I looking at a gorgeous 2012 E350 sport that has 87K miles and priced at 12K. Its a private party sale using TRED. Is there anything I should look for? The car is a one owner and had all of its regular schedule service at a local MB dealer. The carfax is clear with no problems or recalls. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Normal stuff to check for is faded wood trim. Open the door and see if the wood trim hidden by the door is the same color as the rest of the trim. Also the driver's seat tends to rip. Check the seam carefully. Passenger one can also rip but less likely due to most people not having passengers often. If it has the pano roof, go over a ramp at an angle to see if you hear the roof cracking from the body flex. Otherwise, it's a mostly reliable car.

 

Transfer cases are a problem on these cars. They leak, rear clutch pack wears out causing vibration when turning at low speed, transfer case bearings get all pitted and cause noise when picking up speed, the front drive shaft tends to come apart on all 722.9 with integrated transfer case. Motor mounts are common in that mileage range.

 

Another reason to avoid 4Matic unless it is absolutely necessary in your climate.

 

Yes maybe, but they are awesome in the snow! Never gone off road yet! Well wet grass at an outdoor concert where other needed a tow out after there cars sank a little in the grass.

 

Do most 212's have clutch packs in the rear differential? My 12 may turn 30k this summer and my 13 is at 45k so I haven'y got the rear Dif maintanance yet.

 

I ended up buying a 2012 E350 sport luxury 4 matic for <$12K . The body is perfect and it only has 87K miles. The upholstery is perfect. Looks like the seats were never sat in.. It is a 1 owner car and showed the meticulous care for the car including the 3m front end protective film and had all the service including detailing done per the maintenance schedule. I read the car fax and no issues there. I was concerned that it might need a brake job but when I inspected the car the rotors and the brakes had lots of meat left. The owner used it to drive on the freeway about 30 miles each day.

 

I just got the B5 service reminder but it has been only 5K since my last service. How do I reset the Reminder?