austin94

Hello all, first time posting in the w212 forum!

I'm looking at replacing my W210 (01 E320 sedan) daily driver with a w212.

Looking at no older than a 2012, E350, E350 Bluetec or, if I can find one, a 2014 E250 Bluetec. I don't want to spend more than 50k, and since I live in south Texas where it rarely snows, I don't need or want a 4-matic.

Any recommendations? How is their reliability? Cost of ownership? Any particular luxury or convenience features I should look for? Which model would you say is the best, and/or most reliable? I only drive about 15-20 miles a day, mixed driving.

Thanks for any input!

justdonating

The CPO deals right now are great. For driving 15-20 miles a day I'd stick to a E350 w/ P1 and call it good unless there are specific options you want. This is my 3rd E350 and they are reliable, so you're making a good choice.

Raymond Lee

Agreed here, too.

austin94

Now I have a specific question, I've been reading and watching reviews from automotive journalists about the 2012 E-class and one reoccurring complaint is the performance of the standard halogen low beam bulbs.

Are they really bad? or are the automotive journalists being over critical as they usually are? The optional xenon lights certainly would make the car look more expensive at night, but would y'all say that you can live without them?

I ask because most of the dealers close at 7 so it's kinda hard to test drive a car at night...

Thanks again for your feedback!

DerekACS

If you ever drive @ night, you will never regret having an E Class with bi-zenon headlights. My advice: don't buy a CPO E Class unless it has the bi-zenons.

drsaab

I also think that if you drive such low miles. You may not reap the benefits of a diesel. The Gas will be cheaper to maintain, and you can pick up a 2014 E350 CPO for under 50k now.

I have a Bluetec and had a Gas E350 before that, the Gas is better 0-30 mph and BT is better 30-80 mph. At 15 miles per day, your at 7k a year and probably doing more city driving so no benefit with the BT.

austin94

Thanks again! Now I've also have been checking carmax as well as the dealers in my area and it seems the dealers are way over pricing their pre-owned cars. I have family and friends who recommended carmax to me, but I was wondering are there any benefits to buying from the dealer? What do you guys think?
Thanks.

kash2014

I agree the local dealers in Houston also had crazy prices listed, I didn't feel like haggling or wasting my time. If you like the "CarMax" experience I Drove up to Dallas and picked up my car from Texas Cars Direct. A grand and half cheaper than a comparable no haggle dealer "texas direct auto" here in Houston, but with over 80 212's in stock I couldn't find another dealer in Texas to compare. Easiest buying experience ever

good luck with your search, if you decide to check them out PM me, I have a few pieces of advice I can share

good luck

btesar

The standard light bulbs are fine. The adjustment from the factory seems to be way to low. It is easily adjusted up with a hex-bit socket. Once that is done, they are good.

btesar

I'm on my 3rd e-class all CPO. I have used the warranty in all cases. I have given this advice to other friends (who have not heeded the advice) that if you are looking for a 2-3 year old car, get a CPO just for the peace of mind (and 1.74% interest rate). I have found that Carmax in NC doesn't have particularly good deals and the MB dealer will give you a better deal on your trade then carmax.

Mbenz260e

standard headhlights are fine, I sometimes wish I had P2 for the keyless go and trunk closer but not deal breakers. Agree with the others, I am a BTC guy but unless that's desirable to you, not worth it for low miles as their used values are a bit stronger as well.

austin94

So most of everybody has recommended the gas to me with my low miles and mostly city driving, but the trouble is I found 2 2012's the exact color and all the options I want (kinda hard to find any 350 sedan with ventilated seats) but they're both diesels.... Give me the cons of owning the diesel because I'm having trouble seeing any.... What is the maintenance like? Reliability of them vs. the gas? I've never Owned a diesel anything.. Thanks for y'all's help!

drsaab

The cons are very minimal

1. need to do a extra fuel filter every 20k miles, adblue is easy to get and fill anywhere now which is done at every 10k. City driving may burn more def fluid vs highway.
2. car is noisier in city driving 0-30
3. car is more sluggish from 0-30
4. Has more expensive runflats and no sport 18" wheels from factory.

engine should be more reliable than the gas though and on the highway it is quieter and has more power plus more mpg. Much longer miler per tank so that is nice too.

austin94

thanks for the info! I guess I'll have to go test drive one to see what they're really like in stop and go traffic and how noisy they are. I do realize city miles out more wear and year than highway, but is it more true for diesels? And really my commute at 5am is about 7 miles of highway averaging 75-85mph. On the way home though it's usually bumper to bumper, and I'm lucky if I see 40 mph...

instantfob

My local dealer has a few E350BTC CPO to blow out. Ranges from 35-39k + TTL

http://www.keyesmercedes.com/vehicle...s-1371717.html

I just PM'd you the price list that I received today from my client adviser

DerekACS

#4: my 2013 E350BT came from the factory with 18" ContiProContacts (non-RFTs) and with 18" AMG 5 twin spoke alloy wheels.

Resale on the BT will also will better than any gas engine version.