2012 200k miles.
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Joined: Oct 2022
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E350
2012 200k miles.
Found a e350 near me for 7k from a private seller. The car lived most of its life in Florida. Wife only got her license this year and I should've got a beater car before she did thousands of damages to my car and treats it like a dumpster. I still want a good and safe car for her as drivers around our area is insanely bad and aggressive post pandemic. (Live next to one of the best high school in the region, pretty much car accidents every week. Cars rolling over in a 25mph zones and students crashing their parents 100k cars)
Is 200k miles way too high? I missed out on a 2011 140k miles the other day. I'm just a little shocked that the current owner had it for 1 year and put in 30k miles.
Is 200k miles way too high? I missed out on a 2011 140k miles the other day. I'm just a little shocked that the current owner had it for 1 year and put in 30k miles.
Last edited by Xk42; Oct 9, 2022 at 11:37 AM.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
200k miles is high. Do you have DIY skills? You will need them with any vehicle with 200k miles, regardless of brand and regardless of how well it was taken care of, or not.
Any mid-size or larger vehicle is safe from a collision point of view, bearing in mind that all vehicles on the road must meet Federal safety requirements. Bigger vehicle = safer in a collision.
Insanely bad and aggressive drivers are in most areas, pandemic notwithstanding. In my experience the mid-Atlantic region drivers (Phila-CNJ-DC) are quite good. There are always exceptions, I am painting with a broad brush. LA, Chicago and Detroit are the worst I have experienced. Florida is bad, but those other three cities are worse.
Any mid-size or larger vehicle is safe from a collision point of view, bearing in mind that all vehicles on the road must meet Federal safety requirements. Bigger vehicle = safer in a collision.
Insanely bad and aggressive drivers are in most areas, pandemic notwithstanding. In my experience the mid-Atlantic region drivers (Phila-CNJ-DC) are quite good. There are always exceptions, I am painting with a broad brush. LA, Chicago and Detroit are the worst I have experienced. Florida is bad, but those other three cities are worse.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2022
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E350
200k miles is high. Do you have DIY skills? You will need them with any vehicle with 200k miles, regardless of brand and regardless of how well it was taken care of, or not.
Any mid-size or larger vehicle is safe from a collision point of view, bearing in mind that all vehicles on the road must meet Federal safety requirements. Bigger vehicle = safer in a collision.
Insanely bad and aggressive drivers are in most areas, pandemic notwithstanding. In my experience the mid-Atlantic region drivers (Phila-CNJ-DC) are quite good. There are always exceptions, I am painting with a broad brush. LA, Chicago and Detroit are the worst I have experienced. Florida is bad, but those other three cities are worse.
Any mid-size or larger vehicle is safe from a collision point of view, bearing in mind that all vehicles on the road must meet Federal safety requirements. Bigger vehicle = safer in a collision.
Insanely bad and aggressive drivers are in most areas, pandemic notwithstanding. In my experience the mid-Atlantic region drivers (Phila-CNJ-DC) are quite good. There are always exceptions, I am painting with a broad brush. LA, Chicago and Detroit are the worst I have experienced. Florida is bad, but those other three cities are worse.
You guessed it, LA. I'm a seasoned driver that hold multiple driving license from different countries. LA is by far the worse drivers I've encountered. On a good week, I would have 1-2 close calls. On a bad day I had 3 close calls. Mostly from people not stopping on red light or turning right on red. They expect cars on green light or going straight to brake for them. Heck they even ignore yield signs. Last month I was driving behind a pickup towing a trailer. Saw a SUV driving up super fast behind me and wanted to do a last second getting off the ramp. He obviously didn't see the trailer and thought I was not following the pickup close enough. He cut me off and slammed into the trailer at high speed and rolled his car a few times.
Last edited by Xk42; Oct 9, 2022 at 11:59 AM.
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2014 E350
At 200K, the engine might be fine, with probably a few leaks here and there. But you'd want to make sure other wear parts are taken care of, like shocks, engine/trans mounts, control arm bushings, belt tensioner, thermostat, water pump, etc. If not they would cost a considerable amount of money to fix even if you DIY.
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
At 7k, I guess it's cheap enough. Lots of it is probably maintenance though, I've already replaced my springs/struts/shocks and many items mentioned above. The 2012 isn't that bad though, has the newer M276 engine which is good for 302hp and it doesn't have some of the issues that the M272 did in the 2010-2011 years. Basically I would think that the suspension would probably be worn out if various parts haven't been updated.
