Maintenance Items for Low Mileage M278
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Maintenance Items for Low Mileage M278
Hi all,
Already have a W212 in the extended family and want to purchase one for myself.
I'm looking to purchase a 2012 E550 Sedan with 11k on it. What should I have completed prior to purchase by the dealer? Car says 346 days until B1-Service. Found some maintenance records in the glove box and on the Carfax, but it looks like it hasn't been serviced in a couple years.
I'm assuming brake fluid flush, transmission fluid, and oil for starters. I'll have them check the chain tensioners (didn't hear a rattle but rather be safe than sorry). Any other items to look out for / request replacement?
Thank You!
Already have a W212 in the extended family and want to purchase one for myself.
I'm looking to purchase a 2012 E550 Sedan with 11k on it. What should I have completed prior to purchase by the dealer? Car says 346 days until B1-Service. Found some maintenance records in the glove box and on the Carfax, but it looks like it hasn't been serviced in a couple years.
I'm assuming brake fluid flush, transmission fluid, and oil for starters. I'll have them check the chain tensioners (didn't hear a rattle but rather be safe than sorry). Any other items to look out for / request replacement?
Thank You!
Last edited by mbvolvo92; May 28, 2019 at 11:27 PM.
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Brake fluid yes. Trans? Why? I would be very concerned why this car has sat for so long. There has to be a good story there. These are desirable and limited variations with the TTV8. These cars hate sitting around and you may want to get a good warranty in place before purchase. Who knows what this poor car may experienced? Post photos of the little old lady.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
w/ 346 days to service someone reset service indicator on car as it goes by mileage and 1 year to last service so basically it was reset about 2 weeks ago...
Now did they do the service; is the question or just reset?
Is tis at DEALER? have them check it or maybe make it CPO if they can.
Now did they do the service; is the question or just reset?
Is tis at DEALER? have them check it or maybe make it CPO if they can.
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Wow I thought I had low mileage. I would also leave the trans alone. If it runs fine leave it. when it gets about 70-80,000 miles then flush the trans .I would change the oil and flush the brake system and change cabin and air filters. But other than that I would leave it alone.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
11K miles or 11K dollars?
Power monsters buy the E550s. Can't fathom only 11,000 miles, sorry. That's barely 1,500 miles per year.
I also can't imagine what someone wants you to pay for a 7 year-old car with only 11,000 miles. It's bound to be more than the car is worth.
Forget about servicing the tranny or the chains. I would have the batteries tested, at minimum.
Power monsters buy the E550s. Can't fathom only 11,000 miles, sorry. That's barely 1,500 miles per year.
I also can't imagine what someone wants you to pay for a 7 year-old car with only 11,000 miles. It's bound to be more than the car is worth.
Forget about servicing the tranny or the chains. I would have the batteries tested, at minimum.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Thanks for the reminder on the filters. I’ll make a note of it.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Thanks for the reminder on the filters. I’ll make a note of it.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
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Thanks for the reminder on the filters. I’ll make a note of it.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
Car is a one owner from SoCal. Had it transferred through Carmax and just arrived yesterday. I’ll have to check what maintenance they completed prior to shipment.
I plan to purchase MaxCare since it has such low mileage. I’m coming out of a Volvo XC70 with 172000 on it (previously had an XC90 with 200k+).
I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I take delivery. It’ll be sitting in the garage during the week but taken out for fun on the weekends.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Well congrats, and I'm sure you know your way around maintenance with your other high milers. The M278 is a great engine and you can easily boost the power to over 500 if you want with a simple ECU tune. A great car at altitude with the TT setup and 4Matic for your locale. Post up the options list as well when it arrives. These cars are very rare.
Has P1, P2 (bi xenon, etc), lane tracking, active multi-contour driver seat, fold seats, and parktronic. Black exterior with black interior and black ash wood trim (other 2012 w212 has burl walnut that was replaced). No pano or Airmatic. Wished it had panoramic roof but didn’t want to deal with the bolt issue.
I had been lurking on the forum for a while and figured I’d make a profile! So thank you in advance for the guidance.
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Joined: Mar 2019
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2018 GLC 300
Wow that is a great find, my older brother had one and it was nice. Just a quick question, what was the cost of the CarMax warranty? Thinking about going the CarMax route for my next one and the warranty is a big concern.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy your new car.
