Talk me into or out of a Merc 2011 E350CDI (W213)

[eleveneleven]

• Correction: W212** One owner from new covered 90k miles FSH by MB or specialist (including the gearbox)

Lovely car Its been very well cared for everything works but its never had a spanner to it for any big jobs which worries me

Currently have a 08 S80 D5 (P3), 130k miles excellent condition its comfy enough and been absolutely bullet proof just fancy a change, something a tad more refined\wafty with more torque

I can handle a big bill but cant handle being left stranded as I'm up n down the country often for my kids gymnastics competitions

Im torn Is it a bad idea to change it for an unknown? Would the 6 cylinder merc be a significant improvement over my D5?is it better the devil I know at this point?

Decisions decisions

What do you lot think, stick or twist?

Edited by eleveneleven on Thursday 22 October 16:40

[Monkeylegend]

Lovely cars but make sure you check for hidden rear subframe corrosion. A quick google will tell you what the issues are.

[Terzo123]

Monkeylegend said:

Lovely cars but make sure you check for hidden rear subframe corrosion. A quick google will tell you what the issues are.

Merc generally cover replacement subframes FOC

[paul_c123]

Check it has heated electric seats, and other spec which was optional at the time, but is desirable. There are a lot of "pleb spec" Mercs/BMWs/Audis out there.

[Monkeylegend]

Terzo123 said:

Monkeylegend said:

Lovely cars but make sure you check for hidden rear subframe corrosion. A quick google will tell you what the issues are.

Merc generally cover replacement subframes FOC

In most cases but there is a safety issue in as much as the corrosion is not immediately obvious and you don't want the rear suspension to collapse at speed.

[Snow and Rocks]

I did a lot of miles in both a S80 D5 and then a 2012 E350cdi 265.

The Merc engine and gearbox are in a different league both for performance and refinement and mine was reliable until well over 200k miles unlike the Volvo which needed an autobox at ~100k. Thumping performance well into 3 figures.

Make sure you get avoid the "sporty" specs on the E Class and get one with sensibly sized wheels. Mine was on the firmer suspension with 18s and was significantly less wafty than the Volvo. It didn't handle well enough to make up for the ride either. Volvo seats were also quite a bit better.

Edited by Snow and Rocks on Thursday 22 October 20:52

[thel33ter]

I've just bought a facelift 2013 S212 E250 CDI on 190k (1 owner, FMBSH) to replace a 2008 P3 D5 V70 on 130k. I prefer the facelift interior, but there isn't much in it. Mine has Airmatic all round, Electronic Shocks, Distronic Plus and lots of other toys, with a recent subframe and rear airbags, as well as relatively recent front airbag/shock replacements. It needs some engine mounts and rear shocks, and possibly a radiator but was bought cheap knowing this. From the bills it's had nothing unexpected except oil and gearbox services, brakes and tyres.

The seats are the midrange leather option rather than MBTex (vinyl pleather stuff), they're not as good as the Volvo but nothing really is, the H&K audio is about equivalent to the V70 mid range system. The tech and drive line are far superior, and the E350 must be even better again having spent a reasonable amount of time in the gen before with that engine. The whole thing just seems better put together than the V70.

If it is an Airmatic car, the rears are easy and cheap, both shocks and air springs, but do have a finite lifetime. The fronts are hectically expensive, and the estate ADS rear shocks are also hard to find unless you gone cheap and Chinese. Saloons are easier.

Edited by thel33ter on Friday 23 October 10:39

[AnonSA]

Terzo123 said:

Monkeylegend said:

Lovely cars but make sure you check for hidden rear subframe corrosion. A quick google will tell you what the issues are.

Merc generally cover replacement subframes FOC

Mercedes are winding down support for the subframe issue, it is not a given that they will cover it nowadays.

Anyway, the E350 is a fabulous car/engine and they are generally reliable and capable of huge mileage. Watch out for;

Oil cooler seals circa £1200
Rear subframe as mentioned, either FOC if MB will cover it, or potentially £3kish. Unfortunately very common.
Timing chains are not usually an issue on these, the only ones I’ve seen with elongated chains have patchy service history.
DPF issues- this engine does not like town driving, moreso than a lot of other diesels. It needs regular long journeys.

If this is an issue for you, it won’t likely be clean air/ULEZ exempt. For some reason some of them are, despite being Euro 5. Even some of the W211 models are.

Service is due every 15500 miles or annually, whichever comes first. Transmission service every 5 years or circa 70k, pretty crucial.

I would seek out an MB specialist to look after it.

Edited by AnonSA on Saturday 24th October 05:02

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say the rear subframe issue is very over hyped yes some cars have been affected but nowhere near as often as is made out.

Oil cooler was much more of an issue on the CLK's but again much less so on the 212.

[eleveneleven]

Appreciate all the replys. Its being sold by a Mercedes Benz specialist garage so ill ask them about the subframe when i go test drive it next week.

[Monkeylegend]

Avoid any Mercedes diesel with adblue.

You have been warned

[AC43]

I've got a 2010 E500 on 98k. Bought it 9 years ago. I've done rear airsprings, a headlamp, a starter motor and one door lock actuator. And one minor oil leak. It drives really well. This weekend London to Sheffield and back.It replaced a 211 which I took up to 145k.