Lower mileage 2012/2013 E550 vs. higher mileage 2014...
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acura tl
Lower mileage 2012/2013 E550 vs. higher mileage 2014...
Missed out on the 2012 E550 from my first post but I'm an "everything happens for a reason" type of person so I'll get over it. 
Nevertheless, I started to expand my search a little bit and was wondering if I should start considering higher mileage 2014's (around 80-90k+ miles)? I had mostly been focused on lower mileage 2012 and 13 E550's but I've been noticing that higher mileage 2014's could be had for around $22k or so (my preferred max budget) if you look hard enough. In a general sense, I know the W212 E class sedans are considered pretty reliable but assuming they're both equally well maintained for their respective mileages, would you all consider a 2012/13 with about 60,000 miles more or less reliable than a 2014 E550 with about 80-90,000 miles? Or in general is there anything that would make you cautious about buying a higher mileage E550? In either case I'd likely buy an extended warranty for peace of mind but if there's anything in particular that I should be aware of beforehand I'd like to know about it if I were to go the higher mileage route. I'd drive around 8-9,000 miles at most per year if that makes a difference.
Nevertheless, I started to expand my search a little bit and was wondering if I should start considering higher mileage 2014's (around 80-90k+ miles)? I had mostly been focused on lower mileage 2012 and 13 E550's but I've been noticing that higher mileage 2014's could be had for around $22k or so (my preferred max budget) if you look hard enough. In a general sense, I know the W212 E class sedans are considered pretty reliable but assuming they're both equally well maintained for their respective mileages, would you all consider a 2012/13 with about 60,000 miles more or less reliable than a 2014 E550 with about 80-90,000 miles? Or in general is there anything that would make you cautious about buying a higher mileage E550? In either case I'd likely buy an extended warranty for peace of mind but if there's anything in particular that I should be aware of beforehand I'd like to know about it if I were to go the higher mileage route. I'd drive around 8-9,000 miles at most per year if that makes a difference.
Last edited by adviceseeker; Jan 27, 2021 at 05:30 AM.
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No reason to consider higher mileage cars. Over 80,000 or so, the questions become whether the major maintenance items are performed. And if you buy one with that mileage, the more likely you will spend more, sooner.
I know you're obsessed over E550s, but Look at these E350s here in Dallas...https://www.texascarsdirect.com/sear...&Model=E-Class
I know you're obsessed over E550s, but Look at these E350s here in Dallas...https://www.texascarsdirect.com/sear...&Model=E-Class
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Reliability ≠ Maintenance Required [does not equal]
To me higher mileage is 150k+ on modern vehicles... that said, I don't see any additional maintenance at 90k vs. 60k. Airmatic could be a big one, which seems more time based at the cars near 10 yrs in age. To a lesser extent motor mounts go around 6-10 year (60-100k) and that's a $1k+ job if not DIY.
Otherwise is really just normal maintenance: oil changes, brakes, plugs, trans fluid, tires. As you approach 100k, you can probably throw in a few leaking seals (oil cooler, plug in back of head, oil separator, serpentine belt/pulley/tensioner, thermostat, etc... And as you move towards 150k you can start expecting to replacement suspension bushings/balljoints and service the coolant system.
Seems every BMW or MB I buy is always ~100k, kind of a sweet spot in age/price and knowing I'll do maintenance myself. Actually my E550 was 99.7k, hit 100k on the drive home after buying it
To me higher mileage is 150k+ on modern vehicles... that said, I don't see any additional maintenance at 90k vs. 60k. Airmatic could be a big one, which seems more time based at the cars near 10 yrs in age. To a lesser extent motor mounts go around 6-10 year (60-100k) and that's a $1k+ job if not DIY.
Otherwise is really just normal maintenance: oil changes, brakes, plugs, trans fluid, tires. As you approach 100k, you can probably throw in a few leaking seals (oil cooler, plug in back of head, oil separator, serpentine belt/pulley/tensioner, thermostat, etc... And as you move towards 150k you can start expecting to replacement suspension bushings/balljoints and service the coolant system.
Seems every BMW or MB I buy is always ~100k, kind of a sweet spot in age/price and knowing I'll do maintenance myself. Actually my E550 was 99.7k, hit 100k on the drive home after buying it
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2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic
You should really consider the 2010-2011 E550s. If reliability is your biggest concern than the M273 engine in those is what you want. That engine is bulletproof and MB ironed out any issues it had with the timing chain before it became available in the W212 chassis
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acura tl
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i doubt it as that car was also shown to be listed on cars dot com. But, you never know. If the buyer shows up here we can ask. 😁
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acura tl
No reason to consider higher mileage cars. Over 80,000 or so, the questions become whether the major maintenance items are performed. And if you buy one with that mileage, the more likely you will spend more, sooner.
I know you're obsessed over E550s, but Look at these E350s here in Dallas...https://www.texascarsdirect.com/sear...&Model=E-Class
I know you're obsessed over E550s, but Look at these E350s here in Dallas...https://www.texascarsdirect.com/sear...&Model=E-Class
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Thread Starter
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acura tl
Reliability ≠ Maintenance Required [does not equal]
To me higher mileage is 150k+ on modern vehicles... that said, I don't see any additional maintenance at 90k vs. 60k. Airmatic could be a big one, which seems more time based at the cars near 10 yrs in age. To a lesser extent motor mounts go around 6-10 year (60-100k) and that's a $1k+ job if not DIY.