Dennis P.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy your new car.
Dennis P.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 5
From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Wow that is a great find, my older brother had one and it was nice. Just a quick question, what was the cost of the CarMax warranty? Thinking about going the CarMax route for my next one and the warranty is a big concern.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy your new car.
Dennis P.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy your new car.
Dennis P.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 5
From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
On a related note, took the E550 on an evening drive today on E470 (finally had no chance for rain or hail!). It seemed to keep egging me on to cruise at a higher speed 😬. Also, that growl is enticing!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Wow, that's perfect. Nice options and colors inside and out. Only thing better would be to make it a 2014. I can't stand the ugly orange front side markers, change that ASAP! and some window tint is a must on a black car, or any car for me.
.. Had mine a month and already added over 1,000 miles lol.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
The side markers sound like the easiest mod to start out. I am also considering a muffler delete.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Congrats to you as well! What year and options do you have? I've been traveling a bit for work and take the train, so the car only has about 150-200 miles added onto it since purchase. Plus, it's hail season and don't want to risk it being outside.
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From: Northern Virginia
E550
I honestly dont think i did enough research before getting mine. But if I think back, all I can think of was aishing i knew about the push start button = keyless go option (i dont have).
I was torn somewhere in the middle. It doesnt have many options at all, i see some button's on others E550s i dont have on mine. However I also had a budget for this commuter (a nice one it is!). Its as basic as an E550 gets I think. I thought that was good for me as I have heard the engines are bulletproof and not so many things to worry about when the options arent there.
Likewise, I will also have muffler delete I also see the car is not mod friendly. A tune, and a pricy one is pretty much all I see Seems not many options for turbo upgrades and such for the E550..
I was torn somewhere in the middle. It doesnt have many options at all, i see some button's on others E550s i dont have on mine. However I also had a budget for this commuter (a nice one it is!). Its as basic as an E550 gets I think. I thought that was good for me as I have heard the engines are bulletproof and not so many things to worry about when the options arent there.
Likewise, I will also have muffler delete I also see the car is not mod friendly. A tune, and a pricy one is pretty much all I see Seems not many options for turbo upgrades and such for the E550..
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
Nice ride! The massage seat is relaxing and I turn it on every time I get in. Double check the air pressure in your doughnut spare tire to make sure it's inflated properly and the jack tools are in there.
We would have gotten an E550 engine as a first choice but wanted a wagon and the E350 was the only choice in the US for the w212 (besides the AMG) I will have my eye open for a similar E550 sedan like yours for our son if the price and miles are right. Obviously you have a Volvo also and is it a '92?
We would have gotten an E550 engine as a first choice but wanted a wagon and the E350 was the only choice in the US for the w212 (besides the AMG) I will have my eye open for a similar E550 sedan like yours for our son if the price and miles are right. Obviously you have a Volvo also and is it a '92?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 5
From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Nice ride! The massage seat is relaxing and I turn it on every time I get in. Double check the air pressure in your doughnut spare tire to make sure it's inflated properly and the jack tools are in there.
We would have gotten an E550 engine as a first choice but wanted a wagon and the E350 was the only choice in the US for the w212 (besides the AMG) I will have my eye open for a similar E550 sedan like yours for our son if the price and miles are right. Obviously you have a Volvo also and is it a '92?
We would have gotten an E550 engine as a first choice but wanted a wagon and the E350 was the only choice in the US for the w212 (besides the AMG) I will have my eye open for a similar E550 sedan like yours for our son if the price and miles are right. Obviously you have a Volvo also and is it a '92?
It took me almost a year to find the right E550, so when you find one, be ready to jump on it. Your son will be very lucky to drive one! My Volvo wagon is a 2005 Cross Country. I decided to keep it due to all of the inclement weather we receive here in Denver. The 92 is my birth year and the year of 240 I want!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 34
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From: HTX
2012 E550 4matic Sedan; 2005 Volvo XC70
Have y'all seen any issues with CAM sensors? PPI said to replace due to updated part now out for them. MB dealer said they were fine and didn't need to be replaced at this moment. Just trying to get all the items knocked out before having any issues.
Last edited by mbvolvo92; Jul 5, 2019 at 06:32 PM.
