View Poll Results: Will you keep your car long term without a warranty?
No warranty, no way, that's why I lease them.
7
7.95%
Yes, I'm keeping her
68
77.27%
Count me as undecided
13
14.77%
Voters: 88. You may not vote on this poll
How many folks here plan on keeping their W212's long term?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
How many folks here plan on keeping their W212's long term?
I've owned my new to me 2010 E350 for about two months now. I got it without a warranty from a local dealer with only 29K miles on the clock. It was not CPO so the only extended warranty I could get was an aftermarket one recommended by the dealer for around 1250 bucks a year. For that kind of money, I figured I would take my chances and after 3 years, even if something expensive were to break, I would probably still be ahead in terms of cost.
Before owning this Benz, I had a '98 C230 that I bought in less than pristine condition and did quite a bit of work on to make it my daily driver, including a new Headliner, new brakes, new flex discs and all the general maintenance that it required. So I'm not a noob when it comes to car repair, but I know my limits.
Since moving on up to what is essentially still a current model car, I find that the prevailing wisdom has gone from "You better be able to work on your car or else" to "You better buy all the warranty you can or else" . I'm kinda curious about how many of the folks here plan on keeping this car for a long time, say 8-10 years or till the wheels fall off or is the consensus to dump it in favor of a new one when the lease runs out or all the warranty is gone?
I'll be the first to admit that these are fairly complicated beasts that need their routine maintenance done, but I also think that they are well built cars that can have a long and hopefully uneventful service life. What say you all?
Before owning this Benz, I had a '98 C230 that I bought in less than pristine condition and did quite a bit of work on to make it my daily driver, including a new Headliner, new brakes, new flex discs and all the general maintenance that it required. So I'm not a noob when it comes to car repair, but I know my limits.
Since moving on up to what is essentially still a current model car, I find that the prevailing wisdom has gone from "You better be able to work on your car or else" to "You better buy all the warranty you can or else" . I'm kinda curious about how many of the folks here plan on keeping this car for a long time, say 8-10 years or till the wheels fall off or is the consensus to dump it in favor of a new one when the lease runs out or all the warranty is gone?
I'll be the first to admit that these are fairly complicated beasts that need their routine maintenance done, but I also think that they are well built cars that can have a long and hopefully uneventful service life. What say you all?
Last edited by aquinob; Mar 1, 2015 at 01:35 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 68
From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
I keep vehicles about 8 to 10 years. I did keep my 1996 Chevy suburban 16 years 197,000 miles.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
I have a 7/75k elw and after I hit 7 years or 74,999 miles, I'm selling her
Never own an amg out if warranty unless you can wrench yourself
Never own an amg out if warranty unless you can wrench yourself
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Long Island New York
2021 C300 AMG Line Sports Coupe
Kept my 2005 BMW 6 years until I bought my 2011 e350 sport. I service and take care of my merc faithfully. So far everything has been great. New car warranty expires Oct 2015 then I have a great Indy mechanic. Pending any servere problems I plan on keeping my Merc for 7 or 8 years��
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
So far I'm kinda surprised. I would have thought it much closer between those that want to hold on then those that will move on when the warranty expires. I'm hoping to keep mine for another ten years or more. Had my tundra now for 10 years and the wifes car is about 9 years, both with minimal issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Have a 7 year warranty on my 2010 so I will keep it at least that long. Plan is to keep it longer though since mileage is very low.
That said; if something breaks not covered by a warranty, it's a goner.
That said; if something breaks not covered by a warranty, it's a goner.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 15
From: 90210
Airforce 1
I bought my W212 E200 new in 2009 (you can see pics of my car on the 1st page of the pics thread) and I Plan to keep it forever.
Apart from a turbo hose issue 2 years into my ownership(covered under warranty), its been annual servicing and replacing wear and tear items (tyres and break pads)
I did not buy extended warranty and sp far I am £2500 up.
The plan is to buy a W213 cabriolet in 2 years but I wont trade in the W212. Reason being it would have under 50,000 miles, 1 owner and in pristine condition. Why give such a good car away for circa £5000?
Apart from a turbo hose issue 2 years into my ownership(covered under warranty), its been annual servicing and replacing wear and tear items (tyres and break pads)
I did not buy extended warranty and sp far I am £2500 up.
