When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
you're going to have to do all those already I'm not a fan of throwing good money after bad but that car is cursed since some of those intervals were like in the 100k+ mileage territory. I think you can begin to enjoy some semblance of trouble-free driving now that all thats been sorted.
the heater hose thing is somewhat cursed though since I've never even seen that one come up
I loved my 212 wagon. Warranty work while in warranty was over six figures. After warranty was done and I got tired of opening up my wallet every month or two I let it go. If you drive it and put miles on it the fixes will never stop. It will be endless.
It's one thing to lurk and know of all the issues and costs. It's another thing when they start actually happenining. You knew logically it would come to pass, only when you open your wallet and start paying does it really hit you: "This is really happening! I am not special."
If you keep it you may get a random pause here and there but fear not, you will pay. Is that bad? <shrug> even my new 213 breaks a lot. If I wanted reliable I'd rock a Camry or Honda Fit.
Vroom Vroom!
Damn that really sucks to hear, I would have thought the 213 was more reliable but yet here we are. When I was picking up parts for this car at the local MB dealer, parts guy says "you know what AMG really stands for.... Always More Green" I thought it was pretty funny, but here I am spending a ton of money to keep up with this car lol.
Also we do have 1 reliable car in our stable, and it's the Honda Fit lol, its fun, zippy and always starts up, its about to reach 100k mi and runs super well. So its funny you mentioned that.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Based on all the wonderful stories I hear about AMG cars, I would be inclined (and am inclined) to stay with the M276 engine in its various forms. I know it doesn't make break-neck power, but it seems highly reliable, even with a tune. I think an E400/E450 Wagon in the years 2015-2017 would be awesome. If you want more power, an ECU tune will get you to over 400 hp and turbo upgrades from Weistec will get you approximately 540 hp. Of course, you may be giving up some reliability with the turbo upgrades.
Have you ever thought it might be your aura? My daughter can't go anywhere near electronics because they malfunction -- diagnostic equipment at the doctor's office, cash registers, a 2005 Audi A4 that would change language on the IC to something eastern Europe. She certainly does NOT touch my cars. I still lover her, though!
Well the camshaft position sensors never leaked or wicked ever in 200,000kms so there's that!
Based on all the wonderful stories I hear about AMG cars, I would be inclined (and am inclined) to stay with the M276 engine in its various forms. I know it doesn't make break-neck power, but it seems highly reliable, even with a tune. I think an E400/E450 Wagon in the years 2015-2017 would be awesome. If you want more power, an ECU tune will get you to over 400 hp and turbo upgrades from Weistec will get you approximately 540 hp. Of course, you may be giving up some reliability with the turbo upgrades.
Good call on those, actually been looking at an e450 to replace this and they're within the price range, a subtle tune might not be a bad idea, i mean having 550hp from the AMGs is nice but I lean towards the comfort features more on a daily, and do a bit more cosmetic upgrades ie wheels, wrap, etc. Mainly been looking at 2019 (pre facelift) - 2022 (post facelift).
At this point, I just want a car I can get into and go without stressing about what could go wrong on the way to my destination.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I would stick with the M276 V6 engine as it is tried and true. I think the M256 I6 with its 48V system is still too new for any estimates of long-term reliability. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.). I think the M256 was used in the E-Class beginning in 2018, so keep that in mind.
Damn that really sucks to hear, I would have thought the 213 was more reliable but yet here we are. When I was picking up parts for this car at the local MB dealer, parts guy says "you know what AMG really stands for.... Always More Green" I thought it was pretty funny, but here I am spending a ton of money to keep up with this car lol.
Also we do have 1 reliable car in our stable, and it's the Honda Fit lol, its fun, zippy and always starts up, its about to reach 100k mi and runs super well. So its funny you mentioned that.
Yeah AMG's remind me of the scene in Good Fellas
"Can I get some money?"
"How much do you need? How much?"
"That much."
"Ohhhhhhh alright...."
If it makes you feel any better, dealer charged me $4586.57 for a windshield replacement and a transmission + torque converter service on my e400. They threw in a complimentary rear subframe though, but for that laundry list of parts you’ve listed that’s 90% of nightmare fuel neutralized.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Miloosh
If it makes you feel any better, dealer charged me $4586.57 for a windshield replacement and a transmission + torque converter service on my e400. They threw in a complimentary rear subframe though, but for that laundry list of parts you’ve listed that’s 90% of nightmare fuel neutralized.
Last time I got bent over like that, I was at my urologist for an annual exam!
What year is your car? Why did you have to replace the windshield?
A transmission service should have been well under $1000. Not sure what you mean by a torque converter service. If they flushed your system, to include the TC and tranny cooler, that should have added only about $100-$200 for additional fluid. Depending on where you are, the normal tranny service (drain and fill) should be maybe $750.
Windshields should be covered under your comprehensive insurance coverage.
If your car is a 2010-2016 W212, the rear subframe is covered by Mercedes warranty extension -- it wasn't complimentary, it was mandatory.
