PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

jay_bob · #14 06-28-2020, 08:15 AM

And don't overlook the 2007-2009 facelift W211 models. Yes they have the OM642 engine but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

They did improve a lot of stuff in the facelift models. Notably the 7-speed 722.9 instead of 5-speed 722.6 transmission, and normal ABS brakes instead of the goofy SBS system.

Plan on having to change the VGS (aka conductor plate) in the transmission unless you have records of it being done already, negotiate in the $1850 it will cost at the dealer (and it is a dealer only repair). That and oil cooler seals are the two big weaknesses.

Both versions of the W211 eat front suspension parts. That is a way of life in this platform. Fortunately since it is not an open spring system like the prior models it is easy (and safe) to unload the front suspension with a floor jack to replace parts. The only tricky repair is replacing the shocks, they are coil-overs and you have to compress that spring to remove the shock. This is done outside the car on a special clamping jig at the workbench.

Except for a couple of improper repairs prior to my ownership, we've had good luck with ours. Bought with 180k in the spring of 2018 and now has about 215k and counting. My son drives it 40 mi each way to work and loving the 35+ mpgs in mixed city/highway driving.

We had 2 things that caused trouble. One was an improper windshield replacement that caused water to leak down under the dash and short out the central gateway module. This caused a short between the CAN-H and CAN-L lines of both the engine and body buses and caused the car to become a potato.

The other was when the prior owner had a shop change the oil cooler seals they neglected to replace the gaskets in the intake tract and just put everything back together. This caused black crap to blow all over the front of the engine and killed the original alternator. Two NAPA rebuild alternators and finally a genuine MB remanufactured alternator, along with new seals and a ton of elbow grease, solved that problem.

They really are great when properly sorted.