Roop94

I bought my E350 almost 2 years ago and I commute around 100-130 miles, on weekdays for work. 90% highway. I've had no issues what so ever so far. But it's only at 130k miles atm. Hoping to keep this for at least 3-5 more years and put on at least 250k miles, hopefully without any major maintenance required.

I gave away my camry and this is my only commuter :/ lol

E500Pirate

I bought my 2003 E500 new from dealer in August 2002. 178,000 miles. 80% used for highway driving. Total cost of repairs in 15 years, excluding maintenance like oil, filters, brakes, battery and tires, has been less than $3k.

Standard dealer maintenance until end of warranty period, replaced front air suspension around 100k miles ($1200-1400 parts and labor), brakes replaced 2-3x, tires of course, had a free warranty replacement for broken speedometer, local shop maintenance since then consisting of synthetic oil changes, went back to dealer for standard maintenance 2x since warranty period just get any software updates, just had "lifetime" transmission service done at 176k miles $275 as well as motor mounts replaced $750, have rear shocks (not the air system, just shocks) on the schedule to replace ($800), car looks and smells like new on inside, leather great. AC fan system making a bit of a purring sound, worry that fan motor could beginning to age. Windshield washer fluid box leaks. May need a valve cover gasket ($400) and belt pulley ($175) soon.

62bassman

125K and have learned from previous Benz ownership that you need to anticipate and budget for the important maintenance items, as well as the potential failures by staying in touch with this forum and having a good relationship with your dealer service rep. They can guide you towards the things that will become problematic and, if you are loyal to your dealer , over time, they will help you to get as much value as possible for your investment.
Mine has made sure that everything that was applicable to recalls is replaced and that has been a huge savings. Many owners despise the dealer repair route, but for me it has been the least expensive way to keep my car in perfect condition.
As to the budget advice, you have to accept the reality that you did not want to own another Honda or ford , you wanted the best engineered and safest auto made, and that is MB. So research on anticipated ownership costs and maintenance schedules is your responsibility. If you know what the costs are going to be then you will be ready. Of course, if you buy a non certified car from a corner lot or a private owner that has no verified service records, then you are not going to get much sympathy from those who have and enjoy owning high mileage benz of any vintage.

kajtek1

150k is not high mileage even for gasoline engine when it is
break-in mileage for diesel MB.
I took pictures doing headgasket replacement on 603 engine (1987 diesel)
Close to 300,000 miles on it, most of it on dino oils and cylinder walls still have honing marks.
Meaning they are still in break-in stage.

cmriv

123k 09 second owner
tpm light is on
oil filter housing was leaking
rear diff side seal
ball joints
odds and ends tbh
if you take care of it, it takes care of you

arto_wa

However, he managed to sell you a car...

S70Houston

EXACTLY my thoughts, guess it was not really the salesman who was/is the "idiot"!!!!!!!

Islandgirl_ig

He sold it to my ex husband. He bought it for me not knowing anything about mercedes. Nor did I.

S70Houston

Regardless who he sold it to, he obviously was able to convince your ex husband to buy it, so he did what he needed to do in order for you guys to get suckered in.

NEVER buy a car without doing your homework prior! Unless you are prepared to pay for all kinds of repairs and services which may be needed.

Maybe your ex husband bought you this car car for a reason???

daddcap

My car sounds like the one below. I have 181,000 miles on it the only difference is I had the bad radiator leaking into my trany and that all had to be replaced at 110K, and out of warranty. The dealer treated me real well. NO air shock replacement yet.

Hoping to get at least 250K out of it.

The car still feels and rune great!

ollo

Just bought this wagon Friday, not high mileage yet, but plan on getting there as I keep & maintain my cars for a long time.

