1997 Mercedes-Benz E300

1997 Mercedes-Benz E300

The 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 is a mid-size luxury sedan that replaced the W124 E-Class. It was available with either a 3.0L inline-6 engine or a 3.2L V6 engine. The 3.0L engine produced 174 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.2L engine produced 218 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The E300 was praised for its comfortable ride, luxurious interior, and powerful engine. However, it was also criticized for its high price and lack of standard features.

Engine

• 3.0L Inline-6
  • Head gasket failure: Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaking from the engine, overheating. Solution: Replace the head gasket. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+. Recalls: None Found
  • Intake manifold gasket failure: Description/Symptoms: Vacuum leak, rough idle, loss of power. Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000. Recalls: None Found
• 3.2L V6
  • Camshaft adjuster failure: Description/Symptoms: Engine rattling, loss of power. Solution: Replace the camshaft adjuster. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000. Recalls: None Found

Transmission

• 5-speed Automatic
  • Shift solenoid failure: Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping, hard shifting, no engagement. Solution: Replace the shift solenoid. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000. Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air suspension failure: Description/Symptoms: Vehicle sagging, rough ride, loss of control. Solution: Replace the air suspension components. Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+. Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery drain: Description/Symptoms: Battery going dead after sitting for a period of time. Solution: Replace the battery or alternator. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+. Recalls: None Found
• Power window failure: Description/Symptoms: Power windows not working. Solution: Replace the power window motor or switch. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+. Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Sunroof failure: Description/Symptoms: Sunroof leaking, not opening or closing properly. Solution: Replace the sunroof motor or gears. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+. Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Climate control failure: Description/Symptoms: Climate control not working properly, blowing hot or cold air. Solution: Replace the climate control unit. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+. Recalls: None Found
• Instrument cluster failure: Description/Symptoms: Instrument cluster not working properly, gauges not reading correctly. Solution: Replace the instrument cluster. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+. Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 is a reliable and luxurious vehicle, but it is not without its issues. The most common problems include head gasket failure, intake manifold gasket failure, and suspension failure. The cost to fix these issues can be significant, so it is important to factor that into the cost of ownership.