Borderline

New to the board, former VW owner looking to stay with German cars and thought I would try Mercedes this time. They have been in my family for years, starting with a 1976 300D; my Dad currently has a 2004 E500 and loves it, I'm looking at 2006-2007 E350 knowing that there is a big change between those years, but also a price bump. I am not sure how to tell between the different option packages (P1 P2 Sport Luxury) as most of the time they don't list this. I have been looking around on the site for days and learned a lot, but maybe you could offer some opinions on these three:

1) Private sale 2006 E350 58,800 miles, Gray with gray interior, 7spd, DVD command navigation system, Harmon Kardon, mp3 and 6 disc changer. Sunroof package. "Factory warranty to 100,000 miles or March 2, 2013", price $23,000.(***Just found out this guy traded it in, so it is very likely the same car as #2 below)

2) Dealer sale 2006 E350 59,580 miles, looks like gray or gray/blue, "certified" Elegance Edition (deleted Elegance badging), Standard Non-Sport Package, 5-Double-spoke light alloy wheels, 6-Disc CD changer, Sunroof Package (Power rear-window sunshade, Glass sunroof, Rear side-window blinds), DVD COMAND navigation price $22,995. Was sold as a CPO in March and now it is for sale again 9 months later, the owner only had it for a short time.

3) Dealer sale 2007 E350 47,296 miles, silver exterior, and standard accessories such as 7-Speed automatic transmission, Garage door opener, etc...Power moonroof, Delay-off headlights, Rear fog lights, and Front fog lights. "Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned means you get an additional 12 months Limited Warranty on top of the existing factory warranty, or up to 100,000 miles of coverage., price $25,995. Came off a lease in May according to carfax and has been for sale since then.

I've read that the 2007 are more reliable, but I was hoping to spend $23K or less. CPO seems like a good idea, and I'm assuming that the warranty on the private sale is transferable, so it might be the longest warranty of the three as the CPO only gets me a year on option #3. I guess none of these have any special options?

Please help me decide; if I could get the 2007 for ~10% off that would be $23,400, but maybe there would be more negotiating room with the private seller? Trying to get something very soon before I go back to work next week, so can't hold out too long.

SoCal208

Here is my choice (for you) : the 2007E350 (both 2006 E350 had the same engine, 7 speeds trans as 07E350, but the 06E350 still have the troublesome E brake (SBC brake system), start with facelift 2007E350, MB drop the SBC brake, go back old brake fluid system (eliminate the extra battery in front to use as backup for SBC brake). Also start from 2007, all the little problems with the 7 speeds aut. had been sorted out, 2007 & up E350 are solid performer. $3000.00 different as not much for a better car. But it's your money, your decision...I've give you some inside info as an MB's owner to you may help you made up your mind. Good luck.

WEBSRFR

+1

Get the 2007 from the dealer and extend the CPO warranty by an additional 2 years for a total of 3 years of CPO coverage. The warranty extension IMO is worth it and will cost an extra $1700-$2000 or so. You are about to make a big investment anyway. Don't get too hung up on an absolute dollar figure. See what they are going for and do the best you can with your negotiations. Basically an extra 1-3K for a better looking car (2007 facelift) + more relaliable is very worth it.

FWIW just a few weeks ago I paid about 31K for a 2007 E550 so the price they quoted for the E350 seems fair.

Borderline

I drove them both. I didn't see a huge difference in how they handled. The 06 had NAV, the 07 did not. The 07 had a couple of error messages (Speedtronic? Something else I forget) plus after 1 mile we pulled over and I smelled exhaust, then opened the hood and there was a lot of exhaust coming out of the back (closer to dashboard) of the engine compartment. Exhaust manifold leak? Valve cover leak? Just some fluid on the block? BOTH come with CPO for one year. They will fix everything before I get the car if I get the newer one, but the older one is ready to go. Does this info change anyone's mind?

Also: dealer has had the 07 since May, but just got the 06 a couple of weeks ago.

WEBSRFR

I would wait/look for another 2007. There are so many of them out there. Not a good sign that they supposedly went through the CPO process and came up with a car with such a major issue.

Borderline

You are probably right, but there are not that many 'out there' where I live. So, at the moment, this is what I have to work with. The nearest big city only has 2008's and they are quite a bit more $$$.

Vik888

I'd look for another 2007+

Rennlaufer

+1 on looking for another car and find a differnt dealer while your at it. They obviously failed at doing the required CPO service - or they tried to fake it.

