DC9Captain

Greeting folks,

I have decided that it's time to move up (from my Lexus ES350 hardtop) to a Mercedes Benz (in general) and a E350 cabrio (in particular.) I have been researching MB products on the Internet and have a question about the later models of the E350 Cabrio. Is the A207 the latest cabrio and did it first appear in 2011 or later? Also, did the A207 replace or is in addition to the C207? Thanks for anyone's input.

Best

The Captain (DC-9, B-757/767)
Sarasota Fl

dfghhgfd

The C207 is the coupe, hardtop.

Mr. Toad

If I recall correctly, the C207 (coupe) and A207 (cabriolet) were produced internationally between 2009-2017, with a mid-life cycle update introduced in 2013.

These models have since been replaced by the C238 (coupe) and A238 (cabriolet).

BTW, may I ask what has prompted you to switch from Lexus to Mercedes-Benz?

400ixl

The W207 range which contained the Coupe (C207) and Cabriolet (A207) came to market over a couple of years around 2009/10. The early cars can be identified by the hockey stick shaped DRL's, there was then a minor upgrade for 2012-2013 which have the straight DRL's but the same original headlights. In 2013/14 there was a facelift which changed the lights etc and those ran through until 2017/2018 when the W238 range was released.

Previous to the A207 was the CLK range which went from 2003 until the A207 replaced it. Looks quite similar from some angles.

So if you are talking about the later models the you are most likely looking at the A207 facelift which came out in 2013/14. This is the one with the gear shifter moved to the column from the centre console, clock in the air vents, 2 dial cluster and the newer style headlights as example differences.

mikey08

The A207 is from 2010 to 2016 or round about give or take depending on the country and its a Cab. The C is the coupe. The new Cab in 2017 was redesigned. I happen to have a 2011. Have had absolutely no issues at all since. Just routine maint that I do and keep all of the hinges and soft top mechanics lubed etc. Its really a fun car. When I bought the car I drove just about every softtop car out there an what did it for me was the rigidness of the car with the the top down and of course the style and what it had in the car at the time for the price. Cheers.

DC9Captain

Thanks for that information. And thanks to 400ixl also. I stopped by the local MB dealer and met with one of the managers. He told me that, yes, the E350 Cabriolet became the A207 in 2011 and, as 400ixl pointed out, had a face lift in 2013 and then last year (for model year 2018) the A207 became the A238.

Thus far I am looking at 2013s through 2016s. With under 50k miles. Here in Florida they're pretty common, I just need to find the right mileage, interior/exterior color combo and price. I like the Obsidian Black Metallic and Espresso Brown combo. Dignified but sporty.

Still doing research on models for the years 2013-2016 to see what issues I should be watching for. We have two independent shops locally that work on German cars including the MB and both said that they would help me find the right car and issue to look for.

DC9Captain

Thanks for that information on the switch to C238/A238. I learned that yesterday at the local MB dealer. Switching from Lexus to Mercedes-Benz because Lexus doesn't make convertibles anymore (2015 was the last year). And, in any case, the old IS/SC models don't have much (any) of a backseat. I want a place for my grandkids to ride. My Lexus has been a good reliable set of wheels, my wife drives a RX350 and it too is great.

mikey08

Good luck on the search.. I was just in FL visiting family and went to the Coral Springs Mercedes Benz dealer there. They had a great collection...
If you do not find what you are looking for and want to step into a 2011 let me know I could be swayed to sell.. LOL Mine is mint garage kept since day one seen 3 days of rain and 23K miles on it. Of course the niece does not come with it LOL... Cheers


Mike

Jujigatame

For what it's worth, I have a 2013 pre-facelift E350 and I love it.

40k miles on it now and it runs like new. I had an issue with the timing chain which was a major repair that my extended warranty paid for.

Other than that, it's a dream.

SMG_CT

What was the issue that you experienced with the timing chain? What was the mileage?

mrmotoguzzi00

have a 2016 E550 we bought new, last year of the V8.... so far ZERO issues, love the car... I live in Sarasota too

Jujigatame

It was the hydraulic timing chain tensioner. About 30k miles.

The engine would make a few "clanks" on startup. Was about a $2000 repair at the dealer. I have an extended warranty and all but $100 was covered.

I also have a GLS450 and when I was buying the E350 (not from my MB dealer) I asked her if I should get a warranty, and she was a 100% yes. The warranty cost me a little over $2000, so it's basically paid for itself and I still have 2.5 years and 60K miles left.

If buying one of these, I'd definitely do CPO or buy a separate warranty. There are so many systems and electronics that can go at any time.

