E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Thoughts on 2006 E350!

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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 12:11 PM
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Thoughts on 2006 E350!

As I am shopping around for a car for my daughter, I came across this 2006 E350.
VIN # for additional details will be provided this afternoon.

sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/mercedes-benz-e350/6467649833.html

123K miles and from the pictures in pretty nice condition, looks like it may have the sports package as well?
Seller claims the car runs and drives, but idles rough and misfires. What could it be?

He will let the car go for 3k, as he bought another vehicle and does not want to deal with the Benz anymore.

I am thinking for 3K, and hopefully the issue being not all that bad, I could have my local dealer check the car out to see what it really needs, prior to purchasing. But even if I would put 2K into it, this may be a nice ride for 5k?

I am however not sure what all could be an issue on the '06 model? I believe the Balance Shaft could be an issue, depending on Engine Serial Number, correct?
Is the SBC Brake issue still of concern on an '06? I believe the facelift was implement in 2007, correct.

Will follow up here with VIN# as soon as I have it, but wanted to get your guys' input for now.

Thoughts?

Many thanks in advance.


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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 12:27 PM
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Balance shaft issue supposedly costs thousands of dollars to fix if it occurs.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Bahnstormer
Balance shaft issue supposedly costs thousands of dollars to fix if it occurs.
Thanks very much Bahnstormer, I am aware and would not touch this car if it was affected.
But, that was not my question. I asked if the 2006 cars were affected by this and what the overall thoughts on the car is.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 12:43 PM
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From Mercedes Medic if it's an M272 with engine # below 2729 30 468993 then it has the defective balance shaft issue. They also have a link where you can plug in the VIN # and it checks for affected or not.

Last edited by Bahnstormer; Feb 9, 2018 at 12:50 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 01:25 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
CEL is on and engine is misfiring. Say no more.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
CEL is on and engine is misfiring. Say no more.
Can you be a bit more specific about this, as I am unaware of the details? What is the CEL and the possible cause?

Big issue, minor issue, something to stay away from the vehicle because of this?
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston
Thanks very much Bahnstormer, I am aware and would not touch this car if it was affected.
But, that was not my question. I asked if the 2006 cars were affected by this and what the overall thoughts on the car is.
Look, All 2006 E350s are affected by the Balance Shaft issue since some 2007 are also affected.

SBC is more reliable than previous years but still a cost to keep in mind.

If you could pull the codes from the CEL we could probably see why it's misfiring and idling that badly.

Well it's cheap but just look for an '08 or an '09 (Much better infotainment system).

I've had a 2006 E350 for years now and I simply love it. It rides beautifully, brakes amazingly and the power-train is VERY smooth. You're gonna have to put in quite a lot to keep it running in its tip-top condition but it's worth it indeed. Went through the Balance Shaft & SBC Replacement but other than that in 10 years of ownership nothing else dramatic.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston
Can you be a bit more specific about this, as I am unaware of the details? What is the CEL and the possible cause?

Big issue, minor issue, something to stay away from the vehicle because of this?
Do you really think the seller is getting rid of the car for low price without checking what CEL is about?
He is hoping somebody will buy a car, that needs major work without checking the issue.
You can go there with your scanner and confirm that, but I am 99.99% positive you'll be wasting your time.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
Do you really think the seller is getting rid of the car for low price without checking what CEL is about?
He is hoping somebody will buy a car, that needs major work without checking the issue.
You can go there with your scanner and confirm that, but I am 99.99% positive you'll be wasting your time.
Let's try this again Krzysztof, ........................ you do this all the time, ................????????

I am not here to evaluate what someone else is thinking, as I know there are many people out there that have a ton of money and no clue about cars. I told the seller that the car would have to go to my local MB shop to be checked and to see what the true issue is BEFORE I would purchase. The seller agreed to this, ................ so yeah, I think he is trying to get rid of it without knowing what CEL is, why else would he agree to have the car checked at the local dealer?

What I am trying to do is find out if this would be a good car and if a 1500 dollar repair bill will bring it back to life.

You did not answer this, ................ but you rather want me to think why someone is getting rid of a car?

How much for the repair? Is is even worth it. Some details would be appreciated.

Last edited by S70Houston; Feb 9, 2018 at 04:39 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by PortAxePlayer1
Look, All 2006 E350s are affected by the Balance Shaft issue since some 2007 are also affected.

SBC is more reliable than previous years but still a cost to keep in mind.

If you could pull the codes from the CEL we could probably see why it's misfiring and idling that badly.

Well it's cheap but just look for an '08 or an '09 (Much better infotainment system).

I've had a 2006 E350 for years now and I simply love it. It rides beautifully, brakes amazingly and the power-train is VERY smooth. You're gonna have to put in quite a lot to keep it running in its tip-top condition but it's worth it indeed. Went through the Balance Shaft & SBC Replacement but other than that in 10 years of ownership nothing else dramatic.
So CEL stands for Check Engine Light, ...................... which in my mind could be on for many reasons.

I am on a 5K budget and came across this car not even looking for it, as my daughter really wants an E46 BMW. A '08 or '09 is therefore out of the question.

Last edited by S70Houston; Feb 9, 2018 at 04:42 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston
So CEL stands for Check Engine Light, ...................... which in my mind could be on for many reasons.

