Advice needed on high millage W212 estate

[Adamki83]

Hello everyone,

I think my ownership of my W211 is coming to an end the combination of not having folding seats and an awkward sized boot is causing a few issues. I typically carry a lot of tools for my job and I’m always moving stuff around at home plus it would be nice to have something newer.
I plan on owning it until about June time which will be the 5 year ownership mark I say this because my wedding has to be sorted first.

So I’m just doing some research and I really like the W212 estate in the sport trim couple things I’ve noticed, i want the 265bhp version but was this in 2012 and above?
And also im having to look with much higher millage than I bought my W211 on I bought that on 78k miles with 1 owner but my budget is around 9k maximum 10k this will get a 2012 estate in sport but the millage is hanging between 110k and 125k. My W211 has been very good as im over 150k miles now with the only issues being injector seals and the W211’s weak suspension.
How do the W212’s cope with millage? So like getting to the 180k, is there anything to be extra weary of specific to these models?

 

[Wighty]

You will have a dpf/bluetec on the diesels and also nox sensor issues potentially?
What about trying to get a last model W211 estate without a dpf on a 2009 ?

 

[Adamki83]

You will have a dpf/bluetec on the diesels and also nox sensor issues potentially?
What about trying to get a last model W211 estate without a dpf on a 2009 ?

Fuel economy is the main aim, my dad had a W211 320cdi I loved it but fuel economy was maybe 36mpg on an equivalent run to what I do. (My 270cdi is doing 40mpg over 20k miles)
Also it would be nice to have something a bit more modern.
So should I avoid the bluetec models? For those reasons?

 

[Wighty]

Fuel economy is the main aim, my dad had a W211 320cdi I loved it but fuel economy was maybe 36mpg on an equivalent run to what I do. (My 270cdi is doing 40mpg over 20k miles)
Also it would be nice to have something a bit more modern.
So should I avoid the bluetec models? For those reasons?

There are some expensive repairs to bluetec tanks , sensors as well as nox sensors , but I’ll let others detail any costs or years/models to avoid

 

[Gazwould]

Fuel economy is the main aim, my dad had a W211 320cdi I loved it but fuel economy was maybe 36mpg on an equivalent run to what I do. (My 270cdi is doing 40mpg over 20k miles)
Also it would be nice to have something a bit more modern.
So should I avoid the bluetec models? For those reasons?

A W212 220 CDI can see incredible mpg .

 

[Taffy7hfa]

I would think twice before you "upgrade" to anything with Bluetec.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

You will find the best are 2012 /13 350cdi EU5 (pre Adblue) take your time there are quite a few out there. The sting in the tail with the OM642 engine is oil cooler leaks, mine at 76k miles is just starting to weep and will no doubt need doing <100k miles @ £600+ cost. Thermostats are another weak point @ £250 (only replace with a MB unit mine failed at 60k miles). Make sure you change the turbo air inlet orange seals otherwise oil drips down and eventually kills the Inlet Port Shut-off motor. The 7 speed gearbox needs a fluid change every <60k miles so make sure that has been done. The estate has rear air bag suspension not too dissimilar to the S211 and the 2011 cars seem to suffer failures more than most (probably a bad batch). Other than that the cars seem very robust and will do 150k without problem. I’m hanging onto mine longer than I thought finding something with as much grunt and practicality is virtually impossible, like yours mine works for a living.

 

[LostKiwi]

We recently upgraded to a 61 plate 251 with the 265hp EU5 engine.
If you want space the rear area is cavernous.
Mpg isn't brilliant at 33-40 mpg depending on trip and temperature (though I suspect mine needs a thermostat as it seems to run slightly cool @75-80°C - It's on my to do list....)

The 265hp in EU5 format also benefits from the 7G+ gearbox.
At anything beyond 100k miles budget for a DPF - approved non-genuine are about £600. Definitely worth putting a scanner on any prospective purchase to read the ash content and check for any latent issues. Also accelerate hard and check the rear view for smoke. If it belches black smoke someone will have gutted or removed the DPF and remapped it (we test drove on a wet road and didn't pick this up till the drive home)

As above the oil cooler seals can leak but this is less common on the 265hp versions as they use a later Viton seal. Budget £800-900 at an indy for a seal replacement (only a £10 part but the labour is horrendous).
Also known to fail at 100k is the PCV valve at the back of the engine. A challenge to get to.....

 

[Adamki83]

You will find the best are 2012 /13 350cdi EU5 (pre Adblue) take your time there are quite a few out there. The sting in the tail with the OM642 engine is oil cooler leaks, mine at 76k miles is just starting to weep and will no doubt need doing <100k miles @ £600+ cost. Thermostats are another weak point @ £250 (only replace with a MB unit mine failed at 60k miles). Make sure you change the turbo air inlet orange seals otherwise oil drips down and eventually kills the Inlet Port Shut-off motor. The 7 speed gearbox needs a fluid change every <60k miles so make sure that has been done. The estate has rear air bag suspension not too dissimilar to the S211 and the 2011 cars seem to suffer failures more than most (probably a bad batch). Other than that the cars seem very robust and will do 150k without problem. I’m hanging onto mine longer than I thought finding something with as much grunt and practicality is virtually impossible, like yours mine works for a living.