Mr. Toad

Just as food for thought, I think it's important to approach this brand switch with realistic expectations. Although several individuals above have noted relatively trouble-free experiences with their W207s, I would caution you not to expect the same bulletproof reliability from MB that is generally ascribed to Lexus vehicles. I'm not discounting the experiences of earlier posters, but just trying to provide a wider perspective. While my car has not had any major mechanical failures, it has had its share of relatively minor, buggy issues that can be very frustrating because there's a lot of incompetence in the realm of Mercedes-Benz support these days. YMMV.

400ixl

Agree with Mt. Toad in that you are buying a car with slightly above average build quality and reliability, but not exceptionally better than the mass market. They are far from bullet proof and costly if they do go wrong. May I say a bit boring too for a convertible.

I haven;t had any major issues, but have had a couple of sensors fail and had to sort a couple of creaks in the dash myself.

Having said that, there is limited choice in the 4 seater convertible sector and they have good rear leg room for this category (main reason I bought one). If Saab hadn't have gone out of business I would have bought another 9-3. Audi A/S5 was the closest comparison and I wish I'd have chosen that after living with the Merc for a couple of years. I didn't go that route as the Merc has a better seating position, but the Audi drove better and had better tech in it.

mrmotoguzzi00

Ok I got a little more time to reply this time...

agree with some of what people are saying... in general the lexus is more reliable... we had a 2004 Lexus gs430 from new, at 150k or so miles we traded it in for the '16 E550 Cab.... Lexus never broke, just maint stuff.... (Ok I traded it in and surprised the wife The Lexus came to us after the 2003 A4 Cab went totally bonkers with electrical issues... to the point where it wasn't safe to drive.. right turn signal would make the seat go forward right to the stops... would not stop... nearly broke my leg....

Audi dealer ship treated us so bad we swore off Audi's, The A4 was our 7th Audi... stupid dealer....

Lexus super reliable but had zero feel..... steering or brakes... didn't feel comfortable at 80+.... after the kids where grown and out of the house we went shopping for another 4 seater cab... as much as we used to like Audi's I still have a sour taste in my mouth...

Wife didn't like the M3 cab... , Volvo eh... if the 911 had more backseat room it would have been in the garage, we both loved driving it but alas the MB was the only real 4 seater with V8 power... even looked at the bentley.. that simply scared us off thinking about potential future problems... aka related to VW/Audi electrics...

Oh there was that Vantage and a DB11...... much like the 911, super nice to drive, no back seat to speak off...

Briefly looked at camaro/mustang... too much plastic and quality of ride/comfort wasn't there...

We did buy the extended warranty for the E550... so its good for 100k miles... and at our rate that's gonna be 10-15yrs ....

Mr. Toad

I've been dealing with this sort of nuisance as well; there's a strong vibration in the back seat area over rough pavement, which I suspect is coming from either the read deck or the back end of the pano roof. Dealer always says "unable to replicate", but I can replicate it every morning on my way to work.

Harold1898

gforaker

Somebody has mentioned the comparison with Audi. The wife has had 3 Audi's with the current one a 2015 S4 we picked up at the factory for a European delivery. We just recently got the used 2013 E550 cab for our house in Florida because we really wanted a convertible for down here and it popped into our laps. The 2 cars are similar, but really hard to compare. The S4 has a manual, which MB doesn't offer, and is a 4 door sedan with all wheel drive. I think the Audi puts it's sportiness and performance more forward and advertises it well, while the E550 is more subtle with similar performance. I guess it would be more fair if the Benz were a AMG. I have only had the E550 about a month so far and am still getting a feel for it.

My gut feeling is that Mercedes builds to a slightly higher standard and solidity while Audi chases technology a bit more. Just slight differences there. Both should easily go 200k miles and still feel solid, but will cost quite a bit in maintenance getting there.

abqhudson

Beautiful car.

SMG_CT

I generally agree with you observation about Audi compared to Mercedes Benz. After 20+ years of Audi ownership, I decided to go with a Mercedes E350 Coupe.

Originally, I was shopping for a CPO E350 4matic (W212) to replace a 2004 Audi A6 wagon (Avant). Audi stopped importing wagons after the 2011 model year. One of the local Mercedes dealers had a very nice 2015 E350 wagon with a Designo interior. The original price was within "market range" and the dealer was willing to negotiate, but I felt the the E350 wagon was too big. I did not care for the sedan but the dealer also had an 2014 E350 Coupe that really appealed to me. I was impressed the amount of room in the interior for a tall driver (I am 6'3" tall). There was significantly more room than in an Audi S5 Coupe.

After additional research, I found that I like the pre-facelift version of the E350 Coupe. I am know the proud owner of a 2013 E350 Coupe. For me this car is "just right." As you can see from my signature photo, I have changed the grille to a 55Tech SLS-style, changed the wheels and tires and changed the front turn-signal lens from amber to smoked.

I am quite pleased with the build-quality, fuel economy (30.5 MPG on a 600 mile trip) and ride quality (18" wheels)