Hello all, I am looking into this 07' E550 (as the title states). The seller says the Timing chain was done 26k ago (no proof of this yet) and "everything is okay, including the suspension".. What information he's going off of...I dunno! but the Carfax does state 18 service records which seems low for a 10 year old car.

I understand this means that other service(s) could've been done at an indy, i don't have detailed service records yet. The Carfax states there were 3 owners, 2nd owner had it for 5 years, and this owner for 1 year. The one year ownership is what is putting the question mark over my head.
With all that said, it has 172k on the clock. He's asking $6400 for it.

If someone is willing to pull the Vin for me that may show more than the Carfax, that would be GREAT! and every and all input would be greatly appreciated as I value the opinion from the member here.
~~And please, I am not looking for a "If your questioning it, don't buy it response." We question EVERYTHING we buy, and i am looking for owners gut and honest opinions / facts about purchasing a used Benz with this milage.

VIN: WDBUF90X77X215313

Thank you!

 

Parameter Value
Ident. number (FIN) WDB2110901X215313
VIN WDBUF90X77X215313
Baumuster 211090
Sales name E 550 4MATIC
Permanent link http://carinfo.kiev.ua/cars/vin/merc...u=jbvne5qp0lw7
Order number 0 7 715 31342 (Destination: smart USA)
Delivery date 07 09 2006
PAINT1 368U FLINTGRAY - METALLIC PAINT
Interior color 821A AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
Engine 273962 30 077681
Gearbox 722677 06 646403
General data for model code 211090


Baumuster Модель Платформа Модель Двигатель КП Кол-во дверей Date From Date To
211090 E-class W211 E500 / E550 4Matik Бензин
273.962 АКП
722.677
4
SA codes
Parameter Value
06Q GV - WHEELS WITH NANO PAINT
212B OP. INSTRUCT. AND MAINT. BOOKLET-ENGL. FOR USA/CAN
213 SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
221B SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
232 GARAGE DOOR OPENER WITH 284 - 390 MHZ FREQUENCY
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264 LICENSE PLATE ATTACHMENT AMERICA
267 TYPE-DESIGNATION DEVIATING
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
280 LEATHER STEERING WHEEL AND LEATHER GEAR SHIFT KNOB
284B AIRBAG LABEL - ENGLISH FOR USA
287 THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
293 SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
301 ASHTRAY PACKAGE
309 CUP HOLDER
359 LOW COST TELEAID USA
368U FLINTGRAY - METALLIC PAINT
389 MOBILE PRE.-INSTALLATION (MTUS) USA/CANADA COMPL.
396 LINGUATRONIC-AMERICAN
401 FRONT SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
489 AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE
494 U.S. VERSION
524 PRODUCT PROT. F.PAINT - TRANSPORT VEH.PRESERVATION
530 COMAND DVD APS USA WITH NAVIGATION
536 "SIRIUS" SATELLITE RADIO COMPLETE SYSTEM
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
543 SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
573 CHILD SEAT MOUNTING, ISOFIX IN REAR
581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
615 BI-XENON HEADLICHT W.ACTVIE CURVELIGHT RIGHT-DRIVE
619 CORNERING ILLUMINATION
634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT
636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
668 PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/ TIE-DOWN HOOKS
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
690 EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
705L UNITED STATES (USA)
732 WOOD VERSION,BIRD'S EYE MAPLE BLACK/ANTHRACITE
763 RADIO REMOTE CONTROL W/ PANIC SWITCH (315 MHZ)
7XXL NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
807 AEJ 06/1/M/X
807 *1 722.6__ 19960119 AEJ 06/1/M/X
807 *2 211____ 20030218 YEAR OF MODIFICATION
807 *3 273.9__ 20050622 YEAR OF MODIFICATION
810 SOUND SYSTEM
819 CD CHANGER
820A AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE
821A AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
889 KEYLESS - GO
910 DYNAMO WITH HIGHER CAPACITY (FFO)
915 FUEL TANK WITH LARGER CAPACITY
919 AIRCON COOLING POWER PACKAGE
952 SPORTS PACKAGE
954 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
986 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN-NO.)
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M005 VEHICLES WITH 4-MATIC-/ALL WHEEL DRIVE
M273 V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M273
M55 CAPACITY 5,5 LITRE
N23 STEUERCODE WERK SINDELFINGEN/GRAZ
N28 EXCHANGE NOT ALLOWED, BODY/ORDER AS OF OFL W/ PA1
N9C STEUERCODE S210/211 SFT GRAZ
R02 ALL SEASON TYRES
R68 LA 18" 10 DOUBLE SPOKE DESIGN
V47 SPEED + LOAD INDEX 93V
Additional info for engine
Parameter Value
Engine 273962 30 077681
AGG_VAR A 273 010 26 02
ETV_BM 27396230
ZUTEXT
Variant A 273 010 26 02
Number for spare parts 27396230
Text BITTE BASISMOTOR A 273 010 81 00 80 BESTELLEN.
FOLGENDE TEILE VOM ALTMOTOR UEBERNEHMEN ODER IN NEU BESTELLEN.
OELABWEISBLECH,OELWANNE OBER UND UNTERTEIL,OELSTANDSSCHALTER,ABWEISBLECH,
AUSPUFFKRUEMMER UND BEIDE MOTORTRAEGER.
PLEASE ORDER BASE ENGINE A 273 010 81 00 80.
USE THE FOLLOWING PARTS FROM THE OLD ENGINE OR ORDER AS NEW PARTS
OIL BAFFLE,OIL PAN UPPER AND LOWER PART,THE OIL LEVEL SWITCH,DEFLECTOR,
EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND BOTH MOTOR MOUNTS.

