S212 E350 CDI - an unexpected love affair
Discussion
Morning All,
As much as I enjoy keeping my more interesting 'readers rides' up to date (SL500 / MX5)... Some of my favourite threads in this section are of the more 'normal' vehicles. So with that in mind and the fact I've been without it for two weeks and getting it back has reaffirmed my love for it I thought I'd take a bit of inspiration and do one on the 'daily'... Interestingly I've also found in the last 4 cars I've sold having a readers ride has helped!
Anyway so after a string of more petrol head dailies - 197 / Cayenne Turbo / Macan S / VW Mk7 GTi (should have been so good but easily the most unreliable car I've ever owned) I decided to get something that just did the job I needed of getting from A to B.
... To note at the time A to B was Kent to Liverpool for work. (Circa 2022)
As a bit of background I'm 36 and as a kid my old man always had Mercs multiple S123s and then a S210 E55 so I thought I'd go and search out a Merc estate.
Now although I wanted something that just did that big commute well it had to be a bit special in some way.... So that ruled out the 4 cylinders and ideally I wanted a car with something different about it i.e. colour or interior.
Anyway after lots of searching I ended up with a two owner S212 E350 CDI with a designo interior. Bags of history and with very early PPF on the nose nonetheless. Found it down in Bournemouth...
So here it is!
I picked it up with 83k and it's now on 112k and been looked after by my brilliant local mercedes specialist NJS Solutions who regularly comment on it's cleanliness.
Over the past couple of years it's provided the perfect companion from swallowing bikes, going camping, acting as a chase / spares car for when I had the Caterham (where it took 3 friends with my dad driving and half a Caterhams worth of spares).
So what's it been like to live with?...
Engine is amazing, the torque combined with the 7G gearbox is the perfect modern wafter. It doesn't even handle that badly with fairly neutral balance and big brakes it can be hustled along if you need to.
As a 11 year old Merc with air suspension it's once or twice given me the dreaded droop, NJS did the usual air check and rightly said it's nothing to worry about with the pump doing what it needed and both bags and lines not failing the old soapy water test.... Didn't stop me using a rudimental measurement technique lol
Other maintainance wise bar a new throttle pedal and an update of some gearbox software and some tyres it's needed nothing but servicing....
Onto tyres at the time of purchase I was doing the Liverpool commute and as per the pic above it was grimey in winter so I stuck some Michelin all season rubber on it ( brilliant). Sadly a roofing nail through one at -2 in the M11 did result in a monumental blowout though.
Tyre point as usual sorted me out (best tyre garage in the south of England by miles based in Maidstone.
Finally enough waffling but just a reminder why people use them as hearses the boots are MASSIVE
It might not be ULEZ and it might be diesel but I adore it and it certainly is a handsome beast, I've thought about getting an E63 but realistically I don't think it would be as good in the 'real world'
Thanks
As much as I enjoy keeping my more interesting 'readers rides' up to date (SL500 / MX5)... Some of my favourite threads in this section are of the more 'normal' vehicles. So with that in mind and the fact I've been without it for two weeks and getting it back has reaffirmed my love for it I thought I'd take a bit of inspiration and do one on the 'daily'... Interestingly I've also found in the last 4 cars I've sold having a readers ride has helped!
Anyway so after a string of more petrol head dailies - 197 / Cayenne Turbo / Macan S / VW Mk7 GTi (should have been so good but easily the most unreliable car I've ever owned) I decided to get something that just did the job I needed of getting from A to B.
... To note at the time A to B was Kent to Liverpool for work. (Circa 2022)
As a bit of background I'm 36 and as a kid my old man always had Mercs multiple S123s and then a S210 E55 so I thought I'd go and search out a Merc estate.
Now although I wanted something that just did that big commute well it had to be a bit special in some way.... So that ruled out the 4 cylinders and ideally I wanted a car with something different about it i.e. colour or interior.
Anyway after lots of searching I ended up with a two owner S212 E350 CDI with a designo interior. Bags of history and with very early PPF on the nose nonetheless. Found it down in Bournemouth...
So here it is!
I picked it up with 83k and it's now on 112k and been looked after by my brilliant local mercedes specialist NJS Solutions who regularly comment on it's cleanliness.
Over the past couple of years it's provided the perfect companion from swallowing bikes, going camping, acting as a chase / spares car for when I had the Caterham (where it took 3 friends with my dad driving and half a Caterhams worth of spares).
So what's it been like to live with?...
Engine is amazing, the torque combined with the 7G gearbox is the perfect modern wafter. It doesn't even handle that badly with fairly neutral balance and big brakes it can be hustled along if you need to.
As a 11 year old Merc with air suspension it's once or twice given me the dreaded droop, NJS did the usual air check and rightly said it's nothing to worry about with the pump doing what it needed and both bags and lines not failing the old soapy water test.... Didn't stop me using a rudimental measurement technique lol
Other maintainance wise bar a new throttle pedal and an update of some gearbox software and some tyres it's needed nothing but servicing....
