Ghostty

Hi all,

I'm from the R230 forum (SL class) and i'm considering a W211 MB. My question is about the air suspension:

1. Can it be found trough all the models of the class or only on fully loaded models?

2. Also is it that much of a difference between the airmatic and regular suspension?

3. Does it help to get a later model production (lets say 07+) to avoid various issues? Any kind of issues, not necessarily suspension related.

4. Are any engine models more reliable than others? It's gonna be a daily driver, so i'm leaning towards a 6 cylinder ( Got the SL for rest of time )

Thank you in advance,
Ghostty

cetialpha5

Airmatic depends on the year and model. Some early model W211 had it as an option, later on, it was only in the E500 and E550 and in the rear of wagons.

Airmatic is much more expensive to repair than a regular suspension, about 1k per corner at the dealer and about $500 for aftermarket per corner.

SBC was around til the 2006 model year so 2007+ would avoid that. Plus some early 2007 still had balance shaft issues which all 2006 models had.

The best model is considered the 2009 as that had the updated comand and it seems to have the least amount of problems.

kajtek1

We have 2004 wagon with SBC and rear bags and 2008 without them.
Air bags will give you better ride, not mentioning option to adjust full airmatic, but as mentioned at a cost.
So far I like SBC braking better, as on 2008 model there is some jerking when 7sp downshifts.
Maybe that is not braking system fault, but transmission fault, but those system operate quite differently and you need get used to them when switching the cars.
If you want reliability, get older 320 as the drivetrain proves itself for 16 years.
Newer diesels are very desirable economy-wise, but reliability is not the strong point and any repair goes very high.
350 will give you good power, but research the engine issues.

cmriv

You Owning a 230, airmatic shouldn't be a concern as airmatic is a fraction of the cost of Active Body Control.

Stay away from first gen coil on plug engines. production 2006 to production 2007/2008. (m272/273) Balance shaft=v6 idler gear=v8. fault codes 1200/1208.

Pre coil on plug engines, 112/113 engines are tanks and nearly indestructible and the transmission's in those IMO are alot better. Fuel economy lacks though as you only have 5 gears in the older models.

Both engine generations have their flaws, you just need to do some homework on the ones you are interested in.... I.E. VMI report/service history/ect.

You already know all about sbc as you own a 230 so no comment there hahaha.

If possible I would find a 2009 350 or 550. 4matic or 2wd is up to you, i'm biased as I don't believe in 4wd cars so no opinion there.

Good luck!

cmriv

Engine 272 in model 164, 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 230, 251
Engine 273 in model 164, 209, 211, 216, 219, 221, 230

Implementation of series measure changing material for balance shaft sprocket as of engine 2729xx30 468993 as of October 2006 production
Implementation of series measure changing material for timing chain guide wheel as of engine 2739xx30 088611 as of September 2006 production

above is your balance shaft/idler gear issue.

Ghostty

Well that's one of the reasons i'm looking at a E series - due to airmatic ride. Yes, the R230 are even more expensive to fix ($1200+ just for the ABC pump per corner if bad)

I actually was thinking to choose between the W211 and W212 - so decided to start the research with the 1st.
Of course as a daily driver i'd be more interested in reliability, so as i understand there are engine issues to look out for. Are those issues rising up due to poor maintenance or they're more manufacturer defects?

What i didn't know is the E series have SBC too Good to know.
So 2009 would be the best shot in the series? Also good to know
Would the W212 be a better shot? Or each generation has its own issues?

Thank you all for the input, appreciate a lot!

Regards,
Ghostty

kajtek1

Each generation has it issues.
Technically for daily beater the best value is W210, especially if you find diesel with low mileage. Have seen the pampered one selling for $15k lately.
Still to each of its own. I sold all W210 due the aging paint and lately bought 2008 Bluetec.
Good for me it was pampered and had oil cooler already replaced, but bottom line is >>> inspect, inspect, inspect.
Not that I could do much of the inspection buying 2200 miles from home, but I included new cooler in the offer, while turned out I can pocket the difference

cetialpha5

Well it mainly depends on your budget. The newer the car, the more it's going to be. The newer ones also tended to have more options. I think some early W211 that had bixenons didn't have active curve illumination. I think in general earlier models tended to have more problems than later ones. You are probably ok with 2008+ E550. Strangely enough, the airmatic is actually cheaper on a w212 than a w211, but Arnott only lists the rears for the W212, not sure about how much the fronts on a W212 go for. Also I think at some point the W212 E550 had the airmatic as an option so you'd have to run the vin to see if it really has airmatic. I think for the W212, things changed a bit depending on the year. The 2010-2011 E550 was still a 5.5L v8, but then in 2012+, it went to a 4.6 twin turbo.

kajtek1

My experience is opposite.
The first W211 come with bulletproof drivetrain and then whole hell got loose when 350 come to play.
Our 2004 model has way more options than 2008 model.
bixenons, 4 zones, full cimatronic, dynamic seats, better radio with massive woofer in rear wagon compartment, massage and better center armrest with dual storage compartment.
2008 has springs all way around.

cetialpha5

The drivetrain might have been bullet proof but many early ones had bad radiators where the fluid mixed with the transmission and ruined many transmissions. They did do some cost cutting as the model ages, but then again, I don't think keyless go was a common option back in 2004 although it was available, it wasn't part of a package. I don't think pano roof was that common either. Bluetooth is also easier on the facelift and there's also the ipod cable, which wasn't around back in 2004. Plus all W211 prior to 2007 had SBC and there are many tales of woe in the forums about it.

The W212 also ends up with the backup camera, auto high beams, lane change, collision prevention assist, active park assist where it parks the car for you, blind spot assist, support for bluetooth audio in later years which wasn't available on the W211, etc.

Ghostty

I guess it's all about inspection (What a surprise, same for R230s).

Appreciate all the input, now i have a start point to look for

Regards

kajtek1

As you can see everybody value different options.
I think keyless is nice gadget, but people die when something went wrong with it.
I don't use sunroof unless I am on Las Vegas Strip at night, so could not care less about pano. I do have bluetooth, but I wonder if I even activate it since I use phone in the car about 3 times a year. Blind spot might be good for DW, but she is good without it.
Than air seats is something I use every minutes I sit in the car. Massage gets its workout as well.
Dogs really appreciate 4 zones
So having selection of cars, make your priorities and then worry how to get car inspected. I think good idea would be find somebody who could run MI for you as Carfax doesn't show much about service.

cmriv

I would steer clear of early 212's. Also with a 212 you need to decide if you want a newer engine or older one as someone above stated. IF you find a 212 with wood grain make sure it isn't faded. there was a recall on the wood grain... IF you do go with a 212 you pretty much will not have any engine issues, nothing like early 272/273 engines. and the 276/278 engines are pretty good as well. Don't get me wrong they do have issues but nothing extremely catastrophic like a balance shaft or something like that.