Hi Everyone, long time lurker here.

I have a 1995 E300 Diesel. Great car. Solid, old MB quality. Problem is, I don't care about mileage and the diesel is underpowered. I have DIY'ed and love the w124 but I have always loved the 2010-2013 W212: I like its sharp, solid lines and minimal round features. The 2014+ E class doesn't do it for me. I wanted to ask you all to help flesh out my thinking.

Assumptions:
Car I find will be paid with cash. Budget is 20-30k.
I will own it out of warranty and continue to DIY as much as I can
I live on the West Coast in a continental climate ( snow ) so 4Matic is a big, big advantage. However, I own a 4x4 pickup so my Benz wouldn't need to be my year-round daily.
Only looking for a sedan.

I am currently thinking either a M156 E63 NA, a M157 TT E63 or an e550.

2010/11 E63 NA:
Assuming the cost of maintenance and ownership will be lower than a M157 E63 (assuming the headbolts have been replaced by MB) because NA versus TT.
Love the throaty sound and power.
Would swap steering wheel and shifter to 2012-13 setup
Con: Not 4Matic

2012/13 E63 TT M157:
Assuming higher cost of maintenance and ownership just due to complexity of twin turbos.
Great interior
Love the feedback of the turbos spooling up.
Con: Not 4Matic

2012/13 e550 TT:
Would only consider the 2012/13 Twin Turbo v8 E class.
4 Matic is big plus.
Power (400hp) is more than enough in all honesty.
Con: Damn hard to find on the west coast in good shape.

Basically I am leaning towards a (headbolt replaced) M156 E63 and treat the car more seasonal or the e550. I think the E550 in all honesty is more than enough car, but man, if you can AMG why not?

I'd love to have the M157 E63 but the added expense of a forced induction AMG car makes me a little hesitant. Whereas, I am more comfortable with the TT e550 for some reason. Am I insane? What do you all think?

 

My local dealer just put a 2013 E550 cabriolet on their lot. It was very obvious that car was someone's garage kept weekend baby. She had less than 20k miles on her and was extremely clean outside, inside, and under the hood. Very nice car. Excellent driving dynamics, from what I could sample on the short test drive. The engine doesn't feel turbocharged.

Main concern is that a 2013 isn't available as a CPO car and it appears that while the passenger side turbo is accessible, the driver's side is not. Furthermore, it appears that any engine surgery beyond changing plugs will require pulling the engine. And while pulling an engine isn't an impossibility, I'm getting to that stage in life where I just don't want to bother with that. So, I don't know if I'm sold on that car, but I'm interested in what everyone who has E550 experience says.

I'm very curious to see the comments/

 

If I had a chance to own a 6.3 engined car, I wouldn't pass it up. It is just too good to not own for a while. If you worry about maintenance costs, the MB in general is a risky brand to own.

 

For sure, I'm use to the maintenance an older MB requires as parts age and wear out. I think the w212 has a pretty solid reputation. I just don't want to be stuck with something that is a continual maintenance suck. Thanks for the input.

 

Man, you are the guy to buy my car. I have a 2010 E550 that is in extremely good condition. It is a car I drive to my work and that means driving on highways for hundreds of miles every time I drive it for work.

The car has all options other than the Night View and rear seat entertainment. I have had engine oil changed every 5000 miles and just a couple of months ago replaced all air springs that went way longer than I would have thought. I flushed the brakes just yesterday and it made brakes more aggressive so I guess it was time to do that. Transmission service has been done every 40 000 miles at MB dealer.

BUT, the kicker is that the car has 172 000 miles on it. It is a lot of miles and brings the value of my car down to around $9000 by kb.

But, highway miles that my car has experienced count only 25-30% of city driving. Using 30% my car engine has only 52 000 miles on it. For transmission the mileage is low as on highway tranny is on the "no gear" mode meaning all goes thru without using the gear wheels. The only gear mesh that sees all miles is in the rear end, the differential pinion/ring gear mesh but MB does not even have this service in their service booklet as it is considered "good for life" part of the car. I had the differential oil changed at around 155 000 miles.

I have record of all miles and services I have logged in this car as I had to do that for tax purposes.

If you are interested send me a PM.

 

Appreciate it. I think I would only be looking for a 2012 or 2013. Thanks though!

 

So I have some experience with what you are looking for. Mine is a 2012 E550 and my wife has a 2016 E63. Before that I also had a 2014 C63. If you need AWD the M278 powered E550 is the car. Honestly it is so close to the 63 in power that the 63 seems overkill - the 550 is softer which is nice on poor roads and when you don't want to extract those extra seconds. The M156 was a great performing engine, and a blast to drive. After owning the 550 4-matic I can't go back to RWD and garaging a car for 4 months a year. Partially why the C63 turned into an E63. These will handle in snow like a champ my E550 is on all-seasons and the E63 gets winters, I've had my E550 5 years which is long by my standards. It has so much power and torque.

My only word of caution is that these cars are getting older and some have reported needing motor/trans mounts and suspension parts as they age. I'm starting to wonder if mine does and if it's worth doing or time to trade.

 

100% agree. I am pretty much in the same boat, just swap the AMG for Camaro race car. I was able to scoop up a unnaturally clean 12 E550. its super comfy, quiet, and deceptively quick.
My vote for OP is the E550 100%. It is so much car and not driving something because of climate is frustrating. With the 550 I dont tap my toes waiting for race car weather like i did before.

TL : DR fun car 100% of the time is better than fun car 50% of the time. No wrong choices imo.

 

Thanks everyone for the comments. I have gone around and around. I have settled on a 2012-14 e550. I love the e63's but having a car good for 6-8 months a year isn't my priority at the moment. I will reserve that space in my shop for a classic car at some point in the future (63-66 Coupe Deville most likely).

Thanks for your thoughts, experiences and helpful comments.

IDW

 

i have just bought a 2010 E63 6.2 NA. I was driving a w212 e350. I am still getting used to the V8 but boy the V8 pulls. The sound of NA stock exhaust is very sophisticated, the gearbox is quick but a little jerky but this is fine as the power delivery is instant when you need it. I have a 2013 A250 AMG, the fuel economy of forced induction is great but the exhaust sounds unrealistic. I guess same applies for the w212 5.5 TT but the feel of the big old 6.2 V8 is magical.

Good luck. Keep us posted

 

Did it arrive? Please post photos.

 

Did you find a car yet? I have a 2012 E550, Black/Black, AMG/Sport package with P1 option and NO airmatic. It is tuned to ~550hp/650tq by Eurocharged. 107K miles and in very good condition. I want to upgrade to an AMG and would entertain selling the 550.

PM me for my email if you are interested.

 

Updating everyone: I have tentatively purchased a 14 e550 in cardinal red 75k miles. It has almost every option I was hoping to find and a few more miles than I originally was looking for; however, it is owned by the original CA owner who has every invoice from dealer service since new in addition to the factory window stickers. That sort of sealed it for me especially when I learned he's an old car enthusiast so it certainly hasn't been abused. Owner is in his mid-70's.

I wish it had a few less miles, active driver seat and distronic plus. I paid $19,500. 70k B service including the transmission was done 5k miles ago. So hopefully it will be a good solid car as I like to DIY and keep things in ship shape. Glad it has the black ash trim, premium 1, LED lighting, folding rear seats, and keyless-go packages.

 

Car looks great and I like red. Good price
Happy motoring!

 

75k miles is just broken in. I have 100k more in my 2010 and it pulls like a brand new one.

Happy smiles!

 

Congratulations! Looks great.

 

Beautiful.

I think the E550 will serve you well.