I'm currently 4 years into a w204 c300. I want to sell it and buy a 2009 E350 4matic. Can you tell me what to look out for or avoid? Thanks.

 

I'm sure folks will correct me if I'm wrong, but the 2009 is the last year of the W211 and as such, most of the known bugs and issues were taken care of by then. It's young enough that you can find a one-owner, maybe even a CPO (if you want to pay the premium for that) and like any other used car, make sure that it's been properly maintained, run a carfax, get a PPI.

 

CarFax is a decent check for dealer service records and past ownership or auctions, but by no means is it any kind of guarantee that the car was not in a major collision. No repair shop or insurance provider sends reports to CarFax. They do data mining on publicly accessible information.

http://ask.metafilter.com/22747/What...RFAX-leave-out

http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...up-car-history

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/Arti...categoryId=293

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2...orts/index.htm

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I'd go for 05-06. I feel that 5-speed transmissions are much less quirky when it comes to maintance/repairs. Also, SBC is an incredibly advanced braking system that has many benefits. Replacing it with a conventional system instead of improving the design was a mistake on MB's part IMHO. In addition, my 06 has over 165k miles with the original SBC unit, so I guess they are "reliable". IIRC SBC units are covered under 150k warranty, so that should not be an issue.

CPO is a waste of money. Most of the time those warranties only cover drivetrain and if you are expecting major drivetrain issues on a car with 30-50k mile car, then you should look at other cars altogether. I am not aware of the balance shaft issues on the 03-06 W211s, so that is also why I'd go with an older W211.

Also, if you live in a place that doesn't get that much snow, I'd pass on the 4Matic. I live in the Northeast and while we do get snow, 4Matic is not needed to drive through 2-4in of snow. 4Matic worsens the fuel economy and adds more parts to fix that cost an arm and a leg to replace (propeller shaft, axles, etc.).

I'd say get a diesel RWD E320 and drive it until the wheels fall off. Those things can run for over 200k miles without breaking a sweat.

 

You'll get better information if you give some background on why you have selected this model and year.... otherwise you'll be getting a lot of personal preferences without regard for yours.

So... where do you live, or at least in what climate. How do you drive.... "sporty" or "cumfy"... do you care more about fuel economy than convenience... That kind of stuff.

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appreciate the responses so far. It will be a Florida car. I like comfy. I'm thinking E320 diesel due to economy. I would like a 2009 as it's the latest model but saw the note on the 2005-6 reliability above. I would appreciate more opinions.....

 

Stay far away from 4matic unless you live in the snow. Decreased power, decreased fuel mileage, more problems.

 

That's incorrect information. The extended warranty is for 10 years/unlimited mileage. Most 05s are in the last few months of it and 06s have just over a year left.
If the fluid has not been changed every 2 years as per MB recommendations, dealer CAN and may deny warranty.

OP: read plenty about airmatic, avoid them unless you have deep pockets.
I could be wrong but I think the balance shaft issues were worked out by 2009. If not, someone will correct me on it.
Good luck on your search!

 

Ah, I stand corrected about SBC warranty.

But like I've said before, My 11/05 build is still on the original SBC unit. You can find them used online for about $400 (the new units are about $1000 IIRC) and replacing it seems pretty straight forward.

Most of the Airmatic problems that I've witnessed in real life and on the forums are developed as the result of the rear aluminum reservoir tanks corroding which results in air leaks at the fitting. Arnott has eliminated the reservoir tanks altogether, so I would expect their rear springs to last longer. The front springs are built in, so once they go, you need the whole shock assembly. Again, Arnott has all these parts and offers lifetime warranty.

I should note that I've done 95% of the work on the car myself, so the repair bills were not that bad at all.

My best advice is to look through the "who has the highest mileage" (or something like that) threads and look through what people have listed there. Then PM those users that have the cars you are interested in for more info.

 

This is some of the best worded, worst advice I've ever seen.

The 09 E is the best year, it has the updated electronics and all the bugs worked out. The balance shaft issue was present in 06 and 07 and in spite of a "few" reliable SBC cars out there, the system was (is) a total disaster and Mercedes knows it.

The only good advise in the OP is avoid 4Matic.

 

Is that why SBC kept being used on SL-class, SLR, and Maybach? Hmm...

SBC and Airmatic are some of the key differentiating factors when it comes to a mid-size European car segment. You take those out and I'd rather go with a BMW 5-series.

I agree that the system is perhaps overcomplicated because MB was not the first to use electronic braking. Toyota has been installing their system on hybrids since 2001 and I've yet to hear my friends complain about the ECB on their Prius (not that I complain about mine).

A simple Google search of "Mercedes 7 speed transmission reliability" yields many results, many leading back to this forum. I know for a fact that conductor plate is a VIN coded part and has to be ordered from a MB dealer, which is another PIA.

5-speed transmissions can handle a lot of abuse and were installed on MANY cars including Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter as well as almost all high torque AMG cars. These transmissions were also used on the SLR for quite a while.

I am saying all of this and what's in my original post based on my and my friend's experience who has an 03 E500 RWD Sport. His SBC was replaced before his ownership and he is now close to 100k miles. I doubt he will have to replace his unit again during his ownership. For both of us, Airmatic and SBC are not issues and we actually enjoy these features. I am sure there are plenty of W/S211 owners who would share my opinion on why I think 05-06 years are the best for this car.

If you think that I'm giving "the worst advice" here, that's fine. I have a perfectly running S211 with all of the "disaster" features equipped and 165,543 miles on the odometer. I have mileage and experience having worked on this car with my own hands for about 3 years now to back up what I'm saying.

OP, don't listen to me, buy a brand new E-class because all of the 211 bugs have been worked out.

 

I'd sell mine if you're serious OP. Probably one of the best maintained and most pristine 09 W211's in the country.

 

Buying a 212 is sage advice.

It is not personal, but your reliable pre-facelift S211 is anecdotal. The pre-facelifts as a whole group are much more problematic. It is unusual to me that anyone recommends a car with airmatic and SBC to someone specifically looking for a car without it.

Also I am not sure why you continue to mention the 7G transmission. The OP says they are looking for a 4Matic, which has a 722.6 5-speed even in 2009. However, the 7G is reliable. Quirky, perhaps, but solid.

If you want a W211 with the best chances of long-term reliability, stick to buying your 09 E350.