Just Tom

Hi Guys. I'm the new kid on the block here and wanted to pose a question to those of you who currently own or have owned a 2008 E350. Formerly, I owned a 2003 E500 and also a 2003 C320. I have since sold both those cars and replaced them with a Lexus and an Acura. After being away from the brand for a few years, I'm thinking of buying another Benz, only this time I'm looking at buying used. I'm needing a solid, reliable car that I can drive for the next 5 years without having to worry too much about mechanical breakdowns. Unlike my previous two Mercedes purchases, there will not be a new bumper to bumper warranty to take care of any problems that may arise. Since I'm considering purchasing the proposed model ('08 E350) for cash and taking care of any repairs out of pocket, I really want to do my research and know what I'm getting in to.

The idea is to drive this car for the next 5 years, then give it to my daughter as her first car. So in doing my research, I concluded that the later W211 models are the better years based on data I read from JD Powers and Consumer Reports. I know my '03 E500 had its share of problems, which is why I ultimately traded it in. There seems to be several changes between the '03 and '08 W211's, notably a redesigned motor and 7 speed tranny. I also understand Mercedes ditched the braking and suspension, which were two problems areas that I dealt with.

So that's all I basically know about the '08 E350, other than to say, I still think it's one of the most aesthetically pleasing lines to grace a sedan in many years. I still prefer the lines of the W211 than the current offerings from Mercedes. The current car I'm looking at has 65,000 miles on the odometer and is being sold by a Mercedes dealer. It's nicely equipped, but doesn't have 4Matic or the sport package. It's just a nicely equipped car and seems to have been well cared for, at least as near as I can tell. The CarFax is clean by the way, for what that is worth.
Also, from what I could tell there doesn't appear to be any recalls on a (gas) 2008 E350. So please, may I have your opinions? What issues do I need to look out for? Any of you currently driving this car with high mileage have some insight to share?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Tom, just Tom. :-)

homeofstone

I had a 2007 E350 sport. Great car. My only problem was I had to replace a lower ball joint.

Just Tom

After how many miles did you need to replace the ball joint? Also, what wireless phone solution did you use? I understand the car is not equipped with bluetooth, but there is a kit that you could connect the phone to. Is that correct?

dbasix

Tom, I purchased an 08' E350 with 68K miles, i've had it for 4 years,now its at 115k. First time Benz owner BTW--performance wise the wifey loves it--but nuisance repairs= YES.

1. Accessory belt and tensioner pulley failed= $106.00 (dealer $224.00)
2. Brakes Front/Rear = $120-130/pair =OEM brand
3. OEM Crankcase vent valve= $49.00--
4. Fuel level indicator NOT covered in warranty inside gas tank dealer wants =$2900.00--need remove fuel sending unit to fix
5. Transmission Service= $435.00
6. Parking lamps on front bumper L/R socket not water proof---replaced sockets & bulbs $24.99
7. Tires rear/pair $586.00 (wifeys fault)


I performed all the work myself except the transmission service.

cetialpha5

I've only had mine for a few months, but it's only at 53k right now. I got the 2008 just because it has a record of minimal problems. 2009 was probably the best year, has the updated command and also AMG wheels and sport package was very common. A couple things I really like are the keyless go and the bixenon headlamps. On the luxury package, unless it has keyless go, you probably don't have bixenon. For a while I was wondering if the curve illumination worked, but finally noticed that it did while actually moving. Also ended up with the panorama roof and it's true, it makes a little bit more noise going over bumps, but most people who have sat in the back seat seem to like it. I would have preferred the luxury package as the sports is a 1/2 inch lower and I've heard the car bottom out once or twice going up/down a driveway so I have to take it slow over those. However most luxury packages didn't have bixenon which I wanted. There's a few threads here of people who tried to add it afterwards and it's just way cheaper to get one that has it to start.

Oh and when I bought the car, I was a little worried about gas tank leaks which can also be a problem, but it's not that common and now it seems Mercedes is covering that under a 15 year warranty. (dbasix may want to check with MB on it or if already done, send in receipts for reimbursement, it was just announced so keep trying if they don't know anything about it yet)

Oh and run an autocheck in addition to the carfax, autocheck can show accidents that carfax doesn't.

As for the bluetooth, run the vin checker on it to see if it has 389, that means it's wired for bluetooth and has a connector inside the glove box to add the bluetooth puck. They range from $100-$150 on ebay. If you don't have the connector, then you can't add the puck. Also check the glove box for the ipod connector.

Vin checker at:

http://www.neoriginal.ru/cat/mb

Or create an account at Mercede's EPC-Net. It's free for US residents even though it asks for a credit card to make sure you're in the US. Takes a while to run a vin on there though.

mbronv

I have a 2008 E350 4matic with 92,000 miles on it and I love it. I purchased it used and every single maintenance had been performed at the MB dealer. No issues to speak of. Hope you enjoy!!!

sunnySD

Sounds like you've found a nice car. A buddy has a 2008. I spoke with him last week and he said it's been bullet proof. He's got low 60K miles on it.

I've got a 2009. Had to replace the tensioner pulley. Had to replace the part which allows the glove box to open slowly. Both were taken care of under warranty. I've got 73K miles on mine. If it stays this maintenance free for another 75K miles, it'll be the most reliable car I've ever owned.

