2011 E550 just hit 100k!
 

I love my car, and I drive a lot so I've put 60k miles on her in just under 2 years. What I'm trying to figure out is if I'm really smart or really stupid with my philosophy moving forward:

Since I purchased the car CPO in March of 2014, and bought the extended CPO warranty which is good until 2017, I'm planning on driving this car for many more miles. I know that I'm in a serious negative equity situation with my 5 year loan (at 1.77 rate I figured why not), but the big question is should I keep it post warranty and drive it until the wheels fall off, or is there some point where I could sell and get something out of it.

My first instinct is to sell it right before the extended CPO expires, and I'll most likely take a bit of a hit (probably 5-7k), but maybe it'll be worthwhile to just keep the car and hope that nothing catastrophic happens. Bear in mind that the car will have around 150k on the odo at that point...

Any advice/thoughts based on the long-term reliability of the w212 E550 would be appreciated (i've already had my rear struts and airmatic replaced under warranty, and gone through quite a few new tires that were covered under my 5-year wheel and tire warranty as well).

Part of me wants to see if I can get 200k out of the car without breaking the bank, it's just such a sublime driving machine!

I should clarify, I have the extended CPO warranty until November of 2017, so quite a long time left covered...

I'm curious as well. I'm at 70k with about 2 and a half years of CPO left so I plan on driving this crap out of this car :)

I am an optimist and probably wrong, but my approach has been that if I didn't have any significant problems at 70-90k miles, then the "odds" are good that if I drive the heck out of the car after 100k miles, it won't be a big issue.

But I also realized that with how much car tech changes, that maybe switching at 90k miles for the newer features may make more sense.

My 2005 E500 has 152,000 miles on it and runs great, so 100,000 miles is not that much IMO. FYI my 2011 Hyundai Genesis V8 has 176,000 miles and is still trouble free. I think newer cars now should be able to go to 250,000 miles without having major problems.

I would say that if you've put on 60k trouble free miles I would just wait and see how the next year goes. If you still have no problems, then I would be more confident about taking her out past warranty. I would think your resale value will eventually get closer to its floor and the cost of driving each year will diminish.

I hope so!

I made the mistake to buy a new 2011 E350 as my first Benz but quickly realized I need some options, i.e. the driver assist package and the bigger engine so after about a year I traded it in for my 2010 E550.


This car has everything I can imagine that I ever need in a car while I drive it so I'm planning to keep it going as long as possible. The trade value of the car I so ridiculously low it makes more sense to repair it than getting a new one even with costly repairs.


And the 2010 - 2011 model with sports attire is the best looking E ever including the facelift and the 213 models.


This car is a keeper even with the rattling issues.

I have felt the same way about a previous vehicle and two of my current vehicles. "This car is a keeper..." Previously owned a 1996 Chevy Suburban 4WD for 16 years. I currently own the 2011 E63, 63,000 miles, and 2011 Hyundai Genesis V8 4.6L 176,000 miles and both are keepers.

Wow I have lots of catching up to do. I only have 48,000 on my W212

Welcome to the club:)

I'm at about 107k now but I've only put about 17k of that total since I bought the car. I drive quite a bit as well since I haven't even had the car a year yet.

If I were you I'd keep it after warranty unless you really want something newer.

I have the same year E550, and if I remember correctly it was the last or close to the last year of the N/A v8. So It probably had all of its kinks worked out and will last quite a while being non turbocharged. The 7 speed auto was introduced somewhere around 2003, so that should also be well sorted for a long life on your E.

I wouldnt worry about anything catastrophic if you keep up with all the regular maintenance. Worst thing I could see happening is the airmatic suspension leaking, or some internal electronics going out somewhere down the road.

If you're upside-down on the value, and you have unlimited mileage warranty, then drive it till the wheels fall off, or it's paid off, or trade value is more than you owe. No one cares if there are 2 months of CPO left on a MB with 150K mi on it. I would hate to take that much hit on anything, but I've never been upside-down on a car either.

I drove my '05 C55 AMG until 167k miles. The engine and tranny were just fine. But at that mileage, things like suspension bushings, water pump, a/c compressor, hoses, brake lines, egr valve, etc. start to go. So, I sold it to an enthusiast to essentially trade it in on my E. Basically, regular and medium level maintenance costs will continue to increase the longer you drive your car. At some point the cost of keeping it going won't make sense considering the cost/convenience/value of a new or 1-2 year-old pre-owned/CPO. All in all, it depends on the actual costs of running your car and your comfort with risk. In my case, my young daughter sucked the fun out of having a sports sedan and in the NY area, a 4-matic is much more appealing to the family.

I'm in a similar situation my 2010 E550 is sitting at 90,000kms... with warranty for another 2 years. Right now my mind set is I'm going for the "Mercedes High Milage Awards" which are given to Mercs that reach 250,000kms, 500,000kms and 1 million from MB lol I think I'll be luck to reach the first millstone :P

All of the repairs mentioned above were true for me with an Acura and BMW but not with the 2005 E500 and not with my Hyundai Genesis. I don't count belts and hoses as repairs, IMO that is maintenance.

Congrat's on the Milestone! I'm in an E400, So I hope I get the same or double than yours!:y

I love the enthusiasm and it's good to know that others see the inherent value in the NA E550 for the long term. I'm a car guy so I'm always looking at what's available, and I'm very intrigued by the power of the underrated m278 in the 2012+ cars, but the 2011 is damn near perfect for me as a supremely comfortable cruiser that's a beast if you need it. If I can afford it I'm gunning for 200k, I'll keep everyone posted!

Congrats, I believe you should be able to get 200K out of the car :y