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Thank you very much for the pic with real leather to show the difference. Yours looks much nicer then the MB Text. I guess it comes down to only buying an E350 with leather for me then cause I am not spending $18,000-21,000 on a MB if the seats are gonna separate like the one I looked at. If I can't find the one I want I am just gonna go 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS Premium and call it a day. Lol
Personally I have never had an issue with MBTex before, this is the only Mercedes I have owned to have real leather. It’s nice, yes. But I would not hesitate to purchase another MBTex car in the future. So don’t let that stop you. Not all seats split, but it was definitely a problem in some of the W212s.
If budget is tight and tolerance for possible issues is low, have you considered any sort of Lexus in your price range? This would be superior in reliability to either Benz or Cadillac.
Thank you very much for the pic with real leather to show the difference. Yours looks much nicer then the MB Text. I guess it comes down to only buying an E350 with leather for me then cause I am not spending $18,000-21,000 on a MB if the seats are gonna separate like the one I looked at. If I can't find the one I want I am just gonna go 2014-2016 Cadillac CTS Premium and call it a day. Lol
You might be looking a long time to find an E350 with real leather. It was an option and not ordered too often by the dealers who typically order their cars. I can tell his doesn't have parktronic. In terms of option preferences for me, the first would be the lighting package, then parktronic, then the pano roof, driver assistance package, then real leather. Keyless go is usually somewhat of a standard package. There's a white 2014 E-550 in CA that's fully loaded, has all those options and it's in white and E-550's came with real leather as standard, it's listed for $23,900, not sure if it's still there. You can also look for E-400's. Those came with real leather as standard and many more of those had the lighting package option but sometimes not much more. Ripped seat I basically look at as a $400-$600 repair depending on who has it done. If you're pinching pennies on a Mercedes, the brand might not be for you. I have regular MB-tex in mine but I also have the dynamic seats which has the massage function too.
Correct. No Parktronic in my car. It does have lighting package, keyless go, lane track, the real leather and ventilated seats. No driver assistance and I don’t mind that omission whatsoever having just experienced it in a W213 loaner.
You might be looking a long time to find an E350 with real leather. It was an option and not ordered too often by the dealers who typically order their cars. I can tell his doesn't have parktronic. In terms of option preferences for me, the first would be the lighting package, then parktronic, then the pano roof, driver assistance package, then real leather. Keyless go is usually somewhat of a standard package. There's a white 2014 E-550 in CA that's fully loaded, has all those options and it's in white and E-550's came with real leather as standard, it's listed for $23,900, not sure if it's still there. You can also look for E-400's. Those came with real leather as standard and many more of those had the lighting package option but sometimes not much more. Ripped seat I basically look at as a $400-$600 repair depending on who has it done. If you're pinching pennies on a Mercedes, the brand might not be for you. I have regular MB-tex in mine but I also have the dynamic seats which has the massage function too.
Thanks for replys. Not really pinching pennies, just didn't want to buy an E350 with a seat that was split and spend more money to repair. The dealer wasn't taking that repair into consideration when pricing car for sale.
Ok. I have found a 2014 E350 white exterior and this color interior. This is real leather correct? It has 67,000 miles and plugs and service just done. The exterior color is what I want and interior is what I want. Mileage is a little high tho.
Ok. I have found a 2014 E350 white exterior and this color interior. This is real leather correct? It has 67,000 miles and plugs and service just done. The exterior color is what I want and interior is what I want. Mileage is a little high tho.
I wouldn't call that high mileage for a 2014 but it's probably higher than you want. I'm over 120k on my 2011. Use this vin decoder to see what options it really has. And yes, that's real leather, looks like no dynamic seats though.
That is real leather - and a very nice combination. I wish I had that combo. And you've avoided the wood that is known to fade.
If it is freshly serviced, 67k isn't too bad. These cars are solid. Take it on a drive and make sure you don't feel tons of vibration (this is a symptom of engine mounts which are wear items). Otherwise, I say go for it.
