Mercedes Benz 300E

120 registered in New Zealand · 1986–2012 · 93% from Germany

The Mercedes Benz 300E is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 120 registered across model years 1986 to 2012. It averages 7.8 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 130 kW. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 3.0L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the 300E.

Select Year

120 On NZ Roads
3.0L Engine
7.8 L/100km
130 kW

Fuel Types

Mercedes Benz 300E fuel type breakdown: PETROL 98%, DIESEL 3%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Mercedes Benz 300E vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Mercedes Benz 300E fleet age profile: 1987: 16, 1989: 17, 1990: 33, 1991: 14, 1992: 17.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Mercedes Benz 300E transmissions: 5-GEAR AUTO 1%.

Engine Size

Mercedes Benz 300E engine sizes: 3.0L 51%, 3.0L 33%, 3.0L 6%, 3.0L 2%, 2.5L 1%.

Imported From

Mercedes Benz 300E imported from: Germany 93%, Japan 7%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Mercedes Benz 300E vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Mercedes Benz 300E NZ arrival timeline: 2005: 2, 2006: 1, 2012: 1, 2014: 3, 2025: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Mercedes Benz 300E.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

BLUE 36 (30%)
GREY 25 (21%)
SILVER 19 (16%)
GOLD 11 (9%)
WHITE 9 (8%)
RED 6 (5%)
BLACK 5 (4%)
BROWN 4 (3%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Mercedes Benz 300E regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 31, CHRISTCHURCH: 11, DUNEDIN: 6, WAIMAKARIRI: 5, MARLBOROUGH: 5.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mercedes Benz 300E are there in New Zealand?

There are 120 Mercedes Benz 300E vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1986 to 2012.

How much does it cost to run a Mercedes Benz 300E?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Mercedes Benz 300E averages 7.8 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $61 per week or $3,192 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Mercedes Benz 300E?

The Mercedes Benz 300E is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Mercedes Benz 300E cars imported or NZ-new?

93% of Mercedes Benz 300E vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.