∙In the same family since new

∙Comprehensive history file including sales invoice and service history

∙Specified with numerous luxury options

∙Proven reliability as a daily-driver and Continental tourer

Ever since its inception, the Mercedes name has stood for excellence in construction and engineering. Its first cars, which appeared in 1900, would happily nudge 45mph when other cars would struggle to go much beyond 20mph, and it would subsequently go on to develop cars that would be favoured by world leaders for their power and luxury, and celebrities for their elegance and style. “Oh, Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz,” as one songstress put it.

By the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz was fielding a range of three saloon cars, the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class, with the E-Class naturally being the mid-range offering. Initially built on the W210 platform, in 2002 a new generation appeared on the W211 platform. Available as a saloon or estate, the W211 E-Class was the result of five years and €2 billion worth of development, in time for its unveiling at the 2002 European Auto Show Brussels for the 2003 model year.

As befits an upmarket car, a range of options could be specified including five- or seven-speed automatic and six-speed manual gearboxes, and V8, V6, straight-four and supercharged straight-four engines. There was a choice of three trim levels: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde. Of the various mechanical combinations, the E500 represented the top of the line model with the five-litre M113 E50 V8, which produced 302bhp.

Between the introduction of the W210 in 1993 and the end of production for the W212 in 2015, the E-Class became Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling model. Not only did it go down very well with the car-buying public, but across Europe it was favoured by drivers for its sturdy construction, durability and reliable engineering, and the higher-performance models were used to great effect by a number of European police forces and ambulance teams.

First registered on 17th May, 2003, this very early W211 E500 has about as full and complete a history as any 18-year-old car is likely to have, on account of it having been in the careful ownership of the same family since new. 

It was sold new through S. G. Smith, a Mercedes-Benz main dealer in Crystal Palace, to an owner in Dulwich, and it has remained a south London car all its life. When it was only a couple of years old, it was acquired by the first owner’s brother, who has looked after it and run it as his everyday car to this day.

In addition to being used around the streets of south London, the vendor has occasionally taken the Mercedes on long trips into Europe where we are told it felt quite at home on the German Autobahnen. The car is London Ultra Low Emissions Zone compliant.

The vendor has had the car serviced annually and, after 85,000 miles of loyal service, he is rather sad to have to sell it.

In addition to the V5, the E500 boasts an impressively thick paperwork file, beginning with the original sales invoice from S. G. Smith. It retains its factory-issued leather wallet, which houses the E-Class Owner’s Manual, the COMAND APS Owner’s Manual, the Service Booklet and a booklet entitled E-Class in Brief, all of which is neatly housed in a compartment inside the rear-seat armrest.

The invoice details the multitude of options with which the car was ordered:

Amazingly, the owner has even retained every tax disc from new until 2015, and the car still has its original dealer-issued tax disc holder. The service booklet shows that it was serviced by a Mercedes main dealer every year until 2015, after which point the vendor switched to independent garages.

A vast pile of invoices running into thousands of pounds details all the work undertaken over the years, and there is also a well-documented MoT history.

The interior of the Mercedes is remarkably good, showing very few signs of use. The leather has been preserved exceptionally well, with only some light patina on the driver’s seat but nowhere near as much as one might expect after 18 years. 

The carpets are outstandingly clean, and we could not see any signs of damage or wear on the fascia, centre console or doors. The wood trim still exhibits a glossy shine, so you could easily convince yourself to sitting in a brand-new luxury car.

Being an upmarket model, there is no shortage of comforts, and passengers in the E500 are treated to power seats, power windows and a multitude of climate settings. 

The best feature, in our opinion is the panoramic sunroof – just the thing for enjoying sunny weather in scenic locations, although a blind can be drawn across it if you’d prefer. The six-CD player and DVD player are also there for the entertainment of passengers. If anyone was excited about the optional Nokia, that has been removed, but bidders are free to source their own.

Unfortunately, some of the electrical items are now in need of repairs. The satellite-navigation system no longer works due to a faulty sensor, and the vendor advises that the sunroof be used with caution as its rubber drive-belt has started to shed its teeth.

Bidders will also note that although the passenger airbag warning light comes on, the vendor has had this investigated by a garage and was informed that there is nothing wrong with the airbag, and the light is coming on in error.

Finished in subtly metallic Aragonite Blue, the Mercedes is a pleasure to behold. It’s a colour not often encountered, but we find it attractively reminiscent of those shallow Mediterranean coves which we are all longing to be able to visit again. 

It’s a pity the sun didn’t shine for our photoshoot, as we’re sure it would have looked even better. Having been in everyday use for almost 20 years, it has naturally picked up a few battle scars, but it has never been in accident so the bodywork is all completely straight. 

The paint does sport a few scrapes and scratches here and there, but these do not spoil its overall appearance. Crucially, though, the body is largely aluminium, so rust is not and will never be a problem on most panels.

The wheels tell a similar story to the bodywork, having picked up some scuffs in their time, and they may benefit from a good valet service. The glass is all original and generally extremely good, although there is a prominent crack in the front nearside foglight.

We mentioned earlier that the E-Class has been favoured by discerning drivers and emergency services for its mechanical durability, and this example is testament to that. After 85,000 miles, it is still going strong and we cannot see why it shouldn’t be good for thousands more miles with its new owner.

Being an automatic, it drives very obligingly and moves through the gears with great smoothness. The sizable V8 impresses with its near-silent running, even under acceleration. We have a brief window of opportunity to stretch the car’s legs, and find that it will take off like a rocket without hesitation if instructed to do so.

The gearbox has three settings, Sports 1, Sports 2 and Comfort, which affect characteristics like the car’s height (it uses air suspension) and differential ratios. In sport mode, the car lowers itself at over 100km/h (62mph).

A few faults were identified as advisory notes when the car was MoTed on 16th April, 2021, which the vendor advises are still to be resolved:

Some cars exist just so the driver can get around. Others exist to allow the driver to get around stylishly and comfortably. This charismatic E500 is just such a car, and exhibits the ideal blend of everyday usability and understated class and taste. After all its years as a daily-driver, we have no doubts whatsoever about the quality of its construction and its faithful reliability, and it undoubtedly looks good without being showy, especially in its unusual and eye-catching blue.

To add to that, we respect cars with history and this car certainly has plenty of it. Having been in service to the same owner for such a long time, it has, in its own small way, made its mark in the social history of modern Britain, which should provide some food for thought as the recent past gives way to distant memories. Most of all, we feel that loyal service deserves a reward, and this car has certainly earnt an easy retirement with an owner who will continue to cherish it.

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