E-Class Coupe (C238) & Cabrio (A238) 2017 - E200, E220, E300, E350, E400, E450 [Coupes &Cabriolets]

first post - seeking owner experiences/opinions

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Old May 28, 2025 | 01:47 AM
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first post - seeking owner experiences/opinions

Hey all, first post here but longtime lurker and seeking some experience and thoughts from the ownership cohort. I’m heavily considering a pre-owned C238 coupe for extended commute/business travel purposes and wanted to pose a question of the following two I’m looking at:

1. 2018 E400 with 22k miles for $35k
2. 2021 E450 with 47k miles for $37k

Both are comparably equipped and similar colors. I know there are visual differences due to a mid-cycle refresh and a slight power bump in the ‘21 but otherwise very similar.

So what’s the “better” buy based your experiences: the older car with lower mileage or the newer car with higher mileage? Both are out of warranty with clean carfax.

Anything I should be looking out for/aware/wary of? Does MBUSA offer factory extended warranty coverage?

Appreciate any and all feedback, thanks in advance!
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Old May 28, 2025 | 03:23 AM
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2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Do you like to work on cars? Does the car have to be reliable? It's a bit of a gamble either way. Not sure i would think mercedes if i had to depend on the car every time without a plan b. Pay to have them both inspected by a mercedes knowledgeable mechanic. The one with higher mileage has been 'proven' but close to more major maintenance by mileage, the oother may develop problems due to disuse, is due for more major maintenance by time and maybe should have had the transmission service done. A good mechanic can find their service history. Someone else will tell you the website you can go to. You would have to buy a non mercedes warranty if you feel the need.

Last edited by smiles201; May 28, 2025 at 03:26 AM.
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Old May 28, 2025 | 07:54 AM
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2018 E400 Coupe C238
You probably also need to decide on COMAND vs MBUX if your into mobile apps for the console OS.
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Old May 28, 2025 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by wangstarr03
Hey all, first post here but longtime lurker and seeking some experience and thoughts from the ownership cohort. I’m heavily considering a pre-owned C238 coupe for extended commute/business travel purposes and wanted to pose a question of the following two I’m looking at:

1. 2018 E400 with 22k miles for $35k
2. 2021 E450 with 47k miles for $37k

Both are comparably equipped and similar colors. I know there are visual differences due to a mid-cycle refresh and a slight power bump in the ‘21 but otherwise very similar.

So what’s the “better” buy based your experiences: the older car with lower mileage or the newer car with higher mileage? Both are out of warranty with clean carfax.

Anything I should be looking out for/aware/wary of? Does MBUSA offer factory extended warranty coverage?

Appreciate any and all feedback, thanks in advance!
The M276 in the E 400 is known to be reliable, the M256 in the facelift 2021 E 450 is the facelift right? If so, it has the 48V mild hybrid battery plus the M256 engine. The M256 doesn't have a lot of issues(other than a harness issue and one or two reported isolated cases of failure on the forums https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...g-harness.html, https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe...e-failure.html). Given the complexity of the 48V mild hybrid system, I would recommend the 2018. That said, does it have air body control? That is a high cost maintenance item if it fails.
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Old May 28, 2025 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by smiles201
Do you like to work on cars? Does the car have to be reliable? It's a bit of a gamble either way. Not sure i would think mercedes if i had to depend on the car every time without a plan b. Pay to have them both inspected by a mercedes knowledgeable mechanic. The one with higher mileage has been 'proven' but close to more major maintenance by mileage, the oother may develop problems due to disuse, is due for more major maintenance by time and maybe should have had the transmission service done. A good mechanic can find their service history. Someone else will tell you the website you can go to. You would have to buy a non mercedes warranty if you feel the need.
The M276 is very reliable, there are so small issues such as leaking valve cover and very early models have a startup rattle, other than that, very solid engine. The health of the vehicle also depends on how it was treated before. I seen 150K+ miles M276 examples that are still in very good condition, they come in both naturally aspirated and turbo charged form.
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Old May 28, 2025 | 10:43 AM
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As for service history, all MB dealership performed maintenance can be found on something called VMI Vehicle Master Inquiry, if you can get a dealership to provide, that will be helpful.
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Old May 28, 2025 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by MikeO3
You probably also need to decide on COMAND vs MBUX if your into mobile apps for the console OS.
This is a good point, the pre-facelift has the COMAND and the facelift has MBUX. The latter which also have a touch screen for those who need it. That said, for long term reliability, a known reliable engine is important to consider as well.
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Old May 31, 2025 | 01:28 PM
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23 E450 coupe
Originally Posted by wangstarr03
Hey all, first post here but longtime lurker and seeking some experience and thoughts from the ownership cohort. I’m heavily considering a pre-owned C238 coupe for extended commute/business travel purposes and wanted to pose a question of the following two I’m looking at:

1. 2018 E400 with 22k miles for $35k
2. 2021 E450 with 47k miles for $37k

Both are comparably equipped and similar colors. I know there are visual differences due to a mid-cycle refresh and a slight power bump in the ‘21 but otherwise very similar.

