Mj1pate

I'm shopping between lexus GS350, all wheel and Merc E350 4-matic. I pretty well know what to expect from Lexus in durability. I have a few questions about the Merc please:
1) is the Merc a 250k/10 year vehicle, if properly maintained without replacing major parts?
2) are the Mercs generally durable if properly maintained?
3) are there lingering, typical (expensive) problems with the Merc?

Thanks....
I am a DYIer, even for major work, but I have plenty of hobby cars. I'm looking for a reliable cruiser.

Mike

El Cid

No, No, Yes

CarolinaBluetec

If you want to come close to a 250k/10 year car without placing major parts, good luck. Too bad they don't make Volvo 240's from the early 90's anymore.

Arrie

1. If you mean if a Mercedes can last 250 k miles / 10 years, YES.


2. YES.


3. The one I know is some 4-Matic power train issues. Other than that, NO.

Airmousam

I had one of those 240's, butt ugly but bulletproof

Mj1pate

As mentioned I am a DYIer. One "hobby" car ( and daily driver) is an '86 Porsche 928. The engine and tranny have never been out, although the tranny will be dropped this spring just so as to refresh the torque tube. several weeks ago, dodging a sedan running a red light light, I ran the 928 straight up on a vertical curb. Replacing the the chin spoiler, a tire and an alignment; its daily driving again. It doesn't have to be a Volvo to be "bullet proof". I just don't need a new car that requires more attention/money than the 28 year old Porsche. I'm also reasonable, a few expensive refreshes, spaced reliable years apart is ok.

PeterUbers

With an unlimited budget any car can last 10 years and 250k miles

Mj1pate

After reviewing ( and continuing to review) the forums, it looks like there are 2 areas of concern, although only one remains notable :
1) engine balance shaft wear/failure. Since I'm looking at 2013 and upwards, the change to the newer M276 engine would seem to negate this issue. It's been noted that if the timing chain/idler gears are made of the same alloys as the balance shaft gear gear, this could might continue as an issue. But that concern would be premature and guilt by association and I'm not (quite) as concerned about this.
2) 4-matic transfer case failures. I understand that the TSB for this continues on into my model years of interest and this concerns me. At the very least, this means to me that purchasing a low mileage 4-matic with existing plus extended warranty is a Mandate. Fortunately, I still have a few weeks to think on this before I pull the trigger on a purchase.

CarolinaBluetec

I recently replaced my 2008 E320 Bluetec with a CPO 2013 E350. Ended up with a 3 year warranty (2 on original, 1 CPO year) I intend to purchase the extended warranty for 2 additional years, so I will have 5 years total (through 2018). CPO cars are an excellent value. I think the 928 was one of the best cars Porsche ever made.

Alex.currie44

What part of the world are you in?
My reason for asking is that I do not believe the more recent E class cars will go 250000 km and 10 yr without a lot of expense. I have had 2 W124 E300 class, 1 CLK 320, 1 W211 E320 2 wd sedan, a W211 E350 4Matic wagon, a 2011 E350 4matic Wagon and a 2001 SLK 320.
The SLK runs great. It has the 5 speed tiptronic as did the W211s. I do not have confidence W212 will get too far without major issues. Transmissions seem to be an issue and I am suspecting mine or the TC is in trouble now at 55000 km
The one of W124s had the inline 3.0 L,SOHC six and 4 speed, and the other the DOHC 3.2 inline 6.
I washed them regularly, washed them in the winter in car washes with underwash systems, I washed wheel wells and other salt traps twice a year at least. The only body damage was chips and around the cladding clips on the plastic lower panels. Lanolin took care of that.
I changed oil and filter per the maintenance schedules, did brake fluid every two years, antifreeze every three.
Major issues?
At 7 yr the wiring loom in the engine bay was pretty dried out as the plasticizer evaporated from the heat and whereas I am a heavy foot I had to change the timing chain, tensioner and the sprockets on the cam shafts after 8 yr and and 250000. I put another 50000 and another year or so on the car before it left me and became the house car at a local up market boiutique hotel.
If you can find a W124 with relatively low mileage - lots of CE's around including Cabriolets - that is clean and well maintained then you could still get 250000K and 8-10 yr in my view. The W124 was and always will be the King of the Hill of the E class. A diesel would be a bonus.

Mud

I'm also a DIY guy for all sorts of repairs, but I will be getting the extended MB warranty to 100K miles. At that point I will probably replace it. IMO these are very nice cars - I enjoy driving mine - but somewhat finicky and expensive to repair. I accepted that, but with some risk mitigation.

markgm

I'm just over 100k miles and have only had to replace the thermostat and the blower wheel that squeaks at low speeds. So far it has been more reliable than my Accord, and there are a lot more gizmos in my E550.

DerekACS

I have ridden in several diesel W212s with over 300,000 km, used as taxis in northern Europe. Each time I get into one of these MB taxis, I am amazed at how rattle-free they are and how well they ride. The outstanding comfort of the back seat is another bonus, which I seldom get to experience in my own car !

Arrie

I have 79541 miles on the clock on my 2010 E550. I have not had any major issues and don't expect to have either before miles are doubled, which is close to the 250 000 km.

Of course the car is not new. I can feel very slight jerking between some gear changes SOMETIMES but nothing major.


Engine purrs like a kitten but roars like a lion when asked to. I change oil at every 5000 miles which for some folks probably is stupid but it is the most inexpensive way to extend the engine life so I do it. Half of the time it is done by the MB service at the 10000 mile services and between those I do it myself. And it is so very easy to do.

The biggest issue for me is the rattles in the car that are very annoying when driving on the interstate highways when at lane change the tires run over those reflectors between the lanes. I guess the German engineers missed this fact as there is no reflectors on Autobahns so they have no experience what 3 or 4 tightly spaced reflectors do to a car at 75 MPH speed. It would not be bad if it was jus an occasional "shake-up" of the car but it is a constant pain as lane changes happen all the time. But this is not a reliability issue and perhaps most people don't even think this as a problem...

Sean1234

First car I ever owned, my parents gave me theirs. The thing was butt ugly for sure in white but was a five speed and I could do everything on it. Had a few cars since then but I will always miss my 240 wagon!

Vic178

All the Mercedes e class w212 up to3 years old should replace the tensioner otherwise the timing chain can break then it will be big money to fix the problem, the way you can tell whether your tensioner is week when your car is cold it makes funny ratteling noise, I had mine changed yesterday from an independent guy cost me £250 half an hour job, now the starting rattle gone & I've got piece of mind.

jahquan3

Interesting you say this. I noticed when cold that it has a funny rattle seeming to come from the engine bay. I chalked it up to being cold and rigidity but I guess I should look into this. Since I'm at 108k miles, I literally had my car fully diagnosed twice in the last month. Once at STS and once at MB Dealer. Dumped a lil change on fixing anything that needed to be. However this lil tidbit you just explained never came up.

konigstiger

Chain tensioner (100) part # was replaced twice since production, night indicate modification.