S350 Longterm Maintenance Issues?
09-07-2014, 02:21 AM
#1
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S350 Longterm Maintenance Issues?
Hello All, I have a S350, and I wanted to know what are some of the long-term ownership experiences? Please provide any maintenance issues, reliability issues, the good the bad. I just wanna hear from the S350 owners on their experiences with the car longterm (whatever that is for you). I have had mine 3 months and no issues to report
Thanks and Regards
Thanks and Regards
09-07-2014, 09:34 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Just look at all 221 ownership reliability and maintenance experiences and disregard the ones that are engine specific in cars other than the 350.The rest of the car is the same as a 550. I don't think the 350 sold in big numbers in the US, so you may not see them represented (good or bad) very much here. Actually I think the quote in my sig was from a 350 owner.
09-10-2014, 10:32 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Your 2012 isn't likely to cause you many problems for the next few years. My experience with higher mileage S Class is with the prior gen 220.( My 2010 just passed 60k miles and has only had one CPO warranty repair for an AC controller ($2000 parts and labor) in the first year of ownership. Too soon to tell.)
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
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mercedesbenzs55 (07-12-2016)
09-10-2014, 11:16 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Your 2012 isn't likely to cause you many problems for the next few years. My experience with higher mileage S Class is with the prior gen 220.( My 2010 just passed 60k miles and has only had one CPO warranty repair for an AC controller ($2000 parts and labor) in the first year of ownership. Too soon to tell.)
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
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Bob Gatewood (03-02-2020)
09-11-2014, 12:36 PM
#6
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W211 w221
The s350 uses the same engine as the 320 cdi cars. These have a known issue - turbo failure due to failed seals. (check wikipeadia) This happened on my 320 at ~75k miles, but so far, the s350 has been perfect at ~50k miles.
09-11-2014, 06:32 PM
#7
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what was the cost to fix for your car?
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09-12-2014, 08:58 AM
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Due to the turbo bearing failure, it needed a new turbo and full fluids/filter service. This cost ~£3500 at an independant shop. When it was sold, there was also a glowplug relay that was replaced (£~20). The S350 hasn't shown either of these problems. (yet)
10-06-2014, 12:11 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
`
Outstanding post -
Thank-You
`
Your 2012 isn't likely to cause you many problems for the next few years. My experience with higher mileage S Class is with the prior gen 220.( My 2010 just passed 60k miles and has only had one CPO warranty repair for an AC controller ($2000 parts and labor) in the first year of ownership. Too soon to tell.)
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
Outstanding post -
Thank-You
`
10-06-2014, 03:06 PM
#13
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Your 2012 isn't likely to cause you many problems for the next few years. My experience with higher mileage S Class is with the prior gen 220.( My 2010 just passed 60k miles and has only had one CPO warranty repair for an AC controller ($2000 parts and labor) in the first year of ownership. Too soon to tell.)
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
The danger zone seemed to start in the W220 at 60k miles and over the next 40k miles to 100k things could get sideways in a hurry. By 100k most of that stuff has been replaced and you might get a reprieve but at that point the car is worth $20k and a couple of major repairs would total it. The 221 is considered a more reliable car than the 220.
As you scan the forum topics for the 221 and you're watching for it, you'll see a gradual tipping point from threads mostly from enthusiastic owners discussing mods or how much they love the car, to more and more desperate pleas for HELP!!.
Right now those are guys who thought they stole a higher mileage 07 or 08, bought no warranty and have gotten their first dose of reality in the form of a four figure repair estimate. Eventually those pleas for help will dominate the forums and the enthusiasts will have moved on to another car.
I'm guessing your 2012 is still under the factory warranty. Can you buy an extended warranty from MB while the factory warranty is still in effect? If so and you plan on keeping the car I would recommend it. The you won't have the worry about reliability at all because MB will be picking up 100% of the tab.
I firmly believe the key to owning a used S is an extended CPO warranty, and to sell the car before the warranty expires.
Luckily, the car is under warranty to 2016
10-06-2014, 03:16 PM
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
I've seen what you're talking about in the w220 forum. The other car had about 70k miles when it broke down, the 220 went about 110k miles. However, it just seems to be bad luck; not an issue which is common enough to deter people
Luckily, the car is under warranty to 2016
Luckily, the car is under warranty to 2016
If you want to know how bad it actually is, get a bumper to bumper quote on a 3rd party service contract for a non CPO 221. These guys have to price their coverage based on actual historical loss experience, where MB is willing to keep taking hits on their CPO cars to maintain the brand's image and reputation.
When I shopped coverage from reputable companies on a 08-09 W221 that was comparable to MB CPO, it ranged from $12,000 to $15,000. Those numbers aren't far off. My 220 had $13,000 in CPO repairs in three years, and another $6000 in non warranty repairs 3k miles after the CPO expired.
