A-a-ron212

Hey all,

I put together a review/intro video on my first year of ownership of my 2012 E550. Will be doing future videos as well such as how to repair the airmatic system, installing carplay in the OEM system, how to upgrade the steering wheel, etc.
Hoping the videos are helpful to the W212 community. When I went to buy this car I didn't see a lot of review and experience videos so thought I would put some stuff out there.

KEY08

Welcome! One of the finest sedans ever produced by MB. You are preaching to the choir.

alan_e550

Great video, airmatic is definitely a blessing and a curse. Nice to see you over here from Reddit

A-a-ron212

That begs the question, where does one go from this car? The wife and I are in a bit of a trend where I have a car for 2-4 years, then pass it on to her to use as her commuter then I get something else that becomes our "main car". I was thinking about it the other day as her BMW is getting a little long in the tooth, and I don't really know what I would want to move on to from the E550. I really like the styling of the 2012, and the engine, trans, interior, etc. are all great. Guess it will be interesting to see what is available in the range I want to pay in the next couple of years.

A-a-ron212

Thanks! I have been lurking here for awhile, thought I'd share since I have some content to offer to hopefully help other owners or interested buyers out. I do way too much research before I buy a car, so figured if I can help future potential owners out, I might as well.

ChrisB

Good video.
I bought a used 2011 E550 a couple of years ago.
No twin turbo, no off road extra height setting, no distronic cruise control, no cooled seats, no blind spot assist. So I am a little envious.
2012 E550 is a rare bird from what I know - good find on your part. A lot of car for the price you paid!
Other features I do like - heated steering wheel, auto dimming headlights.
The previous years naturally aspirated 5.5 litre E550 is no slouch & I can not imagine needing much more power.

alan_e550

2010-2011 E550 came standard with airmatic, meaning the winter/offroad setting would also come with it. Are you sure you dont have it?

Arrie

W221 and if you find options you like go with the 5.5 L NA engine meaning before 2012. I got a 2013 with the twin turbos but I trust the 5.5 L engine better, which I have in my 2010 E550.

But, what ever engine you pick you will love the S.

ChrisB

You are right the button is there - I just did not know what it was for.
If I ever get into deed snow - I now know what to do!
Probably good for getting extra clearance for taller curbs as well.

cetialpha5

Well there's the E400/E450. A little less power though. The next step up is the E53 AMG. Just as rare as the E550 though. The ultimate E550 was the 2014, but probably not worth it to just jump up 2 years. Of course any 2014+ S550 is nice.

Duckstu

I think 12 and 13 look better, and that the '12 is the unicorn.

The 12's still have the less invasive BMrace1
And 12 and 13 don't have all the nannys, like start-stop, blind spot, cross traffic etc,.. which I find rather annoying and am always trying to shut off. (Really wish I was allowed to disable Distronic in the wife's 17 S class)

Then there's the styling. The 14 is a 1 year car (As far as V8 engines),.. but I actually prefer the 12-13 much better. Personally I think that the new style of not having a hood ornament and having a huge tri-star in the grill looks AMAZING on the AMG GT's,.. and quite good on the C class,... but not as much on the bigger E class. For the E Class, I prefer the sported up S-Class styling of the Avate Garde 10-12's.

Love mine.

2012 E550 4-Matic with a stage 2 flash from Eurocharged (550 hp / 650 ft lbs), and their trans flash.
Quartz blue over tan / black interior
Premium Pack 2
Airmatic suspension
ADC suspension
AMG Sport pack
Distronic
Folding rear seats
Wood / leather steering wheel

Comfy, good looks, and with a 0-60 of 3.5 sec, it's a full sec faster than a new Mustang GT. Havin' cake, eatin' cake.

Bought it this past Fall with 41 K on the ODO.

Left Coast Geek

they did keep making the classic grill post-facelift, in the US these were sold as the "Luxury" version, paired with the comfort suspension and 17" wheels. these are quite rare, 90% at least of the 212's I see on the streets and for sale are the 'sport'.






I hated the way the sport models drove and rode over rough roads.

edit: don't get me wrong, I like the new sport grill. its the stiff suspension with less clearance, and 18" wheels that I did not like about the Sport models. Our 'Luxury' has the Elegance trim package inside, which in our color code is a dark brown dash and brown steering wheel, with the classic burlwood accents.

afaik, combining my test drives with readings of catalogs, the 2014-2016 E350 US models were...

• facelift 'luxury' has the
  • legacy grill,
  • regular bumpers and sides,
  • 'Comfort' suspension,
  • 17" alloy wheels,
  • Elegance interior. (warm colors)
  • dark rimmed instruments
• faceflit 'sport'
  • new grill
  • AMG skirts and sides,
  • sport suspension,
  • 18" wheels with /40 series tires,
  • Avant Garde interior (blacks, cold greys)
  • AMG flat bottom steering wheel.
  • white background on instrument panel