Parkinen

So for the past few months I've driven pretty much every newish midsize SUV under the sun and I pretty much hate them all. Except for the used GL I drove, which is decidedly not mid sized and also decidedly dubious for reliability (I'm told) but completely awesome in all other respects.

We're selling a Subi Forester and want something that we can rack up miles with on the freeway from Colorado to Michigan. We've got an 8 month old and lotsa baby gear so I'm headed back down the Benz Station Wagon rabbit hole and gathering info on these cars.

I talked to an independent shop here in Colorado who said for the most part the modern MB's seem to be the most reliable german cars they work on. They did say there was an issue with early 350 engined cars with some sort of sprocket that was made from too soft of metal and ended up being an enormous fix.

Here are my questions:

1. M272 and M273. Other than the balance shaft gear issue, any other common problems with either engine? Hows the milage the the V8? Is the V8 worth the added expense? Is there a golden year(s) for either?

2. I read that early 211's had some issues mechanically and that these were addressed for the 09' face lift. Can anyone describe what these issues were?

3. I was told that all wagon's have rear air suspensions, which make me really uneasy. I'm also now seeing the 500s and 550 have air all around? Is this right or was this a factory option? Is there a good swap kit to remove this system like there is for modern Land Rovers?

4. Anything else pertinent I need to know before purchasing one of these cars?


Many thanks in advance!

Philip

kajtek1

I am diesel fan and you can't go wrong with any W211 or W212 diesel.
Each model has some weaker point, so read the stickies once you choose the model.
Gas engine? Fine in disposable roadster, but not for long distance cruiser.

Peachy

If your goal is to rack up miles on the freeway then I'd have to go with kajtek1 and say that you should get the diesel version of the car. You'll have to find someone who knows how to fix them too, if you don't want to go to the dealership and pay dealership prices.

As for the M272 and M273, I heard that issue is only in the 2004-2008 models, buy something newer and they're pretty solid. I have the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8, it gets like 23 mpg on the freeway, not great. I obviously didn't buy it to be an efficient commuter, I bought it to match my style of driving, which tends to be aggressive.

Mine also came with the air-suspension, I believe they were standard on my year E550s. I haven't personally had any problems with it, in fact I actually like it. I don't know if you can swap them out for conventional suspension.

When purchasing a W212 you'll want to make sure you get the P2 package, it includes a lot of convenient features that'll make you wonder how you got by without all these years.

shadenfroh

The 211 facelift happened in the 2007 model year. 2009 saw the introduction of the new 212 chassis. Whichever one you choose, just get the facelifted version. The later cars have all the little quirks ironed out. I would pick a late 211 any day, as the interior of the 212 is one huge misunderstanding, in my personal opinion. Another plus is the ability to pick up an older loaded car for the price of a newer base model. Options don't really go for much on the used market

1. The V6 should be plenty for a cruiser with a wife and a baby on board. The later - the better, find the serial number range of M272/M273 engines affected by the defective balance shaft sprocket production and steer clear.

2. Brakes - Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) was actually a great system, but either not designed well enough, or too far ahead of its time - depending on who you ask. The facelift goes back to conventional brakes, which is a good thing.

3. All Mercedes wagons (also BMWs and Audis for that matter) have had air rear springs for many years for self-leveling, but they don't have the adaptive features of the airmatic. Basically you can load it up as much as you want and the car still maintains a good posture. In contrast, the 500s and 550s have airmatic, which is the full-blown adaptive air suspension. I don't know if there's a swap kit, but I've heard the system is reliable.

4. Get a pre-purchase inspection at a dealer.

tresean1

Yes I have heard that too. My buddy has an Audi A6 and he swears the car is the greatest thing since sliced bread (I personally find it boring and lacking features), and even his mechanic says the Mercedes are some of the most solidly built cars he has worked on. My best friend has a V6 W211 with no issues; and I haven't had any issues with my V8 W211 (both of them are the facelift models)...the E550 is one of the most awesome cars in recent times. They come standard with Airmatic (raise the car, and adjust suspension). If you are a fast and spirited driver, then the 382hp V8 rocket is worth it. But if you have baby on board and you're a relaxed driver, then the low mpg of the V8 isn't worth it. The 268hp of the W211 E350 is ok, but may not be adequate to haul the weight of the station wagon plus all of the baby goodies. The facelifted V6 W212 brings 302hp...and I believe the V8 is north of 402hp.
If the OP is looking for a pre-facelift W212, then the P2 pkg is applicable, but if he wants a modern one (2014+) then P2 is no longer avail...they squeezed more stuff into P1, and the rest of the items have now become a la carte or part of other packages.
I'd agree, the facelifted versions are always better (aesthetically and mechanically). And while I do think the interiors of the W210 and W211 were very timless and classy, you have to remember those cars are aging, and mileage and technology (bluetooth, streaming, HD radio, Hard Drives) aren't going to be on your side.