That auto stop is standard on 2014 models, they should all have it. It's good to get the pano, I guess you didn't get the parktronic? I forget the code, maybe like 230 I think. Sounds like it has the lighting package, should have the auto high beams too. Keyless go and trunk closer should also be in there, although it's a package that most cars, everyone once in a while it's missing. Some people don't like the pano because of the noise it can make, if you go over a parking lot ramp at an angle, the body can flex and you can hear a creaking or cracking noise. You can take the headliner down and tighten up some bolts. Did that to my car and it's nice and quiet. Here's the brochure:
I was surprised when I was shopping the number of 2016 W212s I encountered without keyless go. The only feature on keyless go that I use is the electronic trunk closer, but I wanted it. So it should be there but might not be.
This looks like a nice example. Not all real leather equipped ones I found had ventilated seats - this is a separate option. Mine has it and it is pretty nice.
Another car ok was looking up has something called Track package?
The lane track package is passive blind spot assist and lane keep assist. I'm sure you know what blind spot monitoring is - lane keep assist in the W212 not equipped with DISTRONIC simply vibrates the steering wheel when it detects you are leaving your lane. I have this option and I have blind spot assist turned ON but lane keep assist turned OFF (annoying).
VIN# can get you two things if you have connection or post VIN# here for help:
1. Mercedes Spec Sheet - it's the OPTIONS - what a 2014 E350 sedan has or doesn't have that determines value between (2) different E350's with same mileage. E's can be "basic" or some/few have almost as extensive feature list as a 2014 S-Class
2. Mercedes VMI record - which is complete record of all MB dealer service work done
3. 2014 E-Class tranny is generally rock solid - as long as not abused - and follows factory recommended tranny service. A good MB indie can do that service is needed - and NOT a indie tranny shop
4. ALL internet photo's look "OK" - it's how it looks and "feels" when you see/drive in person that is the only good judge of condition
5. CarFax is a tool - but is limited a bit - (a) someone can have body damage (small or extreme) and if pay cash for the repair and that does NOT get reported to CarFax (b) CarFax listing of Dealer Service is incomplete since CarFax cannot load their system with ALL service codes - from ALL manufacturers - for ALL models (c) there are Indie service shops and/or tire shops that do not report to Carfax
6. On Tranny Service - that can be done by a competent Indie - on Brakes any competent brake shop can so that, you provide parts, brake shop does the labor. No need for MB Indie or MB dealer for this.
NO - Akebono is NOT a MB brake supplier - on this 2014 there are "standard brakes" and 2nd option "sport brakes" - your VIN# unlocks exactly what it has. OE/Dealer brake pads/rotors are "normally" - Bosch or Textar - and rotors are normally Zimmerman (Zimmerman ZCoat for standard, I forget OE manuf for the "sport" brakes).
7. Spark plug intervals are determined by Fuel Injection pressures - meaning to the 2014 60K-70K "sounds" about right for a 2014 - newer generation E's/C's with higher injection pressures are 45K-50K
8. A Mercedes Service 2-pack is $1250 and 3-pack is $1750 - and depending on the mileage you have - and what needs to be "done" in the next 20K or 30K miles - then Mercedes Prepaid Maintenance can be a "bargain" taking care of Sparks Plugs or taking care of Mercedes scheduled tranny service
9. Interior Material the Mercedes MB-Tex is Mercedes standard to 2014 E350 - if upgraded to leather highly recommended to have Ventilated Option as well - which in 2014 Ventilation was NOT available for MB-Tex
That's not bad. One notable thing about it is that it's a Pzev car which means certain parts are covered to 15/150k which you wouldn't get with a regular car. I think you should be able to get coverage anywhere in the country as once it's sold as a Pzev in a Pzev state such as NY, the warranty has to be honored everywhere.
