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2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
New to me... 2014 E550 Sedan, Thoughts?
Hey guys, I used to live here a lot after just last year unloading a 2014 E350. I had that car for 7 years and it was superb. Countless road trips and tons of comfy cruises around town grabbing groceries and what not. An almost perfect car. Then times changed and we needed an suv for our new baby, enter the amazing GLE43 which has been a champ.
Shortly after that I realized my 2018 S560 had to go bye bye, the potential depreciation for that car was too much to stomach as the mileage was low and the options were high. But, we needed a second car and something much more affordable. Almost 10 months later, I landed on what I hope will be (close to) the best of both worlds, an E550, sticker below:
That's my long winded intro to ask this:
What are "the things you gotta know" about this car? IE: this always breaks, you gotta upgrade this, etc.
Any other general sentiments? It's at 96k miles but lived at service shops/dealers, it's very well maintained and it got all green check marks from Benz prior to my purchase.
It's at 96k miles but lived at service shops/dealers, it's very well maintained and it got all green check marks from Benz prior to my purchase.
If they have not already done so, request dealer provide Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) copy confirming service history. Attached data card & service sheet. Search each 2014, 278, 4matic, and 212.091 here: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...212-sedan.html
Nice options. There's various issues with the M278, but they don't seem to be that common. Either because there's not that many out there or people just don't report the problem on the forums. There's also reports of the engine cratering on the GL models but that doesn't seem to happen on the E class.
But the usual stuff applies, motor mounts go which is standard for Mercedes. There's also faded wood but that car has the black ash which doesn't affect that color. Then there's the rotted rear subframe, but there's an extended 20 year warranty for that and if you're not in a rust state, probably doesn't apply. Other than that, it's a real unicorn, has all the good options.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
All incredibly helpful stuff, thanks everyone! I'm going to get my hands on the dealer records and make sure I'm doing whatever preventive stuff I can to avoid this oil issue. I need this V8 in my life. My GLE43 is amazing with the dinan piggyback and pedal commander but it doesn't have that same V8 ooumpf that the S did...
Also glad to hear I picked the right one. I thought I did pretty good on options (although B&O would have been amazing). That black trim wasn't mandatory for me so I'm glad I got lucky. Man was it sad to see my last w212's burl walnut fade, glad I won't have to go through that mourning again lol.
All incredibly helpful stuff, thanks everyone! I'm going to get my hands on the dealer records and make sure I'm doing whatever preventive stuff I can to avoid this oil issue. I need this V8 in my life. My GLE43 is amazing with the dinan piggyback and pedal commander but it doesn't have that same V8 ooumpf that the S did...
Also glad to hear I picked the right one. I thought I did pretty good on options (although B&O would have been amazing). That black trim wasn't mandatory for me so I'm glad I got lucky. Man was it sad to see my last w212's burl walnut fade, glad I won't have to go through that mourning again lol.
The tunes on the turbos are pretty amazing, you get lots more HP than with a regular non turbo engine. But it probably shortens engine life. You basically never see a car with the B&O sound system and all the other options. That would be a real unicorn.
I had a 2010 E550 and a 2014 E550 that I let go last fall after several years of ownership. They were both bulletproof. You will really enjoy that bi-turbo power. Congratulations!
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Damn man! Well this is a scary video to watch. Hopefully the comment he made about "the early M278's have these problems most often" will put me in the minority but who knows. I see my cars "release date" was 11/20/2013 but I don't know if I can derive any information from that.
At least from what I can tell all these problems have pretty obvious signs, leaking fluids (coolant, oil, etc.). My MB of Louisville report from last week has all green check marks from the "multi-point inspection summary" and that has an entire section devoted to "vehicle fluid leak observations". Fingers crossed I suppose.
Damn man! Well this is a scary video to watch. Hopefully the comment he made about "the early M278's have these problems most often" will put me in the minority but who knows. I see my cars "release date" was 11/20/2013 but I don't know if I can derive any information from that.
At least from what I can tell all these problems have pretty obvious signs, leaking fluids (coolant, oil, etc.). My MB of Louisville report from last week has all green check marks from the "multi-point inspection summary" and that has an entire section devoted to "vehicle fluid leak observations". Fingers crossed I suppose.
the MB report is meaningless to me - get a ppi; even in warranty cars weren't being screened by all mb techs for oil in harness, sensors leaking, etc. do your own homework and get that private inspection and inspect it yourself - easy to determine if oil is leaking from the front sensors of the engine - you can kindly ask the tech at the dealership to demonstrate this to you.
cpo and "multipoint inspections" ... lol... what a scam at times, it's certainly not enough to sleep well at night.
