The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a better used car than most premium luxury vehicles, but it’s more expensive to maintain and refuel than a comparable Lexus, and it’s not as reliable as a Volvo. It’s a thousand bucks cheaper than a Lexus ES, typically listing for just under $8,000, but you’ll pay the difference back in maintenance costs over first couple years alone.
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is everything you want a Mercedes to be. It’s not the most practical daily driver, even if we narrow the list down to luxury cars, but if you think comfort and style is worth spending a little extra at the shop and at the pump, the E-Class won’t disappoint.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – One of the most comfortable cars in the world. It would be a perfect ten if the trunk were just a bit bigger.
- Reliability 7/10 – The E-Class will probably give you no serious issues for the first 200,000 miles, but basic maintenance costs twice as much as a typical sedan.
- Safety 8/10 – Crash test scores are good and standard safety equipment is generous.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The 3.5 averages 16/22 miles to the gallon, which isn’t great for a 2009 sedan in any size class.
- Value 7/10 – It’s the best deal you’re likely to get on a used Mercedes, which is to say, not a great deal.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Consumer Reports called the 2009 E-Class a “delight to drive.” They found the car to be a compelling compromise between luxury and practicality, delivering a smooth ride, sharp handling, beautiful overall construction, and excellent visibility. Their only knock against the car: Some controls are awkward.
Kelley Blue Book praised the E-Class for its strong handling on even the curviest roads, naming the car an easy choice for those who need to handle rough roads in style. They note that the Lexus and Cadillac both offer sedans that are just as good for far less money, though.
Edmunds found the design “sleek and dignified” throughout, they liked the ride quality, the wide range of engines, the generous safety features, and the capable all wheel drive. The high price, awkward interface, and “not quite athletic” handling earned a few red marks.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Have?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has generated just 84 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around half of these are for the fuel system, with drivers reporting a gasoline odor after refueling.
Some drivers have reported airbags exploding. There are no active airbag recalls for the 2009 E-Class, but drivers note that other cars with similar airbags have been recalled.
A handful of engine complaints see reports of oil leaks and overheating. These instances are rare, but expensive when they do happen, frequently costing drivers two to three thousand dollars in repairs.
The 2009 E-Class has been recalled just 3 times, which is lower than average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Last?
Drivers report the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lasting around 200,000 to 250,000 miles with adequate maintenance. The issue with a Mercedes is that it can run forever with the right care, but standard maintenance is more expensive with a premium luxury car, so many drivers will scrap it with the first big problem.
Repairpal estimate the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class to cost around $929 a year in basic maintenance, which is high even for a premium luxury sedan. New fuel tanks are the most expensive common repair, going up to $2,906, with suspension strut replacements not far behind, at $2,542.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is impressive, packing CD/DVD players and harman/kardon LOGIC7 sound systems, but it’s the cabin acoustics that really put the car over the edge. Music just sounds better in a Mercedes.
Safety features are generous. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, programmable headlights, tire pressure monitors, GPS positioning, and the PRE-SAFE collision preparedness system all come standard.
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a Good Value?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a fair value at the entry level. An E550 sedan typically lists for around $7,734, while a high-end 63 AMG goes for around $11,806. At these the lower-end models are fairly priced for the value you’re getting, while the AMG is really pricey for a car that already has 150,000 miles on the odometer.
If you’re looking for a smart, practical daily driver, the E-Class isn’t that. Basic maintenance costs are twice what you’d be spending on a mid-range car, and there are more Lexuses, Acuras, and Cadillacs than you can shake a stick at if you want the same quality at a lower price. But, if you always wanted a Benz, the 2009 E-Class is reliable enough and can be had for under eight grand.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class model lineup is split by engine and body type (wagon or sedan), with every model packing the same standard features:
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- CD/DVD/MP3 player with 6-disc changer, Bluetooth, and harman/kardon LOGIC7 sound system
- 10-way power adjust driver seat
- Heated windows and mirrors
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
What Engines Come In the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
- In the 350 model you’ll find a 3.5L V6 delivering 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear or all wheel drive, and it averages 19/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- The 300 model packs a turbocharged 3.0L V6 delivering 210 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 7-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, and it averages 23/32 miles to the gallon.
- With the 550 you’re getting a 5.5L V8 that delivers an impressive 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in all wheel drive, and it averages 13/19 miles to the gallon.
- The AMG is named for its 6.3L Aufecht, Melcher, and Großaspach V8, delivering 507 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. The AMG is paired to a 7-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, it averages 13/18 miles to the gallon, and it’s been clocked hitting 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is everything you expect a Benz to be in terms of comfort. It rides smooth, seating stretches a nice 57 inches across at the hip, and the interior trim is first class all the way.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Have?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class packs just 16 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, or up to 69 cubic feet in the wagon. These numbers are adequate for the size class, with the sedan holding five or six medium suitcases and the wagon offering up all the carrying capacity you need for a long road trip.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the final model year for the 3rd Generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which had launched in 2003.
2007: Mercedes-Benz made a few styling tweaks for 2007, giving the car a more modernized front-end.
2008: The AMG Sport package was new for 2008, featuring AMG branded shift paddles and wheels.
2009: Sound systems were overhauled for 2009, featuring a new 4-gig hard drive for MP3s.
2010: The overhauled E-Class was made more fuel-efficient, and more stylish, for 2010.
2011: There were no major changes for 2011.
How Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Compare to the Competition?
If you want to compare specs, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class simply isn’t the best luxury sedan available for its model year. The Lexus ES offers comparable performance and better fuel economy, and, while it costs a thousand bucks more at the entry level, it’s likely to last at least 50,000 miles longer.
The 2009 Volvo S40 is as reliable and as fuel-efficient as a Lexus ES, it’s as powerful as an entry-level E-Class, and it typically lists for under $6,000 at the entry level. Volvos are known for being kinda boring to look at, but they’re among the safest, most reliable cars in the world.
If you love the look and feel of a Benz, we’re probably not going to be able to talk you out of buying one, and if you insist on buying one, the E-Class makes the most sense. But, there are better used luxury cars out there.
