Considering purchase of 2012 E350-4.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 45
From: Florida & New Jersey
2017 E300 4matic Sport
Considering purchase of 2012 E350-4.
Hi.
Considering purchase of a 2012 E350 4matic with 85K miles as an extra car. One owner (by a friend) and has been service by local dealer for all scheduled servicing and minor trim replacements and tires. I know the dealer for many years and the service director reviewed the past ROs (including the most recent B service last fall at 80K) and has no reservations about the car. I have read forums and it seems that the W212 is a reliable car but fairly expensive to maintain.
1. What are your views about repairs or servicing that will come up in the next year or two. I expect this car will be used for less than 5K miles a year. Does the factory scheduled maintenance require transmission fluid changes? This is new territory for me as my experience with E classes are with leases only with less than 40K miles in 3 years at turn in.
2. What do you think is a fair price (dealing with a friend). Steel gray with black/gray interior. Very good condition.
Thanks for any information your can share.
Considering purchase of a 2012 E350 4matic with 85K miles as an extra car. One owner (by a friend) and has been service by local dealer for all scheduled servicing and minor trim replacements and tires. I know the dealer for many years and the service director reviewed the past ROs (including the most recent B service last fall at 80K) and has no reservations about the car. I have read forums and it seems that the W212 is a reliable car but fairly expensive to maintain.
1. What are your views about repairs or servicing that will come up in the next year or two. I expect this car will be used for less than 5K miles a year. Does the factory scheduled maintenance require transmission fluid changes? This is new territory for me as my experience with E classes are with leases only with less than 40K miles in 3 years at turn in.
2. What do you think is a fair price (dealing with a friend). Steel gray with black/gray interior. Very good condition.
Thanks for any information your can share.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 277
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Hi.
Considering purchase of a 2012 E350 4matic with 85K miles as an extra car. One owner (by a friend) and has been service by local dealer for all scheduled servicing and minor trim replacements and tires. I know the dealer for many years and the service director reviewed the past ROs (including the most recent B service last fall at 80K) and has no reservations about the car. I have read forums and it seems that the W212 is a reliable car but fairly expensive to maintain.
1. What are your views about repairs or servicing that will come up in the next year or two. I expect this car will be used for less than 5K miles a year. Does the factory scheduled maintenance require transmission fluid changes? This is new territory for me as my experience with E classes are with leases only with less than 40K miles in 3 years at turn in.
2. What do you think is a fair price (dealing with a friend). Steel gray with black/gray interior. Very good condition.
Thanks for any information your can share.
Considering purchase of a 2012 E350 4matic with 85K miles as an extra car. One owner (by a friend) and has been service by local dealer for all scheduled servicing and minor trim replacements and tires. I know the dealer for many years and the service director reviewed the past ROs (including the most recent B service last fall at 80K) and has no reservations about the car. I have read forums and it seems that the W212 is a reliable car but fairly expensive to maintain.
1. What are your views about repairs or servicing that will come up in the next year or two. I expect this car will be used for less than 5K miles a year. Does the factory scheduled maintenance require transmission fluid changes? This is new territory for me as my experience with E classes are with leases only with less than 40K miles in 3 years at turn in.
2. What do you think is a fair price (dealing with a friend). Steel gray with black/gray interior. Very good condition.
Thanks for any information your can share.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
MB service schedules are available in the owner's manual online. It varies by model/engine. I've found MB to be very reliable. Parts are not expensive, but techs that work on them know they can gouge you for labor. If you look at the service schedule, you'll see the 10k "service A" is really just a bunch of check this and that with a basic oil change then the dealer charges you $350 or so. Service B is the same with a brake fluid flush and air filters replaced, and the dealer charges you $600+. If you are the type that can do all the basic items yourself they are actually not costly on maintenance at all. I get 2 jugs of 0w40 Mobil 1 oil at Wal-mart for $50 and a OEM oil filter for around $30, and the interval is 10K, so cost $80 once a year for me. Air filters are no more than any other car and take 5 minutes. I just bought the Motiv brake bleeder to complete my own "service B". I also replaced the spark plugs myself for less than $100, but should have paid the shop $300 because it's a pain on the V8. Only thing outstanding is the transmission service. Dealer quoted about $1000, I live right next to a MB tuner shop Eurocharged, who has quoted half the price and I believe they have the experience to do it right.
