeing a lot of miles.
Answered by Georgia Petrie
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2009 – 2016) cost?