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2016 E350 Sport
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From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Depends on the vehicle. My 2014 ram cummins is doing great with 165k miles and regular maintrnance. Granted much easier to work on then the benz.
agree with diesels its usually all the other stuff that goes bad, suspension/weather seals/transmission/diffs/bearings ya name it.
agree with diesels its usually all the other stuff that goes bad, suspension/weather seals/transmission/diffs/bearings ya name it.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I value the paint on those cars the most and in hot weather that seldom last in good condition more than 10 years.
The present W212 at 8 years of age (4 years under my roof) is pristine and I keep it in cooled garage, parking in the shade whenever I can, so I hope the paint will last 20 years.
The only thing that wear out beside normal wearables are sway bar links booths. I had the same on other W212, so seem the boots come from bad supplier.
Oh, the AMG, Czech-made rims were garbage as well, but I keep Lorinser monoblocks, who are well over 20 yo.
Over the years I bought couple of cars, who were neglected and I say that if you want to buy neglected car, MB is the brand who can take it.
I always do blowby and acceleration test, so never had bad engine. Small stuff like oil leaks, or failed modules are easy for good DIYer.
Once you bring the car to fully working condition, you will enjoy good base for few following years.
Last edited by kajtek1; Oct 12, 2022 at 01:26 AM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
We all have our own point of view, but I am in contact with several buyers of my cars and most of them passed 300k miles just fine.
I value the paint on those cars the most and in hot weather that seldom last in good condition more than 10 years.
The present W212 at 8 years of age (4 years under my roof) is pristine and I keep it in cooled garage, parking in the shade whenever I can, so I hope the paint will last 20 years.
The only thing that wear out beside normal wearables are sway bar links booths. I had the same on other W212, so seem the boots come from bad supplier.
Oh, the AMG, Czech-made rims were garbage as well, but I keep Lorinser monoblocks, who are well over 20 yo.
Over the years I bought couple of cars, who were neglected and I say that if you want to buy neglected car, MB is the brand who can take it.
I always do blowby and acceleration test, so never had bad engine. Small stuff like oil leaks, or failed modules are easy for good DIYer.
Once you bring the car to fully working condition, you will enjoy good base for few following years.
I value the paint on those cars the most and in hot weather that seldom last in good condition more than 10 years.
The present W212 at 8 years of age (4 years under my roof) is pristine and I keep it in cooled garage, parking in the shade whenever I can, so I hope the paint will last 20 years.
The only thing that wear out beside normal wearables are sway bar links booths. I had the same on other W212, so seem the boots come from bad supplier.
Oh, the AMG, Czech-made rims were garbage as well, but I keep Lorinser monoblocks, who are well over 20 yo.
Over the years I bought couple of cars, who were neglected and I say that if you want to buy neglected car, MB is the brand who can take it.
I always do blowby and acceleration test, so never had bad engine. Small stuff like oil leaks, or failed modules are easy for good DIYer.
Once you bring the car to fully working condition, you will enjoy good base for few following years.
OP is considering paying $7000 for a 10 year-old W212. Drive it 5 years (and another 60,000 miles), and it will be worth $400, too. If it's the only car one has, and any repairs must be suffered through, then fine. But I usually don't throw good money after bad, even for a Mercedes.
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E350
OP is considering paying $7000 for a 10 year-old W212. Drive it 5 years (and another 60,000 miles), and it will be worth $400, too. If it's the only car one has, and any repairs must be suffered through, then fine. But I usually don't throw good money after bad, even for a Mercedes.
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From: NE
S212 E350 Estate
Have you test driven it by chance? I've purchased a car that Carfax shows "structural damage" but it drove great and after 40K miles of daily driving in 4 years, it still drove like the first day I bought it.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I'm at the same point with my C320, which I gave to my live-in daughter in 2018. Once her son gets his license (by years end), it will be fingers crossed awaiting the first accident. Anything other than a light fender bender will junk the car, as any significant repair will cost $5K or more. Both my daughter and grandson will be without a ride, and I have no more hand-me-down vehicles to give away.
Hell, if you want to spend $7,000 on a $1,300 MB, my daughter will sell you her C320 for $7,000. It has only 158,000 miles. With $7K she could then buy an old Civic. Edit: And this car has a clean, 2 owner title (not salvage) LOL
Last edited by DFWdude; Oct 12, 2022 at 12:23 PM.
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Is it a project car now and not a safe car for the wife? People don't generally buy Mercedes cars for a "project". Some of them, however indeed become a project, which I am sure this one qualifies as. At $7,000 it is an economically dumb *** project.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
? We drive them well beyond these low mileage talks. 200k is only 20% of the life of the engine. My 250k mile example is immaculate rust free and every option, button and surface is working at 100%. That car is built for a 25 year life in Africa or Saudi’s Arabia without major component repair needed. In US that could mean a fifty year life without much needed…really…. On topic I own a w212.Someone that gets this car to 200k likely took care of most things to get there, but every part is at replacement age in most instances so you must do you sue dilegence. A 100k mile example should be ten grand..but may have the same costs to repair if nobody did anything in those miles.
good luck on your search
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E350
As far as I'm told, my mechanic said the Mercedes sedan would be far safer than my Japanese SUV in terms of rolling over and stronger steel structure in an accident. $7k is expensive? I think it really depends on the local market as here in SoCal, it was sold within a day.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Quit dicking around with these overpriced, high-mileage cars...
Here's a car that's 4 years newer with only a fraction of the miles, and impeccable title...
2016 E350 with only 39,000 miles, at only $28,000... https://www.texascarsdirect.com/used...&Model=E-Class
This dealer specializes in Mercedes off-lease returns sold at auction from Mercedes-Benz Financial. No negotiating, buyers fly in from around the country. Legit title, etc. I bought my 2016 there in 2018. This car will be gone within a day or two, as well.
Here's a car that's 4 years newer with only a fraction of the miles, and impeccable title...
2016 E350 with only 39,000 miles, at only $28,000... https://www.texascarsdirect.com/used...&Model=E-Class
This dealer specializes in Mercedes off-lease returns sold at auction from Mercedes-Benz Financial. No negotiating, buyers fly in from around the country. Legit title, etc. I bought my 2016 there in 2018. This car will be gone within a day or two, as well.
Last edited by DFWdude; Oct 12, 2022 at 01:47 PM.
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Perhaps I should clarify... It's not that the car cannot be made to run beyond 200K miles. The problem is that any repairs will cost more than the car is worth. My 21 year old C320 (158.000 miles) appraises for a whopping $400. Control arms alone cost more than that just for the parts.
OP is considering paying $7000 for a 10 year-old W212. Drive it 5 years (and another 60,000 miles), and it will be worth $400, too. If it's the only car one has, and any repairs must be suffered through, then fine. But I usually don't throw good money after bad, even for a Mercedes.
OP is considering paying $7000 for a 10 year-old W212. Drive it 5 years (and another 60,000 miles), and it will be worth $400, too. If it's the only car one has, and any repairs must be suffered through, then fine. But I usually don't throw good money after bad, even for a Mercedes.
With forum help and some homework, I am finding suppliers of OE parts, who sell them as low as 1/3 what local dealer would charge me.
So most of my high-mileage MB generated on average $20-30 annual repair costs. Including those neglected cars, who I bough cheap enough to turn profit reselling them 2 years later.
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Those values don't really mean anything. Without knowing the vin, Nadaguide says around $8.5k at full retail so 7k is a small discount. That $500-$1300 price basically means they don't want to deal with a high mileage car as they can be hard to sell. After a certain amount of mileage, Nadaguide stops discounting the price, if you put in 190k, it's the same price as 200k but we know that a 200k car isn't worth as much as a 190k car. I'd rather pay an extra 3k for a car with 50k less miles.
Quit dicking around with these overpriced, high-mileage cars...
Here's a car that's 4 years newer with only a fraction of the miles, and impeccable title...
2016 E350 with only 39,000 miles, at only $28,000... https://www.texascarsdirect.com/used...&Model=E-Class
Here's a car that's 4 years newer with only a fraction of the miles, and impeccable title...
2016 E350 with only 39,000 miles, at only $28,000... https://www.texascarsdirect.com/used...&Model=E-Class
Last edited by cetialpha5; Oct 12, 2022 at 01:52 PM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Actually, TexasCarsDirect would not buy a flood damaged car at an MB Financial lease-return auction (from anywhere). I also doubt that Mercedes-Benz Financial would put a flood-damaged car in their dealer auctions. I could be wrong, but...
Last edited by DFWdude; Oct 13, 2022 at 07:52 AM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