Last edited by JettaRed; Mar 15, 2025 at 09:39 AM.
Last time I got bent over like that, I was at my urologist for an annual exam!
What year is your car? Why did you have to replace the windshield?
A transmission service should have been well under $1000. Not sure what you mean by a torque converter service. If they flushed your system, to include the TC and tranny cooler, that should have added only about $100-$200 for additional fluid. Depending on where you are, the normal tranny service (drain and fill) should be maybe $750.
Windshields should be covered under your comprehensive insurance coverage.
If your car is a 2010-2016 W212, the rear subframe is covered by Mercedes warranty extension -- it wasn't complimentary, it was mandatory.
Not here to hijack the OP’a thread, but do appreciate the thorough response. Car is a 2015.
Dealer charged a little over $900 for the transmission service, but used my parts which I ordered on FCP(parts for the next service are essentially free with their lifetime replacement warranty). Called a few dealers, labor ranged from $750 to $850 here in CT. They also replaced the transmission pan which was included in the total($145).
I have full glass coverage and was pre-authorized for the replacement and will just need to submit a claim.
Doesn’t change my overall point that these cars can be expensive to maintain, and spending 25% of the cars value in maintenance can happen faster than you think.
The complimentary subframe reference was sarcasm, the reason I had all the work done at the dealer is because the appointment for the subframe warranty was scheduled and they needed a couple weeks to order parts/complete the replacement. Could have saved a couple bucks taking it to an Indy but that just seemed like a hassle.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Miloosh
Not here to hijack the OP’a thread, but do appreciate the thorough response. Car is a 2015.
Dealer charged a little over $900 for the transmission service, but used my parts which I ordered on FCP(parts for the next service are essentially free with their lifetime replacement warranty). Called a few dealers, labor ranged from $750 to $850 here in CT. They also replaced the transmission pan which was included in the total($145).
I have full glass coverage and was pre-authorized for the replacement and will just need to submit a claim.
Doesn’t change my overall point that these cars can be expensive to maintain, and spending 25% of the cars value in maintenance can happen faster than you think.
The complimentary subframe reference was sarcasm, the reason I had all the work done at the dealer is because the appointment for the subframe warranty was scheduled and they needed a couple weeks to order parts/complete the replacement. Could have saved a couple bucks taking it to an Indy but that just seemed like a hassle.
Happy Motoring,
Mike
Makes more sense now. Yes, the windshield is expensive! And I don't believe there are cheaper ones from Safelite, etc. I've also had the dealer provide labor and I provide parts for my tranny service. Since the service department makes money on labor and the parts department makes it on parts, the service department had no issue doing the work with my parts. However, I think I paid $300-$350 for labor almost two years ago.
Still, your point is a good one about the cost of maintenance and repair. But I don't think Mercedes is any more expensive than other European cars.
Last edited by JettaRed; Mar 15, 2025 at 11:45 AM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I am curious why the transmission plan was replaced? Since you are in New England, do you suffer excessive corrosion and rust from winter road treatment?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
While in the exam room, I was reading about the importance of a "digital exam". Being an IT guy, I wondered what happened to the analog exam. They never talked about it. I should ask the next time.
[QUOTE/]Still, your point is a good one about the cost of maintenance and repair. But I don't think Mercedes is any more expensive than other European cars.[/QUOTE]
“AMG ~ All Money Gone” SPR Auto Mercedes
I can promise that if you provide a pap smear to a Trans female...the results are always s h I tty.
Then, two days ago some FAKE ED doc was claiming she personally had the "gerbil" story PT who shot out a flaming gerbil due to a bic lighter that then broke the "lightees" nose.....explaining this to (seriously) Howie Mandell.....
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by OldManAndHisCar
I can promise that if you provide a pap smear to a Trans female...the results are always s h I tty.
Then, two days ago some FAKE ED doc was claiming she personally had the "gerbil" story PT who shot out a flaming gerbil due to a bic lighter that then broke the "lightees" nose.....explaining this to (seriously) Howie Mandell.....
I had to ask some AI to translate all of that... GROSS!!!
Thanks for the translation. I thought gerbils was a Richard Gere thing.
I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale. Went to Disney World when it first opened and you would buy a coupon book for the rides. Went to Lion Country Safari. Remember going to a state park with the biggest effing blue spiders I had ever seen up in the trees. But never saw any gerbils. They must have been imported.
If it makes you feel any better - you're probably close to being "done", as my wagon needed pretty much everything on your list (warranty made it somewhat tolerable). Check compression&scope cylinders as others suggested and I hope you will enjoy it with more reasonable expenses for years.
Knowing what I know now, I'd still buy my wagon, given there was a decent 3rd party warranty.
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
At a certain point it's not about the money. If you plan to keep the car a long time, you are investing in your self, your enjoyment. You are the caretaker of this car. It is a labor of love. I used to own an airplane. Very expensive. Not rational. You do it for love.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
