When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
There's a thread entitled "How many miles on your W211?" but it has a bunch of low mile cars and doesn't differentiate between gasoline and diesel.
How far can a gasoline W211 go? I don't seem to read much about them over 100,000 miles. Do they disintegrate? Just die sudden deaths?
For example, I spoke to the service manager at the Toyota dealership and asked what kind of mileage older Sequoias are coming in with and he said regularly over 300,000 miles and if well maintained close to 500,000 miles. I know many people with similar stories, in varied cars. I know it's apples and oranges (or is it) but for those of us with gasoline cars who are considering keeping them over 100,000 miles I'm curious about what we might be getting into.
So... to aid us folks considering going over to the dark side of 100,000+ miles in gasoline W211's, those of you who have done it can you please post something along the lines of:
-Year
-Model
-Miles
-Mechanical issues
-Any other input you can give
Thanks!
This thread addresses the W211 car. The engine being a part of it.
My son replaced his 2007 E350 gas engine (M272). The car had 249,000 miles on it and needed many non-engine repairs.
He bought the car with 80k miles on it. Regarding the engine, during his ownership, he replaced the right side cylinder head and the intake manifold. 2 common "issues" with this engine.
Another common issue is the balance shaft sprocket premature wear, but my sons car was outside of the affected production range. All 3 of these issues are material selection, or treatment, in the design.
Besides the cylinder head and intake manifold, just regular service and maint. I believe the engine could go well into the future.
My winter car is a 2012 Toyota Rav 4, 4 cylinder, auto. 136,000 miles.
The engine burns oil and gets 20 +/- 2 mpg.
A friend has a 2014 Venza and the transmission failed at 90k miles. Same transmission as in the 4 Runner.
Replaced the transmission - tried changing the transmission fluid myself and did not add enough fluid back - cost me $6,200.
Replaced the following
Ride height sensor
rear air bags
front air shocks
air compressor
Crankshaft position sensor
EGR valve
Changeover valve - problem with heat/ac
All suspension arm front and rear
Fuel pump and sending unit.
Harmonic balancer
Belt tensioner and idle pulley
At 204,000 miles I still get over 25 mpg and I am planning on changing the spark plugs and wires - wires was never changed. Hoping to get another 100K miles out of this beast.
This thread addresses the W211 car. The engine being a part of it.
My son replaced his 2007 E350 gas engine (M272). The car had 249,000 miles on it and needed many non-engine repairs.
He bought the car with 80k miles on it. Regarding the engine, during his ownership, he replaced the right side cylinder head and the intake manifold. 2 common "issues" with this engine.
Another common issue is the balance shaft sprocket premature wear, but my sons car was outside of the affected production range. All 3 of these issues are material selection, or treatment, in the design.
Besides the cylinder head and intake manifold, just regular service and maint. I believe the engine could go well into the future.
My winter car is a 2012 Toyota Rav 4, 4 cylinder, auto. 136,000 miles.
The engine burns oil and gets 20 +/- 2 mpg.
A friend has a 2014 Venza and the transmission failed at 90k miles. Same transmission as in the 4 Runner.
can you elaborate on the e350 cylinder head issue? Is that what makes the « chuck-chuck-chuck » noise at idle?thx
2nd owner, bought in 2007 with 24k miles for $52k out of Texas. Silver with black leather interior and grey maple trim
Daily driver for SoCal sales calls up until 2016. Heavy freeway traffic, orange county to LA and San Diego 3 times a week,
Kept outside in driveway and rarely covered. No performance mods other than lighter 19 inch wheels at 90k miles.
In 2014, I replaced the Harmon Kardon speakers and MB head unit with Kenwood 6 inch unit w NAV, Bluetooth, USB and custom speakers and 2 low profile 10in trunk mounted subs from www.reusaudio.com
at 60k replace front drives side air shock. Mercedes covered the part since it was still within 3 yr warranty
after 100k, replaced following
Ride height sensor rear air bags passenger front air shock Crankshaft position sensor
front control arm bushings, tie rods
transmission mount Gas tank seals and fuel pumps
Console shifter module
replaced valve cover gaskets
replaced plugs at 80k miles
oil changes annually or sooner depending on mileage
Aligned at tire changes, roughly every 15k miles (after i stopped lead footing and trashing the rears before 10k miles)
Most notable problem was in 2023 when the battery started draining overnight. Took many hours for my independent shop to isolate it to the SAM breaker box in the trunk had got wet and had a short in it. Cost $380 for the replacement part plus 8 hrs of labor.
Clear coat on hood, roof rails, trunk and rear bumper started failing in 2023 at 140k miles. Repainted these areas in 2023 and Ceramic coated car in 2024
Black interior leather, headliner still looks very good. Dark maple trim has yellowed and i missed the cut off for the MBZ covered replacement so i just live with it.
no engine or transmission issues noted.
Just bought 2015 Cayenne TT as my new daily and planning to keep the E55 forever as a classic.
Cayenne is more powerful, but 10 yr older supercharged E55 is still more fun to drive. Plus, its sound system beats the Burmeister by a large margin.
There's a thread entitled "How many miles on your W211?" but it has a bunch of low mile cars and doesn't differentiate between gasoline and diesel.
How far can a gasoline W211 go? I don't seem to read much about them over 100,000 miles. Do they disintegrate? Just die sudden deaths?
For example, I spoke to the service manager at the Toyota dealership and asked what kind of mileage older Sequoias are coming in with and he said regularly over 300,000 miles and if well maintained close to 500,000 miles. I know many people with similar stories, in varied cars. I know it's apples and oranges (or is it) but for those of us with gasoline cars who are considering keeping them over 100,000 miles I'm curious about what we might be getting into.