In comparison, I just took the wife's Nissan Murano to the dealer for 105k service, paid $600 to replace spark plugs, also did coolant change, brake flush, and trans service for a total bill over $1200. For a clean 2012 with a known good history, I'd peg the price around $15-18K, but I didn't look around at current offerings.
I've seen W212 E350 anywhere in the range of 8K to 20K depending on year and condition. 2014-2016 facelift models maybe more still.
In comparison, I just took the wife's Nissan Murano to the dealer for 105k service, paid $600 to replace spark plugs, also did coolant change, brake flush, and trans service for a total bill over $1200. For a clean 2012 with a known good history, I'd peg the price around $15-18K, but I didn't look around at current offerings.
I've seen W212 E350 anywhere in the range of 8K to 20K depending on year and condition. 2014-2016 facelift models maybe more still.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Options also play into the price, as loading it up with every package and a-la-carte item could double the original price. Mine is fairly basic, no pano, no keyless, no auto trunk, no Distronic or driver assist, no dynamic seats or air suspension, etc, etc.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 45
From: Florida & New Jersey
2017 E300 4matic Sport
Thanks
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 45
From: Florida & New Jersey
2017 E300 4matic Sport
I am retired so I have time to do things I enjoy....like investigating what could go wrong with a 84K 2012 E350 4.
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
Last edited by mjsbenz; Jan 18, 2019 at 04:36 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Basically the maintenance is this:
Service A - aka basic oil change = every 10K mi - costs $80 to DIY with OEM filter and Mobil 1 oil.
Service B - oil change with addition of air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid change , alternate with service A, so 20K mi intervals. I believe it's a bit overkill on the brake fluid change every 20K, filters are available at local auto parts stores or online.
70K mi - should have spark plugs changed and transmission service performed (replace fluid and filter in trans). My local MB specialist/performance shop quoted $500 for trans, $350 for spark plugs, that's about half of dealer prices.
Other than that, it's just a bunch of checks on the maintenance schedule.
Replace brakes and tires as necessary, or when the brake rotors are warped on E550 causing vibration, then replace them with Centric premium rotors yourself or any basic indy mechanic (see multiple threads on brakes). I've had to top off coolant a few times, bought a gallon of OEM blue stuff at the dealer for a gouging price of course, have only used a little of it because it full strength, so mix 50/50 with distilled water.
Service A - aka basic oil change = every 10K mi - costs $80 to DIY with OEM filter and Mobil 1 oil.
Service B - oil change with addition of air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid change , alternate with service A, so 20K mi intervals. I believe it's a bit overkill on the brake fluid change every 20K, filters are available at local auto parts stores or online.
70K mi - should have spark plugs changed and transmission service performed (replace fluid and filter in trans). My local MB specialist/performance shop quoted $500 for trans, $350 for spark plugs, that's about half of dealer prices.
Other than that, it's just a bunch of checks on the maintenance schedule.
Replace brakes and tires as necessary, or when the brake rotors are warped on E550 causing vibration, then replace them with Centric premium rotors yourself or any basic indy mechanic (see multiple threads on brakes). I've had to top off coolant a few times, bought a gallon of OEM blue stuff at the dealer for a gouging price of course, have only used a little of it because it full strength, so mix 50/50 with distilled water.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,976
Likes: 1,344
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
I am retired so I have time to do things I enjoy....like investigating what could go wrong with a 84K 2012 E350 4.
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 18
'11 E350 4Matic Sport
I am retired so I have time to do things I enjoy....like investigating what could go wrong with a 84K 2012 E350 4.
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
One thing that has surfaced from discussions with SAs at a few dealerships that might be expensive is motor mounts and engine mounts. I am hearing that it can run about $2K and fairly common with cars that hit 100k miles.
Anyone have views (or experience) with motor/engine mount replacements and are there other bigger ticket items that might go wrong.