04 E320 wagon, serviced on time for 129k miles, Repairs were:

Brakes/Rotors: Rear 33k, 78k, 112k; Front 48k, 89k,112k; Heater core s/o valve 2X; Climate control blower regulator; Passenger ext. mirror; Steering rack; Engine & Trans Mounts 48k & 68k; Repl Driver's leather seat cover & center console cover; Aux battery & Main battery; Repl leaking bushing during trans svc at 68k; Pneumatic pump for dynamic seats, switches for same 2X; Power tailgate pump & latch assy; R&R broken steer wheel clock spring assy;

Ball joints 89k; Reseal R&L valve covers 84k, 110k; Replace SBC pump 98k; Upholster sun roof & replace passenger sun visor 107k; R&L rear air bag struts 89k, power steering pump 115k.

Most of this, except brakes, was under warranty as original owner bought 3 yr extension effective when original warranty expired. Many of us would have done the servicing and lots of these repairs ourselves for substantial savings. Don

arto_wa

Sorry, but that is more repair then I would expect for a car with only 129,000 miles in my opinion.

S70Houston

^ THIS!

ollo

What I thought at 1st also, but car is very clean/solid & drives like new & has new tires. Upon reading thru slips I see that the elderly owners frequently brought car in for "there's a noise", "slight oil smell" or some general complaint that ____(fill in blank) not working like when new. Dealer would then do some kind of warranty work + sell tires, alignment, battery, fluid flush, trans service etc. Certainly way more work done than on our S class, which only had the leaking Trans bushing fix & O2 sensors plus the usual tires, brakes, battery and seat trim over 17 yrs & 98k. It also still looks/drives as new. The W211 leather doesn't seem to last as well as the S class (duh) because our leather only needed a touch up on drivers seat. Time will tell I guess. Don

cmriv

hahahaha a 2004, probably built in 2003, so 14 year old vehicle. That's extensive to you? Seems Very feasible for a vehicle that was 75k brand new 14yo's and 129k miles. But that's just me! Bet you it still drives like it did new. With the exception of sub frame bushings i'm sure it rides like new and also any air components that are original more then likely need to be replaced. but in theory, warranty pays for all of that, so this owner says.

Post vin recent wagon purchase owner

cmriv

THESE ARE THE CARS YOU WANT TO BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lthlc63

just rolled over 180k on my E55, small things failing here and there but nothing major that will leave you stranded

arto_wa

It's lot of repairs for car with only 129,000 miles on it!

Roop94

none so far @138k

Strigoi

Glad to hear that people are having good luck. I'm currently thinking about picking up a higher mileage 2008 E350 to replace my beater Dodge Durango as a DD. Only problem is the car isn't really local, but the dealer can bring it if I commit to buy.

I haven't had many issues with my 2007 E63 in the 8 months that I've had it.

cmriv

But are you even reading the repairs? Like it looks bad on paper to a novice or in-experienced automotive human being, not trying to name call. But when you actually see what's being replaced/repaired you can tell the car is in great shape. Couple that with the fact a elderly couple owned it and ALSO all the non safety related, interior repairs. When a consumer spends money at a dealer on extensive interior issues you can almost guarantee the vehicle is pristine, especially a elderly couple.


I look at history on Mercedes Benz vehicles for a living. All i'm going to say is do homework on anything Euro, vehicle that interests you. You can determine really quick based off what dealership, work done, unnecessary work done, mileage, and zip codes of ownership and within minutes can determine whether a car is nice or not.





BUT! This only occurs if vehicle is taken to dealership. Only dealership work is true data, and still then you can't believe everything you see. But elderly couple throws a red flag. A good red flag.

dvkal

Hello,
here in Ireland i just bought an ex Taxi W211 E200 with 340000 km running great, The auto box is a little slow to change so a new filter and fluid change īs imminent.

MotorWerkz

Mine still around 25k ish miles

Strigoi

This gets my vote as the most useful post in this thread.

ollo

+1, Have nothing but good to say about every car I've owned with extensive service records. Otherwise, it's a crapshoot. I would now rule out "rebuilt" title vehicles after this last shopping. Found 3 that looked good but had odometers showing over 100,000 mi less than multiple vehicle inspection records in other states. + 1 that had been totaled 2X in another state & 1 with flood damage. Be careful out there! Don