I've found a few times where my version of EPC was missing a couple digits... for example M272 4M motor mounts are listed as: A 212 240 07 17 and checking against the dealer the "current" number is: A 212 240 07 17 64

Either EPC is older and the P/Ns have been superseded and/or MB has changed some of the numbering scheme of parts.

 

That's why I called my bank, and drove it the hell out of there. I knew about the 550's....but also never expected to find one. The 500 wagon needed a break and this car just made that happen a little quicker

 

that doesn't make any sense as it doesn't follow their numbering format. Part numbers with the extra '64' don't make sense as MB changes the number when the superseed (example: the 17 would just change to a higher number with the supersession). The only time there is a suffix on a regular number, it is because of a color or trim option.

 

yeah, those extra numbers are referred to as ES1 (and sometimes ES2) and are for options like color or trim, exactly.

 

I didn't come up with these numbers, numbering scheme, etc... Just saying, I seen it a few times with parts I've looked up. Here's the motor mount for my E550:

 

Are those prices in US Dollars????

Sheesh!!!

With some tools and access to the internet there is absolutely no reason to be ripped off like this.

Amazing!!!

 

ah, I see now. the P/N with the extra "64" seems to be an Eastern European/Russian part number. the US number doesn't contain the suffix.

 

Now, I'm confused... how did you come to that conclusion?

 

No, rupees... before you sh*t on someone, not everyone has the skills, space, tools and/or desire to perform maintenance/repairs. At least he's maintaining his car, not like most (average person) you want to do the bare minimum.

 

Take a look back at post #31, the same format p/n came off the invoice for my '13 E550 new mounts, installed right here in CA:

212-240-61-17-64 Engine Mount $218
212-240-62-17-64 Engine Mount $252

I don't think the 64 is because my car is diamond white or the interior is tan... I don't know what it means, I just know those are the parts they listed for my 2 motor mounts...

 

Numbers don't lie - those prices are ridiculous.

To each his / her own I guess.

I for one wont be supporting a business that operates that way and will crap on such business practices every chance I get.

Your post reminds me of what a mechanic once told me.

"You might pay a little, or you might pay a lot, but you're gonna pay"

My response:

"I might pay you, I might pay someone else, or I might do it myself - but this job is going to get done"

Absolutely nothing wrong with shopping around for better prices / buying tools / watching videos on YouTube or creating an account on a website geared towards people who have an interest in cars.

If the OP is cool with paying those prices then Great.

Doesn't mean he wasn't ripped off.

Price is what you pay, value is what you get...so for him maybe it was worth it.

Yet the fact remains - those prices are ridiculous.

 

Those prices are a tad high though. I could probably get some of it 25-50% cheaper elsewhere. At first I thought that spark plug price wasn't bad, but it's pretty simple on the M273 and the NGK plugs are about $8 each so the labor rate is pretty steep. The control arms, driveshaft and air suspension wiring hardness I'd question and get a second opinion on, that's about 1/2 of that cost. Those items I'd even go to the dealer and see what they think, probably worth it just to get a diagnostic. That $215 for a brake flush is basically what the dealers typically charge, around $199 for the flush as part of B service. Dealers here are in the $150-$200/hr rate, indys are more in the $90/hour rate.

 

Some folks can afford a Mercedes, new, for whatever the price that they are asking... And then there are folks that... can't... And there's a bunch of us - likely what makes up this group...

You seem to have a beef with folks that don't work on their cars. Why is that?! I have found this site full of people that may, or may not, be either capable or willing to work on any car, let alone something as complex as these are...

I can afford to have mine worked on, likely by a good indy, but does it make me less of a MB community member, because I choose to work on other things and not the car?

I think you're an azz for assuming such things - perhaps it is You, that you can only afford a MB because you work on them yourself...?

 

I concur, but I also never said it couldn't be done for less, either DIY or indy-wise... I just assumed the work was performed at the dealer. O'Reilly Motorcars, Your Dealer Alternative... I assumed wrong. So I agree, it seems high without knowing the local market and whether they use OE parts.

 

LMAO!!!!

Don't hold back.

Tell us how you really feel.

PS: Those prices are still outrageous.

 

Actually, it seems I may have been misinformed on that. Upon further searching, it appears that the number with the suffix is the new number and it supersedes the older number without the suffix???

I wonder if Konigstiger has any insight on this conundrum, and possibly an explanation of the deviation from their normal part number nomenclature with the addition of the suffix?

 

Forgot that I did change the spark plugs. Paid about $110 for the plugs and changed them myself. Old ones looked very good and could have been used way longer than about the 100000 miles when I changed them but again, it is 85% highway miles so those plugs were only about 45000 miles old comparing to city driven car.

I also changed the Airmatic valve assembly before I replaced the air springs and struts in hopes it is the valve issue and not springs. The old assembly was just fine and did not need to be replaces but I did. So I don't really count this as needed maintenance as it was not needed. It cost $350.

