Dema

I do not drive my old E class but I still want have it in working condition. Is there any recommendation of driving it periodically, let’s say once in 3 months for 50 miles. Will it keep a battery charged?
I have option to sale the car, but it looks like nobody wants to buy W210 anymore.

sosh

Once in 3 months is not enough. I would think perhaps once every 2 to 3 weeks woulf be the way to go. Another option would be to perform the long term storage maintenence and put a battery minder device on the battery and then you will not have to drive it at all. Consult your dealer or shop about the proper long term storage proceedures. Best though if you sell it. W210's are not getting any more valuble. They are old cars that look dated. Take what you can get and do not worry about it any more.

RichardM98

Once every two to three weeks is not enough for the battery. You can get what is called a 'float' charger at Harbor Freight, online, etc. It is designed to maintain a charged battery. That is it compensates for the small amount of drain experienced every day by CAN bus car.

Cars seem to perform best when driven regularly. Anything less is a struggle ending in disappointment and repairs.

If you don't need the car, sell it as suggested. It's going to be worth less as time passes. If you absolutely want to keep it, then do a long term storage as suggested but be prepared for some expense when you get ready to put it back on the road.

Good luck.

sosh

Beg your pardon but all my MB's sit sometimes for3 to 5 weeks when we are out of the country with no battery tender on them and we have never had an issue with any of them including a W210 when we had it. If it will not sit that long then there is an issue with the car or the battery itself.

Dema

Thanks for input. I will perhaps give it in trade in for a new Benz.

RichardM98

Relax and don't be so defensive. Just because your car has no battery drainage issues doesn't mean EVERY car has none.

ohlord

between drives will shorten a batteries life greatly.
So your exception is poor advice. Keep it charged on a maintainer and you will have a long lasting battery and you won't put a Brobdingnagian strain on the alternator(which was never meant to charge a 5 week drained battery in the first place)
Leaving the country or not

C280 Sport

Just keep it on a charger. We do that to some of our cars in the winter when not in use.

ejrooney

The battery is not the only concern when storing a car. Depending on climate, the brake rotors can accumulate rust. If the car is not mover regularly, the tires will develop flat spots. Seals can dry out, etc. Although I generally don't drive mine in the winter, I try to get it out of the garage and drive it at least a half hour,once a week, assuming the roads are dry.