Just chatted with another buddy who has a 2010 E550 this week. OK, it's not a W211 but aren't the 2010 mechanicals pretty similar to W211? He's got 78K miles on his. He said it's not required anything other than regular servicing.

It's sort of funny that all three of us thought MB cars are money pits which drive nice but we're all happy and a bit surprised at this point that our cars have been so reliable. I'm wondering if this is a money pit, when does it begin?

slimsol

2006-2009 e class is one of the most reliable car in last decade.
http://www.reliabilityindex.com/news...reliable%20car

rabbitjetta

I have had an 08 E350 4Matic for about a year and a half now, we got it with 45K and it just turned 75K. Other than standard maintenance, the only issue we have had with it was my mother hit a curb and cracked the sway bar mount($600 from MB because you can't get just the mount) and the microswitch in the passenger side visor(changed myself for $3.75). Overall I would take this car over any new car any day unless it was the W212. It is an excellent car for all conditions and very fun to drive. The only thing I wish it did have was fold down rear seats and cooled seats (can't complain about those though).

TheSinfulDonut

I currently own a 2009 E-350 with the Sport Package and I'm in love with it. Had it for about a month and a half now and just logged 51K miles on it. Honestly its the most potent V6 I've ever heard and you can't go wrong picking up an E-Class. These cars are spacious, sporty, and reliable in my opinion. Plus picking up the '08 model means you'll be getting the body of arguably the most eye pleasing E-Class ever made so far.

sunnySD

I'm guessing the cost of some dealer's service can have that effect. My next service due is the 80K service. Isn't that the same service as the 40K one + replace spark plugs? I got the 40K service at a local dealer for $950 but they're no longer around. I've got a new dealer in town where I've received flyers from for discounts on service. I asked them for the cost of the 80K service. $1900 before discounts, which would be ~$200 off. What??!! I also asked about replacing 2 brake pads and rotors. $900 but I could also get ~$200 discount on that. So, I guess getting some crazy dealer quotes on maintenance can kill the viability of this car for people.

corkmb

Hi;
Have been reading the posts and enjoying everyone's thoughts.
Not one mention of a balance shaft issue-purchased warranty to cover a problem if it exists down the road. The front rotors are in need of either resurfacing or renewal.
Any suggestions for parts would be appreciated.
Cork

cetialpha5

The balance shaft issue was only on 2006 and some early 2007 models although some claim that an old engine could have been used on a 2008. Best to check the engine serial number when running the VIN.

Rotors are more expensive than other cars, but you can get them at around $80-$100 each. In other cars, I used to just get new rotors when doing brakes, but it seems at $80+, many people just throw on a new set of pads without replacing the rotors. Pads aren't that much than normal, about a little over $100 for Akebono pads, front and rear which you can get at Advance auto and use an online coupon code to bring it down to that $100 price.

I don't plan on taking mine to the dealer unless it's for something that requires Star diagnostic. I've always done front brakes on my own car, so I plan to either to these myself or just have an independent do it. From those prices posted earlier, an indy is going to be 1/2 to 1/3 of what the dealer charges.

For oil changes, got 5 quarts of Castrol 0w40 and a filter from PepBoys for $20 when they had their black friday sale. Going to do it the old fashioned way by unbolting it, I'll think about getting a mityvac afterwards depending on how that goes. Going to be way cheaper than the $300 that the dealer wants for basically an oil change.

corkmb

Thanks for the heads up on the Akebono brake pads.
Is there a site for plugging in engine #'s to determine potential issues with the balance shaft?
Also, is Castrol your personal preference for engine oil?
Thanks,
Cork

cetialpha5

For the engine numbers, it's pretty simple, above it's good, below is a problem.
The problem ones are:
272 30 468993 and below
273 30 088611 and below

The first 3 digits are the engine type.

Not a fan of any particular oil, it meets specs. It was just cheaper, some prefer Mobil 1, others like German Castrol. I just got it because it was on sale and came with the oil filter cartridge which isn't as cheap as a regular filter.

corkmb

Hi;
I am looking at a # above those you provided; after the engine ID ( 272 ) the first 2 digits are 97. No spaces in my engine no. So assume that I am above 30 and will not be subject to the potential shock of a balance shaft gone south.
I found the Akebano pads at Advance with a discount and future discount for orders above a certain level-free shipping as well! Thanks..
Best,
Cork

Munich77

My wife has a 2008 E350 4matic since new - it is an awesome car. No major problems thus far (other than a sporadic click from the steering column when cold.

corkmb

Hi;
Have you had the service performed at the MB dealership for the recommended intervals?
Cork

sunnySD

I got my 20K and 40K service done at a dealership. Are they supposed to be better than an indie shop who only works on Mercedes? The specialized indie shop doesn't save me considerable money over the dealer but I feel like they're much better at talking about my car's mechanics compared to the service advisors at the dealer.

I was told I can get pre-paid maintenance at my dealer. My next service is the 80K and I'm considering the pre-paid option for 2 or 3 years.

Munich77

On my wife's car we have had all services done at the dealership. We also split the difference between oil changes.

corkmb

Yes, I thought that the oil change interval is a bit long.
Do you prefer a certain oil filter type?
Thanks again,
Cork