Buying advice on high-mileage e350
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Newbie
Joined: May 2015
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Volvo v70
Buying advice on high-mileage e350
Hi there,
I'm new around here and am considering purchasing a 2011 e350 wagon. The car is in great shape, seems to be well maintained, but has just under 80k miles on it. My main concern is maintenance. I've done some reading on here and elsewhere online, and these cars seem pretty reliable.
I only plan on driving about 5k miles a year, and I am strongly considering purchasing an aftermarket warranty. Are my concerns about costly maintenance overblown? Or should I stay away and find something with less miles? I don't plan on doing any maintenance myself.
Thanks for reading!!
I'm new around here and am considering purchasing a 2011 e350 wagon. The car is in great shape, seems to be well maintained, but has just under 80k miles on it. My main concern is maintenance. I've done some reading on here and elsewhere online, and these cars seem pretty reliable.
I only plan on driving about 5k miles a year, and I am strongly considering purchasing an aftermarket warranty. Are my concerns about costly maintenance overblown? Or should I stay away and find something with less miles? I don't plan on doing any maintenance myself.
Thanks for reading!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
You mention maintenance as a concern but ask if you should buy an aftermarket warranty which covers breakdown/repair issues, not maintenance.
Up until 80k, you are eligible to buy prepaid maintanence packs from MB which could be a deal depending on what's coming up with your car. IIRC the 80k on a 2010 can be costly, but the 90k and 100k are not that bad.
If you are worried about breakdown repair issues, it's all really about peace of mind and how much you are willing to pay. The answer will depend on the options available to you either at purchase or afterwards. You should also research the repair history of the car to get a sense for how well maintained it was, and go from there. I got an extended limited warranty myself that covers me up to 6 year/100k. It was offered by the seller (Carmax) and the price was right for my peace of mind.
Up until 80k, you are eligible to buy prepaid maintanence packs from MB which could be a deal depending on what's coming up with your car. IIRC the 80k on a 2010 can be costly, but the 90k and 100k are not that bad.
If you are worried about breakdown repair issues, it's all really about peace of mind and how much you are willing to pay. The answer will depend on the options available to you either at purchase or afterwards. You should also research the repair history of the car to get a sense for how well maintained it was, and go from there. I got an extended limited warranty myself that covers me up to 6 year/100k. It was offered by the seller (Carmax) and the price was right for my peace of mind.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
I tend to favor low miles, my car had about 29k on it when I bought it and it was a 2010. But if the price reflects the high miles and you have good service history on it, and it is in good shape then why not. Coming from Volvo, I would think the service requirements are similar. With that many miles in only 4 years, you know that most are highway and should be easier on the car.
Good luck with whatever way you go.
Good luck with whatever way you go.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 174
From: Florida
Too many german broads
Definitely find a extended warranty to keep you covered from possible mechanical failures due to the higher mileage. As of maintenance, as long as you are aware what these cars usually require, you will be fine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Definitely find an extended warranty. Find out if ALL the MB required maintenance has been done, when and by whom.
Contact an MB dealer to find out charges for everything in Maintenance Manual that needs to be done for next few years. Even if you use an indy, this will give you an indication of how high the maintenance is going to be.
MB maintenance is costly, even at indys if they do everything supposed to.
Contact an MB dealer to find out charges for everything in Maintenance Manual that needs to be done for next few years. Even if you use an indy, this will give you an indication of how high the maintenance is going to be.
MB maintenance is costly, even at indys if they do everything supposed to.
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PPI and records is certainly necessary on such a high mileage MB. They can run for a long time if the proper maintenance has been followed. If not, then all bets are off. At 80,000 miles these cars start to get long in the tooth and lots of small niggling things start going wrong. I have owned many 100K+ MB cars and know the ropes. Expect rattles, door locks to fail, engine mounts to go South, etc. Just be prepared to move forward only if the car passes a strong PPI.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
For ~$100, a PPI the smartest research money going.
KEY08 is spot-on in my book and I'd go so far as to say it's crucial for any used car regardless of miles (maybe that's what KEY meant anyhow).