Ok my saga continues.. Little update I email dealership asking about car. Price is $18,400 asking. In talking with salesperson I ask if price is negotiable? I also ask a round about number from my trade knowing trade in number could change once I get there. The salesperson says no the price of car is not negotiable and I would have to bring car in for appraisal. I then said listen I am four hours drive time away and I need something deal wise to get there cause not driving all that way for nothing.
I spoke with used car manager cause the women I am dealing with doesn't get it. Manager came down to $18,000 and $4,000 for trade in if my car is what I say it is. I don't feel $400 off is that great on a 64,000 mile car.
I also found a white C300 2014 with 50,000 miles with light colored interior and real leather seats asking $14,000. I don't want to give up space but it's a $4,000 difference and 14,000 less miles.
Ok my saga continues.. Little update I email dealership asking about car. Price is $18,400 asking. In talking with salesperson I ask if price is negotiable? I also ask a round about number from my trade knowing trade in number could change once I get there. The salesperson says no the price of car is not negotiable and I would have to bring car in for appraisal. I then said listen I am four hours drive time away and I need something deal wise to get there cause not driving all that way for nothing.
I spoke with used car manager cause the women I am dealing with doesn't get it. Manager came down to $18,000 and $4,000 for trade in if my car is what I say it is. I don't feel $400 off is that great on a 64,000 mile car.
I also found a white C300 2014 with 50,000 miles with light colored interior and real leather seats asking $14,000. I don't want to give up space but it's a $4,000 difference and 14,000 less miles.
What's the vin of the C class? It's also a C class. I don't think you're going to get the same options that are on the E class.
$18,400 for the E-class with those miles and options is fair market value. $18,000 or a little less would be a pretty decent buy. Having the spark plugs just done is a positive. I understand wanting a little incentive from the dealership for the drive you would have to do to get there, but in my experience you typically don't get dealerships to negotiate price on used cars over the phone. Now if you show up as a viable buyer then they may be a little more flexible on price. As far as the C300 goes the E350 is going to be a much more refined drive. If well taken care of they just float over the road surface. Love mine
2020 GLS450 / 2024 Ford Bronco / (former) W212 4-matic 350 sport package
Good looking car! If they're not going to negotiate on price, then I would take the opportunity to get some additional service done as a condition of the deal. I would get new motor mounts and transmission mount installed at that age. I too have a 2014 with now about 50k miles (bought it CPO in 2017 at 22k miles). I do enjoy the car, and will be keeping it for a very long time. This is my first Benz, and I have come to conclusion that these can be long term cars. They're built like tanks with heavy gauge steal and nuts/bolts instead of just plastic clips and clamps. Even the door hinges are heavy duty. It's the kind of car that I am ok with paying $2k every few years in repairs to keep it. Personal taste - but I think they're timeless beauties that look better than the overwhelming majority of other sedans on the road today.
I would also make sure the rims are ok and don't have any bends in them. These do bend relatively easy (at least the AMG ones seem to). You can get a wheel package that is a 5 year warranty with unlimited miles that can be used to fix them if you hit a pothole too hard. But, I have found it costs about $150 +/- to fix a bent rim in general via a 3rd party vendor. So might not be worth it. I paid like $2k for my warranty coverage on them and we cooked it into the overall price of the car. I think I paid around $32k for mine back then out the door.
Do yourself a favor though, next time you're at the gas station and see someone with an older MB that clearly is taken care of, ask them who they use to service their car. Find the local indi who has the reputation of the locals and avoid the dealership if you can. I have dealt with 3 dealerships in my time, and none of them have done squat to prove to me they give a crap about quality control. Even a blown tire after a pothole hit, the dealership in Indianapolis installed a faulty tire that I got to enjoy on my drive back to DC. Told they fixed my two bent wheels after a week, only to realize they never even touched the car and charged my warranty company $600 for the fake repair. I could go on and on and on. I found a local here in DC that I have come to trust completely instead.
05-01-2020, 01:48 PM
