MB Family -

I’m in search of a new W212 and came across a ‘16 E400 4matic sedan. It originates from Canada, so trying to see if there are any clear differences between a model made to be sold in Canada vs. the States. So far, I’m only seeing that temperature gauges are in Celsius and will take some code changes to have updated to Fahrenheit.

Other than that, is there anything I should look out for or know about? Thanks!

 

Does it have Distronic adaptive cruise control? Canadian and U.S. radar frequencies are at different ranges and Canadian Distronic is probably not allowed to be used in U.S. I say this because the U.S. market car cannot use Distronic in Canada so I think it is the same with Canadian car in U.S.

Engine temperature gauge is also in Celsius in U.S. cars. The outside temperature digital display in cluster probably is in Celsius and takes some coding to change, like you mention.

Canadian car probably has the folding outside mirrors that U.S. cars did not have other than as an added option.

 

Listing mentions it has cruise control and brake assist. So being it mentions brake assist, I would imagine it’s the adaptive cruise control, but I will need to confirm.

And yes, it does have power mirrors.

 

It may be that all radars in the Canadian car must be turned off to legally drive it in the U.S. so you really need to check on this if it has side collision warnings etc. that may use radar instead of ultrasound.

 

Thank you!

 

I found one for sale when I was looking for my current 2015 E400. The only difference I could find, which I thought was interesting, was that it had heated rear seats. Don't think those were ever available in the US

 

yes, that’s an option on the one I’m currently looking at. I had never seen that either. Would never get used considering I have two car seats in the back hahaaa.

 

It is not easy to compare and MB is not making it any easier.
Over the years, different models might have different features.
Commonly know, switching cluster settings from US to Canada will change to kilometers and activate DRLs.
Than some MY for Canada would have electric booster heaters combined with bigger alternator.
But legally, read the emission label under the hood.
If the car in Canada has a Federal label, you can bring it to CA.
If it has CA label, that's even better.

 

The car is currently Stateside. I’ve reached out to see if they can provide me with pics of the emissions label, but from some maintenance research I was doing it appears this car began as a military or federal vehicle as you mentioned.

 

Run the VIN
wwww.lastvin.com

 

Only AMG's in Canada have the TPMS. Non AMG's you can't see the tire pressure of any tire.

 

I see you are in California which complicated things. Two main hurdles to clear: A. make sure it is imported legally; and B. make sure it can pass California emission and inspection

First, if the car is already in the US, it probably means someone had already imported it legally. If the car is in Canada, you can forget it. You need a letter from MB Canada to say the car conforms to US FMVSS and they won't issue that letter unless you are the original owner.

Second, assuming the car is already in the US, it would still be wise to ask for verification that is has the US FMVSS conformation letter. Do not buy a Canadian car without getting a copy of that letter. It implies the car is not legally imported, even if it has a state issued title.

Third, ask for a photo of the emission sticker under the hood. It should look something like this:


Mercedes only sells 50 state legal cars in the US so any recent US spec Mercedes always has both US EPA and California emission (CARB) code. I don't know what the emission sticker looks like for Mercedes sold in Canada but if it doesn't have the California code, you can't register it in California without going to a emission referee and getting a BAR sticker.

California laws allowed original US spec non-CARB car to register after 7,500 miles - these cars just need to meet EPA emission. Very few of these cars exist now days because almost all car companies now sell CARB cars in all 50 states because majority of the new cars are now sold in State that follows CARB emission rather than EPA emission. A Canadian Mercedes is not an original US spec car even if it conforms to US FMVSS. So it is treated a gray-market import. Under CARB rules, imported cars will need to meet CARB emission (not just US EPA emission) so if you do not have CA emission on the sticker, you have to go thru the referee process to get what is called a BAR sticker. They look like this:


Getting a BAR sticker can be a time consuming and expensive process. It involves visual inspection to make sure all OEM emission equipment is still attached.

Read more about it here: https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/Smog_Chec...ence_Guide.pdf

And here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...orted-vehicle/


If the car has FMVSS conformation letter from MB Canada, and CARB emission on the emission sticker, you are probably going to be fine. If it is mission either or both, it is not worth your time or trouble. Just move on to the next car.

 

Thanks everyone. I’ve decided against the Canadian model I was looking at. Appreciate all the tips.