2014 E350 54,000 miles about to purchase but needs transmission fluid change/ plugs
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.


https://www.lastvin.com/
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.
258 COLLIS.WARN. SYS. W/ ACTIVE BRAKE INTERV. FCW STOP
PANORAMIC SLIDING SUNROOF/GLASS SUNROOF
640 DYNAMIC LED HEADLAMPS, SAE, RIGHT-HAND TRAFFIC
I guess if I can get a good deal. It's 3-4 hours away from me. All in all its the color I've always wanted with the light color interior.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG

http://www.auto-brochures.com/mercedes_benz.html
You can get a copy of the EPC/WIS which is the parts lookup and repair manual on ebay for under $10.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-Mercedes-SMART-WIS-ASRA-EPC-Dealer-Service-Repair-Workshop-Download/123730293730
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.
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

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.

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.
Last edited by DMWelk; May 4, 2020 at 09:38 PM.




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.
Last edited by nc211; May 5, 2020 at 09:39 AM.


