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2003 e500 208K running great, and even gas mileage is better then new? 18 in city , 28 on HWY.. maybe because using LIQUI MOLY Molygen is a high performance low-friction motor oil for year-round use. https://www.liqui-moly.com
Just rolled over 230,000 miles on my 2005 E500 4matic. (my first Benz after a slew of Saab and Volvo) I got it at 213k last year, hasn't beat me up at all in the 17k I've done. Came to me with no history(IAA auction, 2 damaged doors), but obviously "highly maintained" I swear the previous owner used to pull over and get out to break wind. Car still impresses me every drive, and I have no hesitations to drive it anywhere, any time, in any conditions
Last edited by scotterikson; 11-19-2019 at 03:53 PM.
2003 E500
168k miles
Owned the car for 2,5 years, changed airmatic to bc racing coilovers because 3 of 4 of the struts/bellows blew outout.
also had to change the MAF once but that's it so far
Love the car
One piece of information I'd like to see is those with the higher mileage what all has broken or needed repaired/cost...?
IE: I have 150k miles on the w211 however, I've spent 22k in maintenance and parts to get it that far.
I think that would be useful information in terms of people that aren't at the mileage yet, would then be at least expecting running costs of a high mileage w211.
Our 09' only has about 60k miles on it. I would love to get it to that of the daily driver Toyota Solara which is currently at 214k miles..lol
Looking to drive it another 50k to 75k!
While I realize that this thread is for W211's, my W212 was purchased in 2018 and was a previous CPO car. I did have to put in a tranny, which my MB dealer sourced out for me and warrantied it for 12 months, unlimited miles at a cost of $4,500 last year. Put in a Pedal Sensor in August, parts $136 and labor $205, MB Battery in October ($263), Brake pads and rotors at 140,000 in 2016. Vehicle had regular filters & oil changes but I am doing my own now with a top loader and cabin filter, air filters and oil change takes about 1 1/2 hour.
268 HP engine is a little underpowered, but seems bulletproof! I have a CPO 2015 GL550 that has a MB 2 year extended, warranty and will definitely buy an E-400 Wagon when it expires. I also had e a 2003 E-320 Wagon with 185k and it was just as nice a vehicle, but the 212 has the newer tech stuff and fits my needs better.
Last edited by Stevieboy1; 11-24-2019 at 08:36 PM.
Sorry you’re offended. Didn’t realize I shouldn’t post here. Been a Mercedes guy for 36 years, but less than 2 years on MB World. Certainly wasn’t trying to degrade the 211’s in any way.
Sorry you’re offended. Didn’t realize I shouldn’t post here. Been a Mercedes guy for 36 years, but less than 2 years on MB World. Certainly wasn’t trying to degrade the 211’s in any way.
Dont worry about it, that guy clearly has a problem. He is NOT an accurate representation of most on this forum. Disregard him and just continue to enjoy MBworld.
145K E320 Wagon, about the usual maintenance-wise since 100K miles. Overall satisfaction with car, high (third MB wagon in 40 years, bought one new, rather buy used going forward).
- Replaced all four rotors again last year, easy job (pads too, of course). They last about 50K miles.
- Replaced rear air springs at 125K (not a 4-matic car). Ditto air pump.
- Replaced assorted vacuum hoses - easy job (do them one at a time and evaluate). Inexpensive, and no special reason other than car is 15 years old.
- Replaced valve cover gaskets - did plugs while I was at it and believe it or not, OEM plugs looked fine! Same gas mileage, same performance.
- Replaced alternator (may have been able to get by with just the voltage regulator but didn't feel like it so I ponied up for the whole thing). Serpentine belt at same time.
- Replaced engine/transmission mounts . . . terrible problem. They last six months and die. Symptom is steering wheel shakes at idle.
- Replaced both rubber disks on driveshaft recently (trying to figure out why engine mounts don't last). Discovered flat spot in u-joint - and it's not replaceable. Got used driveshaft with plan to machine off the two yokes and weld on replacement yokes (ones for which I can replace the u-joints). Car is on lift to measure and ensure driveshaft is same-same (MB in their wisdom dropped part number for whole shaft for 2005 - replaced with separate numbers for each half - grrr). Anyway, presently have vibration under hard acceleration, which wasn't present before replacing rubber disks and mid-shaft bearing. Used shaft is #2114100306 if anybody knows for sure.
- Replaced battery again - car eats batteries so I buy 3-year AGM batteries.
- Replaced key fob batteries. Darn things don't last but maybe 6-months. Cheap, but still.
Overall, not much different from owning a Toyota. Pretty reliable car. Nicely built. Reason I keep owning. Also have W463 for me (wagon is wife's).
The Balance shaft fix is removing the defective balance shaft and replacing it with the newer version, also had the heads gone through new timming chain, front cover knock sensors all sensors have been changed, car should run forever, .
I believe it effects all e 350s from 06-09.
symptoms can be a misfire, engine timming retarded, enginge failure worst case. Its not a difficult job at all engine comes out vey easy, most important thing is MAKE SURE YOU PIN THOSE EXHAUST CAMS BEFORE YOU REMOVE THEM. also pin the balance shaft everything else is cake.
You Tube , short list
1.Disconnect Battery
2 .fuel line only 1
3.lift vehicle (high enough to get under and remove exhaust)
4.drain coolant ,oil.
5.trans cooler lines
6. ac compressor, ps resevoir, alternator, they can stay in the car once unbolted not in the way upon removal or install.
7.torque convertor, engine to trans bolts, engine mounts,
8.starter .
9.ecu connection "passenger side only".
10.remove ecu from atop of intake set aside it will stay in the car.
11.cherry pick engine. Did mine in the driveway. Had engine out in under an hour.
2005 E-500
124,500 miles
motor mounts
ball joints
master window switch
outter tie rods
2- crank sensor's
bought with 29,000 miles
oil changed every 5,000 miles(0-40 euro,mann filters)
plug and wires every 40,000
runs and performs great
I bought this 2006 E350 wagon 2 years ago with 159,000 miles. It had 1 owner and a CarFax record that shows full servicing every 3 months, for the entire life of the car, at an authorized MB dealer. I've had it 2 years and only put 7500 miles on it.
Another interesting piece of history about this car is the color. Mercedes made a color called "Tobacco Brown" between 1963-1973. Apparently this owner custom ordered directly from MB in Germany and had them go into their vaults to find some of this color.....so it truly is a "one of a kind!" In the 7500 miles that I have had it it has been perfect until about 1 month ago when there was a fuel pump failure that was easily fixed for $300.
I found a really great local mechanic who specializes in MB's and is very honest. While he was at it I also had him replace both front wheel bearings, brake pads, and ball joints. I also put on new Continental Pure Contact LS tires.
I have also replaced the (synthetic) oil and filters (fleece) twice. I'm planning to do a transmission fluid and filter change shortly.
Everything feels 100% perfect and , not being experienced, I don't know what other "preventitive" actions I should be taking. I have owned BMW's and my last car was an Audi AllRoad wagon which were all great. This is my 1st Mercedes and I am now fully converted....It is (so far) the best car I have ever owned!
11-18-2019, 01:54 PM