So what’s the “better” buy based your experiences: the older car with lower mileage or the newer car with higher mileage? Both are out of warranty with clean carfax.

Anything I should be looking out for/aware/wary of? Does MBUSA offer factory extended warranty coverage?

Appreciate any and all feedback, thanks in advance!
Without hesitation I would choose the 2021. I own a 2023 e450 4matic and the i6 engine is very smooth and well suited to this car. The hybrid motor adds a nice boost with almost no lag. I had the prior v6 in my c43 (same 366 hp) and I strongly prefer the i6. Also the MBux is superior to Command for reliability and gives you more features on the app. Go with the ‘21 and share a photo!
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Old May 31, 2025 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Wotan
Without hesitation I would choose the 2021. I own a 2023 e450 4matic and the i6 engine is very smooth and well suited to this car. The hybrid motor adds a nice boost with almost no lag. I had the prior v6 in my c43 (same 366 hp) and I strongly prefer the i6. Also the MBux is superior to Command for reliability and gives you more features on the app. Go with the ‘21 and share a photo!
The mild hybrid system provide was it 21 horsepower boost not actual horsepower usable in other cases but that short burst. Hence why it wasn't included in the total horsepower figure.
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Old May 31, 2025 | 02:45 PM
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So yes, it was 21 horsepower: https://en.mercedesassistance.com/m256-engine-mercedes/
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Old May 31, 2025 | 05:39 PM
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23 E450 coupe
Exactly.
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
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Old May 31, 2025 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Wotan
Exactly.
Good to have.
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Old Jun 1, 2025 | 01:48 PM
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I have a 2019 with no issues and 35k miles. Love it. I think the 2018 should be cheaper, maybe $31k. They may be more flexible with a seven year old car.
MB are very good mechanically but as you get eight years old stuff like seatbelt won’t retract, plastic cover on hvac controls get small cracks- small cosmetic stuff that’s $1000 to replace.
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Old Jun 1, 2025 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Pennetta
I have a 2019 with no issues and 35k miles. Love it. I think the 2018 should be cheaper, maybe $31k. They may be more flexible with a seven year old car.
MB are very good mechanically but as you get eight years old stuff like seatbelt won’t retract, plastic cover on hvac controls get small cracks- small cosmetic stuff that’s $1000 to replace.
2018 E 400 has less power but same engine, should still be sufficient for OP's needs.
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Old Jun 1, 2025 | 05:27 PM
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There are some small differences though even though 2018 and 2019 is not a a facelift, but the steering wheel is different for example. The seat controls is one hold and release and it will automatically adjust to the memorized position but on 2018 and older model years you need to hold it.
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Old Jun 2, 2025 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by wangstarr03
Hey all, first post here but longtime lurker and seeking some experience and thoughts from the ownership cohort. I’m heavily considering a pre-owned C238 coupe for extended commute/business travel purposes and wanted to pose a question of the following two I’m looking at:

1. 2018 E400 with 22k miles for $35k
2. 2021 E450 with 47k miles for $37k

Both are comparably equipped and similar colors. I know there are visual differences due to a mid-cycle refresh and a slight power bump in the ‘21 but otherwise very similar.

So what’s the “better” buy based your experiences: the older car with lower mileage or the newer car with higher mileage? Both are out of warranty with clean carfax.

Anything I should be looking out for/aware/wary of? Does MBUSA offer factory extended warranty coverage?

Appreciate any and all feedback, thanks in advance!







I have a 2018 E400 with 35120 miles for sale if if you're in SWFL. About to trade it in next week. Absolutely mint. Even the engine bay.

Last edited by dudley07726; Jun 2, 2025 at 04:26 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2025 | 11:31 PM
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'18 E400 Cab
I have the 2018 convertible and would absolutely trade it for a '21 if I had the chance, but not one with that many miles. Given the miles and the choice there, I'd go with the 2018, but I recommend you hold off and find a '21 with fewer miles. The upgraded controls are definitely worth it.
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