Otherwise is really just normal maintenance: oil changes, brakes, plugs, trans fluid, tires. As you approach 100k, you can probably throw in a few leaking seals (oil cooler, plug in back of head, oil separator, serpentine belt/pulley/tensioner, thermostat, etc... And as you move towards 150k you can start expecting to replacement suspension bushings/balljoints and service the coolant system.
Seems every BMW or MB I buy is always ~100k, kind of a sweet spot in age/price and knowing I'll do maintenance myself. Actually my E550 was 99.7k, hit 100k on the drive home after buying it
To me higher mileage is 150k+ on modern vehicles... that said, I don't see any additional maintenance at 90k vs. 60k. Airmatic could be a big one, which seems more time based at the cars near 10 yrs in age. To a lesser extent motor mounts go around 6-10 year (60-100k) and that's a $1k+ job if not DIY.
Otherwise is really just normal maintenance: oil changes, brakes, plugs, trans fluid, tires. As you approach 100k, you can probably throw in a few leaking seals (oil cooler, plug in back of head, oil separator, serpentine belt/pulley/tensioner, thermostat, etc... And as you move towards 150k you can start expecting to replacement suspension bushings/balljoints and service the coolant system.
Seems every BMW or MB I buy is always ~100k, kind of a sweet spot in age/price and knowing I'll do maintenance myself. Actually my E550 was 99.7k, hit 100k on the drive home after buying it
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acura tl
I thought about the 2010-2011 E550s but I know myself well enough to know that I'd constantly regret not getting a 2012 and up with the updated engine.
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2013 E550 sedan
Well, wasn't going to respond to your thread... BUT... If it were me and I was going after the look of the car, I personally like the facelift '14s. That said, MB did "something" (okay let's say de-tuned) the 2014s, because they made them lighter than the 12' & '13 E550s, but they were slower?? Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a tune...
My Wife actually is on the other side: she likes the classic look of the pre-facelift models... In all ways, there was a reason these only existed for 3 MYs (too many S buyers getting spanked?!). An incredible value for performance they have on the used market...
My Wife actually is on the other side: she likes the classic look of the pre-facelift models... In all ways, there was a reason these only existed for 3 MYs (too many S buyers getting spanked?!). An incredible value for performance they have on the used market...
Last edited by diesel_dan; Jan 28, 2021 at 08:43 PM. Reason: spelling
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2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
OP, find the lowest mileage example of the "look" you like (12,13 or 14) and good luck with the search. I spent 9 months looking for the "right" E550, so I would recommend "making your list" and looking for it. The right one would be worth the wait.
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Not sure what you mean. The pre-facelift models existed for 4 years, 2010-2013. The face lift was 2014-2017 so they only existed for 3 years. It's a pretty standard approach by MB. They did the same with the W211 also, 2003-2006 was pre-facelift and 2007-2009 was post, but it was very minor so was hard to tll, basically the taillights were different and the interior really changed. Now you're seeing the same thing with the W213, 2017-2020, the 2021 model is a face lift.
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Well, wasn't going to respond to your thread... BUT... If it were me and I was going after the look of the car, I personally like the facelift '14s. That said, MB did "something" (okay let's say de-tuned) the 2014s, because they made them lighter than the 12' & '13 E550s, but they were slower?? Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a tune...
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A '12 E550 with 40k? In black with those options? That car needed no help from this forum. Good luck in your search!
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2013 E550 sedan
Not sure what you mean. The pre-facelift models existed for 4 years, 2010-2013. The face lift was 2014-2017 so they only existed for 3 years. It's a pretty standard approach by MB. They did the same with the W211 also, 2003-2006 was pre-facelift and 2007-2009 was post, but it was very minor so was hard to tll, basically the taillights were different and the interior really changed. Now you're seeing the same thing with the W213, 2017-2020, the 2021 model is a face lift.
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2013 E550 sedan
The C&D Test of the '12 vs. the '14? And I read conjecture about it 5 years or so ago... Don't mean to ruffle feathers... One interesting note is my dealer wanted to do an ECU update being pushed by MB in early 2020; the update was to "bring all the engines to the same calibration" (I'm paraphrasing) - I asked my dealer not to apply that update which they said fine...
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I personally also think the facelift cars are the way to go, but you can only find a 550 as a 2014. The 2015 and 2016 - the last year of the W212 in NA - had just the E400 as the top non-AMG model in terms of power.
I still don't understand why more power is needed than the 350 provides, though.
I still don't understand why more power is needed than the 350 provides, though.
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Mercedes produced the E550 4M through 2015, but that year was only available in Canada. It would take some work, but they should be able to be imported if someone located a Canadian example.
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2013 E550 sedan
I found this out after buying a used truck and trailer combo in NV and hadn't checked the truck's emission sticker. I was going through the CA DMV requirements for getting the truck registered and it was an OMG moment for me. Fortunately racing out to the driveway and popping the hood in a panic and it was a 50 State truck - whew...
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most everything recent is 50 state. my 2016, originally sold in NC, then moved to NM, and I brought it into Calif, is a 50 state car.
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2013 E550 sedan
Is that true for Canadian vehicles? They come with a US EPA 50 State Emission sticker? That would be good to know, and was my point about going north to Canada for a '15...
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I wouldn't bet on it without verification... SOME Canadian vehicles undoubtedly are US DOT and meet US EPA standards and possibly California ARB, but I know there have been models/engines sold there that aren't even available in the USA, so all bets are off.
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2013 E550 sedan
No doubt. I know that the power folding mirrors were on the Canadian E550s around our generation ('12-'14), but not on the US versions. I think they also could get 2WD Sedans as well...
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Last edited by pierrejoliat; Jan 30, 2021 at 08:15 AM.
