Currently own a 2012 c63 and thinking of adding a Mercedes for my wife. Would be looking at around 2012-2015 e550 with all the assists and safety stuff. We test drove some new small/midsize SUVs like
hyundais and Toyota’s but honesty, for the same price, I’d rather get a depreciated E class with all the features for the same price

How liveable is it with a baby? We don’t have children but plan on it in a few years

Any particular problems to look out for? Any particular models years to buy or avoid? I heard good things about this generations reliability.

Any cool packages/options to look out for? This will mainly be a daily driver for my wife’s short commute to the train station. Or my ride to work if I feel like dropping her off/ picking up. Grocery getter, mall crawler etc, which will allow me to move my c63 over to weekends-and-sunny-days category.

How is the tubn ability/ aftermarket support? I’m thinking of doing doenpipe and tune right away if I purchase one (if reliability wont be too sacrificed). How reliable is the added HP? Any members with big miles on their tuned 550?

Really appreciate the input guys.

 

I have had both the naturally aspirated E550 4M and now my ‘14 E550 4M. Cars have been trouble free and a joy to own. On the highway at speed they are hard to beat, get great gas mileage and fly. As a commuter the mileage will suffer, but the luxury more than makes up for it. I have every option available on my 2014 and I think it listed for $80,000. You can buy for around $30K or so if you can find one. They are very rare. A renn tech tune can take you from 430HP to 550. They are blinding fast even at the stock 430. My car is still under CPO, so no tune just yet in this one. My GT350 has plenty of HP for those track days of fun. The E class is perfect for safe child commuting as well. Easy access and the total Mercedes safety environment. If you can find a 550 with Distronic and full driver assist, Full LED, Pano, and the ‘14 face lift, buy it. They are fantastic machines and at the discounted price hard to pass up.

 

Thanks a lot, was looking for exactly this kinda info.

How does this listing look? https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true

Seems to have all the options, service records from dealership, no accidents on report.

2014 E550 with around 60k miles for 27k cad. Would you guys recommend an example with lower miles for a few thousand more?

 

That is personal choice.
When KEY buys low-mileage with warranties, I don't hesitate to buy high-mileage MB for cheap. I buy mostly diesels, so that is different animal.
But I would not pay "few" thousands more just for the lower mileage. If the car has more options and look better -yes, but if you plan to keep the car for 5+ years, at the end aged car with 120k miles will have marginal different value than the one with 135k miles.
For me crucial is paint condition, as that is what can't be matched if you'd need to fix it down the road.
Only issue we seem to have on those cars are Czech-made AMG wheels, who seem to crack like crazy.
So check the wheels carefully as they are not cheap item.

 

Looks to be a great example and I wouldn’t worry about those miles. At 60K the plugs are due for a change so check if that has been done. Transmission service is at 70K.
if you haven’t driven a TTV8 E550, you are in for a treat. Test drive it and you will want it. Nice find

 

Very.

I can't speak for the 550 itself, but my 350 replaced a BMW 330i (E46) because I needed a larger backseat. I currently have two car seats in back and it works great.

 

Awesome, this is good to know !

 

Being you're in Canada you have some more options and can get the E550 up until 2016 in the same body style. This car will meet all of your needs and put a stupid grin on your face when you press your right foot down. Just have to ask yourself (or wife) if you want/need all the power or not. E350's will open up quite a few more options second hand.

If you go E550 you definitely won't be disappointed.

 

Just took a look on autotrader and I can't believe the price of them now.. wow. Most selling below "market value" as well. Good time to buy!

 

I love my 2012 E550. I can't believe that a 5500 pound car can accelerate as fast as it does and still get 28 mpg cruising on the highway. I haven't had any issues with mine.

Good luck with the search.

 

Every major tuning companies have E550 tuning maps.
Renntech, Weistec, AMS, and Eurocharge. As long as you stay with these companies. It should be very reliable. And they do support their own tune and products.

My 2014 E550 Sedan just got into 12,4000 KM = 77050 Miles. And its heavily mod and custom tuned.
I have replaced Engine and Transmission mount a month ago.
Last year, drag race run, My front passenger side axle broke next day. Cost $2200 CAD with labor.
Also, One of the Coolant pipe got brittle and cracked. Got them replaced back in March this year.
It also equipped with Air Matic and its still going. Fingers crossed for now on these sets.

I do change my engine oil every 5K km (3000 miles).
ATF was done every 30K Miles.

Changed few sets of spark plugs, because i was trying to find the best spark plug sets and settings.
Ignition coil also replaced when it was around 50K miles. (Car was a bit shaky at idle.)

OVERALL !!! I LOVE MY CAR!!!



PS. AC issue kinda fixed by changing different tune files.

