New member here looking for some input as I get serious about picking an E-Class to buy. Any input you can offer would be much appreciated on:

1. Year: 2007 or 2008?*
2. Engine: 3.2 or diesel?
3. Drive: RWD or 4Matic?
4. Packages: Premium and Sport?

Anything on mileage sensitivities I should consider would be helpful, too.

Mainly, while I'm tempted by performance and features, I want to make a good economical choice for the long run.

Thanks for your help.

*this seems to put me in my price range.

 

Welcome to the forums, hope you can become a member of the family soon! Here's my two cents:

1. Get the newest year you can, but anything 2007+ is pretty comparable and unless you go with a 2009 with the newer COMAND system there isn't much of a difference between the 07 and 08. DEFINITELY get a facelift model though (2007-2009) because of the newer look and the issues that have been fixed from the older models. No terrible SBC braking system and no glycol contamination issues.

2. Not sure where you're from since some of the designations are different in the European market, but if you're looking at the 2007-2009 W211 E-Class you have the option of the CDI Diesel, a 3.5L V6, a 5.5L V8, or a 6.2L V8 in the E63 AMG. The 3.2 was the previous generation V6 known as the E320 that was offered from 2003-2006. Personally, I love the E550 - it isn't great on gas but it's soooo much fun and sounds amazing with some minor exhaust mods. The irony in this is it can actually be very efficient if you drive it very conservatively, but because of that sound and that acceleration it can get addicting NOT to. I will warn you that a decent amount of the V6s have balance shaft issues, which have been expensive to repair and widespread. The V8 does not have a balance shaft (they have idler gears which are less problematic and less expensive to repair) and is generally under less load in daily driving so it could potentially last longer. Just looking at the ~4.7 to 4.9 sprints to 60 and the listed quarter mile times, it's also faster than most cars you encounter on the road so that's a cool thing too.

3. Depends where you live. If it's in a really cold and snowy area definitely 4-Matic unless you want to get a set of summer tires and winter tires and swap them out. With 4-Matic you'll be able to put the power down very easily in any climate, but it's definitely less fun than the RWD version which is simpler in design and great for warm climates. If you're not doing power slides and burnouts though, I'd say 4-Matic is the most practical with only marginal losses in fuel economy. It handles very well too for the occasional weekend drive.

4. I prefer the sport package just because of the exposed exhaust tips, the ivory gauges, and the small accents that make it look more aggressive. The front facia is also different. However, the premium is very similar a well it's just up to those fine nuances that can set the car off. It also makes mods easier, exhaust wise, to have the already exposed exhaust tips because of the rear bumper having the cutouts on the sport model.

As far as mileage, I would go off of service history, mechanical health, and general condition rather than mileage. I bought my car at a little under 100,000 miles. I will caution you that around that time there's a lot of maintenance that needs to be done so I've put a decent amount into mine over the past 2 years of ownership to get it to immaculate condition. If you get something that has significantly more than 100k, make sure it's had various things - from suspension to brakes to serpentine belt etc - done to it.

I also hold this to be very true as I've now said a lot on the forums: mileage is a bit of a misnomer - engine hours matter more. You can have a 2007 with 50k on it that's all abuse in the city and with very worn parts or you can have a 2007 with 120k that has had mostly highway miles on it and is in better mechanical and aesthetic condition.

My car is currently for sale by the way at $21.5k obo, around 128k miles and $9800 worth of work done to it over the past two years. Hit me up if you're interested, if not I would check out Cars.com for some good Benzes - mostly from dealerships on there and while you pay more you can get some excellent cars. I'd generally stay away from Craigslist Mercedes.

 

^^^Everything AMGAffalterbach said plus here's my $0.02 on it.

Try to stay from the 2007s. A few of them have "engine" problems to keep it simple. A 2008 would be a better choice but a 2009 would be best because of it's much better updated infotainment system.

Engine choices I'm assuming you're looking at v6's? You have either the e350 gas version or e320 bluetec for diesel. The 350s are a solid motor and can pack a small punch at 3000+ rpm. The diesels I'm not too sure about. The pre-face lift 2005-06 e320 CDI diesels seems to be praised more over the newer bluetec. (diesel acronyms changed from CDI to BlueTec in 2007)

I would stick with RWD for less problems and longevity unless you need the AWD. Transfer case issues come up now and then.

2007-09 I believe come in either Luxury package, Sports package, and AMG Sports packake.
Luxury models come with 17s and has a more "fluffy" ride. Sport and AMG sport comes with 18s and have a slightly stiffer ride. They have slightly more aggressive styling and have dual muffler tips showing.

Mileage wise, obviously the lower the better but it's not always the case. More highway miles are better than less city miles. As long as the car has a good history and you get a PPI(pre purchase inspection), you should be fine.

I'd nudge you to get a 2009 e350 RWD because it's a wonderful overall car but it might be out of your price range. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

Very true with everything Lemon said, 4-Matics - while I haven't heard of any transfer case issues - will have things like CV boots that like to crack in comparison to the RWD version where this is less of an issue. Luckily I've had mine replaced

 

RWD unless you drive in snow and ice a lot.