One problem is that while the cars depreciate like crazy, making them very affordable, parts cost and labor cost haven't dropped a bit. So you may be driving a $100,000 car you paid $40,000 for, but you're still paying the freight involved in maintaining and repairing a $100,000 car.
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Bob Gatewood (03-02-2020)
10-06-2014, 06:53 PM
#16
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Thread Starter
I've seen what you're talking about in the w220 forum. The other car had about 70k miles when it broke down, the 220 went about 110k miles. However, it just seems to be bad luck; not an issue which is common enough to deter people
Luckily, the car is under warranty to 2016
Luckily, the car is under warranty to 2016
10-06-2014, 06:56 PM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
If you want to know how bad it actually is, get a bumper to bumper quote on a 3rd party service contract for a non CPO 221. These guys have to price their coverage based on actual historical loss experience, where MB is willing to keep taking hits on their CPO cars to maintain the brand's image and reputation.
When I shopped coverage from reputable companies on a 08-09 W221 that was comparable to MB CPO, it ranged from $12,000 to $15,000. Those numbers aren't far off. My 220 had $13,000 in CPO repairs in three years, and another $6000 in non warranty repairs 3k miles after the CPO expired.
One problem is that while the cars depreciate like crazy, making them very affordable, parts cost and labor cost haven't dropped a bit. So you may be driving a $100,000 car you paid $40,000 for, but you're still paying the freight involved in maintaining and repairing a $100,000 car.
When I shopped coverage from reputable companies on a 08-09 W221 that was comparable to MB CPO, it ranged from $12,000 to $15,000. Those numbers aren't far off. My 220 had $13,000 in CPO repairs in three years, and another $6000 in non warranty repairs 3k miles after the CPO expired.
One problem is that while the cars depreciate like crazy, making them very affordable, parts cost and labor cost haven't dropped a bit. So you may be driving a $100,000 car you paid $40,000 for, but you're still paying the freight involved in maintaining and repairing a $100,000 car.
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Bob Gatewood (03-02-2020)
10-13-2014, 06:49 AM
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w221 s350
S350 w221 - smoothest car ever - petrol version - best car to buy if you are buying a used on - even a 10 yr old car is superb.
Last edited by riyer.sln2004; 10-13-2014 at 06:58 AM.
10-13-2014, 06:02 PM
#19
Member
I have a little over 15,000 miles on my 2012 S350 Bluetec and have had no problems. Dealer service at 10,000 for oil change and DEF top off. Clocking 35.9 mpg on road and 24.8 mpg in town. Absolutely love it. Remember that Sprint sales have taken off and the 3.5 v-6 turbo diesel has many miles of hard service on it. Ask your dealer about any problems and you will find they are servicing Sprints well over 150,000 miles and some with 300,000 miles.
10-13-2014, 09:58 PM
#20
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I have a little over 15,000 miles on my 2012 S350 Bluetec and have had no problems. Dealer service at 10,000 for oil change and DEF top off. Clocking 35.9 mpg on road and 24.8 mpg in town. Absolutely love it. Remember that Sprint sales have taken off and the 3.5 v-6 turbo diesel has many miles of hard service on it. Ask your dealer about any problems and you will find they are servicing Sprints well over 150,000 miles and some with 300,000 miles.
Mine has 25.6k and I had a N0x sensor crap out - warranty fix.
11-03-2014, 06:04 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
Ok, here is another repair, the turbo lower seal bit the dust and had to be replaced. The dealer indicated that this is not uncommon for this model car.
Glad the car was under warranty.
Glad the car was under warranty.
11-03-2014, 08:37 PM
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
I have a little over 15,000 miles on my 2012 S350 Bluetec and have had no problems. Dealer service at 10,000 for oil change and DEF top off. Clocking 35.9 mpg on road and 24.8 mpg in town. Absolutely love it. Remember that Sprint sales have taken off and the 3.5 v-6 turbo diesel has many miles of hard service on it. Ask your dealer about any problems and you will find they are servicing Sprints well over 150,000 miles and some with 300,000 miles.
11-03-2014, 10:49 PM
#23
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Definitely indicates a pretty strong engine if it lasted that long with poor maintenance. I have seen gas engines go in 20k miles or less with poor maintenance - particularly allowing the oil to get low too many times.
11-03-2014, 11:00 PM
#24
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Bingo! I saw a couple of drops of oil on my garage floor and I just took it in. They replaced my seal (or seals), so I should be good to go. It leaked enough to get my attention. So watch your floor wherever you park as if you see any oil - check it out.
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Bob Gatewood (03-02-2020)
11-03-2014, 11:11 PM
#25
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I had a S350, a 95 that turned into a runaway diesel. I don't know if you know what that is, but it's when a diesel engine goes full throttle and the engine blows. That's what happened to me. Car had to be scraped. I just have a bad taste in my mouth with Mercedes diesels now.
