Buyer Research

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $24,000–$34,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A genuinely lovely midsize luxury sedan — the W213 E-Class rides beautifully, feels a class above, and the 2.0T (E300) is efficient and smooth. It's a used Mercedes, so budget for real service: electronics, air suspension (if fitted), and cooling. A documented E300 with full history is a superb, comfortable car; a cheap neglected one will drain you. Buy on records and keep a repair fund.

What we checked

No public record to reconcile against

We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Federal complaint records thin out badly on older vehicles, so there is little to check against. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.

Known Issues for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Electronics / MBUX-era complexityMedium

The extensive electronics and driver-assist systems can fault and cost real money; verify all work.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Air suspension (if equipped)Medium

The optional air suspension leaks and fails; verify it rides level and holds.

Repair cost (estimate): $800-$2,500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Cooling / oil leaks (2.0T)Medium

Verify service and check for cooling-component and oil-gasket leaks.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,200

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Expensive service / consumablesLow

MB service, brakes, and tires cost more; budget accordingly.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗No service history (deal-breaker)
✗Air suspension sagging
✗Electronics faults
✗Oil/coolant leaks

Good Signs

✓Full documented MB service
✓Air suspension level (or coil)
✓All electronics working

Found a specific Mercedes-Benz E300?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.