Husshuss7

Hello guys I've been shopping for a car for university and after researching on the forums I figured the w212 is the most reliable modern mercedes so I saw on facebook an e550 for 8k canadian (live in canada) has service records but the airmatic suspesion is messed so I offered him 1.5k less so I can repair the suspesion any advice or tips for buying this car ?

kajtek1

"There is not too many things in this World, who can become expensive faster than cheap Mercedes Benz"
What is your mechanical knowledge? $1500 you plan to discount for airmatic will not go very far when you will have to have 4 bags + compressor to replace.
150k miles car might have lot of wear out parts. At least get good PPI.
Did you get quote from the insurance?

Husshuss7

I did insurance isint too bad and really I thought 1500 is a fair price at an indy shop for rear

kajtek1

How do you know it will end in the rear?
Whole airmatic overhaul will cost more than purchase price.
I hope you have good saving account?

KEY08

Uh, no. Don’t do it.

boardboy330

Personally? I would. Buy it, put in Arnott replacements (sig cheaper than OEM) and replace your pump at FCPEuro. Should be around what you offered off the price. I am mechanically inclined and understand my limits, so my recommendation is based off my personal comfort zone.

hyperion667

Oh man, what memories! I have wheels for that car if you desire That was my first luxury car I bought brand new! What an awesome car it was! GL to ya!

93srvman

I'd likely avoid based on the sellers name myself.

Peachy

If you're an aspiring mechanic and/or have more money left over for repairs... sure. Otherwise I'd wait and try to find a better option.

KEY08

What's that crap hanging on the front a/c vents? Air fresheners? that should tell you right there to avoid

DFWdude

I would buy a 2-4 year-old Mercedes, but not one that is 9-10 years old, especially with that much mileage. If you do, I'd advise that you have at least the same amount of money saved for repairs that you spend on the car itself.

DFWdude

The air fresheners clipped to the vents have a habit of leaking chemicals which fall and dissolve (crinkle) the black finish on the center stack. MBUSA refuses to repair such, even under warranty.

Peachy

He needs it for the mold growing in the AC system

KEY08

….Or to mask the smell of a blown head gasket.

aquinob

Here's my tip. Don't.

Buy something fairly cheap and reliable. Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corollla, cars like that.

Mercedes can be reliable, if they are regularly maintained. That one by your own admission already has bad airmatic suspension. Does it have 4matic? Thats also a failure prone option. Parts can get very expensive. It has 150K on it. Lots of potential for things going south.

bob2011

Not to sound like a Debby downer, but 1500 will cover one corner and that's if you do all the work yourself. If you're not deadset on the sedan, try to find an E550 coupe because those don't come with airmatic, and you get the same engine with better body lines.

ml3504matic____

One thing I do notice is the faded wood trim. Sigh

Arrie

I have a 2010 E550 and it has 173700 miles on the clock. The car has been very reliable and reading all the posts the 2010 and 2011 models are better built than later.

I had an issue with leak on the spring in rear soon after I got the car. Under warranty it was fixed. A few months ago I replaced all four air springs as they developed leaks. Rear was about $600 and front about $2400 for parts. I did the work and for me it was very easy but I am very much mechanically inclined so it may not be the same for you.

Anyway. If the engine oil and transmission fluid has been changed by the schedule your car in sight may be a very good buy.

But it all depends on how the car was serviced. I change oil at 5000 miles interval and usually it comes out so clean it is hard to see on the dip stick. This tells me there is not much blow-by in the cylinders so the engine should be in very good condition.

The sell price is not very high but it may be that already counting for the Airmatic issues. Fixing that system requires replacing the leaking springs. If it is only in the rear it is not that costly to do. It is in front the cost is about 4 times compared to rear. This is with doing it yourself. If your compressor works there is no need to change it. I did not but, of course, one day it needs to be replaced for a part cost around $300. Again, doing the job yourself will save a lot.

Mercedes builds the cars to look like servicing them is very difficult but when you go and do the job they are very easy to do, at least the jobs I have done so far. A good example is the spark plug change. At first look under the hood it is like "I cannot possibly touch this space craft" but when you pull that air box out it is all there like in any car. MB service charger $400+ for the job when the plugs you can buy for about $100 and do the job very easily.

Grant_J

With any car you buy there are normal things to do. Everything these guys say sounds right but if you insist on moving forward... and you don't have a mechanic you trust to check it out.

1. Tell them not to warm it up before you come look at it. Problems jump out more when starting cold. If they refuse or say they will but you get there and it's warm, walk away.
2. Check the oil color. Make sure nothing unusual on the dipstick. Check all fluids you can get to.
3. Take off engine cover, looking for anything worn or cracking, including belts, hoses, etc.
4. Start it, turn off HVAC/radio and just listen for a minute or two.
5. Test EVERY button, knob, setting. I've bought cars that seemed great just to find later the window defroster didn't work or other randomness...
6. Drive it for at least 20 minutes, make sure to go through every gear multiple times. Let go of the wheel to see if it pulls. Hit at least 85mph at some point.
7. Hard test the brakes at 30 mph (preferably when nobody behind you). See if antilock kicks in without a dash light.
8. Get under the car and check for leaks, worn boots, etc.
9. Check to see if there's a smell when HVAC kicks on.
10. Pray.

I wish you the best...

Oaklandish510

You haven’t done plugs on The m276 motor I see. It’s a nightmare and the dealer wants $1250.

ml3504matic____

500CAD at my dealer, but got it done with my local mechanic for 400CAD. He made a tool to not remove the intake manifold

Johnny Rad

Yikes, this certainly isn't a ringing endorsement for our W212.

However, it appears the concerns are primarily related to the AirMatic. Where are the AirMatic believers today?

Arrie

Here is one!! The best MB suspension you can buy. Yes, it has parts to fail over time like mine took to replace all four corners but they last 10 years.

Awesome suspension to have.

MBNUT1

Do you need the car as a daily driver? If yes pass and buy a reliable Japanese car, if no then it will be a learning opportunity for you.

KEY08

^Actually, these cars live to be driven every day and do not like to sit. They are more reliable if used daily in my experience. Unfortunately, this particular car may have been abused and without knowing it’s full history can be a nightmare. As far as the Airmatic goes, I am also a fan, but it needs to be maintained. I had an ‘04 and a ‘10 with Airmatic and minimal issues( 1 strut replacement)