Onto tyres at the time of purchase I was doing the Liverpool commute and as per the pic above it was grimey in winter so I stuck some Michelin all season rubber on it ( brilliant). Sadly a roofing nail through one at -2 in the M11 did result in a monumental blowout though.
Tyre point as usual sorted me out (best tyre garage in the south of England by miles based in Maidstone.
Finally enough waffling but just a reminder why people use them as hearses the boots are MASSIVE
It might not be ULEZ and it might be diesel but I adore it and it certainly is a handsome beast, I've thought about getting an E63 but realistically I don't think it would be as good in the 'real world'
Thanks
very interesting (to me specifically), as i have a 200k+ mile S210 E300, and am currently looking at replacing it. Ive been so impressed with it, im thinking of going for a S212, although I was thinking petrol flavour this time, as I dont do a whole lot of miles these days, and it'll also allow me to tick off 'v8' on my 'want to own before i die' list.....
People generally seem to give mixed reviews on the 212, so itll be interesting to see how this one goes.....
People generally seem to give mixed reviews on the 212, so itll be interesting to see how this one goes.....
Thanks for all the positive comments. I drove an E220 & an E250 and they were both a bit nasty hand the rubbish leather in.
These are worthless now because of ULEZ and the S213 which is ULEZ knocks them down further so there's bargains to be had. Ultimately buy a car that's been loved and looked after properly and you'd be fine.
Oh and check the bloody subframe on anyone looking at a Merc at this age / era
An E500 would be gorgeous in this shape!
These are worthless now because of ULEZ and the S213 which is ULEZ knocks them down further so there's bargains to be had. Ultimately buy a car that's been loved and looked after properly and you'd be fine.
Oh and check the bloody subframe on anyone looking at a Merc at this age / era
An E500 would be gorgeous in this shape!
Edited by Joehow on Friday 27th September 08:28
Had one of these in facelift e220 spec and had the rear suspension dropping over night too.
Turned out to be the airlines rubbing pin holes in themselves where it goes around the spare wheel well. If you look at the back bumper you should see the pump and air distribution block and follow the lines from that.
Turned out to be the airlines rubbing pin holes in themselves where it goes around the spare wheel well. If you look at the back bumper you should see the pump and air distribution block and follow the lines from that.
Very nice! It must be one of the very last 212's being on a 13 plate before the Facelift? Designo interior is a real bonus!
I have a black 2009 S211 E280cdi and looked at a 212 beforehand but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Mine has had all new suspension (just to refresh it as it was a bit tired) and I had to replace the suspension compressor (whilst on holiday in france) and the turbo actuator but nothing that serious really considering the age and mileage. I think they do look cool in black to
They're such good cars, i use mine for similar tasks to you and can even get a 1 tonne size bulk bag in the back with the seats up for garden tip runs. I hope to run mine for a long time and despite it being less powerful than a 320 or 350, i don't have any emissions gubbins on it other than the EGR system. It goes well enough for our traffic clogged roads and returns 40mpg on the motorway and decent speeds. I note your comments about all season tyres - i think I may go for some of those next, it feels like a good option and could prove useful if getting caught out by weather conditions far from home.
I have a black 2009 S211 E280cdi and looked at a 212 beforehand but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Mine has had all new suspension (just to refresh it as it was a bit tired) and I had to replace the suspension compressor (whilst on holiday in france) and the turbo actuator but nothing that serious really considering the age and mileage. I think they do look cool in black to
They're such good cars, i use mine for similar tasks to you and can even get a 1 tonne size bulk bag in the back with the seats up for garden tip runs. I hope to run mine for a long time and despite it being less powerful than a 320 or 350, i don't have any emissions gubbins on it other than the EGR system. It goes well enough for our traffic clogged roads and returns 40mpg on the motorway and decent speeds. I note your comments about all season tyres - i think I may go for some of those next, it feels like a good option and could prove useful if getting caught out by weather conditions far from home.
Edited by Willber on Friday 27th September 08:53
Willber said:
Very nice! It must be one of the very last 212's being on a 13 plate before the Facelift? Designo interior is a real bonus!
I have a black 2009 S211 E280cdi and looked at a 212 beforehand but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Mine has had all new suspension (just to refresh it as it was a bit tired) and I had to replace the suspension compressor (whilst on holiday in france) and the turbo actuator but nothing that serious really considering the age and mileage. I think they do look cool in black to
They're such good cars, i use mine for similar tasks to you and can even get a 1 tonne size bulk bag in the back with the seats up for garden tip runs. I hope to run mine for a long time and despite it being less powerful than a 320 or 350, i don't have any emissions gubbins on it other than the EGR system. It goes well enough for our traffic clogged roads and returns 40mpg on the motorway and decent speeds. I note your comments about all season tyres - i think I may go for some of those next, it feels like a good option and could prove useful if getting caught out by weather conditions far from home.