So, OP, if on-board technology isn't an issue, then the late model W211's should be fine...if you want technology, then facelifted W212 is the way to go!

Parkinen

I would totally love a diesel but I've heard about a lot of problems with them in regard to the GL class. Perhaps the diesels in the e class have been more reliable?

KEY08

Totally agree with this. My E500 4Matic W211 was a fantastic car, and I am on my second W212 and they are also fine machines. Good luck hunting!

MBNUT1

I've owned the preface lift versions of both. The W211 was quieter and rode better. Both have been luxury versions. The ride and quietness could be in part due to the I put fresh Michelins on the W211 and am running Continentals on the W212 that it came with. The W212 handles much better than the W212 and feels more solid, both attributes I found lacking in the W212. I think that the front of the W211 is prettier while I prefer the rear of the W212. The W212 feels like a bigger car to me and as far as the interior goes I prefer the wood trim on the W212. Because the W212 comes with a seven speed transmission and the W211 was 5 spd (both 4matics) the W212 gets better mileage.

Also the W212 knock on wood has been more reliable than the W211.

Overall I prefer the W212 mostly because it feels more like a classic Benz to drive than the W211 did.

Silverp30wagon

I sold a W211 E500 to get a W212 E63 wagon. I drove the E350 wagon and it rode and drove so nice I almost didn't get the E63. You said you were "going back down the Benz wagon Rabbit hole" so I assume you're looking at wagons.... Which there were no US diesels sold. I say W212 E350 wagon all day long. The E350 has more hp than my W211 E500 as a bonus, so it's not slow by any means.Haha

tresean1

They both have around 302hp. BUUUUUUUUT...the E350 has no where near as much torque as the E500 had (273 vs. 339), so off the line acceleration is where you'll feel it most. Nothing like the power of a N/A V8.

cetialpha5

Careful about the year, the 2010-2011 E350 had the older M272 engine so that just had 268hp. In 2012 they went to direct injection so that went up to 302hp. I think the engine changed from a 90 degree V6 to a 60 degree one so in the old one it was easy to change the spark plugs, with direct injection, you had to take off the intake manifold so it go more expensive. Plus that was at 60k because they went to a multispark ignition system where it fires up to 4 times per cycle.

tresean1

Yeah, I concur. I was simply basing that off of silverp30's comment where he mentioned "the E350 has more hp than my W211 E500", so I naturally assumed he was talking about the 2012+ models...since it would have been obviously incorrect to think 268hp was more than an e500.

Silverp30wagon

Yeah. The E350 wagon I drove was a 2014, I think. I nailed it off the line on the test drive and was very very surprised how well it went. It also felt very stable and solid. I really really liked my E500, don't get me wrong but the W212 chassis just handles much better too.

Parkinen

This might be the best description of any interior I've read.

Parkinen

Would you mind just clarifying this? I'm assuming you mean the W211 handled much better than the W212?

Parkinen

Thanks so much for all this info gentlemen...finally sifting through this today with an open Autotrader tab.

I'm just now realizing that the correct chassis codes would be S211 and S212 since I'm going for a wagon?

If I could isolate a few main points, they might be:

1. Facelift versions are obviously preferable - S211 facelift ditched the SBC system.
2. If going with a V6 the S212 has ample power. Only V8 option in S212 is the AMG?
3. Air suspensions don't seem to be an issue with these cars.

I've seen some S212's listed on Autotrader as having a sport package. What this basically an appearance thing? Different wheels?

Also - a nationwide search for a V6 S212 yielded 212 results on Autotrader today. This must be a sign.

