About to buy a 2007 E350 w/21k miles, but Im scared... :-/

[kensiko]

Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage. But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much). What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car? Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?

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[jcat]

Leaky gas tank = ALL w211 and probably even some CLS models. As long as it has a warranty on it that covers electronics (will run you ~3k, but worth it) you're fine. That's super low mileage on an 07. Check to make sure the trans shifts properly, no CELs etc. and just that everything works on it. they're very reliable cars if maintained properly but that's the key phrase. Have the seller get the service records from an MB dealer (will need proof of ownership to do so) and carfax/autocheck it.

[kosmo]

get a PPI, look for body/paintwork.

[WEBSRFR]

Originally Posted by kensiko

Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage.

But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).

What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with other car?

Any specific things I should be looking our for, inspecting?

Sounds like a nice low mileage car. By 2007 they had fixed most of the gremlins and you have a even less things to go wrong with a 350 compared to a 550. As was suggested get a PPI done by a Mercedes mechanic and have the car inspected at a body shop for body or paint work. That's pretty much it. That model year is not known for problems like some of the earlier model years. I'd go for it and enjoy that car. Great find BTW to find one with such low miles.

[Barry45RPM]

My 2007 E 550 replaced a problem plagued 2004 E500 I had. The 07 has been the best car I have ever owned. Just had a LF Air strut replaced, but a 350 has a standard suspension.

Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.

Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.

[kensiko]

Originally Posted by jcat

Leaky gas tank = ALL w211 and probably even some CLS models. As long as it has a warranty on it that covers electronics (will run you ~3k, but worth it) you're fine. That's super low mileage on an 07. Check to make sure the trans shifts properly, no CELs etc. and just that everything works on it.

ALL of them have a leaky gas tank??? Dang....

The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?

Whats a CEL?

Originally Posted by kosmo

get a PPI, look for body/paintwork.

Pre Purchase Inspection?

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

The 07 has been the best car I have ever owned.

Yay!

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.

Are mounts something I can see from above, the engine compartment?

Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?

[Shotime]

Originally Posted by kensiko

ALL of them have a leaky gas tank??? Dang....

The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?

- Worth every penny for the piece of mind.

Whats a CEL?

- CEL = Check Engine Light


Pre Purchase Inspection?

- Yup


Yay!



Are mounts something I can see from above, the engine compartment?

- Needs to be inspected from below, preferably by a professional.

Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?

- Differently in that it is not a 7 spd as referenced in the prior post. 4Matics have a 5 spd trans.

FWIW, I bought a 07 E350 just a few months ago and have been very happy thus far. I thought mine had relatively low miles at 43k but yours is hardly even used. As suggested by others, do a bit of inspection work to ensure that there isn't something afoot and if all checks out and the price is right, go for it!

[WEBSRFR]

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

My 2007 E 550 replaced a problem plagued 2004 E500 I had. The 07 has been the best car I have ever owned. Just had a LF Air strut replaced, but a 350 has a standard suspension.

Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.

Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.

How much did the LF strut cost you? Did you have the dealer do the work or someone else?

[Barry45RPM]

Originally Posted by WEBSRFR

How much did the LF strut cost you? Did you have the dealer do the work or someone else?

Had the dealer do it as the car is in its last year of new car MB Extended warranty/svc agreement. I hear its a $1400 job though. Car was flat bedded in. Never had any warning lights. Just came out and car was way low on top of the tire, had no response to hand bounce on top of the fender & wouldnt come up... and the car made a farting noise like blowing thru a torn off baloon.

[kosmo]

$1400! Dam those air suspension parts are expensive.

[m103-w124]

Originally Posted by kensiko

Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage.

But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).

What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car?

Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?

I bought mine (CPO) 2 1/2 years ago with 21k miles, no majors issues, a couple of Sat radio problems, in-cabin odor (corrected by replacing cabin filter), needs wheel alignment eventually. I notice the steering wheel is not perfectly centered by a hair, but the car drives straight. A great car (39k miles as of today). Service D , 12 and 13 coming up in 3 weeks ($600.00 estimate). Don't go for a windshield or ding removal proctection if your're getting a car from a stealership! A lot better from my old W124.

