W212 Advice

[Fattyfat]

I'm looking at a change in job role which will mean my trusty old W211 E500 won't be sensible due to my mileage upping to approx 500 miles per week.

Browsing around I've seen a 2011 E350 CDI Blue efficiency 265BHP finished in Cuprite metallic and seems to have a few options. Any real world advice on these? Problems, running costs etc

Thanks!

[GlenMH]

2011 E Class?
Rusty rear subframes - mine has just been done FoC by Merc
Airbag suspension
Wheels are quite fragile
I have to drive like Miss Daisy to get 40mpg on the OBC. Good level of thrust, though

[Fattyfat]

Cheers for that. Will bear it all in mind

[Paddymcc]

Have had a 2014 W212 estate E220 now for a couple of years and been almost trouble free apart from one of the rear air springs that has a slow leak if the car hasnt been driven for a couple of days. Bought it as a stop gap and ended up keeping it much longer than expected. Ironicly i avoided a 5 series estate because of the rear air suspension not realising the E class had it.

Just popped my alloys off yesterday to get them refurbished and the rear air spring looks simple enough to swop out so wouldnt be a deal breaker if you're looking at one.

Went for an SE to get the smaller 17" wheels and its quite comfy and doesnt suffer from the cracked alloy wheels that plague the 19" wheels.

However the AMG Sport models have the nicer front bumper and side skirts.

You can also buy the proper service kits for the cars from Mercedes Newcastle on Ebay which is a huge saving over your regular dealer prices for example:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112434571755?hash=item1...

[Scrump]

Had my 212 350 for over 4 years.
Rear airbag leak soon after I purchased it, fixed under warranty.
Until very recently it has been faultless, really relaxing on the motorway, surprisingly economical on a run, powerful enough.

A few months ago it threw up a NOx sensor fault followed by a MAF fault. Car was not running well.
It has been quite expensive to fix. Get it back on Friday and hopefully all good again.

[AC43]

Paddymcc said:

Have had a 2014 W212 estate E220 now for a couple of years and been almost trouble free apart from one of the rear air springs that has a slow leak if the car hasnt been driven for a couple of days.

Just popped my alloys off yesterday to get them refurbished and the rear air spring looks simple enough to swop out so wouldnt be a deal breaker if you're looking at one.

Went for an SE to get the smaller 17" wheels and its quite comfy and doesnt suffer from the cracked alloy wheels that plague the 19" wheels.

I have a 2010 212 (albeit a petrol one).

The rear airsprings went at around 10 years/70k. Apparently failing at around the 10 year mark is common. I bought some at around £250 ea. Fitting doesn't cost much.

Mine came on 17's but I much preferred the look of the 18's so I fitted some. The ride's not so good. So I'd personally avoid 19's even through they do look great.

The rest of it's holding up well. No other notable bills over the last four years.