cetialpha5

If you can do a lot of the work yourself, it's not too bad a car to have, doesn't have too many crazy issues like the engine or transmission blowing up.

That one is popular but I don't have that one. Many of them get mentioned here. Two of the best bang for the buck would be the Autel AP200 and the Thinkcar Pro. AP200 is about $60 on Amazon. Thinkcar Pro is around $50.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001616819613.html

pierrejoliat

If you looked under the hood of my '20 F450 crew cab dually you wouldn't think so, has all the same control systems, including the smart alternator and 80% charged battery! ECU's and sophisticated systems that the Benz's had a few years ago, blind spot, lane keep, parking sensors, auto wipers, heated seats, pano roof, roll down back window, etc. does your Benz show you a picture of what's behind your 6 horse trailer? LOL.

cetialpha5

Use this vin decoder and find one that has some fun options. Hard to find them loaded but I usually start with the P2 package which was the bixenons and keyless go. You just look for the headlamp washers in the pictures which are under the headlamps. Some people are against it, but most of the issues I run into are common to all, the options have been pretty reliable aside from the pano roof causing cracking noises over a ramp, but that was fixed in about an hour and required tightening 6 bolts and using loctite.

https://www.lastvin.com/

Pick up a copy of the EPC/WIS on ebay for under $10.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Latest-2020...n/123679649919

Gmoney219

Ok thanks cetialpha5 for that will definitely check those out!! I have a code reader already Actron but dont remember the model number but i picked it up at a local parts store. Paid around 160.00 like 10 yrs ago. Im just not sure it would pick up all the code on a Mercedes. I was just gonna get an updated one or one just for the Benz.

LILBENZ230

Agreed. The cars are made from parts, not stardust and magic. There are a few unique things about Mercedes that you'd want to be aware of but not many on the W212.

MBNUT1

This is good. Even though I have been around Mercedes most of my life and my first mechanic experience was helping my Dad change his water pump on his 180 when I was in grade school and a bunch of stuff thereafter I was afraid to touch my W211 as though it was made from rare Stuttgartien magic. I have since gotten over that thanks in part to the brave wrench turners on this forum.

Gmoney219

Ok guys I found a 2010 sport E350 Palladium Silver Metallic with a little over 100,000 miles super clean 1 owner well maintained. All services done by Mercedes dealership, oil changed every 10,000 trans fluid changed every 40,000. clean Carfax. has Amg package, spoilers and 18' wheels. Its out of state from me at a BMW dealership so hopefully I can look at it this week. Asking 10,900 but I got them down to 8800 cash. I don't have a Mercedes specific code reader yet so was planning on getting one from Amazon today hopefully. I was looking at the icarsoft MBII scanner to get and take with me.

KEY08

Good for you. Don't see how you could go wrong with a deal like that unless they stuffed the transmission with saw dust. Great color and Good luck!

bmwpowere36m3

Agree, even if it has a few issues... that's a great deal assuming the engine and trans are in good shape.

LILBENZ230

Good luck and good deal.

Gmoney219

Key I hope not fingers crossed!!

KEY08

I applaud you for being able to get your son his dream car, which is also a very safe car for a young driver as we have seen time and time again with Mercedes Benz. He will love it.

DFWdude

Good deal for that car. Congrats!

Gmoney219

Me and my wife were out shopping when I read this almost had to take a walk (teared up) smh. Thanks for that I know he will probably tear up and drop to his knees. I'm defiantly going to get it on video also!! I have a friend with a big shop in his back yard and I asked could i keep it there if i get it or another one and he said yea man no problem so i have some where to keep until graduation but don't know if I can wait that long lol!!

LILBENZ230

I would never be able to wait.

Can't wait to see the video.

Gmoney219

I usually have patience but this one is gonna kill me i may have to give in!!

LILBENZ230

Look, I've been on the other side of this. My grandmother taught me how to drive as a kid.. in her (new at the time) 1993 Honda Accord. I fell in love with that car, as odd as that seems. I turned 16 in 2001, so the cars were 8 years old already and hard to find in good condition. My parents found one from a private seller 3 months before my 16th birthday.. 95,000 miles, completely stock, all records.. sunroof, OE spoiler, much nicer than the one I had learned to drive on. I was also an A student who always took extremely good care of my belongings.

My parents bought the car for me even though I was only 15. There was no hiding it - we didn't have any means to do so - and on the morning I turned 16 my mom picked me up from school in it so I could take my test in it. It's been 20 years now, but I'll never forget what that meant. They paid $6500 for it. I enjoyed it and sold it for $7500 some time later.

I had the chance to facilitate the same for a friend of a friend a couple of years ago. In this case, her son wanted a WJ Grand Cherokee. Another A student getting ready to turn 18. But their budget was very, very limited. But my MIL happened to have an 04 WJ that she was looking to get rid of. She sold it to me for cheap, I repaired what needed repaired on it, and sold it to this kid's parents for way below market.

Anyway, enough story time. I hope it is everything he dreams it will be. And maybe he will someday be able to pass that along to someone else.

Gmoney219

Wow LilBen that was deep!!! I hope he does pass it on he's a great kid!!

Paxfobiscum

One lucky kid. My roomate in college had a Black MB. He was the only kid in the history of our dorm that owned an MB while in college. He also wore a $20,000 all gold rolex.

Arrie

Good choice! My first Benz was a brand new 2011 E350. Same awesome color. My avatar picture is still of that car.

Hockey stick DRLs are awesome looks. Hope it also has Bi-xenon head lights.

The engine should be the same technology as the 5.5 liter that I have in my E550, just two less cylinders. My engine in E is 180000 miles old and does not burn any oil yet. I change oil every 5000 miles as it is very low cost “insurance” for your engine.

Then one detail is that these cars learn a “granny” adaptation making the gas pedal response slow. You can install Sprint Booster that will take care of this. I think the car is safer to drive with better response from gas pedal.

And what you are planning to do, please stick to your plan. If you have a place to keep it in to keep the secret it should be easy. Just get a Mityvac and go change engine oil in it. Also remember to go drive it every few weeks.

But think at it if you bring this car to the graduation and let him see and drive it from there for the first time... awesome even to think about that...

Gmoney219

Wow!!! Were not rolling like that!!

Gmoney219

Ok thanks Arrie I do have A Mityvac also. I was thinking of that idea also of having it at the Graduation!! I was also planning on changing the oil every 5,000. I usually don't let my oil changes go longer than that in our cars. And yes it does has Bi-xenon head lights and Hockey stick DRLs. I did the vin look up on it. Plan on picking it up Wednesday coming.

Gmoney219

Ok guys went and seen the car today. Beautiful car in and out. I took the icarsoft MBII with me and no codes all good. Checked under carriage all good. underhood clean also. We did a test drive and drives like a dream. I pulled her back in and said done deal. As some of you said I could'nt wait we gave it to him today and it was all worth it!!! We surprised him as my wife pulled ahead of me. I pulled on the side of the road down from the house. She held them in our bedroom till i pulled up. Then she said she dropped me off at her parents and needed a specific tool to help her dad, They came out the garage and as the door was going up he saw it grapped his mouth and was falling backwards as he called for his brother. He ran outside to it and opened the door and backed up again and started crying. Not gonna lie I was crying to and was his mother. Gotta upload to youtube!!!

KEY08

Fantastic! He will always remember this day.

pierrejoliat

Yes, Fantastic and Palladium Silver, awesome color! I hope it gives him many miles of fun.