Normandy

Good afternoon all,

I'm looking at a 2011 E 550 coupe. It has 86,000 miles alright but it's being sold for $6500. After calling the dealership apparently the previous owner had a dog and left a lot of its hair and some roughed up door panels behind.
If you all can tell me if these cars are reliable and how affordably I could pick up new door panels, (assuming that's all that needs to be replaced). The goal is to have this as the fun weekend car.

Thank you in advance!

WRC-LVR

If this is a MB authorized dealer, have them pull a VMI with all the records and check if the car has had all the maintenance done on time. Check Car fax to see if any accidents have been reported. Check for any repairs including oil in the harnesses, check for coolant lines replacement to the turbos and for repairs to the turbo wastegates. If it has the ABC suspension, check that it is in full operating order with no codes or issues. Bore scoring on the m278 engine is an issue.
Replacement is $$$$$ pricey.

Since that is a very low price, I suspect it needs more than the interior looked at. BTW have them price out the interior panels and cut a deal for the replacement. This assumes all the service and updates asked for have been done. These cars are now 13 years old. These cars are expensive to maintain and $$$$$ repair. Unless you are willing and able to cover that, you might want to consider something else

Having said that they are great driving machines with the thrill of a twin turbo v8 that still gets decent mpg.

Normandy

Thanks for the quick reply. To my knowledge there isn't a turbo motor available for this in 2011, it should be the NA 5.5 V 8. It is not at a Mercedes dealer just a small used car dealer in Orlando. Outside of looking for accidents and whatnot in the Carfax, are there any issues with the 5.5 V 8 or the transmission I should be aware of? This just needs to be a fun weekend car so I'm not going to be putting many miles on it.
Thank you

mercedesmax

The panels can be repaired. The coupes have an issue with oil getting into the transmission fluid. I would have an inspection done by a Mercedes dealer before you buy it.

WRC-LVR

Oil getting into the wiring harnesses and ending up by wicking into the ecu. $$$ and prevalent across many MB models. MB fix was to add additional wicking harnesses that directed the oil elsewhere

nkx1

Doesn't that issue apply to the M278 engines and not the M273?

damaro

You are correct, the 2011s have the M273 engine (5.5L NA V8). The M278 was introduced in 2012.

Normandy

Thank you everyone for your help. I believe i found a 2012 with the twin turbo 4.7 that I would MUCH rather have.

Happy new year!