I have changed engine air filters 3 times myself and cabin filter once by dealer and once by myself. I have replaced brake pads 3 times myself. Paid for the first set and got replacement for free twice as these are life time warrantied pads. These are regular wear items to change like in any car and when you do these super easy jobs by yourself it is very low cost. The thing I cannot do myself is the transmission fluid change that I have had done 4 times at the dealer. It also would be a super easy job to do if I had a lift to get the car up in leveled position but I only have ramp that raises one end of the car up and this does not work for transmission service as it must be level for correct fluid fill. That is expensive at $450 to do at the dealer. I'm thinking to purchase one of those car lifts that get car up about 1 1/2 feet that you can basically leave on floor and just drive over them when not using them. I drive a 2013 S550 now and it needs the transmission service with higher pricing but this service comes every 80000 miles instead of 40000 so it is a bit less costly over time.

As there is some discussion going on about service pricing I posted a picture below of a quote I got for some work from my local dealer for my S550. I had the differential service done at the dealer. Tires I got from a NBT shop for about $850 instead of $1360 the dealer asked for. And I don't like Yokohama tires at all that the dealer wanted to install. Some of the noisiest tires I know and no wet traction.

Brake pad quote is just out of this world at $1990. The pricing in the quote is for pads only, no rotors included. I bought pads for about $100 from AutoZone and changed them out myself. Very easy job especially in front as it is with E-class too.

 

https://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/ct...266963985.html

Figured this is a good place. Selling her after getting her this past August. Reason for selling so soon, is we decided to upgrade house and its an extra car for us anyways. Also, it was an impulse buy. Car has 57 and change, mileage wise. Haven't had it long enough to have it serviced, but comes with all previous records to include 50k service. It is pretty base, not having the upgraded lighting package, distronic, and parktronic. I also own a 14 S212 E350 classic with no extra options other than the pano roof. The power and torque difference is worth the extra you pay for the M278 equipped cars. It also has a sunroof and spring suspension. The Airmatic is definitely a softer ride. I never use sunroofs in any of my cars, so no opinion there.

 

You should send a PM to this adviceseeker guy who was all concerned about records. Sounds like your E550 is a good match to his requirements.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ge-2014-a.html

 

Hello,

I’m brand new here and I thought what better place to start this then on a website dedicated to MB vehicles. I have just started being in the market for a new car and saw a E350 W212 and loved everything about them. I then dug a little deeper and found they also made a 550 trim and have been searching for once since. I wanted to get some advice from all of you seeing as I don’t know much about these cars. I have been searching for a month, give or take, and have been looking for a Lunar Blue Metallic with beige interior 2012-2013 pre-facelift, under 100,000 miles, because I personally like the front end better (the post-facelift model reminds me of every other MB vehicles I see). I have only been able to find two examples, one from Arizona that was immaculate but unfortunately I didn’t have the ends to pull the trigger before it was sold and another in Virginia. I love the color and have been set on it since I saw one. Could someone explain why the Lunar Blue color is so extremely hard to find? Additionally, I don’t know much about reliability but I’ve heard these cars are quite reliable with proper maintenance. Are there any major fixes that can commonly arise in these vehicles and what are some average repair costs? I’ve heard that the airmatic suspension typically needs to be done and when would be a good mileage point for that? Any other tips or information about these cars would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about rambling on but I wanted to go into as much detail as possible so that I can get more direct and detailed information back.

Thanks in advance!

 

I flew from Las Vegas to San Diego in 2017 to buy my 2014 E550. It was a salvage title but the damage prior wowed me since it should’ve never been totaled for that. (Bumper, headlight and passenger fender with driver’s airbag) It was restored to perfection with OEM parts before I bought it and only had 36k miles with every option from massage seats, distronic, lateral parking..
The moment I brought it home I sent it to a detail shop where they did a paint correction and ceramic coating for 2k. Car runs and looks flawless. Few months back a guy in Florida from E class group on Facebook offered me $18k and although is a salvage title I couldn’t let it go!

 

e550 are rare in and of themselves, and personally, I've NEVER seen one in blue...good luck.

 

Darn opposite sides of the country, car looks great want it but continuing to look for a west cost e550. thanks for posting.

 

I have a pre-facelift '12 in Cavansite/Lunar Blue with beige MB tex, it also has pano ,park assist, blind spot and lane keep, 30k miles, needs nothing, if your interested, I would consider selling.

 

I appreciate you reaching out but given how well you’ve taken care of it and how low miles on it I don’t think I could get close to what you would want for it. I’m just a college student looking for a nice car for when I start my career. I honestly would love your car don’t get me wrong but I also don’t want to offend you by offering you a price that would be a low ball offer. Hopefully someone else on this thread could offer you a good price for your incredible vehicle you have if you decide to sell it.