As the past owner of a W124 ‘94 E320 Wagon, a 2000 C320 Wagon & current owner of a W210 ‘01 E320 4Matic Wagon,
I want to share my current shopping & research on W212 Wagons & their issues:
- INTERIOR TRIM
- WOOD
many 2011 E Wagons have faded or scorched wood trim because MB FORGOT the UV component in varnish!
This major error was never a recall, only a TSB for original 4-year warranty coverage.
This ugly oversight will cost you $2700 (MB SF) for the 16-part Kit PLUS installation estimated at 3-4 hours (@ $200 hr. = $800) = $3300 YOU have to pay.
ALL 16 pieces of wood trim have to be replaced to match grain.
- VINYL SEATS
- MB-TEX fabric often rips at seams in seats in early models / lots of CARFAX reports show this. I’ve seen it on one car for sale.
- PANORAMIC ROOF
MANY issues on these massive glass roofs!
You’re adding at least 200 lbs. weight ON TOP of the Wagon’s Center of Gravity which is akin to having an extra adult passenger on TOP of your roof FOREVER.
Driving dynamics are changed as the COG
is permanently altered. Rattling noises &
squeaks are inevitable due to body flexing
& torquing. Headliners sometimes have to
be removed to get to the rattles with LokTite
& to unclog drains. Water can leak into the car body when drains often clog.
Glass is only TEMPERED, not composed of safer LAMINATED glass / PANOS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SHATTER!!!
Sunshades don’t really block extreme heat & can quit working. A questionable option!
- LOW PROFILE TIRES
Sidewalls of 30 & 35 height & 245 width on 19” & 20” tires in combo with heavy rims often lead to unrepairable flats hitting potholes at speed.
My local Wheel Works Manager advises
40 sidewalls & 235 max width in 17” &
18” sizes. He says he sees many blowouts
& rim damage every week on E’s with low profile 19” & 20” tires
- ENGINE MOUNTS
Test driving W212 Wagons, I’ve often
encountered strong vibrations pulsing
through steering wheels, dashboards &
bodies. 2 Engine Mounts & 1 Trans
Mount often need replacing at 50/80k
miles. This is a weak point to watch!
THROTTLE DELAY
There can be a long second or so when
nothing happens tapping the accelerator.
This has NOTHING to do with MB 2nd
gear start-up. Seems that my experience
has happened to others & requires a soft-
ware update. My local Fletcher Jones
dealer wouldn’t do the update on a 2012 Wagon so I walked.
-DI ENGINE CYLINDER BLOW OUT
That vehicle blew a cylinder at 25K miles which I discovered on CARFAX which FJ did not disclose. The engine had to be removed to clean the engine of all the sprayed oil!

These are my observations & advice when
shopping W212 Wagons. Forewarned is
forearmed. Insist on full Mechanic’s Report!

 

Seems the wood trim issue was addressed by MB in our 2012 wagon we just got. No fading yet at 68K miles. I have seen a few 2011's afflicted with wood fade though. I wonder if you could have those pieces "dipped," vinyl'd or painted in lieu of replacement?

2012 E-Class is first year with up-rated DI "Blue-Efficiency" V6 petrol engine. Haven't noticed any lag in throttle response. Actually I was quite surprised at how peppy it is off the line. Maybe the engine mounts changed with the new engine?

Yes I had a side wall blow out in our E-500 W211 wagon with 18" wheels with 35 series low profile tires and went back to 45 series profile sidewalls. The stock 17" rims on our 2012 come with 45 sidewall profile tires. I'm sure I'll be fitting wider tires on there when these ware out. Just don't know what max size will fit the wheel wells with the 17" rims.

I would look for a 2012 or later wagon with no pano roof and leather seats. Same Great Taste...Less filling

 

That is some good info. I been shopping for these wagons, along with BMW 3/5 series, for couple years now. Got tired of searching and finally settle on my first German car, a 2010 528i E60 sedan with 65k miles. While it is ok and I take good care of it I plan on upgrading next year to a 2016 E350. I am on this forum doing research for that purchase. I still would not mind a wagon but they aren't that many around locally and they tend to be a bit more expensive than sedans.
Right on on the Pano roof, I would not get any car or SUV with a Pano roof.
I am an experienced wrencher so I would be saving myself some good coin on regular/preventive maintenance and repairs.