Another "should I buy this car?" question
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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From: North of Boston
2007 E350 4matic
Another "should I buy this car?" question
So...I currently have a 2007 E350 4matic with about 70,000 miles on it. Had some issues with the transmission that involved a fluid change and then a conducter plate replacement.
Since then I still feel like the transmission acts funny sometimes. The car is out of warranty so I was thinking of trading it in for a CPO.
I found a 2007 E550 4matic CPO that I'm going to look at after work but I'm kinda spooked because it has the airmatic suspension and I keep reading the horror stories about it on the forum.
It seems to have been maintained pretty well with some warranty work done at MB dealerships.
Any thoughts on whether I should avoid buying the E550?
Thanks.
Since then I still feel like the transmission acts funny sometimes. The car is out of warranty so I was thinking of trading it in for a CPO.
I found a 2007 E550 4matic CPO that I'm going to look at after work but I'm kinda spooked because it has the airmatic suspension and I keep reading the horror stories about it on the forum.
It seems to have been maintained pretty well with some warranty work done at MB dealerships.
Any thoughts on whether I should avoid buying the E550?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Dealer charger about
$2000 for each front airmatic strut/spring
$1000 for each rear airmatic shock
$4000 for replacement of air springs with OEM
$900 for new airmatic compressor.
If you do the work
$400 for each airmatic front strut/spring
$450 for each rear airmatic shock
$800 for Rear aftermarked airsprings
$450 fo rnew airmatic compressor.
What wasn't done under warranty on my car I did my self twisting wrenches.
All of these failed on my car in the first 100000 miles. So if you can afford
these cost it is a great driver car.
Other choice is buy 100,000 7 yr warranty. (I did and it saved me dearly)
$2000 for each front airmatic strut/spring
$1000 for each rear airmatic shock
$4000 for replacement of air springs with OEM
$900 for new airmatic compressor.
If you do the work
$400 for each airmatic front strut/spring
$450 for each rear airmatic shock
$800 for Rear aftermarked airsprings
$450 fo rnew airmatic compressor.
What wasn't done under warranty on my car I did my self twisting wrenches.
All of these failed on my car in the first 100000 miles. So if you can afford
these cost it is a great driver car.
Other choice is buy 100,000 7 yr warranty. (I did and it saved me dearly)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Eatcake one thing you have to understand is that yes the AirMatic suspension is prone to failure but it isn't a 100% guarantee. Vettdvr has an 03 E500 which is much different from the 07 E550 4Matic reliability wise, since the pre-facelift has had a lot of problems. It's what I drive right now and I've not one problem with the air struts and the car has enough miles on it that I know it's past the common failure point but I'm sure it can still go at any time. I really really love this car even after spending some time in a friend's 2009 E350, the difference in pickup and overall power is VERY noticeable and it's a great engine. I recommend it if you have the money to do so - I'm no judge there - but I don't find the upkeep on this car any worse than other older cars my family has owned. The many little improvements in the E550 luxury wise and power wise do make it a very nice drivers car and even something like REAL leather as opposed to MB-Tex makes it more "Mercedes-Like" in my view. Thanks.
As for vettdvr, I know you probably feel I always try to discredit you in these types of threads and I really don't mean to. You're much more experienced, older, wiser, and have had the car for much longer but I've had a great experience with my facelift W211 and so have all of my friends. I don't mean any disrespect and I hope none is taken.
As for vettdvr, I know you probably feel I always try to discredit you in these types of threads and I really don't mean to. You're much more experienced, older, wiser, and have had the car for much longer but I've had a great experience with my facelift W211 and so have all of my friends. I don't mean any disrespect and I hope none is taken.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Nov 26, 2012 at 08:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
................
As for vettdvr, I know you probably feel I always try to discredit you in these types of threads and I really don't mean to. You're much more experienced, older, wiser, and have had the car for much longer but I've had a great experience with my facelift W211 and so have all of my friends. I don't mean any disrespect and I hope none is taken.
As for vettdvr, I know you probably feel I always try to discredit you in these types of threads and I really don't mean to. You're much more experienced, older, wiser, and have had the car for much longer but I've had a great experience with my facelift W211 and so have all of my friends. I don't mean any disrespect and I hope none is taken.
My biggest concern on the car is the fuel tank leaks from under the rear seat that many in the 211 and AMG have filed with NTSB.
It was just unfortunate I have had so many failures, but when people ask for data I try to provide it accurately.
For experience,, 40 yr retired professional mechanical engineer. Lots of experience in failure analysis and prevention. This carrys over to the MB when I see a failure and how it might have been prevented especially with a team of MB engineers.
My wife still won't sell/trade the E500 as it is her car and "she loves it". My job is to keep it going.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Yeah I agree, and I'm not saying I've succeeded by any means but I just hope I don't come across this way, but your concerns are legitimate and I take them to heart. You spent two and a half times longer in your career than I've been alive so I definitely trust your judgement.
As for eatcake, I would buy it as the facelift has fewer of these issues and isn't much different with AirMatic - just inspect the car before you buy it. You already own a facelife E350 so the 550 just has more options and an incredible engine as you know with the primary question being reliability AirMatic - which isn't crippling or a horror story IMO. Worst comes the worst, set aside a little bit for suspension repair if you're that worried and get Arnott parts.
As for eatcake, I would buy it as the facelift has fewer of these issues and isn't much different with AirMatic - just inspect the car before you buy it. You already own a facelife E350 so the 550 just has more options and an incredible engine as you know with the primary question being reliability AirMatic - which isn't crippling or a horror story IMO. Worst comes the worst, set aside a little bit for suspension repair if you're that worried and get Arnott parts.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Nov 28, 2012 at 11:36 PM.