I am on a 5K budget and came across this car not even looking for it, as my daughter really wants an E46 BMW. A '08 or '09 is therefore out of the question.
To answer your question directly, yes, 1.5K might be enough to bring it back to life. But again, the upkeep will not be
​​​​​​cheap.
​​
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by PortAxePlayer1
To answer your question directly, yes, 1.5K might be enough to bring it back to life. But again, the upkeep will not be
​​​​​​cheap.
​​
Thanks very much.

Any idea what the issue could be???? I mean, it could be as simple as bad plugs, coils????

Can't see how the upkeep would be more expensive than on my '03? Which really has not been all that bad overall.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:04 PM
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$1.5k does not go far in California with major engine work.
You have to make your mind S70Houston
On one end you are saying you are not familiar with potential repairs, on other hand you want to take a project nobody else want to touch.
You can't have it both ways.
So if you really want to consider that, start with taking your scanner and check the codes. Also check the car smog readiness as that will show if some codes might be recently erased. Than you will have a bit of solid starting point, beside seller's BS.
Good luck.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
On one end you are saying you are not familiar with potential repairs, on other hand you want to take a project nobody else want to touch.
You can't have it both ways.
Why do i need to be familiar with potential repairs if i have my trustworthy dealer check the car out for the potential issue? If small great, if huge, i wont get the car? You make no sense at times!
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:21 PM
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If you have MB dealer in California, who will do major repair for less than 11 yo car value, I sure want to hear the name?
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
If you have MB dealer in California, who will do major repair for less than 11 yo car value, I sure want to hear the name?
Here you go again, ............................... You enjoy this, right? Glass is always half empty, never half full. Better not trust anyone, right????

How do we already know the repair to be MAJOR? And what does " 11 yo car value" mean??????? Can you possible translate? Or better yet, don't respond at all if it is just so negative again!
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston
Thanks very much.

Any idea what the issue could be???? I mean, it could be as simple as bad plugs, coils????

Can't see how the upkeep would be more expensive than on my '03? Which really has not been all that bad overall.
No idea at all. The dealer is your best bet on this.

And no, not much more than the' 03 except for the Balance Shaft issue which could cost more than what you paid for the car.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by PortAxePlayer1
No idea at all. The dealer is your best bet on this.

And no, not much more than the' 03 except for the Balance Shaft issue which could cost more than what you paid for the car.
Thanks.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston
Here you go again, ............................... You enjoy this, right? Glass is always half empty, never half full. Better not trust anyone, right????

How do we already know the repair to be MAJOR? And what does " 11 yo car value" mean??????? Can you possible translate? Or better yet, don't respond at all if it is just so negative again!
You do have reality problem, don't you?
If the facts don't make you feel well, why do you ask questions in first place?
I am done. Good luck.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
You do have reality problem, don't you?
If the facts don't make you feel well, why do you ask questions in first place?
I am done. Good luck.
So your constant and ALWAYS negativ quotes are factual?
Pardon me Sir, please accept my apologies.

But I am still curious to know the true FACTS behind your "11 yo car value" statement, as my English is not good enough to follow that??????

Last edited by S70Houston; Feb 9, 2018 at 07:06 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by S70Houston

But I am still curious to know the true FACTS behind your "11 yo car value" statement, as my English is not good enough to follow that??????
OK, I give it another try.
You spoke to the seller, right? Did he sound like idiot to you? Probably not, so why do you think he is selling car, who could be worth 10 grands for only 3 grands?
He knows that the repairs exceed the car realistic value and is seeking an idiot who would buy it without checking the issue. That is why he is not advertising what is the problem with the car, but is pushing lot of smoke with the "CEL light is on" and "I bought BMW"
How much do you care about his BMW?
Honest seller IMHO would advertise the car as "mechanic special".
OH, btw, what did you figure out about dealer's plates on the car?

Last edited by kajtek1; Feb 9, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
OK, I give it another try.
You spoke to the seller, right? Did he sound like idiot to you? Probably not, so why do you think he is selling car, who could be worth 10 grands for only 3 grands?
He knows that the repairs exceed the car realistic value and is seeking an idiot who would buy it without checking the issue. That is why he is not advertising what is the problem with the car, but is pushing lot of smoke with the "CEL light is on" and "I bought BMW"
How much do you care about his BMW?
Honest seller IMHO would advertise the car as "mechanic special".
OH, btw, what did you figure out about dealer's plates on the car?
You are not helping.
I mentioned below that I would take the car to my MB dealer to check what the issue is all about, why would the seller agree if he knows what the issue is. WHAT DO I HAVE TO LOOSE? As I said before, you are constanl;y looking for negative.

Hopefully someone will chime in that has some helpful input.

Car is advertised AS HAVING AN ISSUE, ................... " it is misfiring and the check engine light is on", ....
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 10:42 PM
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Sad it comes to this point, but you are good sample of the guy with mentality
"DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH FACTS, I HAVE MY MIND ALREADY SET"
Good luck with the purchase.
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Old Feb 9, 2018 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
Sad it comes to this point, but you are good sample of the guy with mentality
"DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH FACTS, I HAVE MY MIND ALREADY SET"
Good luck with the purchase.
See below: "Or better yet, don't respond at all, if it is just so negative again!"

For future reference, please do no longer engage in ANY of my threads, just keep your ever so valuable opinion to yourself, as I certainly DO NOT NEED IT.

Thanks.
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Old Feb 10, 2018 | 12:00 AM
  #25  
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For everyone else who may be interested, after receiving the VIN #, the car has an engine with the potential balance shaft issue, so its a NO GO!
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