MBNUT1

No the W212 handles better than the W211 for sure. My girlfriend said the W211 reminded her of her mothers Tennessee Walker horse. She said it was very smooth and didn't like to turn. I would agree with her. Keep in mind that mine was a prefacelift version. There were quite a few updates in 2007 to the W211

Parkinen

You Mercedes guys' have way better senses humor than the BMW crowd.

mnje350

I would only consider a 212 version. I have the sedan 350 and have had no issues or regrets since new. I did not want to touch this model until the 212 came out. I could not stand those frog eyed headlights of the previous model. It is a style thing I know but this if the first car that I have ever owned that I did not want to replace after it got to be 3 or 4 years old. I still love it after 7 years. Looks, handling, performance, and reliability. It has been pretty much bullet proof with no issues. I also have no problem with the design of the interior.

Good luck with your decision.

mnje350

I really have to disagree with this comment. You have to be the judge.

cetialpha5

Two completely different pictures. The first W211 is the 2003-2006 pre-face lifted one. I like the face lifted one myself which was 2007-2009. I prefer the oval headlights, haven't heard of it being called frog eyed but I suppose. It just has more character than the W212.

And the W212 picture is the 2014+ model, the black buttons look better in pictures than the silver ones. Can't even tell if it has parktronic although I think it does.

I have both models, W211 by a slight margin as I have real leather in it and it's nicer than the MB-tex in the W212. The steering wheel was definitely better in the W211 than W212. The W212 has its points too though, I like the dynamic seats, bluetooth audio and the auto high beams which my W211 doesn't have.

Peachy

When I was buying my car it was either a 2009 E63 (w211) or a 2010 E550 (w212). The deciding factor ended up being the interior. Which one did I want to be in everyday? Despite the E63 having the superior performance, I had to go with the w212, couldn't afford a w212 E63 though :P

kajtek1

What really sold me W212 was classic clock on the console. but that's me.
W212 might feel like better handling due to lower-profile tires mounted on them, but driving on rough streets, I hate the feature. As always in life, you gain handling and you loose comfort.
For torque - my Ford diesel has almost 1000. You will never get close to it.
My dealer has new MB shuttle with GPS having like 12" screen and flying mode on it. Live traffic as well. That is what I would appreciate.

thenew3

Unfortunately to get a V8 in the S212 you have to go for the E63 AMG. They did not bring a non-AMG V8 to the USA. I wish they would've brought the E400 with the 3.0TTV6 here (it's available in canada) but in the US it's only available in the sedan not the wagon.

As far as sport package, it includes lower and stiffer suspension, different front grill (3 horizontal instead of 4 horizontal bars for 2010-2013, 2014+ has the 3 pointed star in the grill for sport, lux still has the hood emblem.), different front and rear bumpers (lower), and slightly different lower side moldings. On the earlier models (2010-2012) Sport VS Lux also had different fog lights and different exhaust tips. Sport pkg also has different standard wheels (still 17" like lux but different style). The instrument cluster has aluminum surrounds instead of black and the front brakes are different.

If you will be driving a lot, I recommend getting 2012 or newer as the M276 V6 is about 20% more fuel efficient than than the M272 V6 (not to mention more powerful as well). I've had my 2013 S212 for almost 5 years now and it has been rock solid. We routinely get 30 to 31mpg on long road trips.

LemonSqueezy

I had a facelift w211 e550 and now have a facelift w212 e550 and here's my thoughts.

211, the real leather was softer and seats were nicer to sit on, the doors had a better "thunk" sound when closing, it has a center console shift knob, the exhaust sounds nicer on n/a vs biturbo, the only thing that gave it's age away was the infotainment system, less electronic gizmos means less to go wrong, more a/m options on the 211 than facelift 212, I feel the last era of design had more personality to it, where you could immediately tell a C from E from S apart and still know it's an MB, instead of the recent 1 design fits all styling.

212, more modern interior, better engine, updated/faster 7spd vs old 7spd. Plastic, definitely feel a lot more plasticy in some areas. Dashboard is plasticy, the top of the door interior trim panels where your arm would rest is definitely plasticy, seats are a little more stiff and feels like less thigh support, the analog clock is a nice touch, it somehow feels smaller in the backseat than the 211 but maybe that's just me, LED headlamps are crazy bright even compared to the older bixenon, more nicer options in newer vehicles, i have mixed feelings about the more angular design inside and out, 212 probably handles a tad better

Both are still fantastic cars though.