Looking for E550 advice
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Looking for E550 advice
I'm considering buying a 2012 E550 coupe, but I'm a Mercedes noob and would appreciate any advice. I was hoping people here might be able to give me an idea if there are any potential problems to be aware of. For example, the turbos fall apart at 50k miles, or whatever. Also, what kind of costs should I expect for maintenance, both for routine service and otherwise? Is an oil change going to cost me $200? Thanks for any info.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Hawaii, (Texas:business)
'12 E550C, Sierra Denali
Our '12 E550 coupe has about 30,000 miles and has been trouble-free.
No $200.00 oil changes, but check with your local Mercedes dealer because prices may vary.
It's a great vehicle with much power and surprisingly good mileage: if you drive leisurely.
We use Michelin PSS: 245/35ZR18 front and 255/35ZR18 (original rears tend to wear, which the Michelin's reduced).
No $200.00 oil changes, but check with your local Mercedes dealer because prices may vary.
It's a great vehicle with much power and surprisingly good mileage: if you drive leisurely.
We use Michelin PSS: 245/35ZR18 front and 255/35ZR18 (original rears tend to wear, which the Michelin's reduced).
Last edited by Dueclaws; Sep 1, 2014 at 06:52 PM.
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
E550
I'm considering buying a 2012 E550 coupe, but I'm a Mercedes noob and would appreciate any advice. I was hoping people here might be able to give me an idea if there are any potential problems to be aware of. For example, the turbos fall apart at 50k miles, or whatever. Also, what kind of costs should I expect for maintenance, both for routine service and otherwise? Is an oil change going to cost me $200? Thanks for any info.
No the oil changes are not $200! They can run sub $100 if you choose to DIY or take it to a indi shop.
As far as MPG when I test drove one I was getting close to 27mpg highway. Pretty good for a powerful and heavy car.
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Thanks for the replies. It looks like I violated the most important rule of writing, though - apparently I wasn't very clear. What I was hoping to learn was twofold:
1) Is the 2012 model prone to any particular problems?
2) Am I going to be unpleasantly surprised by maintenance costs? Is a trip to the dealer substantially different in price from the same visit to the Honda, Ford, or Chevy dealer?
I appreciate any insight anyone can offer.
2) Am I going to be unpleasantly surprised by maintenance costs? Is a trip to the dealer substantially different in price from the same visit to the Honda, Ford, or Chevy dealer?
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 574
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From: Hawaii, (Texas:business)
'12 E550C, Sierra Denali
1) Is the 2012 model prone to any particular problems?
None of which I'm aware.
2) Am I going to be unpleasantly surprised by maintenance costs? Is a trip to the dealer substantially different in price from the same visit to the Honda, Ford, or Chevy dealer?
I believe Honda would be more expensive than Chevy or Ford, as will be MB .None of which I'm aware.
2) Am I going to be unpleasantly surprised by maintenance costs? Is a trip to the dealer substantially different in price from the same visit to the Honda, Ford, or Chevy dealer?
MB hasn't presented any "unpleasant surprises" to us, but that could be relative depending on your budget.
Last edited by Dueclaws; Sep 2, 2014 at 01:17 PM.
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From: SWFL
2023 BMW M340i, 2025 MB CLE53 AMG
I have a 2013 E350 Cab and the MB dealer charges approx $180 for an (A service) oil change. The Lexus dealer that I used to bring my 2006 SC 430 charged approx $80 for an oil change. And at the time, I thought that was alot! 
At least he gave me a loaner. No such luck getting a loaner during an oil change with MB or BMW (my other auto).
At least he gave me a loaner. No such luck getting a loaner during an oil change with MB or BMW (my other auto).
Last edited by dudley07726; Sep 2, 2014 at 01:56 PM.
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
I have a 2013 E350 Cab and the MB dealer charges approx $180 for an (A service) oil change. The Lexus dealer that I used to bring my 2006 SC 430 charged approx $80 for an oil change. And at the time, I thought that was alot!
At least he gave me a loaner. No such luck getting a loaner during an oil change with MB or BMW (my other auto).
At least he gave me a loaner. No such luck getting a loaner during an oil change with MB or BMW (my other auto).
For a dealer that is just the norm. Find a good indi shop to do the work or DIY and oil changes will be much more inexpensive.
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Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 117
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From: Toronto
2012 E550 Coupe
I love my car but I certainly had an unexpected sticker shock when I had service schedule B performed. It was close to $800. That's just retarded and I will never go back to Mercedes unless for warranty issues. And lesson learned... Always ask the price before you drop your car off. For service I really miss lexus. But for something I "should" only have to do once or twice a year I wouldn't buy a car just because of service. But still. Mercedes service is horrible and stupid expensive where I live.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 681
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From: SWFL
2023 BMW M340i, 2025 MB CLE53 AMG
I love my car but I certainly had an unexpected sticker shock when I had service schedule B performed. It was close to $800. That's just retarded and I will never go back to Mercedes unless for warranty issues. And lesson learned... Always ask the price before you drop your car off. For service I really miss lexus. But for something I "should" only have to do once or twice a year I wouldn't buy a car just because of service. But still. Mercedes service is horrible and stupid expensive where I live.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Landenberg, PA
mercedes benz 2011 e350
I will go to an Indie shop once the car is out of warranty. I don't trust MB or BMW for that matter. I can see if something went wrong (even if it had nothing to do with what the indie shop did) , they would blame it on the service performed by the Indie shop and not cover it. The servicing MB dealer (which is diff from my selling dealer) refused to reset my service alert without an oil change even though the car only had 3k miles. It turns out that the selling dealer did not reset it upon delivery. The car was on the lot for a while. This was a brand new car! They wanted me to pay the $180 for an oil change and then he would reset the service reminder. I fought them and MB USA and was refunded the money the same day. Even MB USA didn't want to help until they were told by the servicing dealer that it was the fault of the selling dealer whom apologized. It was a real pain but I prevailed. But it showed me what hard heads they can be. Lexus treated me like gold and I never experienced anything close to this with them.
I have never had an issue with warranty repair regarding service that I performed or an INDY. I replace all my filters. Oil change on this car is a snap and only takes me about 20 minutes extracting oil through the dipstick with MightyVac. The filter runs about $12 and the oil is around $50 ($62 total).
Jim