Yeah it's a super late car, interior has some s213 bits in. I have a black 2009 S211 E280cdi and looked at a 212 beforehand but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Mine has had all new suspension (just to refresh it as it was a bit tired) and I had to replace the suspension compressor (whilst on holiday in france) and the turbo actuator but nothing that serious really considering the age and mileage. I think they do look cool in black to
They're such good cars, i use mine for similar tasks to you and can even get a 1 tonne size bulk bag in the back with the seats up for garden tip runs. I hope to run mine for a long time and despite it being less powerful than a 320 or 350, i don't have any emissions gubbins on it other than the EGR system. It goes well enough for our traffic clogged roads and returns 40mpg on the motorway and decent speeds. I note your comments about all season tyres - i think I may go for some of those next, it feels like a good option and could prove useful if getting caught out by weather conditions far from home.
Edited by Willber on Friday 27th September 08:53
Yeah on the all seasons it's ultimately the worse car for snow and ice, big heavy rwd auto so thought it was smart
I almost bought a E class estate but whilst idly surfing A/T spotted a CLS Shooting Brake...the E would have been the sensible choice but I am a PHer so I bought a CLS 
Whilst the dashboard tech of the 2014 era cars is slightly outdated now it is pretty classic. If you have a car with proper leather which the CLS does, it is a lovely place to be. My rear suspension failed but it was a break in a wire ironically. The only other unexpected issue I had was an AC switch failing.
I struggle to think what I'd change my Merc for BTW - it's so good we now have a 2011 300 ML CDI BTW as MrsCs car
Whilst the dashboard tech of the 2014 era cars is slightly outdated now it is pretty classic. If you have a car with proper leather which the CLS does, it is a lovely place to be. My rear suspension failed but it was a break in a wire ironically. The only other unexpected issue I had was an AC switch failing.I struggle to think what I'd change my Merc for BTW - it's so good we now have a 2011 300 ML CDI BTW as MrsCs car
B Service today for the old girl and only a measly 7k miles covered this year.
Usual wonderful service from NJS Solutions near Brands Hatch. Slight wear on the aux belt and finally a little surface corrosion has appeared on the subframe so both things to watch out for.
Whilst I dropped the car off I had a poke round this, you can really see why the E class makes such a good hearse, the conversion is seamless.
Discs are a bit battered so need to think about that!
Usual wonderful service from NJS Solutions near Brands Hatch. Slight wear on the aux belt and finally a little surface corrosion has appeared on the subframe so both things to watch out for.
Whilst I dropped the car off I had a poke round this, you can really see why the E class makes such a good hearse, the conversion is seamless.
Discs are a bit battered so need to think about that!
Lovely comfy old buses, I ran one as a taxi while studying many years ago and did many happy and reliable miles despite driving it like you would expect a 19yo to at 3am! I think it was on 255k miles when I sent it to auction.
With decent snow tyres it dealt with Aberdeenshire winters without issue, often happily pushing through deep fresh snow on early morning runs before the ploughs had got to work. It was amazing where it went with a bit of enthusiasm!
The only thing I'll disagree with are your comments about the handling/chassis setup - I thought it was pretty crap despite the ride quality being fairly unremarkable. My gf's Accord Tourer would run rings around it over a twisty road and if anything, rode better.
With decent snow tyres it dealt with Aberdeenshire winters without issue, often happily pushing through deep fresh snow on early morning runs before the ploughs had got to work. It was amazing where it went with a bit of enthusiasm!
The only thing I'll disagree with are your comments about the handling/chassis setup - I thought it was pretty crap despite the ride quality being fairly unremarkable. My gf's Accord Tourer would run rings around it over a twisty road and if anything, rode better.
Edited by Snow and Rocks on Wednesday 6th November 22:16
I run a 530d touring that had similar, and occasionally troublesome, rear air suspension. Eventually, after repeated overnight slumps and an inability to get to the bottom of the problem, I decided, rather than replacing the pump gubbins at £1k+, to replace both bags with steel springs. I honestly can’t tell the difference; the car drives and handles much the same as before. Worth considering if you plan to keep the car for a long while.
Sn1ckers said:
I run a 530d touring that had similar, and occasionally troublesome, rear air suspension. Eventually, after repeated overnight slumps and an inability to get to the bottom of the problem, I decided, rather than replacing the pump gubbins at £1k+, to replace both bags with steel springs. I honestly can’t tell the difference; the car drives and handles much the same as before. Worth considering if you plan to keep the car for a long while.
Agreed, though the only thing I would miss is cars ability to stay level when towing/heavily laden.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff