Boarderjosh10

Hello, I own a 2013 E350, I love the car have had it for several years, drive it a ton, and looking to get another one but step it up to E550 or E63.

I want a sedan or coupe. Sorry no cabriolet. I'm not a fan of the newer model E-Class, I think they are too "round".

Seems like there aren't too many low mile 550s out there anymore so I will probably be looking for one with 45k or less on the odometer. Looking online many people modify or chip these cars. I'm hoping to find one that is not molested (yet).

Other than obvious items like a brand new catalytic converter or painted brake calipers are there things I should inspect heavier on these cars to make sure I won't have any odd issues come from a prior tune or part swaps?

Are there any consumer OBD2 readers that are going to catch some of this stuff?

Anyone else have any tips on the w212 e550 I should know prior to upgrading from the 350?

Thanks

KEY08

All I know is you will love the M278 motor. It is very powerful and returns great highway gas mileage as well. They are indeed rare and you will search a long time to find one with 45K or less miles. Good luck!

sljacks

No specific tips, but will just say I’ve been impressed by my E550. I previously owned a ‘12 E350 and just recently acquired a ‘14 E550 with just shy of 20K miles. This thing is a beast!!! I just swapped the aux battery, but other than that no issues. The previous owner kept up on maintenance x2.

Only advice would be to search for a low mileage and search multiple times a day like I did. The second you find a good one, snag it!

chassis

iCarsoft MB II is a code reader that is recommended on this site. Search feature will bring up user experiences.

Any MB V8 can grenade. Some more likely than others. M157/M278 can suffer cylinder scoring leading to low compression, misfire and engine replacement. Valve guides can also fail, and timing chain tensioners in the early model years needed a check valve installed to avoid noise and wear.

The M276 is one of the most reliable MB engines in a decade. I suggest an E400 with the 3.0 TT M276 V6. More power than the base engine with the reliability of the M276. Some low mile 2016 cars are listed for sale on cargurus now.

kajtek1

Lately dongles took over scanners market.
Autel is pretty good, but sometimes it requires good WI FI connection. Reads lot of live data and makes pretty clear troubleshooting pages.
Thinkdiag suppose to be even better, but no personal experience.
Would your goal was to get fast to long-distance destination, you'd buy 250 diesel.
600-800 miles without pulling at gas station.
With ECO driving, 1200 miles on the tank is possible.

BenzV12

E550s came with Airmatic as standard so I would make sure that system works nice because repairs could be costly to fix

Left Coast Geek

The M276 based E350's have 300 HP and 280 ft-lbs, which is more than a lot of V8's had 20 or 30 years ago.,, and thats without a turbo, the turbo models are more like 400 HP

juanmor40

Perhaps you may like this one

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...312202350/NONE

or

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...311782711/NONE

I just stay away from the V8 because of the heavy foot, and likely $$ in tickets. So I just admire them on the road.

KEY08

that is not correct from 2011 on. It became an option. My 2014 is on springs.

KEY08

that first one in Georgia with less than 10,000 miles has me shaking my head. I would worry about a car that was not driven.

BenzV12

Thanks for correction

Zynthe

Anything specific areas to check the airmatic to see if its up to spec? Also is 71k on a 2011 considered low mileage as i am currently looking at one around that many miles. I already know to check to see if the wood trim is faded as well as to check for V burn in on the lens.

KEY08

I would say that 71k is relatively low mileage for an ‘11. Check the service history (VMI) if available to see if any Airmatic work had been done. If not, you can plan on something popping up at this stage in its ten year life.

juanmor40

Another one to shake your head

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Perhaps a "bucket list" or "garage queen" car, i.e. "I got it", but never driven

cetialpha5

That one doesn't even have any good options. Basically just the pano roof. No bixenons, keyless go, power trunk closer, parktronic, etc. and double the regular price.

Boarderjosh10

Thank you so much for the replies!!
hopefully I can find one with less than 45k on the odometer, I have never purchased a Benz with more than 20k. I put almost 100k miles on my current E350. Other than replacement of air filters, a few lightbulbs, tires, and fluids I have not had any maintenance debacles. I find the car to be easy to maintain.

​​​​​
the one in Georgia seems suspect to me lol. The other looks nice but about as far from me as possible across the USA. The 09 one is the model right before the one I'm after. I think I'm trying to find a 2011-2014. I can deal with the newer front bumper but the interior of the newer models and rear end has me shaking my head.

The airmatic was a concern for me, I'm glad to know I can look for a model that might still have springs. If the air system fails anyone have a ballpark for replacement? Or possible to just swap to a good adjustable could set.

I have a simple BT OBD2 adapter for my phone, is there an app anyone recommends?
​​​​​
keep the ads coming, maybe one of them will become my car and I'll send the finder a keychain or something

Zynthe

FYI 2012+ is bi turbo. So if you are looking for the NA engine, it only goes to 2011. But 2011 and below is Airmatic standard. More things to consider lol....

Boarderjosh10

Thanks this is great to know! I would like the turbos so I will change my search slightly!!!

cetialpha5

The ones that can do all MB specific codes aren't that much more money. Autel is about $63. I guess inflation is real, used to be about $60. You could check the price of Arnott springs, but airmatic wasn't that expensive on the W212 vs W211. You don't know when it will fail though, it can develop a leak anytime, they don't just slowly wear out like springs. That 2014 E550 mentioned earlier is a real unicorn, I would grab that no matter how far it is. Driver assistance package, lighting package, parktronic, pano roof, massage seats, power trunk closer, keyless go, pretty much has all the options. Usually you find them close to loaded but might be missing driver assistance package or pano roof or parktronic. No airmatic and about the only thing missing is the rear entertainment package. I would grab this if I didn't hate black as an interior color.

juanmor40

This one is also on springs, but higher mileage.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

What I do not understand is the data card interior color information does not match the photos

https://www.lastvin.com/vin/az1nGEyLQnJdxv67l

KEY08

If you buy a higher mileage TTV8, it must come with a very good service record or run away.

kajtek1

and 2 owners.
Really unappreciated car.
When per my experience low-driven cars don't generate problems becouse of that (beside battery charging) the 8 years old vehicle might have some aged rubber and plastics.
I just notice the pristine driver seat on my 2014 show a flake.

KEY08

all V8 models are sure to jump in value with this announcement from MB:


https://mbworld.org/articles/mercede...mpaign=content

Get one while you can

Boarderjosh10

The one on Georgia is not what is advertised. Something is fishy with the record. It appears low mileage, but in July of 2021 the vehicle registration was marked as 56k miles, the car was registered in Michigan but taxed in Texas. Then the record was updated to show only 9k miles in August. So my best assumption is the car has 56,000 mi or more and there was just a clerical error in the mileage being stated when they transferred the title. Worst case scenario would be this is a messed up car with clean paperwork done through shady people. Maybe it drives great but without a picture of the odometer it's not worth my time.

Maybe someone else has an opinion on that car so I can sleep easy. My day job involves heavy research on shady paperwork. I'm not super mechanically inclined so if I find a good paperwork car I want to make sure mechanically it's going to be good.

kajtek1

Not when new V6 will offer 50% more HP than older V8.
That happen to V12 engines, that nobody missed.
Years ago I drove with 200 HP 454 Chevy engine That makes 7.4 liter. Now I am having the same HP from 2.l liter diesel.
I really don't understand the low mileage obsession. It really doesn't have practical explanation. I am in contact with 3 buyers of my previous sedans.
2 of them passed 200k miles, 1 passed 300k miles. All really appreciated by new owners and new owners become my friends.. They are all diesels though. .