 

And your opinion Marco?

 

Why don't you wait for the service records and then get a pre purchase inspection at a dealer if you are still keen?

 

Its Maroc by the way.

It looks pretty loaded. sport package. They drive splendid. I have parted the w220 s Classe to this w211 pre facelift and I say to you. Difference is nihil.

with sport package in my opinion is one of the most beuatifull cars MB produced.

 

I was thinking the same thing.I wonder what the inspection cost..Going to have to call tomorrow and find out. My thing was getting the thoughts of people that own a Benz now.. I've had Nissan my whole car driving experience.

Maroc, I agree, the W211 grew on me as I didn't like the bubble light look.. But IMO, i think it's a great evil between "better reliability", and being little brother to the E55 without the Super charger and potential problems.

 

I paid NZ$200 for my inspection at an independent mercedes specialist for my E55. They were very thorough. I have heard about people paying US$200 so seems pretty standard. If you are pretty keen and have had a decent look yourself then it is well worth it. Of course if you haven't driven a few and compared with the E55 and other similar models then you should do that first.

I loved my Nissan 350Z but I went back to mercedes again pretty quickly. The luxury and brute force approach to engines is something else. The E550 is newer and has the 7 speed, otherwise E550, E55 and E63 all have airmatic. I can't get enough of the E55's torque but the cost of ownership will be more. I wouldn't say they are necessarily all that more reliable. I am pretty sure the 07-08 E550 can (not all of them) suffer from balance shaft failure (or its V8 equivalent) which requires engine out to replace.

 

if ud love torque, buy a 320 CDI. I mean this.

 

I also love hp and overtaking people. I did get a 2008 C350 Diesel as a loaner from the dealer. I was seriously considering one for a daily driver. Surprisingly fun to drive but it feels faster than it is.

 

a 4Matic? so you want AWD, if that works for you but keep in mind there's higher maintenance on AWD than RWD which you have 4 axles to check. As you describe, the owner has suspension replace, that sounds about right for the kind of mileage. they probably sinking in a lot of money into the car to replace the worn out component, but the timing chain, I'm kind of surprise they replaced it, probably from poor oil change upkeep or not using the right type of oil. That would be questionable. Keep in mind, anything over 150ks on any car bound to have something needing replacing. So you would ask the seller for permission to get a mechanic do a through inspection before "YOU" sink in the dough on the car so you have a peace with your mind knowing you're not gonna end up a "money pit" which you have to shell out more to keep everything in working order.

 

Your insight was what I was looking for. Yea, AWD because I live in the New England part of the world and my Maxima don't completely agree with the snow here, it's doable but prefer to have the AWD when needed for light snow.
I am realistic enough to understand that certain things that have not been changed will need it or on it's way out again such as.. Axel boots, Starter, Alternator etc, even the fuel pump. Obviously fluids will need to changed at regular intervals and things like that. All of these things I can do my self. (I use to rebuild motors and Mod cars for YEARS, not as a living.....) Spending money to keep it running like a Benz should is okay for me, a money pit is not and I wondering if it's a risk / Gamble I should take or buy that GS450

It sucks, this applies to EVERY CAR across the board at this milage.. Please, even if I don't buy this car it will be great info for any other E550 i might come across.

Thanks for the input, $150 - 200 sounds about right from a dealer. I wonder if a Merc Indy would do equally good of a job. I know the dealer would want to find everything to hopefully get the business....And for the E55, dude, believe me when I tell you I want that car..But I need AWD... IMO the E550 is a great balance..On paper at least since i've never driven either.

 

Well I wouldn't call it that loaded. Basically one with the P2 package. No pano roof, parktronic, power trunk closer. P2 was keyless go and bixenon headlamps.

For keyless go, make sure all the door handles work, common for either the unlock or the lock buttons to fail. For bixenons, if they don't do their little dance at startup, there's a problem. It's also hard to see if the headlights actually swivel when turning the steering wheel.

Airmatic is also pretty expensive if it hasn't been done.

