Winterhorse

We've narrowed our search to either an 09 E350 or a 2010 E350, both 4matics. The newer one has 100k and the 09 84k. The 09 has had new brake rotors and control arms. The 2010 has had very little in the way of replacement parts. Both cars seem to have been well taken care of and have all the maintenance record that seem to be in order.
I know that the 2010 was the first year of an extensive redesign so we're not actually talking apples and apples even though they are both called E350 4Matics.
What do you think? Newer and more miles or older with a proven track record?
I'm wondering if the new design is all that superior to the old and if it's worth the extra 2-3 grand?


I'd really like your thoughts.

KEY08

May I ask why you are even considering buying a used Mercedes with those many miles? Eliminate the one that does not have impeccable service records. At those miles many items would have been replaced from brakes to spark plugs. If there are limited service records, reflecting only oil changes, run.

Winterhorse

Well there are more things that have been replaced on the 09 including brakes, plugs, rotors, control arms etc. It also has lower miles. Reason for buying a higher mileage vehicle is mostly dollars. I'm a competent mechanic so I'm not so afraid as some might be.
What I'm most interested in is opinions about the newer design. Is it THAT much better than the older one?

homeofstone

I prefer the newer design. It has better Nav system etc. If you have experience with repairs to late model Mercedes and have the specialty tools required to work on the 2010 Mercedes then you should have no problem regarding the number of miles.

beejAMG

are you lookin' at '09 W211 or '09 W212? W212 first came out here '09 so i just wanna make sure.

if its an '09 W211 E350, why even consider it when you already own an '08 E550 W211? (says so on your profile) if its an '09 W212, what extensive redesign are you talking about compared to the '10 W212?

jonUF02

If you already own a W211, and you say you do your own repairs, then you should be very familiar with that platform. You will know that parts for W211 are very cheap now as well. There seems to be much less knowledge base on the newer W212 platform. I don't know if that means that they have few failures, or that people who drive them are not yet the type that like to do DIY and post for others to see.

This is a tough decision, but I feel the W211 is very dated, and I would probably go for the 2010 updated model. I'm also more of the hands dirty problem-solving, wrench-turning type, and not afraid of some miles or digging into a problem. You say you're mechanically competent, so you should be able to assess whether the one you are considering is in good condition and well maintained, or if it needs some things.

I've noticed most of the W212 members here are still the "I would never buy anything without a warranty" type. There is a buyer for every used car, it just depends on budget. Things will start shifting as these guys toss out the W212s when their warranties expire, and parts get cheaper. I'm happy to have a 2nd hand E550 at roughly 1/3 of the original price. I can afford a nice car, but I'm not yet at the point where I can buy a brand new one every 2-4 years and throw away over $40K in depreciation every time. Even if I was, the cheap ******* in me would find it sickening to do such a thing.

pamiboy

Assuming both cars are in good condition, I would take the one with better options installed. Since both are high mileage cars and the OP seems to be good mechanically I don't see a problem with either of them. I don't know how different is the 2010 is to a 2009. Good luck.

jonUF02

Totally different cars, 2010 is the re-designed W212, 2009 is the old W211.

jahquan3

I'm not a fan of the egg light look(2009) although it has been growing on me more and more. I think the 2010s design is the best looking design of the past 10 years or so for the E Class. If all other things are equal to you like they are to me, I'd go with the W212. I also believe the interior was updated in 2010. Good Luck

El Cid

The W212 is a 2010, regardless of when it was made. My 2010 W212 was actually made in Oct. 2009. I was looking at the W211 as used, but then saw the changes to the W212 and ordered one. Both the exterior design and interior were changed. Also, electronics/nav/audio were updated.
No matter how good you are as a "shade tree" mechanic, there are lots of very expensive and very complicated maintenance requirements for MB. You may already know this though.
On the W212, make sure all the COMAND features work, the seat heaters work, the AC works, the wood trim does not need replacing, etc. Have the transmission services been done, as well as brake and other?
Personally I would never purchase a used car with over 50,000 miles on it, especially a European or luxury brand. But that's me.

mnje350

I could not agree more. I did not even want to look at an E class till the W212 was launched. In my opinion, there still is no better looking version than the 2010/2011 sport versions. I am holding on to my 2010 as long as I can buy a warranty for it.

IgorE350

Same here, 2010 2011 sport is sharp looking MB. Shop around find a car with better milage, theres many of them around. Don't rush in buying a 100k miles car. Definitely go with 2010 w212 good luck

homeofstone

+1

pamiboy

Okay, Thanks. So I agree that the OP should opt for 2010 W212 or miss out on those improvements. I'm with the general consensus here...look for a lower mileage W212 car. You just might get lucky.