E-Class estate 2012-on
Discussion
Some advice from the PH Mercedes Beards please.
I'm not sure of the model code for the 2010 onwards Merc E Class estate (S212?) but am considering one of these to replace my lease car shortly. I need a large-ish family car which will cover my 350 mile weekly commute in comfort, as some grunt and is robust enough to stand up to 15-20k per year and general family duties.
Looking to budget about £12k-ish preferably for a 2011/12 on model. I'd like some advice on which engine to go for (E250 CDI or E350 CDI) in terms of reliability - I know which I want in terms of performance.
Are these reliable cars in general at, say five years old with 60/70k miles? Is it a sensible choice of car to run into six figure mileage, or ruinous? I've had Mercs in the past although a w202 AMG and then w203 AMG, so no experience of owning this generation. What goes wrong on these?
I'm not sure of the model code for the 2010 onwards Merc E Class estate (S212?) but am considering one of these to replace my lease car shortly. I need a large-ish family car which will cover my 350 mile weekly commute in comfort, as some grunt and is robust enough to stand up to 15-20k per year and general family duties.
Looking to budget about £12k-ish preferably for a 2011/12 on model. I'd like some advice on which engine to go for (E250 CDI or E350 CDI) in terms of reliability - I know which I want in terms of performance.
Are these reliable cars in general at, say five years old with 60/70k miles? Is it a sensible choice of car to run into six figure mileage, or ruinous? I've had Mercs in the past although a w202 AMG and then w203 AMG, so no experience of owning this generation. What goes wrong on these?
The Mercedes 2.1 litre 4 pot diesels are very reliable if serviced properly and will do mega mileage.
I have had 3 E classes, the first two both did 312k miles without issues and my current W212 is on 298k miles. It is not uncommon for these to do 500k miles plus, that's why so many are used as taxis worldwide.
You might want to do a bit more research on the OM642 V6 diesel engine, it does appear to suffer from more reliability issues than the 4 pots.
I have had 3 E classes, the first two both did 312k miles without issues and my current W212 is on 298k miles. It is not uncommon for these to do 500k miles plus, that's why so many are used as taxis worldwide.
You might want to do a bit more research on the OM642 V6 diesel engine, it does appear to suffer from more reliability issues than the 4 pots.
Run a 2011 E350 estate as my daily.
Brilliant and a long term keeper. Averages over 40mpg on a longer run (we drive to Northern Germany alot). We use it for towing as well - brilliant as it has air suspension on the rear. Car is really spacious (we have two young children) and has plenty of grunt. It really is the best of both worlds, a comfortable spacious tourer, great fuel economy whilst being able to easily run at a constant 120+ mph (on the Autobahns)
Only thing i've needed to replace is tyres and brake pads across 3 years - and a battery. Ours has full leather, pan roof etc
MB don't recommend the 19" AMG wheels if you tow anything. Indeed, you couldn't spec the car from new with 19" wheels and a tow bar - just one or the other.
Brilliant and a long term keeper. Averages over 40mpg on a longer run (we drive to Northern Germany alot). We use it for towing as well - brilliant as it has air suspension on the rear. Car is really spacious (we have two young children) and has plenty of grunt. It really is the best of both worlds, a comfortable spacious tourer, great fuel economy whilst being able to easily run at a constant 120+ mph (on the Autobahns)
Only thing i've needed to replace is tyres and brake pads across 3 years - and a battery. Ours has full leather, pan roof etc
MB don't recommend the 19" AMG wheels if you tow anything. Indeed, you couldn't spec the car from new with 19" wheels and a tow bar - just one or the other.
Edited by Candellara on Friday 5th January 16:24
I have a 2014 E350 estate. When I bought mine I had read a few internet rumours that the 4 cylinder engines had issues but the V6 was a more reliable engine. I didn't really investigate as I went and drove a 4 cylinder and a V6 and my mind was made up. If you think a 220 or 250 will be okay for you then do not test drive an E350.
I am really pleased with mine, very spacious and comfortable, especially with the massage seats. Fuel economy is great on the motorway but only okay around town.
Had an issue with the rear air suspension dropping overnight so had the air bags replaced (luckily still under warranty).
I am really pleased with mine, very spacious and comfortable, especially with the massage seats. Fuel economy is great on the motorway but only okay around town.
Had an issue with the rear air suspension dropping overnight so had the air bags replaced (luckily still under warranty).
Thanks for the replies. Glad to hear the E350 CDI isn't a basket case, as that's what I'm steering towards. I've got to live with it and want something I'll enjoy driving....
Canderella - what do you tow with yours? We've got a 1600kg caravan (hands in PH card) which I'm planning on towing with an XC60, but might change my mind if the Merc is up to the job.
Am I right in saying there are no horror stories with these? I've had a Merc gearbox go pop in the past, hence the slightly caution.
I've seen a 2012 E350 CDI in grey with the AMG frilly bits and 68k miles for just under £13k on Autotrader. Good buy if it checks out??
Canderella - what do you tow with yours? We've got a 1600kg caravan (hands in PH card) which I'm planning on towing with an XC60, but might change my mind if the Merc is up to the job.
Am I right in saying there are no horror stories with these? I've had a Merc gearbox go pop in the past, hence the slightly caution.
I've seen a 2012 E350 CDI in grey with the AMG frilly bits and 68k miles for just under £13k on Autotrader. Good buy if it checks out??
The 7G box did have a few issues with jerky down changes in the lower gears. There have been a few software updates to help with this.
