About to buy a 2007 E350 w/21k miles, but Im scared... :-/
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
2008 GL550
About to buy a 2007 E350 w/21k miles, but Im scared... :-/
Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage.
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car?
Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car?
Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?
Last edited by kensiko; Apr 30, 2012 at 06:19 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 356
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
Leaky gas tank = ALL w211 and probably even some CLS models. As long as it has a warranty on it that covers electronics (will run you ~3k, but worth it) you're fine. That's super low mileage on an 07. Check to make sure the trans shifts properly, no CELs etc. and just that everything works on it. they're very reliable cars if maintained properly but that's the key phrase. Have the seller get the service records from an MB dealer (will need proof of ownership to do so) and carfax/autocheck it.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Tesla Model S P100D
Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage.
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with other car?
Any specific things I should be looking our for, inspecting?
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with other car?
Any specific things I should be looking our for, inspecting?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
My 2007 E 550 replaced a problem plagued 2004 E500 I had. The 07 has been the best car I have ever owned. Just had a LF Air strut replaced, but a 350 has a standard suspension.
Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.
Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.
Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.
Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 30, 2012 at 04:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
2008 GL550
Leaky gas tank = ALL w211 and probably even some CLS models. As long as it has a warranty on it that covers electronics (will run you ~3k, but worth it) you're fine. That's super low mileage on an 07. Check to make sure the trans shifts properly, no CELs etc. and just that everything works on it.
The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?
Whats a CEL?
Pre Purchase Inspection?
Yay!
Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 31
C43
ALL of them have a leaky gas tank??? Dang....
The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?
- Worth every penny for the piece of mind.
Whats a CEL?
- CEL = Check Engine Light
Pre Purchase Inspection?
- Yup
Yay!
Are mounts something I can see from above, the engine compartment?
- Needs to be inspected from below, preferably by a professional.
Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?
- Differently in that it is not a 7 spd as referenced in the prior post. 4Matics have a 5 spd trans.
The car does not have a warranty, guess I should get one?
- Worth every penny for the piece of mind.
Whats a CEL?
- CEL = Check Engine Light
Pre Purchase Inspection?
- Yup
Yay!
Are mounts something I can see from above, the engine compartment?
- Needs to be inspected from below, preferably by a professional.
Its a 4matic, does it behave differently?
- Differently in that it is not a 7 spd as referenced in the prior post. 4Matics have a 5 spd trans.
FWIW, I bought a 07 E350 just a few months ago and have been very happy thus far. I thought mine had relatively low miles at 43k but yours is hardly even used. As suggested by others, do a bit of inspection work to ensure that there isn't something afoot and if all checks out and the price is right, go for it!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
My 2007 E 550 replaced a problem plagued 2004 E500 I had. The 07 has been the best car I have ever owned. Just had a LF Air strut replaced, but a 350 has a standard suspension.
Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.
Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.
Its been a great ride & the 1st car I have ever owned that kept me off the market for a new car by 2 years. If the suggestions above are paid attention to. and the car still looks good, do it.
Look for bad engine mounts. No one's 7 spd MB Trans is silky smooth on the downshift from 2nd to 1st when coming to a slow stop, so don't sweat that. It may be time for a battery soon.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Had the dealer do it as the car is in its last year of new car MB Extended warranty/svc agreement. I hear its a $1400 job though. Car was flat bedded in. Never had any warning lights. Just came out and car was way low on top of the tire, had no response to hand bounce on top of the fender & wouldnt come up... and the car made a farting noise like blowing thru a torn off baloon.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; May 1, 2012 at 09:50 AM.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68
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From: San Diego, CA
2007 E350 P1 Sport Pkg, 1993 BMW 325is, 2000 Tacoma PreRunner V6, 2008 Porsche Cayman S
Seems like a clean car, 1-owner, relatively low mileage.
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car?
Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?
But Ive been lurking on the forums and seems like theres quite a few problems I may be dealing with from electronic to the leaky gas tank issue (though it doesnt seem to affect V6s as much).
What say you guys? Should I buy it, avoid it, buy it with the understanding that things go wrong as with any other car?
Any specific things I should be looking out for, inspecting?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Had the dealer do it as the car is in its last year of new car MB Extended warranty/svc agreement. I hear its a $1400 job though. Car was flat bedded in. Never had any warning lights. Just came out and car was way low on top of the tire, had no response to hand bounce on top of the fender & wouldnt come up... and the car made a farting noise like blowing thru a torn off baloon.
As expensive of a repair this is what I am afraid more is being stranded somewhere. Imagine if you go hiking somewhere far away and you come back to your car and Airmatic is all crapped out and you have no cell phone reception. You are essentially screwed with an undriveable car with no advance warning. It is an incredibly badly designed system to ever put a customer in this situation... I do keep an emergency response satellite beacon in my car but it would be absurdly silly if that's the only way to get help in a situation like this...
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
well with an 07+ 350 you will avoid some big problems:
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue
however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started
)
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue
however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started
)-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
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Posts: 1,252
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From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started)
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started
)-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
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Ford Fusion
Michelle Crouse
auto-POM!
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
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Tesla Model S P100D
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2007 E550 4matic
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid133.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Arnott has the 4matic parts listed at the same price as non-4matic.
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid133.html
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid133.html
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...rts_yid18.html
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
E500, 3000GT and 3000GT VR-4, 335i
Arnott sent me a faulty strut out of the box. I had to ship it back and they refused to expedite shipping for another one to replace it. I needed it expedited, my car was obviously not in driveable condition. I told them to shove it and bought a new Mercedes strut. It can be had for around $800 I believe. Total job cost me about $1,100.
The warranty doesn't honor the labor costs that would have been associated with the installation of a faulty strut. I was lucky that my SA and I have a good relationship as she didn't charge me for that.
I had to fight to get my shipping costs back after the fact too. F*ck Arnott.
The warranty doesn't honor the labor costs that would have been associated with the installation of a faulty strut. I was lucky that my SA and I have a good relationship as she didn't charge me for that.
I had to fight to get my shipping costs back after the fact too. F*ck Arnott.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
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Tesla Model S P100D
Wow that is awful to know they don;t stand behind their products. I too might just bite the bullet and get the MB shocks when mine eventually fail.
I bet Mercedes makes more on struts for this car than the profit they made selling it new!
I bet Mercedes makes more on struts for this car than the profit they made selling it new!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
2008 GL550
well with an 07+ 350 you will avoid some big problems:
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue
however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started)
-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
-airmatic
-sbc
-glycol issue
however some issues that will still arise:
-motor mounts
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started
)-fuel tank problem (maybe)
-balance shaft issue (maybe)
-ball joints
-7g-tronic 2 > 1 downshift problem (think it has to do with the valve body, u can technically avoid it if you just leave the tranny in C lol that's why MB on the newer cars has the car default to C once started
)-balance shaft issue (maybe).
Leave the tranny in "C"?