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 118
Likes: 32
2011 E350
$1000 for a transmission service? ^That's a stealer ship to a new level. I know they recommend pan, filter and stand pipe replacement but even with that outrageous. FCP Euro part sells the transmission service kit for around $150. Please tell me that $1000 includes pure sparking filterd transmission fluid from a natural spring and includes a service loaner, burned cell phone, fake passport.mistress and some get away money. The FCP Price includes filter, fluid, gasket, standpipe, and new pan bolts.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 45
From: Florida & New Jersey
2017 E300 4matic Sport
Next question...brakes
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Next question...brakes
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 18
'11 E350 4Matic Sport
Next question...brakes
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
I very much appreciate all the feedback.
Finally test drove my friend's 2012 E350 4matic that I am considering buying. I met him at the dealership as he was getting a tire replaced (leaking) and I had a chance to drive he car (in the rain). It drove very smoothly and the condition is excellent. Only thing I noticed was a pulsation when stopping. Isolated to the brake pedal. No indication lights on the dash suggesting anything was wrong. I read through the history of repair orders and the fronts were done at 51K miles. Could not find any evidence on the RO report that the rear brakes were serviced with 85K on the odometer. Is that possible?
I checked with 2 NJ dealers for quotes on brakes (rotors and pads). Rears run between $650-750. Fronts run about $100 more. For giggles, I called Manhattan Mercedes. $1500 for rears; $1750 fronts. I guess they need to cover the high cost of Manhattan real estate although this is a factory store.
Have not really checked with indys but wondering what do you think the non dealer would charge. I also do not want rotors and pads that will not work as well as OEM. Not planning on wrenching myself.
I appreciate in advance your thoughts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
But using dealer will get you free carwash and sometimes cappuccino 
Dealers quotes for maintenance service are comparable, becouse they will include "free safety inspection" that will show you $$$$ in recommended jobs.
Bare in mind the price structure. You can buy used MB very, very cheap, becouse original owners don't want to deal with price gouging.
That leads to situation that few years old MB with lack of maintenance takes more money to bring it back to standards than the purchase price was.
If you don't DIY, you will be for constant shocks.
Dealers quotes for maintenance service are comparable, becouse they will include "free safety inspection" that will show you $$$$ in recommended jobs.
Bare in mind the price structure. You can buy used MB very, very cheap, becouse original owners don't want to deal with price gouging.
That leads to situation that few years old MB with lack of maintenance takes more money to bring it back to standards than the purchase price was.
If you don't DIY, you will be for constant shocks.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 118
Likes: 32
2011 E350
Amen Brother! and I am not just saying that because its Sunday......DIY or Independent shops as much as you can. Find a good local Independent shops that can do major work. I found a couple around here that are European only and will be visiting to check out probably tomorrow.
The money you save in parts and labor for DIY and independent shops could probably be more than you think.
The money you save in parts and labor for DIY and independent shops could probably be more than you think.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
FCPEuro sells the Zimmerman rotors for around $170 for the pair and the Akebono pads are about $95. The indy should be anywhere from $50-$100 for labor, maybe a little more. Lots of them don't like it when you bring your own parts, but mine doesn't care if it has a Ford on the hood or MB, he only charged me $50 to change the front brakes as I supplied the rotors and pads. The rears I did myself without swapping the rotors as the rotors had enough meat on them. It wasn't worth saving $50 to do them myself as it was winter at the time and I don't have garage to do it in. And although FCPeuro is a little bit higher than say rockauto, they're lifetime warranty so you never have to pay for another set.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 118
Likes: 32
2011 E350
That's the trick find an independent shop that will allow you to bring your own parts. Some will some wont. The ones that will usually have you sign a disclaimer that they are not responsible for warranty, repairs and are responsible for INSTALLATION ONLY, if item fails due to workmanship defects that is between you and the vendor/warranty company. I have one around here but try not to abuse them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I've been doing that for years and it's never really come up but it's always understood that there's of course no labor warranty on the parts if it's bad which I'm fine with, most of the time they're fine anyway. Once I got a set of bad struts, they were Monroe and they knew they had a bad batch, at the time it was only $80 to swap out some quick struts and Monroe even offered to pay for labor, but I didn't want to bother with the paperwork and I drove on them for over a year til someone mentioned that there was a bad batch on recall and mine happened to be one of them. The struts were lifetime warranty so I think that's the only time I paid twice for labor. But I think even if the shop bought them, the standard warranty is only a year anyway, same as MB.
