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I wanted to share some thoughts this weekend and express my thanks to everyone on this W212 forum.
As you may recall, I'm the original owner of a 2014 E250, a wonderful car that I've owned since new and was my daily driver until about 3 years ago (I replaced the E250 with a 2023 E450--my teenage son has been driving the E250.)
You may also recall that my silver E250 (black leather interior) is a high mileage example with 283,669 miles. Lifetime MPG--37, with my best tank ever at 43.1. Other than routine maintenance which I've done myself, it's been pretty much trouble free. I'm still running the original brake pads and rotors on the rear (replace the fronts at around 200K!) Yes, 95% highway miles.
The reason for my post is that I've finally decided to sell it. And that makes me a little sad. My son has moved on to something cooler, and it hasn't been driven much in the last year. So I took the E250 for one last trip--I had some business meetings in the mountains of Western NC last week. What a great drive--the trees in their full fall colors, twisty roads and great towns along the way. I reminisced about past trips up and down the east coast, from NY to Florida and as far west as Chicago and New Orleans. No touch controls like in the new models, just buttons that work when you press them. Distronic cruise that doesn't require constant attention. It's not the fatest, but loads of torque, and still returned 39MPG after all these miles. I had so much fun that I didn't stop to take any pictures.
From 30 feet away, still looks brand new, although up close you will see that the front end definitely could use a respray from the road rash. There isn't a ding or dent on the body. The interior is still almost 100%--a couple of buttons have worn away, but there isn't any real sign of wear and tear--and no creaks or rattles. Talk about built like a tank--this one has been solid. I don't know if I got a rare example or not, but this has been the most reliable, best commuter, best car purchase I've ever made. I'm fortunate to have had lots of cars over the years--I don't get attached to material things, but I'm having a hard time letting this one go.
Thanks again for all the posts and advice--this has been a great forum!
W212s are my fave models . I must admit I like W214s too .
Best of luck with your W214 and hope it does serve as well as your beloved W212
Happy Driving
Nice! I'm glad you had a great time with your W212.
You have a "moon shot" E with more miles on it than the distance to the moon.
Originally Posted by nikobimmer
No touch controls like in the new models, just buttons that work when you press them.
I was thinking about this yesterday on a drive from IN to WI via IL. I know where the buttons are and I can adjust the HVAC or radio just by feel, which is important on the Tri-state (I-294). I don't want to take my eyes off the road and look at a screen to adjust things.
My 2014 E250 just turned 120,000 miles yesterday. I was averaging 37 MPG on a couple of highway trips yesterday as well. The previous owner added a 12 inch CarPlay touchscreen and I just don’t know what else I would need in a car. Distronic radar cruise control, leather seats,4matic, steering assist, the thing is loaded.
I don’t know what I would replace this car with in 2026, for what I could sell it for.
I wanted to share some thoughts this weekend and express my thanks to everyone on this W212 forum.
As you may recall, I'm the original owner of a 2014 E250, a wonderful car that I've owned since new and was my daily driver until about 3 years ago (I replaced the E250 with a 2023 E450--my teenage son has been driving the E250.)
You may also recall that my silver E250 (black leather interior) is a high mileage example with 283,669 miles. Lifetime MPG--37, with my best tank ever at 43.1. Other than routine maintenance which I've done myself, it's been pretty much trouble free. I'm still running the original brake pads and rotors on the rear (replace the fronts at around 200K!) Yes, 95% highway miles.
The reason for my post is that I've finally decided to sell it. And that makes me a little sad. My son has moved on to something cooler, and it hasn't been driven much in the last year. So I took the E250 for one last trip--I had some business meetings in the mountains of Western NC last week. What a great drive--the trees in their full fall colors, twisty roads and great towns along the way. I reminisced about past trips up and down the east coast, from NY to Florida and as far west as Chicago and New Orleans. No touch controls like in the new models, just buttons that work when you press them. Distronic cruise that doesn't require constant attention. It's not the fatest, but loads of torque, and still returned 39MPG after all these miles. I had so much fun that I didn't stop to take any pictures.
From 30 feet away, still looks brand new, although up close you will see that the front end definitely could use a respray from the road rash. There isn't a ding or dent on the body. The interior is still almost 100%--a couple of buttons have worn away, but there isn't any real sign of wear and tear--and no creaks or rattles. Talk about built like a tank--this one has been solid. I don't know if I got a rare example or not, but this has been the most reliable, best commuter, best car purchase I've ever made. I'm fortunate to have had lots of cars over the years--I don't get attached to material things, but I'm having a hard time letting this one go.
Thanks again for all the posts and advice--this has been a great forum!
Nice miles, and that is why your car has very low value.
For the engine your mileage is only about 70 000 miles when converted to compare to city driving. Transmission for sure sees all the miles, but on highway driving there really is nothing wearing. At speed there is practically no metal-to-metal contact between any parts. A gear and bearing runs almost forever when in motion as oil lubrication forms the protective film between parts. Fast driving is the best for lubrication that the highway driving brings.
If I needed a car I would be calling you for it as I understand all this but sadly there are very few people in general public that do. They just look at the mileage and are scared away because of it.
I am in a similar situation with my 2012 E550. It has almost 200k miles and for that reason its book value is only about $5000, which is why I will never sell it. I also has 85% highway miles that brings my miles below 50000 comparing to a city car. Why would I give such a car away for almost free? No Way I will!!
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