 

Don't

 

Yes, I'm talking about the V6s (sorry about the confusion on the 3.2; meant to check specifics before posting). V8 seems more than I need--and I'd likely be one of those who'd become addicted immediately(!).

Excellent input on engine choices, especially the diesel change. Can't simply rely on legend where those are concerned anymore, I guess.

Looks like I really should consider the 2009, given what's been said. Especially if that system can be updated/graded to keep up with the world.

I was just trying to confirm my basic fears about ANY AWD system: that it tends to be more of a headache. Besides being more expensive upfront, and costing more in fuel.

Interesting issues when comparing option packages. Don't know how many mods I'd be doing, though. Probably run things pretty much stock as long as I could.

Now I'm thinking RWD 2009 E350 (as recommended). Option packages still a question mark. Thinking dealer route is better for a Benz. Are you talking their basic used car selection or the certified pre-owned cars?

Anyway, can't thank you enough for all the valuable advice (and time and effort that's gone into providing it).

 

Newest , Nicest, best maintained.
AWD if you like it (but lose MPG and add some maintenance)
Then ENJOY the drive!


P.S. Get all the accessories you like up front, adding is not worth the time or cost.

 

I pretty much agree with what the first two posters said. Read up on this forum, it has so much great information. I belong to three MB forums and this one by far is the most informative.


When I started looking for a car in the fall of 2012 I was just tire kicking trying to figure out what I wanted. I wasn't looking to buy until the spring. I orginally wanted a Jaguar XJ. Love the looks of the redesigned old style. After testing driving 4 of them and researching as much as I could I decided it just wasn't the car for me. I kind of fell in to the E class by accident. I am 100% happy with the choice that I made. It's a great car.

If possible try to buy directly from a Mercedes Benz dealer.

 

We did about the same thing in 2010, but started looking for an A6, GS350, RL, and fell into the E-350 from a dealer.

Wish I had spent more time on the forum first, but we did not do too bad with what we got. (CPO E-350 sport P2 4-Matic)

 

I just bought one of the best Mercedes sedans I could afford at the time. Always wanted an AMG and hope to get into one soon.

 

+1

 

It's best to get a CPO but that requires a car to be no more than 4-5 years old with less than 75,000 miles so you might be out of luck. It's still better to buy a used car from an MB dealer as they always do a better job at getting an MB back up and running.

 

Without the CPO warranty, I don't know if it is worth the dealer premium.


Best deals are on the private market, but it takes more research to know what to look for and what to ask.


E350 was CPO, GL320 was private party.
There were less hidden issues with the GL.

 

I look at private market as more of a gamble but the more records the owner has the safer the gamble.

 

My preference would be for the best deal possible, but with these cars I can see what an enormous research effort that might mean. I can see the conflict of interest with asking the baker if the bread is fresh.

 

The questions you can find on this forum, plus a pre-purchase check by a dealer or good independent MB shop, plus a check of the service records in the MB system will tell you more than a CPO sticker.

 

Or you could buy my car which has every receipt saved since I bought it =)

 

MB dealers have a lot of inventory because they tend to have return customers that lease, turn in and re-lease. At least that's how it is out here. My car had a full service which included, oil change, air filter fuel filter heppa filter, serpentine belt, tire rotation new brakes & windshield wipers, plus a couple of other things that I can't remember.

The dealer had all the service records from the previous owner which they passed along to me. Now, my car WASN'T CPO and did not come with any warranty what's so ever. It was as is. But as the dealer explained they wouldn't sell it with known issues off the lot, they would send it to auction, and this was why they gave every pre-owned car they sell CPO or non CPO a full comprehensive service.

I do have a service plan through rt. 66 which covers the same thing a manufacturers warranty would cover, but I had to wait 30 days and 1000 miles for it to kick in. RT 66 is supposed to be very good, and it was about $1800.

Plus my MB dealer experience was nothing short of amazing.

 

I meant to say it looks like quite the car (and you must have a professional photographer in the family). Unfortunately, I'm nowhere near buying yet, and I'm really not likely to go V8 or 4Matic.

It is probably the thing I should look for, though, an M-B fanatic who fastidiously keeps records.

Thanks . .

 

Either that or a little old lady who takes it to the dealer twice a year "just to be safe".

 

Buy the best car that you can afford.

Generally, the dealers get these cars on trade or auction. The M-B dealers are going to keep the good ones and send the "average" cars out to auction. You'll pay a premium for the better car, but IMHO it's worth it. Don't be afraid to shop around and look at and drive many cars - that way you'll be able to tell the good from the bad.

Service history is critical, you can see if the car had "issues" and if it was properly maintained.

 

Here's my one cent worth:

1. 350 versus 550 - mileage penalty and the V8 comes with the air suspension which has its own maintenance concerns.

2. RWD versus AWD - as indicated above, do you need the AWD? mileage penalty, maintenance penalty due to additional parts, and 5 speed versus 7 speed automatic.

3. 2009 Comand System - day and night better than systems prior to 2009. you can watch DVDs when the car is in park or find an override from Europe for in motion DVD.

4. 2009 E350 Sport - standard AMG sport package - makes the vehicle stand out. RWD uses staggered tire setup so there will be more costs for tires due to tire warranties cut in half.

I have 71K miles on my 2009 E350 - no problems.

Good luck!