I've been on a multi-month hunt since selling my 2008 XC90, and have settled on a W212, possibly two, as I'm hoping to pick up a E550 sedan for me and a E350 wagon for my wife. Both will be going to my local dealer to be inspected, but I saw when scanning the forum, that members are able to provide service records with a VIN. Hope I'm not asking too much, but it would be great to see these for the two vehicles.
I'd not been looking for a sedan, but took this 550 for a spin, and fell in love. Only problems I could find were deployed neck pro headrests (slight rear impact collision noted), and a hissing bladder on the left side bolster. Car has 99k miles, but seems rock solid. I'm a bit concerned about higher miles with the turbos, but they don't seem to be problematic from what I've read. Anything else I should be looking at on this?
2011 E350 4matic wagon -WDDHH8HB1BA435824
I've had this in my sights for a couple of weeks. Great price, but has some unusual noise at slow and high speeds. Tires look to be cupped, which is likely the source of the noise, but I'm leery of purchasing, replacing the tires, and having it be something else like the transmission or transfer case. Open to any insights you all may have.
Hoping I can pull this off and wind up with these two beauties in the garage soon. Wish me luck, and thanks!
I think pulling the data card with the cars options is as best as you will get here. I have never seen anyone pull a car’s VMI here for other members. You need to be a dealer service agent for that information.
It's very rare to find someone who can pull a VMI, there are a few people on here who do it once in a while, don't remember who does though, they basically work at an MB dealer. Anyway, never had any problems getting one afterwards, but it's hard to get one before a purchase. Usually I get it after getting the car. As for the noise, could be just the way AWD sounds like or could be shocks, control arms, drive shaft etc., have an MB dealer do a pre-purchase inspection to rule things like that out, no way for us to tell. Also that's a pretty basic wagon, pretty much no options besides the standard ones.
Your E550 is also pretty standard and a basic model. No parktronic, pano roof, folding rear seat, keyless go, bixenons, auto high beams, power trunk closer etc. No big rush, a basic model like that will be around for a while. Also on that car, you can see the wood trim is faded, a common problem up til 2013 or 2014. With the door open, you can see the wood trim hidden by the door is much darker than the one exposed to sunlight. Most dealers won't fix it, but maybe you can knock some of the price off as the wood kit is like about 3k even online although sometimes you can find used ones on eBay for a few hundred.
I have a wagon with only 55K on it and it's great, but way too much **** goes wrong with this car that shouldn't. Make sure you have a warranty. You'll be at the dealer often, unless you're the type to tolerate broken stuff. I couldn't imagine dealing with two at the same time.
Well, my confidence level has not exactly been boosted. E550 has 99k miles and is listed at $15,500. At that price, it seems like a decent deal. Wagon is an '11 with 80k at $17,900, also seems like a good price, but I'm admittedly scared of maintenance and repair costs. Was not sure on a warranty for either of them.
The cheapest part of your experience with these cars will be the purchase. Get a good PPI on each so at least you have an basic idea of their condition and can be prepared.
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