Need buying advice, please
Thread Starter
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Cl500
Need buying advice, please
Team; I need your buying advice, reading the forum confused me more than before.
I'm looking to get a w211 for my wife as a daily driver, preferably 4wd.
My mechanic told me to stay away from e350s and get an e320. Is that a good advice? How costly are they to fix? Is there a dreaded balance shaft sprocket issue with either of the 2 cars or any other ridiculous repair that they fall into?
Thank you in advance for any input.
Btw, my budget is under 10k and under 100k miles.
I'm looking to get a w211 for my wife as a daily driver, preferably 4wd.
My mechanic told me to stay away from e350s and get an e320. Is that a good advice? How costly are they to fix? Is there a dreaded balance shaft sprocket issue with either of the 2 cars or any other ridiculous repair that they fall into?
Thank you in advance for any input.
Btw, my budget is under 10k and under 100k miles.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I bought 320 as I knew the engine from W210.
350 engines had the shaft issue in first years, so check out if you want to consider.
Are you power freak? The newer 350 delivers much more HP, but they will cost more if you want 2006 or 2007 model.
Beware that those cars are high-maintenance and $2000 SBC pump replacement on early models can only be beaten by 4 corners airmatic in replacement cost somewhere in car life.
Lot of sellers sell those car pretty cheap becouse of coming maintenance, so don't be mislead that $4000 is going to be "cheap Mercedes" when in next year you will be faced with the above.
350 engines had the shaft issue in first years, so check out if you want to consider.
Are you power freak? The newer 350 delivers much more HP, but they will cost more if you want 2006 or 2007 model.
Beware that those cars are high-maintenance and $2000 SBC pump replacement on early models can only be beaten by 4 corners airmatic in replacement cost somewhere in car life.
Lot of sellers sell those car pretty cheap becouse of coming maintenance, so don't be mislead that $4000 is going to be "cheap Mercedes" when in next year you will be faced with the above.
Last edited by kajtek1; Nov 19, 2015 at 12:10 PM.
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From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Food for thought,
Some members put aside 10-15% just for maintenance (year), and as the member just
stated SBC is expensive. 07 E350 does not have the SBC issue, but like any rides you roll the dice on used ones. Maintenance is very important, don't be fooled because it look shiny and clean, but underneath all that glam will be a big *** bill waiting for it's next victim!! PPI is required/a must before anything, better to spend 150-200.00 then paying the shop $$$s. Budget wise (>10K) you may be able to upgrade to the E500 vice the 320. Why sell yourself short on it, if your in the market aim high, if you miss
it's cool. Plenty of info here , but you'll have to just keep your ear low to the ground and pay attention when class is in session!!
GLWSearch
Some members put aside 10-15% just for maintenance (year), and as the member just
stated SBC is expensive. 07 E350 does not have the SBC issue, but like any rides you roll the dice on used ones. Maintenance is very important, don't be fooled because it look shiny and clean, but underneath all that glam will be a big *** bill waiting for it's next victim!! PPI is required/a must before anything, better to spend 150-200.00 then paying the shop $$$s. Budget wise (>10K) you may be able to upgrade to the E500 vice the 320. Why sell yourself short on it, if your in the market aim high, if you miss
it's cool. Plenty of info here , but you'll have to just keep your ear low to the ground and pay attention when class is in session!!
GLWSearch
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Early E320's had lots of QC problems, especially 2003, maybe a 2005 won't be that bad, but quality didn't really get better til 2008/2009 with 2009 being the best year. 2006 E350's and early 2007 (prior to 10/2006 manufacture date) had balance shaft issues. I don't think you'll find a 2007 without the balance shaft issue for less than 10k and under 100k. Fixing balance shaft problems can range from 4-8k depending if you get it done at an indy or the dealer. Your E320 will have SBC brakes and those had a 10 year extended warranty on the pump, but probably most 2005 sold have probably past 10 years at this point. 2007 also had the interior refresh. 2009 had the navigation/audio system updated. SBC can range from $1200-$2000 to repair, although to be fair, you could have braking problems on 2007+ that would also be expensive but it's much more rare. In general expect repairs to be about 2x-3x more than a regular car, but if you DIY, it might not be that bad. They can be pretty reliable, some have spent very little on repairs. If you're at the other end of the bell curve, it can be very expensive.
Thread Starter
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Cl500
Whats the safest to go with between 320 350 and 500 repair wise and what years to avoid? Im familiar with balance shaft issue, thats why i was asking. Any particular model and year to run from? Thank you for detailed replies btw.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Well the 2006 E350 and the early 2007 E350's up to about the middle of 9/2006 had the balance shaft problem so avoid all those. E320's all have SBC and you can read the really old threads for all the problems they had, but you may get one where all the problems were fixed at this stage. E500 had the airmatic which is still at least 2k to replace all the airmatic struts with aftermarket Arnott, factory is 1k per corner. You still have other parts like the pump and the lines which could still go. I would say 2007+, but you'd be hard pressed to find one for under 10k. Maybe a 2005 E320 if it had the SBC replaced.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
There is too much myths about SBC.
It is very simple issue. If PPI/records will show the pump replaced recently - you are good for average 10 years.
If you don't have the records and can't find count on the pump - calculate about $1200 replacement when the service message comes.
Airmatic would worry me more. Way more costly and very unpredictable.
Compressor wears out, bags blow and if you don't DIY, parts, towing and labor can easy cost you more than car purchase price.
It is very simple issue. If PPI/records will show the pump replaced recently - you are good for average 10 years.
If you don't have the records and can't find count on the pump - calculate about $1200 replacement when the service message comes.
Airmatic would worry me more. Way more costly and very unpredictable.
Compressor wears out, bags blow and if you don't DIY, parts, towing and labor can easy cost you more than car purchase price.
Last edited by kajtek1; Nov 19, 2015 at 09:05 PM.
