What to Buy...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 14
CLS550
What to Buy...
Hi everyone, new on this forum, I posted the below information/questions in the W212 AMG forum, but I figured I would post it here to get some more opinions.
I’m looking to get into an E-Class, and been looking at W212s.
I’ve recently been driving American imported versions of Holden’s, but looking for something more luxurious. Currently have an 05 Pontiac GTO 6spd, 2014 Caprice PPV, and an 98 Lexus Sc400. So in short I’m a V8 guy.
Whatever I get will have it’s function as the family car for when Wife/Kid/ or dogs and I go somewhere together.
So I’ve been looking at a few sedan options around the $30k mark.
2011 E63, 2014 E550 4matic, 2014 CLS550, or 2012+ C63 are all considerations. Even wouldn’t mind an W211 E55.
I’m leaning towards the W212 as it can be a nice sleeper compared to the others which are a little more aggressive looking.
I’ll be doing pretty much any work on it myself as I’m pretty mechanically inclined.
Would like something I can tune and make some mods to.
Anyone who has had familiarity with any of these or multiple of them that can give some feedback on them? Likes/dislikes? Things to look out for.
Thanks
I’m looking to get into an E-Class, and been looking at W212s.
I’ve recently been driving American imported versions of Holden’s, but looking for something more luxurious. Currently have an 05 Pontiac GTO 6spd, 2014 Caprice PPV, and an 98 Lexus Sc400. So in short I’m a V8 guy.
Whatever I get will have it’s function as the family car for when Wife/Kid/ or dogs and I go somewhere together.
So I’ve been looking at a few sedan options around the $30k mark.
2011 E63, 2014 E550 4matic, 2014 CLS550, or 2012+ C63 are all considerations. Even wouldn’t mind an W211 E55.
I’m leaning towards the W212 as it can be a nice sleeper compared to the others which are a little more aggressive looking.
I’ll be doing pretty much any work on it myself as I’m pretty mechanically inclined.
Would like something I can tune and make some mods to.
Anyone who has had familiarity with any of these or multiple of them that can give some feedback on them? Likes/dislikes? Things to look out for.
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 46
Likes: 18
From: Atlanta
2012 E350
I feel like the best option here would be the E550 and tune it since it can blow up to 540hp with a renntech or other tune. I always wanted a unicorn 2014 E550 sedan but could never find a low mileage one. Dont know anyone with a E63 except my neighbor but her's is on lease but she loves that rocket ship. I personally would do E550 over E63 unless you want all the track features.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 14
CLS550
I feel like the best option here would be the E550 and tune it since it can blow up to 540hp with a renntech or other tune. I always wanted a unicorn 2014 E550 sedan but could never find a low mileage one. Dont know anyone with a E63 except my neighbor but her's is on lease but she loves that rocket ship. I personally would do E550 over E63 unless you want all the track features.
What did you end up going with?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 12
From: Ontario
E550 Coupe
Welcome to the forum! I'm a new member as well, bought a 2012 E550 coupe a few weeks ago. I'm in love with this car!
I've been digging through the forum and have seen a few common things with this generation - the biggest one to look for is oil that leaks through the cam sensors / actuators and eventually makes its way to the O2 sensors and ECU through the harness. You have to check for oil presence at the cam sensor plugs. Lots of recent info in the forum on that topic; I currently have this issue. The other things I have personally experienced so far are a stuck CD in the player that tries to clear itself multiple times when you turn the car off and on (annoying!), and the passenger mirror does not home properly when it is turned in and back out. These seem to be somewhat common as others have experienced as well.
Probably goes without saying, but with a car with so much automation and gadgets, I would spend the extra time and go through each and every feature before I made an offer on the car. Even if you find things that aren't a big concern to you, you can use it to negotiate a better price. Good luck with your search!
I've been digging through the forum and have seen a few common things with this generation - the biggest one to look for is oil that leaks through the cam sensors / actuators and eventually makes its way to the O2 sensors and ECU through the harness. You have to check for oil presence at the cam sensor plugs. Lots of recent info in the forum on that topic; I currently have this issue. The other things I have personally experienced so far are a stuck CD in the player that tries to clear itself multiple times when you turn the car off and on (annoying!), and the passenger mirror does not home properly when it is turned in and back out. These seem to be somewhat common as others have experienced as well.
Probably goes without saying, but with a car with so much automation and gadgets, I would spend the extra time and go through each and every feature before I made an offer on the car. Even if you find things that aren't a big concern to you, you can use it to negotiate a better price. Good luck with your search!
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CLS400 4Matic EC Tuned
If it's in your budget, go for the 2015 CLS550 4MATIC. Lot's of changes for the 2015 year in comparison to the 2014. Spend $1500 on a tune to get it to 550 horsepower and 705 pound feet.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 349
From: Fredonia, WI
2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
When I was looking, I spent a good amount of time checking out E63s, which are awesome cars. But, the price differential was significant and insurance was more (for some reason ;-)
I really like my E550. It isn't an E63, but it has plenty of power and cruises nicely. It also doesn't invite street races (too often)
As others have said, the M278 can be tuned for an increase in power. BTW, tuning isn't a end-user DIY thing in the MB world that I'm aware of. You buy the tune and device to load it into your ECU. I have an LS powered GXP that can be "self tuned" using several systems (now, if only I knew what I was doing
)
GLWS and let us know what you decide
I really like my E550. It isn't an E63, but it has plenty of power and cruises nicely. It also doesn't invite street races (too often)
As others have said, the M278 can be tuned for an increase in power. BTW, tuning isn't a end-user DIY thing in the MB world that I'm aware of. You buy the tune and device to load it into your ECU. I have an LS powered GXP that can be "self tuned" using several systems (now, if only I knew what I was doing
)GLWS and let us know what you decide
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 14
CLS550
Yeah it seems the E550 with a tune seems to be pretty ideal. I like the tubing aspect of that.
obviously on the E63 forum the people are recommending 2012+ E63, but I think for the value the E550 will be hard to beat
obviously on the E63 forum the people are recommending 2012+ E63, but I think for the value the E550 will be hard to beat