This is way more issues I was kind of expecting, I’m fairly keen on doing work and I have also got a good specialist to deal with any complex matters. Thanks for sharing your experience though its actually quite hard to find people with direct experience with specific cars sometimes.
I wanted that engine because it kind of brings that balance of not wanting another weekend car I know it’s hardly a sports car but it kind of fills that void of power!

 

[Adamki83]

We recently upgraded to a 61 plate 251 with the 265hp EU5 engine.
If you want space the rear area is cavernous.
Mpg isn't brilliant at 33-40 mpg depending on trip and temperature (though I suspect mine needs a thermostat as it seems to run slightly cool @75-80°C - It's on my to do list....)

The 265hp in EU5 format also benefits from the 7G+ gearbox.
At anything beyond 100k miles budget for a DPF - approved non-genuine are about £600. Definitely worth putting a scanner on any prospective purchase to read the ash content and check for any latent issues. Also accelerate hard and check the rear view for smoke. If it belches black smoke someone will have gutted or removed the DPF and remapped it (we test drove on a wet road and didn't pick this up till the drive home)

As above the oil cooler seals can leak but this is less common on the 265hp versions as they use a later Viton seal. Budget £800-900 at an indy for a seal replacement (only a £10 part but the labour is horrendous).
Also known to fail at 100k is the PCV valve at the back of the engine. A challenge to get to.....

Thanks @LostKiwi i can always count on you to give advice aswell.
I mean if its better than the 270cdi that I have than that’s a bonus plus the tax is lower and its far more practical.
Is that 265bhp engine the same as what they put in the CLS grand edition? (W219)
I have bought a icarsoft tool like yours and I’ve actually tested a regen dpf cycle on my brothers MAZDA and it works pretty well.
I’m always a bit funny about black smoke my W211 has Pretty much zero smoke even under load which pleases a lot of Priuses!
I’ll bear all this in mind when I go and look for one but it’s essentially down to the E class, a 5 series or an A6

 

[Adamki83]

A W212 220 CDI can see incredible mpg .

View attachment 72993

I was tempted by the efficiency however forgive me being a bit childish but I just want a balance between biggish performance and economy.
But knowing me I’d probably end up looking into it anyway

 

[mioba]

A W212 220 CDI can see incredible mpg .

View attachment 72993

That is incredible

 

[mioba]

Thanks @LostKiwi
Is that 265bhp engine the same as what they put in the CLS grand edition? (W219)

The OM642 265hp is used in many many models.

C to S class

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks @LostKiwi i can always count on you to give advice aswell.
I mean if its better than the 270cdi that I have than that’s a bonus plus the tax is lower and its far more practical.
Is that 265bhp engine the same as what they put in the CLS grand edition? (W219)
I have bought a icarsoft tool like yours and I’ve actually tested a regen dpf cycle on my brothers MAZDA and it works pretty well.
I’m always a bit funny about black smoke my W211 has Pretty much zero smoke even under load which pleases a lot of Priuses!
I’ll bear all this in mind when I go and look for one but it’s essentially down to the E class, a 5 series or an A6

Tax is a good point.
In the 251 the pre Euro5 cars are £585 pa tax. The 265hp Euro5 ones are £340.

You're more than welcome to come over and try the 265hp OM642 to see what you think. Bear in mind it'll be even quicker in an E Class as they weigh less.

 

[Adamki83]

Tax is a good point.
In the 251 the pre Euro5 cars are £585 pa tax. The 265hp Euro5 ones are £340.

You're more than welcome to come over and try the 265hp OM642 to see what you think. Bear in mind it'll be even quicker in an E Class as they weigh less.

Wait what, the 2012 265 variant is £340 on tax??
I was just going off auto trader and that says £210 per year?
Yeah that would be amazing thanks, in the new year when I’m hoping prices will come down a bit and maybe get a lower millage one.
Edit: I’m an idiot just seen that you said W251 which is the R class isn’t it.

 

[LostKiwi]

Wait what, the 2012 265 variant is £340 on tax??
I was just going off auto trader and that says £210 per year?
Yeah that would be amazing thanks, in the new year when I’m hoping prices will come down a bit and maybe get a lower millage one.

That's the R class prices. E class should be less.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

VED for the 350cdi 265bhp 212 is £240

 

[JBell]

There are some expensive repairs to bluetec tanks , sensors as well as nox sensors , but I’ll let others detail any costs or years/models to avoid

Doubt a 2012 W212 will be Blutech, thought that was on the facelift circa 2015

 

[V6Matty]

Bluetec was available on the prefacelift 212, but most are BlueEfficiency which is the EU5,

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Bluetec was available on the prefacelift 212, but most are BlueEfficiency which is the EU5,

Interesting Matt, I’ve never seen a W212 pre-facelift Bluetec EU6 (Ponton style) - all I’ve seen is Blueffiency cars ie, EU5