..

seems all mercedes engine, called 3.5 or 350, are bad luck, diesel and gas. low miles means always in shop.

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

That's not completely true.

There were 350 variants during 2003-2005 MYs using a slightly higher output M112 engine that are as bulletproof as the 320.

However, the M272, which is the more common "350" used between 2006 and 2008-9, likes to eat balance shaft/timing gears. This has an M272, I'm almost certain, so it's essentially a ticking time bomb before you get the dreaded CEL indicating the timing is so out of whack the ECU can no longer correct it. Unless, of course, there's something in the provenance that shows the recall was performed and the engine updated/repaired.

You can check the serial number on any number of web sites, using the VIN, but since the updated design didn't go into production until 2008 there isn't a chance in Hades this car has one.

I avoid anything with an M272 in it and advise anyone who is interested in this vintage model to do the same.

so any 350 before the 06
is safe? ok cool.

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

The W163 ML350 through 2005 and W220 S350 through 2006 have a 3.7 liter M112 with no timing chain issues of the M272.

And my dad’s W109 300SEL 3.5 (same engine as in the 280SE 3.5 coupe and cab and 350SE/SEL/SL/SLC through the ‘70s) was wonderful with the freer reving M116 V8 vs the emissions choked US 4.5. Early US R107s badged as 350SL actually had a 4.5 liter V8.

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 183K miles