kolyan24k

Hey, I am a previous BMW (tuned-335i and M3) and Audi (tuned A4) owner, currently drive S2k. Just because I had 2Sk for good 3-4 years now I figure maybe its a good idea to switch and drive something else....
I dont know anything about MB and just looking for an advice. I am looking for the most reliable E-class version. Should I go with 2008-2009 W211 or 2010-2012 W212, pretty much are latest years of W211 more reliable then earlier years w212 ? And what would be more reliable ? 320CDI i6, 350 Bluetec v6, 350 petrol v6, or 550 V8 ?

El Cid

Most reliable is 2011-2014 E350 (V6) with RWD. 2010's are probably good also as early problems should have been corrected by now.
Happy Motoring!

kolyan24k

Any issues with 4matic ? or you saying in general RWD more reliable then AWD

I also thought that diesels usually go for 200-300k miles trouble free, not the case with e-class ?

El Cid

This is based on reliability reports I have read. The RWD V6 has been a top seller for MB for a long time, so it has been consumer "tested" and developed more. The AWD is more complicated by its very nature, but have not seen any actual reports on it. The V8's do not fare as well, but then they are often even more complicated. The diesel "E has not been sold in US for that long, so may not be as much data available.
If it were me, I would rule out the W211 as most will have high mileages by now and the interior, exterior and features were substantially changed in 2010 for W212.
The April issue of Consumer Reports is out and that is the one dedicated 100% to automobiles. You might also try truedelta.com for reliability info, but that sample is smaller than CR's.
One note, this website is primarily for MB fans, so many of us are biased in favor of the cars - or else really hate them.
All of above said, I still like my 2010 E350 luxury version and for a German or European car, you probably can't do better. IMO, MB is the Ultimate Automobile, but it ain't perfect.
Take your time and do a lot of research.

kolyan24k

thanks, yeah the reason i am considering w211 is the price. i mean you are paying $10-15k for a decent lower miles w211 (08-09) or 20-25k for w212.

i understand that w212 is better quality and design etc

instantfob

Just word of caution. Don't plan on having much "tunes" for MBZ out there.

Personally I had no issues with my pre-face lifted ("LCI" for BMW speak) W212.
I miss my 3.0 V6 turbodiesel W212.

Everything will feel like a boat after driving a S2000 was it an AP1 or AP2?

Diamond White W212

In 2012 the E350 bumped up from around 268 hp to 302 hp through a variety of improvements FWIW.

I am also a long term bimmer guy and started this car search intending on a 2010 or 2011 335i. ( I REALLY wanted that car) I read about the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) problems, wastegate rattle that can lead to turbo damage, water pump failure and bolts breaking off in magnesium casings. I went ahead and bought one anyway but the CEL went off on the test drive. My code scanner and the used car lot (Autonation Ford) indicated HPFP and they agreed to pay for 'whatever was causing the CEl at my BMW dealer. But my local dealer claimed BOTH turbos were out without ever removing /looking at them. The denied it was the wastegate failure (which would have been an extended coverage issue) and said they thought the both turbos just randomly failed at 40000 miles. Autonation agreed to buy it back a week after I bought it instead of paying $4000 for 2 turbos. So with that - I don't trust my local BMW Dealer service dept. (only 1 dealer locally) and sadly had to cross the 335 off my list. I couldn't buy another potentially problematic car knowing the dealer would be ripping me off either accidentally or intnetionally (Sorry for this diversion)

Anyway - I let the wife pick this one. I really wasn't able to find much on COMMON problems with the W212 and nothing that concerned me. And my past experience with the local MB dealer was pretty good so I feel pretty good if I need to have them fix something, not to mention I bought a car with some factory warranty left which wasn't the case for the price range of BMW I was looking at.

And as instafob said above : Compared to what you are used to, it will feel like a boat. But it feels like a really well built solid boat and handles reasonably well for what it is.

kolyan24k

I still have my 06 AP2, only has 67k miles. Drives as the day I got it, almost ZERO $$$ in maintenance since 2006

kolyan24k

I replaced my turbos on 335i at 40k miles too covered under CPO. All my German cars were under warranty. I am considering buying MB without one.

Diamond White W212

That was exactly my situation. I could either buy the 335 plus shell out another $4000 for an aftermarket warranty and still not know if the stealership would consider it covered - or buy the Benz without one - where I trust the Benz dealer and indy shops to work on the Benz are more plentiful here.

Good luck in your search

MBNUT1

One reason that the W211 is cheaper is that it has taken the hit associated with being the previous model. The W212 will have a similar drop in price after the W213 is out.

kolyan24k

Do I understand this correctly? 2006-2011 have 3.5l port injected engines and 2012+ upgraded to DI? What about V8s which ones are port injected?

I don't really trust DI due to carbon

wanderfalke

The part that breaks is never the one you were worried about, failure is pretty random.

Diamond White W212

that was another concern I had because the 335i and 335d were prone to carbon deposit issues (as apparently a lot of DI engines are). I searched and was unable to find much of anything indicating a problem with the MB cars with DI. However, since it was just introduced in 2012, perhaps it just hasn't reared its ugly head in these models yet?

kolyan24k

Well I know that BMWs, Audis, and Porsches have carbon issues, as well as some Lexus cars. Its not a huge deal, but 335i people claim night and day difference when cleaning engine at 40-50k miles. No problems or check engine lights, just small and constant reduction of power and efficiency

El Cid

BAck in '84, had a Saab 900 Turbo. Everybody said the turbo would fail. Probably the only part that didn't.