What to expect from a 75k 350D engine?

[graeme.a.robson]

Hi all, I am looking at a 2010 E-Calss estate 350D. It has been looked after via an MB Dealer for all of its life and had all the advised services and pre-emptive maintenance completed; this includes a gearbox service in the recent normal service.

So it all seems in great shape and able to complete a fair few miles yet. However,
- Do you know what else I can expect to replace/fix in the next 30-40k miles?
- What should I look out for when test driving the car?
- What should I look for as having already been completed by the dealer?

Thanks in advance for any advice, it is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Graeme

[Joe5y]

Exceptionally poor throttle response with a dimwitted gearbox to match. Poor MPG, Stop/Start that rarely/barely works and an engine that sounds like exactly what it is, a big diesel. Not as fast as the BMW equivalent either.

[ED209]

Swirl flaps will probably go. Google OM642 swirl flaps and you will see what I mean

Also oil cooler leaks.

[Stegel]

MB updated the oil cooler seals (two “spectacle” seals between the oil cooler and the base of the vee) in 2011 IIRC so your car could have the old style seals. They’re about £10 a set but require the top of the engine being stripped (inlet manifold, turbo etc.) to be removed which is quite costly. The engine doesn’t like chugging around town and benefits from being exercised - chugging sees then soot up which isn’t good for the turbo or inlet manifold. Early 212s also suffer from subframe corrosion, so best to check that has been addressed - with full MB history it should be a shoo-in for a FOC “goodwill” replacement.

[graeme.a.robson]

Thanks everyone. Will take a look at the issues mentioned and ensure that it is in good shape. The BM comments are interesting, I've had five of those in the past (and one other Merc) and a very different outlook I always felt. Feels tp me that BMW are always more sporty (and stiffer) and Mercs more of a cruiser (Softer) with Audi in the middle. I'm edging to the softer, cruiser end of the market now.

Has anyone had one of these engines mapped, the specs seem pretty impressive - response and economy. What are thoughts?

[graeme.a.robson]

Stegel said:

MB updated the oil cooler seals (two “spectacle” seals between the oil cooler and the base of the vee) in 2011 IIRC so your car could have the old style seals. They’re about £10 a set but require the top of the engine being stripped (inlet manifold, turbo etc.) to be removed which is quite costly. The engine doesn’t like chugging around town and benefits from being exercised - chugging sees then soot up which isn’t good for the turbo or inlet manifold. Early 212s also suffer from subframe corrosion, so best to check that has been addressed - with full MB history it should be a shoo-in for a FOC “goodwill” replacement.

Is there anyway of easily knowing if this has the update, it is a June 2011 build. Is it clear from a serial or version number?

[Stegel]

graeme.a.robson said:

Is there anyway of easily knowing if this has the update, it is a June 2011 build. Is it clear from a serial or version number?

Not that I know of (some major engine issues, on say M272 V6 petrols, have a known number range) but I’d guess you will probably be ok with that build date. The V6 is not as well regarded by some as the preceding straight 6 diesel, but we have put around 420k miles on three of them (06, 09 and 15) and have only been stranded once when a dealer workshop didn’t connect a fuel pipe up properly.

As to tuning, I’ve never bothered. We have two S211s, a 320 CDI and a 5.5 E500; the 320 is not as eclipsed by its petrol V8 sibling as the diesel sceptics would have you believe.

[graeme.a.robson]

Thank you.

[GlenMH]

Poor mpg has been mentioned - I see mid-20s round town to about 40-ish driving like miss daisy on a run. Anything 0.8 leptons up will see low 30s.
Wheels made of chocolate and different sizes front to rear so tyres can't be rotated.
Air suspension - mine had one of the rear bags done early in its life but I am expecting another bill soon.
Mine is a 2011 and has just had the rear subframe done FOC.
Gearbox IS slow witted.
Brake pipes can corrode and should really be done at the same time as the subframe.
Goes well when you prod it, though!