what is the saying, "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes." 😊
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
the MB report is meaningless to me - get a ppi; even in warranty cars weren't being screened by all mb techs for oil in harness, sensors leaking, etc. do your own homework and get that private inspection and inspect it yourself - easy to determine if oil is leaking from the front sensors of the engine - you can kindly ask the tech at the dealership to demonstrate this to you.
cpo and "multipoint inspections" ... lol... what a scam at times, it's certainly not enough to sleep well at night.
what is the saying, "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes." 😊
So the car is from a dealer Rolling Stock Auto in KY. He had it inspected at MB of Louisville and provided that report prior to me making the purchase. Regardless, I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and ask if thats something they are specifically looking for since its a service bulletin and all. Plus, it would be pretty **** poor if a MB dealer didn't notice one of their own potentially leaky engines. Wouldn't it be visible with the hood open? Looking straight down with a light between the grille and engine?
Last edited by tkelley.EClass; Mar 12, 2023 at 08:12 PM.
Reason: Added Maintenance PDF
So the car is from a dealer Rolling Stock Auto in KY. He had it inspected at MB of Louisville and provided that report prior to me making the purchase. Regardless, I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and ask if thats something they are specifically looking for since its a service bulletin and all. Plus, it would be pretty **** poor if a MB dealer didn't notice one of their own potentially leaky engines. Wouldn't it be visible with the hood open? Looking straight down with a light between the grille and engine?
you would be absolutely amazed at what MB techs willingly and unwillingly overlook on inspections. NO, it would not be visible with just the hood open, you would need to disconnect the cps and solenoid plugs and inspect for oil
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
you would be absolutely amazed at what MB techs willingly and unwillingly overlook on inspections. NO, it would not be visible with just the hood open, you would need to disconnect the cps and solenoid plugs and inspect for oil
Thank you for beating this oil leak thing into my head. I'm having it brought back to the dealer (8 minutes down the road apparently) before I get it shipped to RI. Scary stuff!!!
Luckily the owner is a classy guy so I trust he'll help me navigate this all. More to come peeps!
Thank you for beating this oil leak thing into my head. I'm having it brought back to the dealer (8 minutes down the road apparently) before I get it shipped to RI. Scary stuff!!!
Luckily the owner is a classy guy so I trust he'll help me navigate this all. More to come peeps!
trust me - I will LOVE IT if you report back all is inspected and no oil issues! I know you will love this car.
So I want to be very specific with my ask here. If you are able to help, please correct or add anything below.
Dear Mercedes Tech Guy,
Please check for the following on this E-Class...
Oil Leak in ECU: unplug the harness from the ECU on the top of the motor. If there is oil, you will see it. Everything will be wet with it.
Something about Magnets Leaking?
Check for other common issues that make this car die
Just make sure this car isn't going to ***** the bed
please disconnect the camshaft position sensors x 4 and determine if oil leaking into plug and wire harness; do same for magnets/solenoids on front of engine x 4 and look for same.
determine if oil has reached the ecu connectors and is on the pins of the ecu.
check turbo coolant lines for cracks in particular at the connectors
And write down whatever was mentioned in that video. I think the other issues aren't that common but the oil leaks from the sensors gets mentioned many times in this forum.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
This is what I wrote up for the dealer:
Critical Maintenance Inspection Items
1. Please disconnect the camshaft position sensors x 4 and determine if oil is leaking into the plug and wire harness; do same for magnets/solenoids on front of engine x 4 and look for same.
a. Determine if oil has reached the ECU connectors and is on the pins of the ECU
2. Check turbo coolant lines for cracks, specifically, at the connector
3. Check coolant reservoir for leaks
4. Front engine cover oil leak and/or oil in or on the alternator (problems associated with one another)
Very Important Maintenance Inspection Items
1. Check motor mounts
2. Complete compression check on engine, wore out valve seats on cylinder heads common
3. Inspect for wore out camshaft adjusters and tensioners
4. Check for oil and coolant leaks mixing, leads to metal shaving in engine (LI document exists)
Last edited by tkelley.EClass; Mar 13, 2023 at 10:05 AM.
Reason: Formatting
I think that's perfect, and you're owed that level of inspection, however prepare for them to tell you to pound sand. I sure would like to hear that they honor all these reasonable requests and report back good news.
If they will allow you to bring in an independent to do a PPI that's your option as well.
am I correct in saying that you already purchased this vehicle but haven't taken delivery yet?
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
I think that's perfect, and you're owed that level of inspection, however prepare for them to tell you to pound sand. I sure would like to hear that they honor all these reasonable requests and report back good news.
If they will allow you to bring in an independent to do a PPI that's your option as well.
am I correct in saying that you already purchased this vehicle but haven't taken delivery yet?
Correct... dealer is paid in full, email request sent over this AM... expensive fingers crossed...
I read other threads on here about "bullet proof" M278's and took the plunge, found out about oily ECU's 24 hours too late...
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