I also strongly recommend the PPI be performed by the car brand's dealership, e.g.: Merc cars at a Merc dealer, Lexus cars at a Lex dealer. The dealers have access to maintenance history performed by dealers on the car, recall history, etc. While some of this is available to consumers through other methods (carfax, auto mfg websites, calling the dealer with the vin, etc), the dealer route is convenient. Most importantly to me, the dealership has long, strong familiarity with the car you're bringing in. Who better to give you a knowledgeable assessment than someone that specializes in the car you're looking at?! I suppose an independent can be helpful, but I lean to the dealership for a PPI.
The one exception is new-ish, low mileage, CPO cars from their brand's dealership, e.g.: Merc CPO cars at a Merc dealer, Lexus CPO cars at Lex dealers, etc. I trust there's enough built-in safety in these cases unless your "spidey" senses say otherwise.
KEY08 is spot-on in my book and I'd go so far as to say it's crucial for any used car regardless of miles (maybe that's what KEY meant anyhow).
I also strongly recommend the PPI be performed by the car brand's dealership, e.g.: Merc cars at a Merc dealer, Lexus cars at a Lex dealer. The dealers have access to maintenance history performed by dealers on the car, recall history, etc. While some of this is available to consumers through other methods (carfax, auto mfg websites, calling the dealer with the vin, etc), the dealer route is convenient. Most importantly to me, the dealership has long, strong familiarity with the car you're bringing in. Who better to give you a knowledgeable assessment than someone that specializes in the car you're looking at?! I suppose an independent can be helpful, but I lean to the dealership for a PPI.
The one exception is new-ish, low mileage, CPO cars from their brand's dealership, e.g.: Merc CPO cars at a Merc dealer, Lexus CPO cars at Lex dealers, etc. I trust there's enough built-in safety in these cases unless your "spidey" senses say otherwise.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
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From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
I would not own one of these cars w/o an extended warranty. My '10 with 45k miles just blew a rear view camera. $3400 out of pocket without a warranty. I also had the dynamic seat repaired about six months ago that would have been another $1600 withhout warranty.
Just to put it into perspective. I bought the car new and have followed the factory maintenence schedule to the T. I have had very little repair issues with the car and absolutely love the drive 4 & 1/2 years later. That almost never happens with me and a car. So I bought the extended warranty when the factory warranty ran out. $2500 for three years. Two repairs and that warranty has more than paid for itself. And these were not significant mechanical issues in that neither one would have prevented me from driving the car. But, why have a car with these features if they don't work.
So if you are smitten with the car, and that is easily understood, buy one with as much warranty as you can and enjoy the ride without worrying about having to address the cost of fixing something when it breaks. I have heard of some who forego the warranty and keep a reserve stash of cash to cover such repairs. In my case it would have cost me 5 large in less than one year. How big a stash of cash would you justify keeping around for something to break. While I am not happy that I have had to have these repairs made I certainly feel better that the fix is on MBs dime. And, they give me a new loaner to driver while the fix is being made. Hell, they will even pick the car up and take it to the shop for me.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Just to put it into perspective. I bought the car new and have followed the factory maintenence schedule to the T. I have had very little repair issues with the car and absolutely love the drive 4 & 1/2 years later. That almost never happens with me and a car. So I bought the extended warranty when the factory warranty ran out. $2500 for three years. Two repairs and that warranty has more than paid for itself. And these were not significant mechanical issues in that neither one would have prevented me from driving the car. But, why have a car with these features if they don't work.
So if you are smitten with the car, and that is easily understood, buy one with as much warranty as you can and enjoy the ride without worrying about having to address the cost of fixing something when it breaks. I have heard of some who forego the warranty and keep a reserve stash of cash to cover such repairs. In my case it would have cost me 5 large in less than one year. How big a stash of cash would you justify keeping around for something to break. While I am not happy that I have had to have these repairs made I certainly feel better that the fix is on MBs dime. And, they give me a new loaner to driver while the fix is being made. Hell, they will even pick the car up and take it to the shop for me.
Just my 2 cents worth.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
I bought an extended warranty at 4 yr due to major concerns about transmission and transfer case issues documented here.
Dealer sold it to me and waived the inspection fees.
Dealer sold it to me and waived the inspection fees.
