Should I buy a 2006 R350? I think I know the answer...
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Should I buy a 2006 R350? I think I know the answer...
... But would like to get your thoughts.
Hi - New member. I was about to buy a 2006 R-350 from a private party... until I googled "r350 issues"! First, thanks for sharing all of your experiences.
The story is that it was bought as a CPO from a dealer a few years ago, seller has every record from the dealer since then for regular service, uses synthetic oil. Now it has just over 100k miles. Seller seems to be professional and an honest straight shooter that is selling his family's grocery getter. I asked about the balance shaft issue, as this car falls in the range. Seller didn't seem to know what I was talking about and Seller said it has never been brought up and the dealership has no recommended services required. It drives well, but who knows? Also, it has option 214, ADS with Skyhook, which means the rear dampers could go at some point, right?
I checked with a random warranty company, which honestly seemed a little shady (I'm probably not allowed to list the company), and they said I could get a 3 year/36k mile warranty for $2k. Any recommendations on good warranty companies that would provide similar coverage with a vehicle this old?
This would be a third vehicle for two people and would likely be driven ~5k miles a year max. We like it because it's a good size for our needs and is nice. The thought of a ~$5k bill off the bat for the balance shaft would not make me happy.
If I like it and the price is fair, should I do it or run away screaming?
Thanks!
Hi - New member. I was about to buy a 2006 R-350 from a private party... until I googled "r350 issues"! First, thanks for sharing all of your experiences.
The story is that it was bought as a CPO from a dealer a few years ago, seller has every record from the dealer since then for regular service, uses synthetic oil. Now it has just over 100k miles. Seller seems to be professional and an honest straight shooter that is selling his family's grocery getter. I asked about the balance shaft issue, as this car falls in the range. Seller didn't seem to know what I was talking about and Seller said it has never been brought up and the dealership has no recommended services required. It drives well, but who knows? Also, it has option 214, ADS with Skyhook, which means the rear dampers could go at some point, right?
I checked with a random warranty company, which honestly seemed a little shady (I'm probably not allowed to list the company), and they said I could get a 3 year/36k mile warranty for $2k. Any recommendations on good warranty companies that would provide similar coverage with a vehicle this old?
This would be a third vehicle for two people and would likely be driven ~5k miles a year max. We like it because it's a good size for our needs and is nice. The thought of a ~$5k bill off the bat for the balance shaft would not make me happy.
If I like it and the price is fair, should I do it or run away screaming?
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Central Indiana
2006 MB R350
I bought mine with 98k miles and a got a check engine light on the way home from the used car dealership. Thankfully the dealer sold me the R350 with a warranty, because it was the balance shaft problem. The dealer did fix the problem... I don't think they were to happy about it. Better them then me.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
2007 R320 4matic / Airmatic
Option 214 ADS is the 4-wheel Airmatic suspension (4-wheel adjustable / self-leveling air suspension with adaptive damping). All 4 dampers are adaptive, with selectable sport/comfort modes.
The air springs should be regarded as a "consumable" (like tires), and they can start leaking at around 50,000-60,000 miles (this can vary widely). This should not be a significant concern, as the air springs are relatively easy to replace, and replacement units can be found for reasonable prices at https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...ENZ_yid18.html .
In high mileage vehicles, the adaptive dampers ("shock absorbers") will eventually become less effective, but replacement can be put off almost indefinitely and still drive the car as needed.
With a bit more maintenance anticipated, Airmatic is a nice feature.
The air springs should be regarded as a "consumable" (like tires), and they can start leaking at around 50,000-60,000 miles (this can vary widely). This should not be a significant concern, as the air springs are relatively easy to replace, and replacement units can be found for reasonable prices at https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...ENZ_yid18.html .
In high mileage vehicles, the adaptive dampers ("shock absorbers") will eventually become less effective, but replacement can be put off almost indefinitely and still drive the car as needed.
With a bit more maintenance anticipated, Airmatic is a nice feature.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
... But would like to get your thoughts.
Hi - New member. I was about to buy a 2006 R-350 from a private party... until I googled "r350 issues"! First, thanks for sharing all of your experiences.
The story is that it was bought as a CPO from a dealer a few years ago, seller has every record from the dealer since then for regular service, uses synthetic oil. Now it has just over 100k miles. Seller seems to be professional and an honest straight shooter that is selling his family's grocery getter. I asked about the balance shaft issue, as this car falls in the range. Seller didn't seem to know what I was talking about and Seller said it has never been brought up and the dealership has no recommended services required. It drives well, but who knows? Also, it has option 214, ADS with Skyhook, which means the rear dampers could go at some point, right?
I checked with a random warranty company, which honestly seemed a little shady (I'm probably not allowed to list the company), and they said I could get a 3 year/36k mile warranty for $2k. Any recommendations on good warranty companies that would provide similar coverage with a vehicle this old?
This would be a third vehicle for two people and would likely be driven ~5k miles a year max. We like it because it's a good size for our needs and is nice. The thought of a ~$5k bill off the bat for the balance shaft would not make me happy.
If I like it and the price is fair, should I do it or run away screaming?
Thanks!
Hi - New member. I was about to buy a 2006 R-350 from a private party... until I googled "r350 issues"! First, thanks for sharing all of your experiences.
The story is that it was bought as a CPO from a dealer a few years ago, seller has every record from the dealer since then for regular service, uses synthetic oil. Now it has just over 100k miles. Seller seems to be professional and an honest straight shooter that is selling his family's grocery getter. I asked about the balance shaft issue, as this car falls in the range. Seller didn't seem to know what I was talking about and Seller said it has never been brought up and the dealership has no recommended services required. It drives well, but who knows? Also, it has option 214, ADS with Skyhook, which means the rear dampers could go at some point, right?
I checked with a random warranty company, which honestly seemed a little shady (I'm probably not allowed to list the company), and they said I could get a 3 year/36k mile warranty for $2k. Any recommendations on good warranty companies that would provide similar coverage with a vehicle this old?
This would be a third vehicle for two people and would likely be driven ~5k miles a year max. We like it because it's a good size for our needs and is nice. The thought of a ~$5k bill off the bat for the balance shaft would not make me happy.
If I like it and the price is fair, should I do it or run away screaming?
Thanks!
Good luck.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
2007 R320 4matic / Airmatic
Don't do it. It seems like you are already concerned about the balance shaft issue and owning the car will only add even more anxiety to your overall experience. If you want to get a 06 or 07, get a R500. or pay a bit more to get an 08 not in balance shaft range. Nowaday, the price difference between 06 to 08 are not much if you can wait for the right car to come along.
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
R500 + SLK55 AMG
Don't do it. It seems like you are already concerned about the balance shaft issue and owning the car will only add even more anxiety to your overall experience. If you want to get a 06 or 07, get a R500. or pay a bit more to get an 08 not in balance shaft range. Nowaday, the price difference between 06 to 08 are not much if you can wait for the right car to come along.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Another thing to watch out for on any Mercedes product from the 05-08 era is the valve body / conductor plate issue on the 7G-Tronic transmission. It had/has a high failure rate. Both my R500 and my SLK55 had the failure. Not as bad as the balance shaft issue, only about $1,600 to fix, but still.....
Try asking a Mercedes dealer to research the VIN in their service system. That should tell you if any of the major systems have been repaired under warranty already.
And BTW, my R500 has had both Airmatic front struts and the compressor replaced under warranty. But I would still rather have it than be without it. Makes a huge difference in drivability on this big heavy SUV.
As Pete said, I consider the air springs a consumable like tires and keep the URL for Arnott handy.
Good luck in your search.
