S212 E Class with 7 seats

[asimmalik]

After weighing up some options for a new car, it seems as though the above fits the bill quite nicely. As someone who will only need the occasional use of a 6/7th seat, these are an ideal solution for kicking an SUV/MPV down the kerb.

Now I'm trying to find out some definitive answers as to which models these are offered in. I want a facelift but I also want an E350, 4 cylinders don't cut it for me. All the 7 seat 350s currently on sale are pre-facelifts. There are a few 7 seat facelifts and even S213 models for sale but all are 220/250 engined cars.

Did Mercedes stop offering these in the 6/8 cylinder models at any point? Or is it just a case of none being for sale at present?

[Dewi 2]

asimmalik said:

Now I'm trying to find out some definitive answers as to which models these are offered in. I want a facelift but I also want an E350, 4 cylinders don't cut it for me. All the 7 seat 350s currently on sale are pre-facelifts. There are a few 7 seat facelifts and even S213 models for sale but all are 220/250 engined cars.

Did Mercedes stop offering these in the 6/8 cylinder models at any point? Or is it just a case of none being for sale at present?

I wanted a 6 cylinder W213 facelift, but after some research my conclusion was that the 6 cylinder availability ended at the time the facelift introduced in 2021. Prior to that there was a V6 engine, probably only sold in small numbers, but in 2021 the V6 was replaced by an inline 6, although only available in the UK as AMG.

Therefore you might find a 6 cylinder model, but it could be that most cars purchased in the UK were the AMG versions.
Suggest look on the DVLA data website, which will reveal the number of E350 Estates that were first registered in each quarter year.
The HowManyLeft might be an easier website to use.

[dave_s13]

I had a 2011 E350 AMG with the seats in the boot. It was a great car but those seats were really cramped and it didn't last long until I had to concede to the pressure of the complainant child and get an mpv.

If you've got 3+ kids you really need something else unfortunately.

Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 24th May 22:06

[Scrump]

If you mean a facelift 350 diesel estate then I think you will be disappointed as the adblue tank fits in under the boot floor so I doubt there would be space for the rear seats.

[GlenMH]

Scrump said:

If you mean a facelift 350 diesel estate then I think you will be disappointed as the adblue tank fits in under the boot floor so I doubt there would be space for the rear seats.

Yup - exactly that.
And my pre-facelift hasn't been the most reliable of chariots...

[asimmalik]

dave_s13 said:

I had a 2011 E350 AMG with the seats in the boot. It was a great car but those seats were really cramped and it didn't last long until I had to concede to the pressure of the complainant child and get an mpv.

If you've got 3+ kids you really need something else unfortunately.

Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 24th May 22:06

3rd child on the way, the middle row should be able to seat them all from what I've gathered but will have to try. The rear 2 seats will only be for very occasional use when I have the parents etc on board, the eldest is only 5 so he should be find back there.

[asimmalik]

Scrump said:

If you mean a facelift 350 diesel estate then I think you will be disappointed as the adblue tank fits in under the boot floor so I doubt there would be space for the rear seats.

I thought as such, but then I've seen later (>2013) 220/250 diesels with the rear seats. Wouldn't these also have adblue?

[asimmalik]

GlenMH said:

Yup - exactly that.
And my pre-facelift hasn't been the most reliable of chariots...

I thought these were a fairly solid choice, the engine at least. What issues have you had?

[GlenMH]

asimmalik said:

I thought these were a fairly solid choice, the engine at least. What issues have you had?

Thermostat
Water pump
Rear subframe replaced under warranty
It has had at least one rear suspension airbag before my ownership
Various issues with egr and swirl flaps that have now been coded out and I am about to find out if it will go through an MOT in that state. It is a good bit more economical now they have been coded out.
Wheels - particularly rears are made of chocolate and buckle easily
Steering geo means they wear the inner edge of the front tyres very quickly if you spend lots of time in town
Interior plastics are starting to go brittle and bits are starting to break off.
Rotary controller on the infotainment system breaks so rotating it does nothing - that was last week's joy. So I am now waiting on a 4 quid part from China so I can take it to pieces.
I live in Bristol and it isn't ULEZ compliant.

Mine is a 2011 with 105k miles, I have had it for 6 years and it thows me a good sized bill every year. But it is quite quick, reasonably comfy, boot is good (although nowhere near a W210 - I have both...) but economy isn't great and it is quite noisy on the low profile 18s.

As you have a 3rd child on the way, I suggest you check really carefully that you can get 3 child child seats in there. My 11yo is still on a booster and that occupies well over 1/3 of the width.

I like mine - I certainly don't love it and some of the mechanical decisions leave me utterly agape: who thought it was a good idea to bury an auxiliary battery in the dashboard to purely operate the electric gear selector??

Good luck with your hunt for a suitable vehicle!

[dave_s13]

asimmalik said:

dave_s13 said:

I had a 2011 E350 AMG with the seats in the boot. It was a great car but those seats were really cramped and it didn't last long until I had to concede to the pressure of the complainant child and get an mpv.

If you've got 3+ kids you really need something else unfortunately.

Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 24th May 22:06

3rd child on the way, the middle row should be able to seat them all from what I've gathered but will have to try. The rear 2 seats will only be for very occasional use when I have the parents etc on board, the eldest is only 5 so he should be find back there.

3 kids! You need a 7 seater unfortunately. I've never been able to get my 3 to sit next to each other for more than about 1/2 mile before all hell breaks loose.

[asimmalik]

GlenMH said:

Thermostat
Water pump
Rear subframe replaced under warranty
It has had at least one rear suspension airbag before my ownership
Various issues with egr and swirl flaps that have now been coded out and I am about to find out if it will go through an MOT in that state. It is a good bit more economical now they have been coded out.
Wheels - particularly rears are made of chocolate and buckle easily
Steering geo means they wear the inner edge of the front tyres very quickly if you spend lots of time in town
Interior plastics are starting to go brittle and bits are starting to break off.
Rotary controller on the infotainment system breaks so rotating it does nothing - that was last week's joy. So I am now waiting on a 4 quid part from China so I can take it to pieces.
I live in Bristol and it isn't ULEZ compliant.

Mine is a 2011 with 105k miles, I have had it for 6 years and it thows me a good sized bill every year. But it is quite quick, reasonably comfy, boot is good (although nowhere near a W210 - I have both...) but economy isn't great and it is quite noisy on the low profile 18s.

As you have a 3rd child on the way, I suggest you check really carefully that you can get 3 child child seats in there. My 11yo is still on a booster and that occupies well over 1/3 of the width.

I like mine - I certainly don't love it and some of the mechanical decisions leave me utterly agape: who thought it was a good idea to bury an auxiliary battery in the dashboard to purely operate the electric gear selector??

Good luck with your hunt for a suitable vehicle!

Sounds.... Interesting. I come from mainly BMW ownership so I'm no stranger to unwelcome bills, although it would be nice to go without them for the next purchase. To be quite honest, these weren't particularly on my radar until I remembered that some come with the 7 seat option.

We've been to see a Jag XF, which fit a booster seat in the middle seat with two bulky child seats either side. I'd have assumed the E-Class would be able to carry the same, although I'm yet to test it.