guidance for buying used E 450
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CL550 2012
guidance for buying used E 450
Greetings from the USA. I would appreciate some guidance regarding E 450, 2019 or 2020 model. I prefer the pre facelift version of the car, that's why I was looking at those 2 years particularly. As an owner of 2012 CL 550 with unfortunate experience, I am scared of purchasing used C217. My CL 550 broke down so much, planetary transmission gear, gearbox (10K USD), airmatic suspension and at the end the whole audio system. Just repairs cost me 20.000 in < 1 year.
Any particular weak points I need to check before purchase? Any advantage of getting a rear wheel drive over 4matic? I do know that prefer non airmatic suspension to avoid any potential problems.
Any advice is much appreciated. I am choosing between this and S coupe C 217.
Thank you very much in advance, hopefully my next MB experience will be more pleasant that the past one.
Any particular weak points I need to check before purchase? Any advantage of getting a rear wheel drive over 4matic? I do know that prefer non airmatic suspension to avoid any potential problems.
Any advice is much appreciated. I am choosing between this and S coupe C 217.
Thank you very much in advance, hopefully my next MB experience will be more pleasant that the past one.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
I own a 2019, E450 4matic. While I only have about 17K miles on it, IMO, this is one of the best looking cars. As for reliability so far, I have not had any issues with it and plan to keep it for a long time. Mine is well equipped, only things I did not order was the air suspension, massage seats. I have all of the driver assistance features and the digital dash.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
These can come with non-Airmatic (Standard Avantguarde/ Sport-lowered) Adaptive suspensions like mine. Sounds like a future potential service savings right? Not so fast.
I found out that the cost of replacing these non-airmatic Adaptive struts on 4-Matic equipped vehicles can be quite high even though they don't have air suspension. Say fronts are about $750 US each side 4-Matic/dynamic and the rears dynamic are about $350 each side. No air compressor or air lines to worry about though. The non-Air Matic struts may last longer too. Aftermarket front air-struts are around $375 each on fleaBay sooo...they may be more common? So for all 4 struts with 4-Matic w/ Dynamic Ride Control I'm currently looking at @ $2200 total DIY. Hopefully I can find a less expensive aftermarket solution. None of mine are leaking fluid yet but I'd like to restore the factory like-new ride if possible.
4-Matic has additional components like a transfer case, front differential, intermediate drive shaft and CV drive shafts at the hubs. I searched for and bought a non-Airmatic 4-Matic as we have lots of snow in PA
I found out that the cost of replacing these non-airmatic Adaptive struts on 4-Matic equipped vehicles can be quite high even though they don't have air suspension. Say fronts are about $750 US each side 4-Matic/dynamic and the rears dynamic are about $350 each side. No air compressor or air lines to worry about though. The non-Air Matic struts may last longer too. Aftermarket front air-struts are around $375 each on fleaBay sooo...they may be more common? So for all 4 struts with 4-Matic w/ Dynamic Ride Control I'm currently looking at @ $2200 total DIY. Hopefully I can find a less expensive aftermarket solution. None of mine are leaking fluid yet but I'd like to restore the factory like-new ride if possible.
4-Matic has additional components like a transfer case, front differential, intermediate drive shaft and CV drive shafts at the hubs. I searched for and bought a non-Airmatic 4-Matic as we have lots of snow in PA
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CL550 2012
I did test drive today 2018 version of the car. I do recognize engine is different, more powerful, but overall interior, ride quality was not there for me. I have to pass on E class, will choose S coupe. Thank you everyone who replied.
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