So... to aid us folks considering going over to the dark side of 100,000+ miles in gasoline W211's, those of you who have done it can you please post something along the lines of:
-Year
-Model
-Miles
-Mechanical issues
-Any other input you can give
Thanks!
Mine has almost 180 and drives smooth as glass, has been properly maintained every step of the way
My 07 E350 has 138k miles. I bought her with 126k 3 years ago. She was built in 2006 as an 07 and I have replaced the front headlight assemblies, the front SAM, the rear wheel speed sensors and the starter. I am researching replacing the front wiring harness now. And will probably replace the rear SAM also. Every wire I have exposed has been bare. no insulation on them. just some crumble plastic sometimes nearby. I restore classic muscle cars for a hobby. I just never expected to have to restore this. other than the wiring issues she is in excellent shape and the motor is still running very strong. I love driving her. When I can.....
2nd owner, bought in 2007 with 24k miles for $52k out of Texas. Silver with black leather interior and grey maple trim
Daily driver for SoCal sales calls up until 2016. Heavy freeway traffic, orange county to LA and San Diego 3 times a week,
Kept outside in driveway and rarely covered. No performance mods other than lighter 19 inch wheels at 90k miles.
In 2014, I replaced the Harmon Kardon speakers and MB head unit with Kenwood 6 inch unit w NAV, Bluetooth, USB and custom speakers and 2 low profile 10in trunk mounted subs from www.reusaudio.com
at 60k replace front drives side air shock. Mercedes covered the part since it was still within 3 yr warranty
after 100k, replaced following
Ride height sensor rear air bags passenger front air shock Crankshaft position sensor
front control arm bushings, tie rods
transmission mount Gas tank seals and fuel pumps
Console shifter module
replaced valve cover gaskets
replaced plugs at 80k miles
oil changes annually or sooner depending on mileage
Aligned at tire changes, roughly every 15k miles (after i stopped lead footing and trashing the rears before 10k miles)
Most notable problem was in 2023 when the battery started draining overnight. Took many hours for my independent shop to isolate it to the SAM breaker box in the trunk had got wet and had a short in it. Cost $380 for the replacement part plus 8 hrs of labor.
Clear coat on hood, roof rails, trunk and rear bumper started failing in 2023 at 140k miles. Repainted these areas in 2023 and Ceramic coated car in 2024
Black interior leather, headliner still looks very good. Dark maple trim has yellowed and i missed the cut off for the MBZ covered replacement so i just live with it.
no engine or transmission issues noted.
Just bought 2015 Cayenne TT as my new daily and planning to keep the E55 forever as a classic.
Cayenne is more powerful, but 10 yr older supercharged E55 is still more fun to drive. Plus, its sound system beats the Burmeister by a large margin.
How did you mount the subs? Are they ported?
Thanks
Spark Plugs
Ball Joints upper and lower both sides
fuel pump-went out out of town. $1,700
cam shaft adjusters
washer pump
lights everywhere.
other stuff I can recall
seems every other month something comes up. Highly disappointed
Spark Plugs
Ball Joints upper and lower both sides
fuel pump-went out out of town. $1,700
cam shaft adjusters
washer pump
lights everywhere.
other stuff I can recall
seems every other month something comes up. Highly disappointed
these a great cars and with that comes high maintenance.
Mercs and Lexus are in a different league.
I think you forgot a few items ...
brake pads and rotors, (calipers)
water pump, radiator exp tank, thermostat, hoses
PCV with discharge hose
Belt + tensioner + pulleys
Suspensions repairs + bold tires
alternator regulator or complete
batteries
keyfobs....
Misc electronic modules (SAM's, COMAND, ABS,)
Checking back in a year later. 124K miles on the clock. Only new things to add to the list are rear breather cover on the passenger side valve cover, oil cooler gasket, and the front passenger side rotor is warped (again) Im thinking that the CV axle on that side is slightly out of balance and causing the issue. Everything else is new (the CV is a high dollar rebuilt unit) but the caliper isnt stuck, slides/pins are clean and greased. So its gotta be something else. Also the drivers side front door handle is shot (again) Lock/unlock has quite working again. Everything else is as good as gold! Still absolutely LOVE this car!
Been a minute since I've updated! The ol girl is now at 234,000 miles and she's falling apart. Haha
Needs front airmatic struts once again (this is number 4 and it's getting a conversion put on it this time).
Transfer case is on its way out I do believe. Loud metallic clunk when shifting into gear, or when down shifting.
Transmission slips (stutters) at low RPM under load.
Just did fluids in everything again about 10k miles ago (trans, front and rear diff, transfer case)
Front upper control arms on both sides (2nd time)
Front half shafts again (2nd time)
Power steering pump
Alternator voltage regulator
Starter again (2nd time)
Rear wheel bearings
Fuel pump
Water pump
All front accessories and serpentine belt while in there.
I think that's it since the last update.
I've owned the car for the past 10 years and have put 173k miles on it.
Longest I've ever owned any vehicle.
Last edited by rodneypierce; Oct 3, 2024 at 07:41 AM.
2004 E 500 4MATIC Wagon; 2015 ML 350 4MATIC; †2003 C 240 4MATIC Wagon (2003-2022)
Up here in New England, it hasn't been all that uncommon to see early W211/S211s with ~300,000 miles arriving at salvage yards in recent years...like this E 500 4MATIC sedan (VIN: WDBUF83JX4X120841), which finally rolled into the junkyard with over 310,000 miles on the odometer about a year ago (and off to the crusher this year, it seems). Judging from the photos, that car must have lived a hard life during its final years/decade...
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