A transmission fluid change can improve the smoothness as well. Check to see if this has been done, Mercedes recommend a fluid change at 37k on some boxes but say others are sealed for life. Ignore this and get it changed by a good indy and make sure they flush the torque converter as well. This holds about 40% ish of the oil so if this is not done you are contaminating good oil with used.
If you do this the gearbox should be pretty bullet proof. Not sure how towing a 1600kg caravan will effect it though.
If you drive the 350 you won't want a 250
A transmission fluid change can improve the smoothness as well. Check to see if this has been done, Mercedes recommend a fluid change at 37k on some boxes but say others are sealed for life. Ignore this and get it changed by a good indy and make sure they flush the torque converter as well. This holds about 40% ish of the oil so if this is not done you are contaminating good oil with used.
If you do this the gearbox should be pretty bullet proof. Not sure how towing a 1600kg caravan will effect it though.
If you drive the 350 you won't want a 250
I wouldn't bother with the 4cyl diesel, it is OK I suppose, but not very Mercedes.
I had a 350cdi Avantgarde and now have a 350 Sport (3.5 V6 petrol).
Sport steering is so much nicer, I hated the avantgarde steering with its stupid parameter steering. Horrible system.
The MY12 models got the 7g "plus" gearbox which is much nicer and slightly more economical than the earlier 7g, although the economy could have been due to a better map from the factory.
If there are petrols out there consider them, it is an absolute peach. I have had mine 2 years now, longest I have ever kept a car, I'm at 105k miles and I am just about to pay the finance off and run it into the ground, I really do like it that much.
My petrol is averaging around 12% less the diesel, and on a run does 35-36mpg, where the diesel would 39-41mpg.
However, calculated MPG puts it even close than that, around 540 mies a tank from the petrol and 610 miles a tank from the diesel.
Doing 20,000 miles a year it works out about £10 a week more in the petrol.
I had a 350cdi Avantgarde and now have a 350 Sport (3.5 V6 petrol).
Sport steering is so much nicer, I hated the avantgarde steering with its stupid parameter steering. Horrible system.
The MY12 models got the 7g "plus" gearbox which is much nicer and slightly more economical than the earlier 7g, although the economy could have been due to a better map from the factory.
If there are petrols out there consider them, it is an absolute peach. I have had mine 2 years now, longest I have ever kept a car, I'm at 105k miles and I am just about to pay the finance off and run it into the ground, I really do like it that much.
My petrol is averaging around 12% less the diesel, and on a run does 35-36mpg, where the diesel would 39-41mpg.
However, calculated MPG puts it even close than that, around 540 mies a tank from the petrol and 610 miles a tank from the diesel.
Doing 20,000 miles a year it works out about £10 a week more in the petrol.
bedonde said:
Thanks for the replies. Glad to hear the E350 CDI isn't a basket case, as that's what I'm steering towards. I've got to live with it and want something I'll enjoy driving....
Canderella - what do you tow with yours? We've got a 1600kg caravan (hands in PH card) which I'm planning on towing with an XC60, but might change my mind if the Merc is up to the job.
Am I right in saying there are no horror stories with these? I've had a Merc gearbox go pop in the past, hence the slightly caution.
I've seen a 2012 E350 CDI in grey with the AMG frilly bits and 68k miles for just under £13k on Autotrader. Good buy if it checks out??
I tow a 1500kg 4 berth caravan with no problem at all. Fuel economy drops to around 25mpg but it still pulls like a train. The self levelling air suspension makes it a brilliant tow car. IIRC the tow limit is 2100kg?Canderella - what do you tow with yours? We've got a 1600kg caravan (hands in PH card) which I'm planning on towing with an XC60, but might change my mind if the Merc is up to the job.
Am I right in saying there are no horror stories with these? I've had a Merc gearbox go pop in the past, hence the slightly caution.
I've seen a 2012 E350 CDI in grey with the AMG frilly bits and 68k miles for just under £13k on Autotrader. Good buy if it checks out??
I had an ML350 before that and the E Class is just as capable for what we need it for. The only problem we ever had with the ML350 was a glow plug controller which i bought the part from MB and fitted myself
Never had a problem with the Merc 7G gearbox in any car
Edited by Candellara on Saturday 6th January 08:55
bedonde said:
I think the Petrol versions are unicorns, so the likelihood is that I'll end up with an oil burner. Sounds like I may be better off fitting the tow bar to the Merc rather than the XC60...
Petrols are rare. I’d like to think this means they’ll hold value, but I suspect I’m deluding myself. The option large fuel tank was not optional on my car.
I wanted a petrol but ended up with a V6 diesel. Petrol cars are quire rare. The V6 diesel is a great engine though. The fuel tank on mine is 80 litres which is large enough, is there a larger option?
I don't tow but my car came with an electric retractable towbar, probably cost the first owner quite a bit.
I don't tow but my car came with an electric retractable towbar, probably cost the first owner quite a bit.
Candellara said:
Mr E said:
80 litres is the big tank.
It’s not big enough.
I can make it to Hamburg, Germany from Chichester on 1 tank, 4 up with luggage - but i'm on fumes at the end of the journey. Not towing but 100mph + on the Autobahn eats the fuelIt’s not big enough.
Sub 300 miles not unusual.
Mr E said:
Candellara said:
Mr E said:
80 litres is the big tank.
It’s not big enough.
I can make it to Hamburg, Germany from Chichester on 1 tank, 4 up with luggage - but i'm on fumes at the end of the journey. Not towing but 100mph + on the Autobahn eats the fuelIt’s not big enough.
Sub 300 miles not unusual.
t!" warning for around 60 miles before I found a fuel station that was open. That was on the autoroute. That is one thing I hate about Mercs, that stupid logo that replaces the miles remaining!!!
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