Barry45RPM

Look for an 07 with Nav. Plenty out there. Much more dependable car. (Sunroof was no longer an option as of 05 I think, was std.) Also the '07 has a nicer looking nose (looks less dated, less connected to 210's & early 211's... More connected to 2010s.)

gnma

Neither. I recommed the W210 E55. The W210 AMG is reliable and does not have gizmos such as the poorly engineered (and now discontinued) SBC & u don't have to worry about airmatic strut failures. Conventional Brakes + Conventional Suspension +
W210 AMG = PURE FUN!!!

FYI - I love my E500 W211 - the V8 is wonderful, but I will never buy a SBC controlled car again.

Barry45RPM

Thats what people said about Cadillac's V8-6-4 Variable Displacement Engines of the 1970's. (a mechanical disaster) Now every Honda has it... They work imperceptably and flawlessly. Back then it was a good idea way before its (electronic) time.

SBC could have and should have been great. I don't know if its demise was caused by MB's total lack of quality control at the time, or their rather ineptly designed electronics. To this day, they are inexplicably way behind the Japanese in their programming and design talents in electronics. It can only be the Germans' inability to build upon what someone else has designed succesfully first. Apparently they have to develop and experience everything from scratch themselves, and make all the same mistakes that have already been made by others... Hit every pothole themselves before they accept the reports from others in front of them that the road ahead is full of potholes.

efan4ever

Another vote for the '07 over older 211s. Bought mine CPO 2 years ago, been flawless at 47K miles so far. NAV is a must. P2 (keyless go, xenons, etc.) would be great if you can find it. Gotta get extended warranty too, esp. with pre-owned. Might have to sell mine soon (it's Pewter over black tex) in case you're near Northern California. Good luck!

gaazmon

07. I would definitely not go back to an SBC car. I mean, i believe there were a few instances where it did it's job with the computer over a conventional mechanical system. However, the 07+ car's are equipped with "pre safe" so the SBC is defeated in a sense.

gaazmon

same with the 12-6 cylinder shutoff system on the 01 - 02 S/CL600. that was canned quick.

Borderline

Many good opinions on this thread and hopefully it will be useful to others. I'm going to take your advice and be patient to find the right '07 or later when they come up and not rush into anything, which is always a bad idea.

Barry45RPM

Great Choice !

OK55

Any airmatics on either?

OK55

You'll do well to avoid any car with airmatics. Those things are unreliable and hideously expensive to fix. On the 350s and below there was the option of steel springs.
We tolerate them on the larger engined versions because we didn't - and, regrettably, still don't - have a choice.
Brgds

SoCal208

Airmatic is standard on E500 (2003-2006) & E550 (MY 2007 & up). It's an option on MY 2003-2006 on E320 & E350. Not sure about MY 2007-2009 E350 (whether it's still an option or not ?). Due to the cost of repair (control module, valve or air shock), some people stay away from AIRMATIC, specially on the used E class, because the air shock will leak after a few year, repair will cost up to $1500/per corner.

gaazmon

yup... just the other day i was driving and it brought up the picture of the car raising on the instrument cluster and said "visit workshop". safe to say i almost had a minor heart attack so pulled over, turned off the car, checked around, nothing unusual, turned on the car, everything ok, drove off. hopefully it was just an error

ngerstman

I would go on cars.com and do a search for what you are looking for. Great web site. You should be willing to travel to find what you are looking for. Set the search radius for as far as you are willing to go. This will expand your options greatly and give you more bargainning power. You might even find a lower mileage 08. Thanks. Ned.

ngerstman

I just had the opportunity to compare the ride of a new e350 with the luxury suspension versus a e550 with the airmatic suspension. I thought that the air suspension was great,better ride than the standard suspension plus you can adjust the ride via a switch for either sport or comfort. Neat feature. They have been using the airmatic suspension for a long time now, standard on the e550 and s550, no longer an option on the e350, I think. I am not sure if the airmatic got better or more reliable at some point or not. If you get a good enough extended warranty and do some research on the airmatic reliability by model year, and are willing to roll the repair bill dice a bit, a neat feature. Thanks. Ned.

WEBSRFR

After I purchased my E550 I was a bit disconcerted to find the high cost of replacing the Airmatic shocks but they have after-market ones you can buy that match OEM performance for about 40-50% of the cost at the dealer so I think I am feel more comfortable about the cost issue now that I know I can get the shocks for about $400 each. I do like the how the Airmatic rides and especially the fact that it can adjust dynamically as you drive.

gaazmon

ya the 07+ cars only get airmatic on the V8 variants (550 and 63)

the part numbers for the airmatics shocks have been revised over the years meaning the part itself has changed. most likely, the newer airmatic shocks, like MY06 and up, are much more reliable than the previous "versions"

USCGTO

not trying to hijack the thread... but where do I look for extended warranty?