2012 Mercedes S350CDI W221 - Buying Advice
Discussion
Hi All.
Looking like I am going to pull the trigger on a 2012 S350 CDI with 78k on it.
I know all large cars of this age have multiple milestones in terms of things that can go wrong or that should be replaced.
40k for the gear oil I think. I believe this has the 7G + gearbox, that was introduced in the facelift?
Only has 2 owners and looks in wonderful condition.
Is there anything I should be paying particular attention to?
I see history is online with Mercedes. How would I, as a new owner, check this history?
Thank you in advance
Looking like I am going to pull the trigger on a 2012 S350 CDI with 78k on it.
I know all large cars of this age have multiple milestones in terms of things that can go wrong or that should be replaced.
40k for the gear oil I think. I believe this has the 7G + gearbox, that was introduced in the facelift?
Only has 2 owners and looks in wonderful condition.
Is there anything I should be paying particular attention to?
I see history is online with Mercedes. How would I, as a new owner, check this history?
Thank you in advance
Assuming that the S is the same as other classes, by 2012 and with the 7g+ g/box, atf change was every 5 years or every 77,500 miles, whichever comes first. Therefore, probably due an atf change this year.
If doing it, would suggest an MB dealer or an MB indie as you need to use the correct fluid; it changed with the 7g+ box and I *THINK* that was when they changed to the blue fluid.
Check for oil misting around the turbo inlet-seals (at rear of 'V', under engine cover), orange in colour, and also PCV/hose in same area. Not difficult jobs, but seals can leak over time; however, may well have been changed.
Other than checking everything works and general condition check on a 10-yr old car, including discs/pads as it's a heavy car, no real issues. May or may not still be on its original batteries, if so, factor-in replacing them.
Re servicing, whilst MB will be all digital at that age, it's only recorded if a dealer or 'approved' ( ie given access to MB database) indie does it. Most main dealers will provide a printout if you can prove ownership, ie V5. However, whilst it's digital, a paper record would have been given to the customer each time but whether that has been kept is another issue.
'Major' servicing is every 4-years, fuel filter, air filters etc., with pollen filter and brake-fluid every 2-years. Two keys.
If doing it, would suggest an MB dealer or an MB indie as you need to use the correct fluid; it changed with the 7g+ box and I *THINK* that was when they changed to the blue fluid.
Check for oil misting around the turbo inlet-seals (at rear of 'V', under engine cover), orange in colour, and also PCV/hose in same area. Not difficult jobs, but seals can leak over time; however, may well have been changed.
Other than checking everything works and general condition check on a 10-yr old car, including discs/pads as it's a heavy car, no real issues. May or may not still be on its original batteries, if so, factor-in replacing them.
Re servicing, whilst MB will be all digital at that age, it's only recorded if a dealer or 'approved' ( ie given access to MB database) indie does it. Most main dealers will provide a printout if you can prove ownership, ie V5. However, whilst it's digital, a paper record would have been given to the customer each time but whether that has been kept is another issue.
'Major' servicing is every 4-years, fuel filter, air filters etc., with pollen filter and brake-fluid every 2-years. Two keys.
Thank you for the detailed response. It has one owner rather two, so it gives me some confidence that it’s been looked after.
I’ve asked for the AT oil change prior to purchase. The dealer sent me this photo today although it hasn’t been changed yet. How could I tell that it’s the correct fluid?
I’ve asked for the AT oil change prior to purchase. The dealer sent me this photo today although it hasn’t been changed yet. How could I tell that it’s the correct fluid?
MB spec 236.15 is the correct 'blue' fluid for the 7g+ box. To the best of my knowledge the 7g boxes from some date in 2010 were all 7g+, so I'd be confident that it's the correct fluid for the car in question, although obviously I haven't seen the car.
As far as I'm aware, all cars with stop/start have the 7g+ box, as do some, but not many, cars made shortly before stop/start was introduced.
My comments all assume that the car wasn't, for example, manufactured in 2009 and not regd until 2012!
As far as I'm aware, all cars with stop/start have the 7g+ box, as do some, but not many, cars made shortly before stop/start was introduced.
My comments all assume that the car wasn't, for example, manufactured in 2009 and not regd until 2012!
I've dug a bit further; stop-start was introduced in the S-class in April 2011 (not on S65, though, AFAIK), with revised Co2 figures (and I'm assuming the revised OM642 engine [258bhp] at the same time).
Putting the regn. no. in the dvla vehicle check, the quoted Co2 figure equates to the later (ie post-April 2011) revised 350Cdi with the sport package (168gms); without the optional/bigger (Sport) wheels, the std model is 164gms.
It might be worth seeing what paperwork there is re servicing as when putting the regn. no. into the Mercedes service online system, the number is not recognised; not necessarily a problem as same result obtained with other cars as well. Presumably you've seen the recent MOT advisory re rear discs? Not sure what tyres are on it.
As it's a one-owner car, if you know who supplied it originally, you might be lucky if you contact them direct as they might have serviced it from day one and they MIGHT be prepared to confirm, even without giving details, whether they've serviced it. They might not, of course, all depends on what sort of day they're having
Picture 52 in the advert relates to a different car.
Putting the regn. no. in the dvla vehicle check, the quoted Co2 figure equates to the later (ie post-April 2011) revised 350Cdi with the sport package (168gms); without the optional/bigger (Sport) wheels, the std model is 164gms.
It might be worth seeing what paperwork there is re servicing as when putting the regn. no. into the Mercedes service online system, the number is not recognised; not necessarily a problem as same result obtained with other cars as well. Presumably you've seen the recent MOT advisory re rear discs? Not sure what tyres are on it.
As it's a one-owner car, if you know who supplied it originally, you might be lucky if you contact them direct as they might have serviced it from day one and they MIGHT be prepared to confirm, even without giving details, whether they've serviced it. They might not, of course, all depends on what sort of day they're having
Picture 52 in the advert relates to a different car.
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