 

Where did you get that weight? I'm pretty sure it tops just over 4000 lbs. Even with a full tank you're not adding an extra 1500 lbs.

 

What does "As Per OMVIC Regulations Vehicle Is Not Road Worthy, Not Certified And Not E-Tested. Certification And Emission Is Available For $495.00" mean in the link of the car?

If this is just that it is missing the inspection THAT THE DEALER SHOULD TAKE CAFRE OF I would buy the car. BUT. HAVE THE DEALER DO THE INSPECTION AND GET IT WORTHY FOR THE ROADS BEFORE YOU BUY IT AS THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WHY IT IS NOT INSPECTED TO BE ROAD WORTHY!!!

Great price if the car proves to be fine.

 

CD claims 4411 pounds. Maybe the placard has a 5500 max weight. That's probably full passengers, full load in the trunk, full fuel tank and all fluids.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...n-test-review/

 

Yeah, I've seen numbers from 3700 to 4400 depending on the site.

But that still wouldn't be a 5500 lb car...

 

I have a 2012 E550 with 100k miles and an Eurocharged tune and I love it. It was almost as fast as a stock E63(ran a 12.4@114 with the stock exhaust on it) but now all resonators/mufflers have been removed and it pulls on Camaros that run 11.90's and ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. (still has stock catted downpipes)

I don't have any babies, but I do have 3 kids(2 of which are bigger than me) and they all fit in the back seat with minimal grumbling as it is quite a bit bigger than the C63 Coupe. Also the W212 trunk is massive, plenty of stroller/playpen/baby-stuff room in there.

 

The newer E550's did not have Airmatic so if you get one without that will make life easier for you in the long run.

 

Have a 2014 e550, had for just about 2 years now and love it. Two main issues I've had besides normal wear and tear have been
1) The 2 rear drive assist sensors in the bumper malfunctioning, causing the pre-safe functions limited error. Both changed on MB's dime after my warranty ended as apparently it's a very common issue.
2) Rear air struts started rattling like crazy, driving me nuts, with barely 50k on the car. Strange part is when I took them off to inspect neither shock was leaking and when manually pushing them back in they returned to full length pretty quick. Changed both in my driveway in about 2 hours with hand tools, dealer wanted 5.5hrs lol..
Have the OEtuning stage 1 on the car right now, nice little bump in pep, definitely more responsive. Getting cats removed on Friday so I can load the stage 2 tune, been told by other owners that a stage 2 with downpipes is faster than a stock amg. Lowering the car is also quite easy and cheap if you have airmatic, get a set of lowering links for about $150. Within an hour you can install them and adjust them to your desired height. Car is smooth, refined, moves like stink, and gets compliments all the time. Can't go wrong with the e550, unless you have the extra 30k for an amg. All depends on what your end goal is.

 

There was some paint damage on the car I linked. The GPS was also extremely laggy (compared to my c63 and another e550 I tried). Overall, it looks like the car was not super-well cared for which is a big deal for me. I'm okay with higher mileage or price, but I want a car that was treated well! Also, the used car lot I went to tried some really sketchy tactics on me so I passed. Am fine with waiting a bit for a lower mileage, great condition one from a more reputable seller.

From the feedback I'm getting, I should be looking for all the options and assists but NOT air suspension?

 

The air suspension itself is quite easy to fix as the system is not very complex, just more expensive than a conventional setup. That being said it all depends on what you'll be using the car for. I personally love having the adjustability at my fingertip, especially the raise option for those high driveways. Just wish sport mode was stiffer. Can't have it all though, right! Haha..

Good move to pass on the car btw, even the slightest doubt, move on to the next one. There are enough in Canada, especially the G.T.A. that you can find pretty much what you're looking for and not regret the purchase later.

 

yeah, I could not for the life of me wrap my head around why the drivers headrest looked like it did...weird, looked like it had been bent in half! lol

Airmatic is one option my E550 does not have but I wish it did...but, I was a MB tech and I'm not scared of the system...some people are...

 

Last I looked in the US Autotrader there where 3 for sale. You guys in Canada are fortunate. What is GTA?

 

I don't think you'll have a choice.. I believe all the Canadian 2014+ e550's are air matic.

 

Stage 2 is not as fast as stock AMG. But very close.
My car was with Weistec Downpipe and stage 2 tune. only ran 12.07 1/4 miles.

Stock AMG goes in 11.8 - 11.9 in 1/4 miles.

After turbo upgrades and stage 3 tune, it will kill stock AMG cars.

 

I hate air matic, its not very good in cornering and turns. Its too softtttt. I lowered mine already, its still softtttttt
I lost to my buddies Porsche Panamera GTS in cornering and turns. But i passed him in straight road like butter.