The plan is to buy a W213 cabriolet in 2 years but I wont trade in the W212. Reason being it would have under 50,000 miles, 1 owner and in pristine condition. Why give such a good car away for circa £5000?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 251
Likes: 48
From: Kalispell, MT
2016 E63 S AMG
I LOVE my 2014 E550. It is a keeper! I will purchase other Benzes in the future, but I'll keep this one. It is the ninth Benz I've owned and the best by far. It inhales miles (20k so far) and seems to get quicker as the odometer reading increases. I do all my own maintenance and what a joy it is!
Last edited by BerndV; Mar 2, 2015 at 01:18 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 8
From: California
w212 E350 Bluetec & Mk7 GTI Sport
Long as she'll last me. 250k~ miles/10 yrs? Not that i NEED it to, but i want it to. Thats why i picked a diesel e class. It will be dignified in 10 years instead of looking tacky, and ill be older at that point. Doesnt mean I wont pick up a couple more along the way if i can =D
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Haslett, Mi
2011 E350 4matic
so far, so good. owned it almost 2 years now and love it. I plan to keep it at least another 6-7 years or more depending on the maintenance. right now my plan is to get a S class and give my E class to my wife.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
will keep for the life of my extended warranty which was 6/50k when I bought it with 50k on the odometer already. I should get 5.5-6 years out of it. Then it will depend on what issues, if any, I have experienced by then. Plus that 120k service $ kind of scares me (B, brake fluid, plugs, tranny, etc.)
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 991
Likes: 86
From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
I LOVE my 2014 E550. It is a keeper! I will purchase other Benzes in the future, but I'll keep this one. It is the ninth Benz I've owned and the best by far. It inhales miles (20k so far) and seems to get quicker as the odometer reading increases. I do all my own maintenance and what a joy it is!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 592
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
I keep my cars a pretty long time for the most part. My W212 only has 39,000 miles so it even still smells new. Washed weekly and sleeps in a garage. I would like to see 200,000 out of it and I am sure it will do that and more.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 209
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
2014 E-350W4
Since purchase only very minor problems fixed with 1 visit to dealer. No major expense involved. Car runs great, have P1 and P2 options, everything works great and, can't beat the comfort. Plan to keep as long as I can.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
2015 E350-4M SPORT
Dumped my 08 E at 80K. It was due to empty my wallet. I'll keep my 15 E for the same, too. Once the warranty runs out - it's a high stakes craps shoot and I don't gamble.
I love these cars, but they are really not reliable enough (IMHO) to own without a warranty. Unless you're a trust fund baby.
They break expensive.
I love these cars, but they are really not reliable enough (IMHO) to own without a warranty. Unless you're a trust fund baby.
They break expensive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I'm planning to drive my 2010 550 until it cannot be repaired anymore. This basically means when the wires start shorting out due to wires and wire harnesses failing. At that point the car should be at least 10 years old.
Lots of folks seem to have opinion to get rid of the car when some major failure happens. In my car the first major item to fail will probably be the gearbox. Well, it would cost somewhere $7000 to have fixed and I will do it. It is far cheaper than getting a new one of these cars.
Lots of folks seem to have opinion to get rid of the car when some major failure happens. In my car the first major item to fail will probably be the gearbox. Well, it would cost somewhere $7000 to have fixed and I will do it. It is far cheaper than getting a new one of these cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
As a corallary to this, would you replace your 2012 or earlier with a new one if you got a new vehicle?
Just curious as no matter how many times I look at it, just can't see getting new "E" even with luxury grille due to the front end design.
Also, have five years with "E", the Hyundai Genesis is really beginning to look like a good buy.
Just curious as no matter how many times I look at it, just can't see getting new "E" even with luxury grille due to the front end design.
Also, have five years with "E", the Hyundai Genesis is really beginning to look like a good buy.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon (Sport)
Keepin' her!
This is my first Mercedes and even before I purchased my CPO '11 E350 Wagon (Sport/P2) I thought the older front end looked so much better than the new bulbous front end's that are on the 14' and up E's. Although, the new tail-lights do look better! I took advantage of the incredible CPO offer that Mercedes had in affect until recently, so I don't care how many gizmo's go wrong before 2018, because they'll be replaced at no cost to me. Although it is a German Luxury Car, so if something goes wrong after warranty, it may cost a pretty penny, but then again when is luxury cheap? Love my wagon, and my daughter's love looking out the back window!
