I am in the process of buying a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350, as a used vehicle. One thing I am a little apprehensive about is the fact that maintenance is more expensive on any German vehicle, my mechanic who has been in the business for 30+ years has told me the maintenance costs are unbelievably high - something I can sort of dispute since maintenance is require less often but with a higher cost each time (the only end of the deal he sees).

So should I be worried about this? I have heard a little bit about MB Star maintenance for the vehicles, a prepaid program. Is this just for new vehicles or used vehicles as well for I am very interested? Another thing is for as long as I can remember we have been going through private mechanics that we have known personally and trust. It is more expensive than a Grease-Monkey type place, but would it be better to take my vehicle to an MB Dealership to have maintenance done? What is the best value and proper route for the quid and for the sake of my vehicle?

Thoughts and ideas?

Thanks.

 

The value of work, and the perceptions of "expensive" are relative and personal. I suggest dropping by an MB dealer and asking the Service Advisor what are their typical costs for routine maintenance. Tell them the mileage and age of the car you are considering, and ask them what kind of costs lay ahead. Take notes. Then, go to your indy shop and ask about the same events and compare. You'll have plenty of info to make your decision.

 

I do not agree with your indy mechanic. In the last 15 years, I had 5 MB's, before that I had (BMW 525I, Acura Legend, Nissan Maxima, Volks, Audi.....), the older C class (W202 are the worse MB I had), since I bough the W210 (off lease) with CPO, then later year an W211 E350 (facelift), compare with the other brand I had owned, MB are the least to break down & the least I spend on maintenance $ cost (the worst is BMW525i). Before I use MB dealer for maintenance, I had a couple indy, some problems (with the W202 C class), they (the indy) keep the car for a couple of days (they had back door connection with local MB dealer to work on my W202), they (the indy) charge me as much as the MB dealer, that wake me up, I always use the coupons they email me ($99.00 for the synthetic oil change, $129.00 for servive A, $229.00 for sercives B, 25% off for brake service when I used the coupon). In the last 8 years, I ONLY used MB dealers as I need the services, I do not even budget the maintenance cost in my living expense, because 1 year/1 time/ for service A or B are not that much (with 2 cars, we together drove about 10k/year/car), the E 320 (W210) are 11 years old, but beside regular maintenance by the dealer (but MAF, window regulator, tires I did it myself or tires shop), I do not spend spend more than $300-500/years at MB dealers (I was lucky to live in the area that within 30 miles drive (radius) I had 5 MB dealers to choose for the service, whoever send me coupons & paper advertise the lowest maintenance. Goodbye my indies (years ago) when I found out that $110 oil change (he charged) compare with MB dealer $99 oil change !!! There is no brainer !!!!!, only thing that before you pick a car, be sure that it had CPO & inspect the car good, the maintenance history of the car, if it had been neglect, it will cost you bundle of $ (it does not matter MB dealers or indy's). That's my experience with MB brand of car. Good luck with you decision, beside the 2007 E350 (facelift) is rock solid car. Regards.

 

Thank you both as you have great ideas. I will be certain to do that. I think it is that my mechanic has some kind of dislike towards German cars as he is a classic American car fanatic with custom built hot rods using components from back in the day.

Since MB maintenance is usually one time a year, maybe two, from what I have read I think I should be fine. The only thing that worries me is if I have a major failure such as the transmission - several thousand quid, but that is the same in any car. My friend has had a 2007 E500 for the last few years and he says it is great with reliability as I expect it to be.

Thanks

 

I have a different opinion. I bought my first MB a couple years ago, an '07 e550.
In my opinion the MB is expensive to maintain. I had the same thought process you have going into my purchase...that you can live with with the pricey, annually scheduled maintenance cost.

Your car will be at the service dept between routine service intervals. Those are the times the car becomes much more expensive than other cars to maintain. (Unless all your repairs are under warranty.)

 

I've had m E550 for about 9 months and so far I've had about $4,500 worth of repairs to the car that is not regular maintenance. So glad I bought a CPO car as all the work has been covered at the dealer under warranty. I absolutely love my car and would buy it all over again -- but with a warranty as I did.

 

I 2nd the suggestion for you to visit and discuss your concerns with a local M-B service dept; some will even have a brochure with their scheduled services and prices.

 

Whoever does your maintenance should have training from Mercedes, access to Startekinfo and the STAR machine. The dealer does of course, but former dealer techs that have gone independent do, too. I wouldn't let anyone else so much as check the air in the tires.

 

Just get it. Give it a good checking over, records, etc... and buy it. I've had mine for 4.5 years. Its an 03 E320 and had 42k on it. I now have 99k and have had one end link go bad (no big deal) and now need to replace the tensioner for the serpentine belt; something that at this mileage is completely normal. I have done the maintenance as required by the FSS, mostly on my own, and have saved a boatload of $$$$$$.

Replaced front rotors/pads - $240 (original Mercedes parts from a dealership that gives me the hookup)
Brake fluid change - $65 including the euro brake bleeder (i've used 3X so far) once on my car, didn't do it more often b/c I was scared to work on it myself and didn't want to pay $250 for it.
Spark plugs - $64 all Mercedes Bosch plugs
Serpentine Belt - $27 OEM
**Almost forgot, I did replace the aux battery about 9 months ago. Both the main and aux batteries were original, the main one still is.

Other than that it was just oil and filters all original parts and Mobile 1 0W40 oil.
The MOST reliable car I have ever owned; and I've owned an Acura at that :-)

I absolutely do not regret this investment.

 

One more thing, if you are anywhere near (or are willing to go to) St. Louis MO, I highly recommend Erwin Schwarz!!!!! Generations of Germans who live, breath, and eat Mercedes. They also sell and work on Lambo, Ferrari, Rolls. Before this W211, I have never driven a W211. I did not even test drive this one I trusted the place so much. I had only laid eyes on it for under 5 minutes and had to have her. Gave them the money and he gave the key and a quick tutorial and off I went. :-)

 

Yeah I agree. I have never heard about major reliability issues with these cars as they are built well - maybe once in a blue moon. Even if I do not do a CPO I will make sure to have a mechanic check it over and look deeply into the maintenance records. Sorry not in the MO area - far from it bloke, but if I do need something done while traveling cross-state for whatever reason I will sure look into it. I am questioning whether or not I should let anyone (other than myself) that is not 100% pure German blood (no nationalism/bigotry intended) to even look at the car haha =) I am that way about my things so a dealership is likely going to be my only route of maintenance if they are *close to being* on par with others. Thanks!