Buying a used E class w212

[pliuh2007]

hi lads , looking to buy w212 mercedes , can’t decide what engine to go for , are so many options, hybrid yes or no , looking for Reliable engine , also what problem could have 100k millage mercedes ,any suggestions will help , thank you

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

If covering >15K miles pa and not going anywhere near a ULEZ zone get a 350 CDI in Euro 5 form if doing anything else get a V6 or V8 petrol - Don't buy a hybrid

 

[Srdl]

Welcome, Early Mercedes Hybrids were a load of rubbish so I wouldn’t go anywhere near one with that sort of age and mileage,

Petrol really is the answer unless you are doing mega miles but diesel was the in thing then so petrol cars are like hens teeth. As Blobcat says, if you do go diesel get the 350 which is a beautiful engine and still pretty economical.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’ve owned an S212 E350cdi estate for 6 years and would buy another the OM642 engine is a gem plenty of power/torque where you need it 1500-3000 rev range and reasonably frugal even for short runs. The only downside are oil cooler seals on the cdi engines not sure about the ADBLUE engines they have the newer improved Viton purple seals.

Still some good 11/12 plate examples for sale just make sure you buy the 265bhp engine - my view is don’t touch the early hybrids maintenance bills can be eye watering.

Good luck with your search the W/S212 cars are a very good buy IMO

 

[MB_Dom]

Great cars. Bought a 2016 W212 E63 last November. Beautiful cars and if I was being more sensible would have got the 350 diesel.

Good to look for full service history from Merc if possible (and def a Merc specialist otherwise) and make sure you get info on what needs doing when so you can check the Sevice history and receipts to ensure things have been done (thinking gearbox oil change service particularly).

Then get yourself an OBD tester so you can check car has no faults before you buy. I bought a Launch Creader Elite OBD2 scanner for Benz from Amazon (£150) and then keep it in the car and sometimes if you have an issue you can see what it is and reset the fault to get home.

Good luck

 

[AMGeed]

All good advice above.
I'd only add , avoid diseasle unless absolutely necessary, especially bluetec models.

 

[Hotspur]

If you are doing high miles then E350CDI if low miles or near ULEZ zone get an E63s simples

 

[Solarwinds]

I don't do high miles in my E350cdi, but don't take short journeys if that makes sense. The extra torque you get is very pleasant and its a quiet engine. You do see them for £5K but I paid nearly double that as the car was immaculate/full history etc. The quality of the plastics and leather is outstanding and at 12 years old looks almost new still inside.

In Germany and other European countries its the taxi of choice usually in 220d engine form and capable of astronomical mileage, don't let 100K worry you as long as its had regular servicing.

 

[Hotspur]

@Solarwinds is yours white? I sold a 12 year old immaculate E350CDI with very low miles towards the end of last year, of course I know there a loads out there but on the off change...

 

[Solarwinds]

Very grey or silver apparently.

 

[DSK]

Similar to above.

350 is a tried and tested work horse if you need a diesel. Clattery around town but shuts up when on a run.
Other wise it’s E63. Unless they did 500 petrol too.

Either way for me it’s oil change frequency that is a must. Find one with as few owners as possible and ideally serviced more regularly than the usual standard intervals. Standard intervals are for idiots and turn a car into a shag knacker in my book. They are heavy cars so expect suspension and steering to need usual wear tear stuff replaced even if it passes an MOT.

Avoid a hybrid unless you like being bent over and taken advantage of.


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[Hotspur]

Similar to above.

350 is a tried and tested work horse if you need a diesel. Clattery around town but shuts up when on a run.
Other wise it’s E63. Unless they did 500 petrol too.

Either way for me it’s oil change frequency that is a must. Find one with as few owners as possible and ideally serviced more regularly than the usual standard intervals. Standard intervals are for idiots and turn a car into a shag knacker in my book. They are heavy cars so expect suspension and steering to need usual wear tear stuff replaced even if it passes an MOT.

Avoid a hybrid unless you like being bent over and taken advantage of.


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Good shout on the E350, mine was very low miles for a 10 year old car, and at start up was actually very quiet and completely silent on the move - but it had been serviced every 6 months, sometimes it hadn't even moved between services (except to an from the servicing garage)...but you could tell it was in great shape with a lot of preventative maintenance that I carried out.

Agree a 63 would be nice, but too problematic, and the 500's are so few and far between...

Re: Hybrids - agree with your point if you buy a Benz or BMW hybrid...but have to say if it must be a hybrid, get a Lexus...they cost nothing to run, are bulletproof and the newer ones come with a 10 year comprehensive warranty as long as its serviced within the franchise network once a year...it really is a no brainer for someone doing big miles wanting trouble free motoring, and as for refinement only my G11 7 series and my last S class come close to the ride and smoothness of the Lexus.

Still, the blue propellor and the silver star are nice to have in your garage for more enjoyable journeys.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Seems the OP joined 01/08 and was last seen 02/08 so hopefully he has found what he’s looking for

 

[DSK]

Good shout on the E350, mine was very low miles for a 10 year old car, and at start up was actually very quiet and completely silent on the move - but it had been serviced every 6 months, sometimes it hadn't even moved between services (except to an from the servicing garage)...but you could tell it was in great shape with a lot of preventative maintenance that I carried out.

Agree a 63 would be nice, but too problematic, and the 500's are so few and far between...

Re: Hybrids - agree with your point if you buy a Benz or BMW hybrid...but have to say if it must be a hybrid, get a Lexus...they cost nothing to run, are bulletproof and the newer ones come with a 10 year comprehensive warranty as long as its serviced within the franchise network once a year...it really is a no brainer for someone doing big miles wanting trouble free motoring, and as for refinement only my G11 7 series and my last S class come close to the ride and smoothness of the Lexus.

Still, the blue propellor and the silver star are nice to have in your garage for more enjoyable journeys.

Agreed, I left out mentioning Lexus as it seems that those who do consider it are blinded by badge and bs marketing and seem to turn their nose up at Lexus, when in fact they have done it for years and can really show the Germans a thing or two for quality and refinement.

Personally if I had to worry about Ulez, or bang the environmental drum etc, (even tho my s350 is compliant), I’d be looking at a Lexus 450, old or modern.


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[Srdl]

Seems the OP joined 01/08 and was last seen 02/08 so hopefully he has found what he’s looking for

? shows OP joined 1/8/23?

 

[horatio]

Agreed, I left out mentioning Lexus as it seems that those who do consider it are blinded by badge and bs marketing and seem to turn their nose up at Lexus, when in fact they have done it for years and can really show the Germans a thing or two for quality and refinement.

Personally if I had to worry about Ulez, or bang the environmental drum etc, (even tho my s350 is compliant), I’d be looking at a Lexus 450, old or modern.


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Lexus obviously make a very good car but I will say my sis has an RX350 on similar mileage to my CLK - both cars have had virtually identical work done over the years. Parts for the Lexus are often harder to source & a lot more expensive.

It’s a great car if you san stomach fuelling it.

A big petrol barge in a high emissions bracket will be certainly on the ULEZ hit list next so if that’s a thing IDK.

 

[00slk]

Amazingly my sons Lexus 430 2002 20mpg gas guzzler is ULEZ compliant while my TR7 V8 fuel 35mpg miser is subjected to ULEZ
Looks like we all need to buy V8 Lexus.

 

[Rozgi]

A side note to 300h. It is an amended version of the 250D. It gives a bit more comfort and smoother drive due to the electric boost.
I have been owning one for 7 years and 100k miles (80k to 180k) and so far no issue with the electric drive. It is quiet and very very efficient to run.