[WEBSRFR]

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

Had the dealer do it as the car is in its last year of new car MB Extended warranty/svc agreement. I hear its a $1400 job though. Car was flat bedded in. Never had any warning lights. Just came out and car was way low on top of the tire, had no response to hand bounce on top of the fender & wouldnt come up... and the car made a farting noise like blowing thru a torn off baloon.

Yikes! What I fret is it is only a matter of time until I'm in this situation... The OP is better off I think in the 350 for not having to worry about this expensive repair coming up.

As expensive of a repair this is what I am afraid more is being stranded somewhere. Imagine if you go hiking somewhere far away and you come back to your car and Airmatic is all crapped out and you have no cell phone reception. You are essentially screwed with an undriveable car with no advance warning. It is an incredibly badly designed system to ever put a customer in this situation... I do keep an emergency response satellite beacon in my car but it would be absurdly silly if that's the only way to get help in a situation like this...

[kosmo]

dont worry too much about the fuel tanke leak. If anything it will be a recall item. If not class action!

[gaazmon]

well with an 07+ 350 you will avoid some big problems:
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue

however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started )
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)

[pinebaron]

Originally Posted by gaazmon

however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started )
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)

Done 30K miles since new and no issues on my 07 Bluetec; now driving regularly to work which is just 4 miles away. I always drive in S mode. Can't say I've ever experienced 2 > 1 downshift problems, perhaps does not apply to diesels or just the way I drive.

[autoPOM!]

Originally Posted by kensiko

ALL of them have a leaky gas tank??? Dang....

The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?

Whats a CEL?



Pre Purchase Inspection?



Yay!



Are mounts something I can see from above, the engine compartment?

Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?

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[Quadcammer]

Originally Posted by kosmo

$1400! Dam those air suspension parts are expensive.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid127.html

[WEBSRFR]

Originally Posted by Oliverk

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid127.html

Except I just noticed on the description that their shocks are not compatible with 4MATIC. SO apparently if you have 4MATIC the only way to go is the $1000+ EACH for the Mercedes shocks.

[Kwijibo]

Originally Posted by WEBSRFR

Except I just noticed on the description that their shocks are not compatible with 4MATIC. SO apparently if you have 4MATIC the only way to go is the $1000+ EACH for the Mercedes shocks.

Arnott has the 4matic parts listed at the same price as non-4matic.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid133.html

[WEBSRFR]

Originally Posted by Kwijibo

Arnott has the 4matic parts listed at the same price as non-4matic.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid133.html

I stand corrected. Good to know because it is only a matter of time until mine fail... I found the 4MATIC parts on their Web site. Too bad they have yet to offer shocks for the rear.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...rts_yid18.html

[thegamemodo9]

Arnott sent me a faulty strut out of the box. I had to ship it back and they refused to expedite shipping for another one to replace it. I needed it expedited, my car was obviously not in driveable condition. I told them to shove it and bought a new Mercedes strut. It can be had for around $800 I believe. Total job cost me about $1,100.

The warranty doesn't honor the labor costs that would have been associated with the installation of a faulty strut. I was lucky that my SA and I have a good relationship as she didn't charge me for that.

I had to fight to get my shipping costs back after the fact too. F*ck Arnott.

[kosmo]

Arnott not taking care of its customers. Good to know ! Tks

[WEBSRFR]

Wow that is awful to know they don;t stand behind their products. I too might just bite the bullet and get the MB shocks when mine eventually fail.

I bet Mercedes makes more on struts for this car than the profit they made selling it new!

[kensiko]

Originally Posted by gaazmon

well with an 07+ 350 you will avoid some big problems:
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue

however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started )
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)

Could you elaborate a bit on the following, Im familiar with the fuel tank + motor mounts issues:

-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started )
-balance shaft issue (maybe).

Leave the tranny in "C"?

[kensiko]

Originally Posted by WEBSRFR

I stand corrected. Good to know because it is only a matter of time until mine fail...

Its only a matter of time until the struts fail???