BMW guy looking to buy E-class
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BMW 540i
BMW guy looking to buy E-class
I have owned several mercedes in the past and I am currently entertaining getting an E-350 or E-500. My question to you guys are as follows:
What years should I avoid, a mechanic mentions pre '06 cars to be poorly built. Truth?
What should I look for as far as components replaced? Are there certain components which have known to fail after x-amount of miles?
Anything else I should know...?
What years should I avoid, a mechanic mentions pre '06 cars to be poorly built. Truth?
What should I look for as far as components replaced? Are there certain components which have known to fail after x-amount of miles?
Anything else I should know...?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
fwiw, you'll get better info on the W211 forum. This is the W212 forum.
The 2009 was the last year of the W211s. The main difference from the earlier W211s is that it has the updated COMAND, VC, and SatNav system that's in the W212.
Also like BMWs, later years of any model are normally better choices.
The 2009 was the last year of the W211s. The main difference from the earlier W211s is that it has the updated COMAND, VC, and SatNav system that's in the W212.
Also like BMWs, later years of any model are normally better choices.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
2010+ is a different body style.
If you're going Used, I'd recommend 2006+ 100%. I'd only do an '05 Benz if it was just a prime example, and the deal was too good to pass up. M-B got back on the ball slowly in '05, and picked things up in '06, and by '07 the quality was immensely improved.
If you're going Used, I'd recommend 2006+ 100%. I'd only do an '05 Benz if it was just a prime example, and the deal was too good to pass up. M-B got back on the ball slowly in '05, and picked things up in '06, and by '07 the quality was immensely improved.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Greenwich, CT
2014 E350 4Matic; 2016 GL350 Bluetec; 2005 F430 Spider
I'm sure the 2009 is dirt cheap as the body style changed in 2010. There are tons of lease returns so market must be soft for pre-2010 cars. I would not get an E550 4matic in 2008 or 2009 as it uses the old 5 speed tranny, whereas the 2010 finally got the 7 speed.
I'd be wary of buying an '09 as they may be a bit high still but button line is they look like a nine year old 2003, except for wheel and tail light differences and different center console.
I'd be wary of buying an '09 as they may be a bit high still but button line is they look like a nine year old 2003, except for wheel and tail light differences and different center console.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I'm sure the 2009 is dirt cheap as the body style changed in 2010. There are tons of lease returns so market must be soft for pre-2010 cars. I would not get an E550 4matic in 2008 or 2009 as it uses the old 5 speed tranny, whereas the 2010 finally got the 7 speed.
I'd be wary of buying an '09 as they may be a bit high still but button line is they look like a nine year old 2003, except for wheel and tail light differences and different center console.
I'd be wary of buying an '09 as they may be a bit high still but button line is they look like a nine year old 2003, except for wheel and tail light differences and different center console.
The prices on used W212 are dropping steadily as a reflection of the typical MB parachute style depreciation. So yeah, the OP may want to consider a W212 if he prefers the latest generation. And wait until this fall as the W212 drops even further. As everybody pretty well understands, a Mercedes is not a car you buy (either new or used) if future resale is on your horizon.
Buy them new or used but keep them forever and use them if you want any value out of them. Or just rent them. The latter is probably the most rational choice and especially when you consider reliability and maintenance costs of any MB over the very long haul.
