I've just been reading the Which reliability report which shows the new E class is more reliable than the old model, it even gets the same score as the Lexus IS. The report looked at the relability of cars in the first 2 years from new.
BMW 5 Series-old model 98% (91 cars sampled)
MB E Class W211 96% (53 sampled)
Lexus IS 96% (48 sampled)
MB C Class 95% (177 sampled)
3 series 90% (263 sampled)
MB E Class W210 84% (44 sampled)
BMW 5 Series-old model 98% (91 cars sampled)
MB E Class W211 96% (53 sampled)
Lexus IS 96% (48 sampled)
MB C Class 95% (177 sampled)
3 series 90% (263 sampled)
MB E Class W210 84% (44 sampled)