Important thing first. My name: Lucas. Currently driving Saab 9-5 and Nissan Titan. Because I wanted to change one car, obvious decision for me: Nissan has to go and be replaced with another something giving more fun. And here I am, thinking about 2007 E550 4Matic.

Found one with vin: WDBUF90X77X212654
Mileage 153k km (95k miles) for 10,000CAD or $7,000

So far what I discovered that engine is in affected range. I am fully aware of risk. Correct me if I am wrong, but independent garage can replace problematic sprocket for 2500-4000$. So I will have option to do it right away after buying car or get proper warranty. I am being offered 2y unlimited km with $5000 per claim for: $2000. And thinking about warranty, it is smart move, because later discoveries.

Airmatic suspension: I love this ride. Nothing can compare to that, connected with 4Matic and 382hp engine giving me perfect car. Now go to costs: Please explain/correct me, 4Matic and RWD have difference in air system and won't fit in another one. Why on ebay I can find air shocks for $250 used or $450-$1200 new? My guess this cheaper are not OEM. So these for $450 are worth risk? Anybody can help with link to reasonable priced? (both front and rear). I just need to compare if my finding are ok. Worst case scenario for less than $1000 I can buy conversion kit to normal springs – but I do not want to think about it. I know there is a few another parts like valves and pump in this system but they are easy to find and pricing is similar.

Another question is about 4Matic system. Is it solid? What are yours usual spending for maintenance and about what mileage? I am pretty sure it won't be much more (probably less) than Nissan Titan 4x4.
I am not considering E500 or smaller # mostly because of power, and not any RWD (except AMG versions).
This car will be daily driven.
My last question: are there any other keywords I should look for before making decision? Of course I will send car for PPI, but I have also ability to lift up car and check most important things on my own, what will be first step.

Thanks all for help.

 

 

Main reason I want only V8. Not interested in V6.

 

Then look for a 2008 or 2009 E550. Quality control got better with the later years. The 2009 model has the updated Comand in the dash, but you need the original DVD to update to the latest. I think they stopped anyway. The older 2007/2008 has a navigation dvd out there which you can search for and just burn yourself. I think for 4matic, the only maintenance is the fluids in the transfer/differential. Otherwise it's the luck of the draw whether it will last you a long time with no trouble or not, they're mostly reliable, problems are rare but do exist.

Your math is basically off, why spend an extra 2-4k on a repair on a car that's older when for an extra 1-2k, you can get a car that's one or two years newer. Or keep searching the 2007's for one that's outside the range, only a small number of early 2007 models were affected.

If you have a lift, I'd skip the warranty, I've had my 2008 for about 4 years and I don't think I've spent more than 2k on repairs, most expensive thing so far has been tires and bent wheels which aren't covered under a regular warranty.