 

I said PRETTY loaded. Id bet u never saw a w211 classic basic version. Here in Europe they drive a lot for taxi etc. I wouldn't even call it a w211

Greets

 

Yeah, I think in Europe they get engines that even we don't get. But I like mine loaded and my E350 has more options than that E550, real leather (standard on an E550 so not considered an option), pano roof, P2, parktronic, power trunk closer and the designo graphite color. A few other options like voice control, bluetooth and ipod are minor options that sometimes don't even get mentioned. P2 is probably more common on an E550 than an E350, basically it's the only option that it has, all the other things like airmatic and cooled seats are standard options so if it's standard, you can't say it's loaded.

 

Hey Riley,

I have an 07 E550 as my daily driver (non-sport). It's been an outstanding car with 245k on the clock. Run as good now as when I bought it with 125k. No major issues. Parts are generally inexpensive and I have yet to enlist the aid if a mechanic. I commute 750 miles a week and consistently average 30 mpg.

The price seems decent as it is about 10% of the sticker price. If I recall, the sport has staggered tires which is great for performance/looks but means no tire rotation so shorter life.

 

The RWD had staggered tires, AWD or 4matic was a square setup (same tires all around). The sport was more for looks, different exhaust, lowered a little over luxury and the headlamp washers.

 

You are correct, since mine is a E350 sport package and my rear tires are wider and taller sidewalls than the front, mine is pretty loaded with navi, voice control, heated seat and rear sunshade.

 

The sport package has nothing to do with the tire setup. That depends if you have 4matic or not. I have the 4matic and the same size tires on all 4 and I also have the sport package. I think voice control was a separate option, but navi, heated seats and sunshade was the P1 package which most cars had.

Loaded cars would have all the options. Check this site to see what options were available for a particular model, just select model first then click on features and it tell you the cost of the options available that year.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/merce.../e-class/2007/

Sport Pkg - 333
INCLUDES: Bumper, Sport Rear; Exhaust, Dual; Blue Tinted Glass; Black Birds-Eye Maple Wood Interior Trim; Sport Suspension; Wheels, 10 Twin-Spoke Alloy

 

This is the kind've information that I was looking. 245k???? wow! I've been reading about this Balance Shaft issue... I was afraid because it would be my luck that this car was acceptable to this problem, but at 172k I would like to believe that if it didn't happen already it won't. Can you tell by my engine code if that motor was on of the potential problem ones? Vin is Posted in first post.

Thanks to everyone that have replied so far.

 

Thanks to all that corrected me on the sport tire setup; makes sense that the 4wd would have all the same. I know that my tire life was far less on my w210 AMG (staggered) than on my e550 (non-staggered).

I checked my vin and I'm in the affected engine group. So, I change oil every 3 months (I've got it down to the point where I don't even jack up the car).

Repairs in 120k miles of ownership:

Brakes - Meyle rotors, Akebono pads - $275
Upper & lower ball joints - Meyle - $150
Steering angle sensor - MB - $150

However, I've elected not to repair any of the keyless go door handles that have failed.

 

Okay I understand it all now, that particular car IS within range for the balance shaft problem. I understand it's only suppose to effect a certain percentage of cars but my luck is I will fall under that precentage. Maybe it would be a great car for the price for a MBTech person.. Even with the milage, one would assume if it didn't already have problems with the balance shaft it might not have any problems.... f-dat!...
I did call the Delaership that maintained that car, they didn't have any records of the shaft being messed with. The owner said the timing chain was done 26k ago and I am wondering if that was the balance shaft work???
Well, thanks guys for all your input on my potential purchase and this wasn't for nothing. I just learned something that could've possibly saved me from buying a time bomb..

 

car hasn't seen a dealer since 2012.
M273 doesn't have a balance shaft. It has a Idler gear, way cheaper repair than balance shaft.
I would find out why the chain was replaced. If in fact it was for timing i'm willing to bet the idler gear is worn too. Chain is temp fix for that timing issue for the penny pinchers.
Me personally, 6400 isn't all that bad. It's a late model 211 and has a 273, so the choice is yours honestly.
transfer case was replaced at 68k miles
there's been hefty airmatic work done but that is normal with air ride equipped vehicles....



all the bells and whistles are tight until they fail or quit working.
Depending on the shape it's in i wouldn't call it a time bomb per-say. If it needs a idler gear then so be it, that is the gamble you take with early m272/273 engines (your engine produced in 08/2006.
a ppi is what i would do if you havent like others above had said. And also request freeze frame data of timing actual values. Or if you want to really know if it's a time bomb or not pull cylinder head covers off and check timing.


You can find out everything about that car if you are willing to pay.
GL

 

What years are affected? Im looking at a 2007 and was all ready to buy then came across the timing chain/gear problem.
The car im looking at is in a small city in rural america so a PPI really isnt feasible. Trying to find more info out there but coming up empty.
tia

 

It's covered in this thread. Mentions a range for the engine numbers and it's just 2006/2007. You can use a vin decoder to see what the engine number is.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...nce-shaft.html

https://www.lastvin.com/

 

Engine is 285050 so in the clear, yeah!