I've been seeing them pop up on Autotrader and I'm getting tempted. I don't know much about them except for basic specs, and they avoid the brake system issues of earlier models. Any down sides to these sedans or wagons?

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Great cars, my uncle has had a 2007 E350 4Matic since new and it has been like a Toyota.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yes, they are a bargain. I've been watching them too. No, there are no downsides to the sedans/wagons.

That engine has the balance shaft issue; you can google it up without much trouble. You want to purchase one that has either had the repair done, has a warranty, or be sure MB will pay for it. I hear MB has been pretty good about goodwill on the repair of late, but it's not a sure thing. Edumacate yerself; knowledge is power.

Oh, and yes, I think a basic E350 from that timeframe is a good value. Tried to get my spouse into one, but she insisted on the diesel.

Jeez
Now you fellas have me 2nd guessing
This is right around the corner

2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC, $17,995 - Cars.com

80,000 miles
dealer maintained ?

sure looks nice

Hmm, yes that balance shaft looks like a serious issue. Maybe that explains some of the low asking prices? On the repaired cars, any idea when MB started using updated parts that won't wear out prematurely again?

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I would never try to make an apples to apples comparison MB to VW. To me, they aren't in the same universe, but I digress.

There's nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes. ,,,,,,and since the "new millenium" they are built so cheaply I don't even consider any of them to be actual mercedes anymore. Now they are just four wheeled lap tops with a star on the hood. Built to deteriorate and be thrown away about as fast as a cell phone.

Balance shaft issues, 722.9 multiple issue transmissions, cars with air matic option = crap suspension that will fail and empty your wallet, exploding garbage intake manifolds, ball joints that barely last 60k miles,etc,etc,etc.

The only way to have a mercedes today is to lease a brand new one and get the hell out of it before the warranty expires,,,,or buy an older pre-2003 (preferrably pre 1993 car actually) before the company became nothing more than a marketing and lease agency.

Just the opinion of a guy who is a third generation MBZ tech, born in belgium, grew up around them, owned hundreds, even raced them, and still works on them today. I'd rather buy an early 126 chassis 500sel and spend 25 grand refubishing it than have a "modern" benz at a bargain price.

Sorry if I upset some of you, but no one who has experience with what this manufacturer used to be, can possibly be proud of the products they produce today.

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Alain
independant MBZ tech since 1981
http://www.motorsportlegendsks.com/

It isn't like there were no issues before... 380 engine anyone?

Correct.....

Blown head gasket(s) overheating issues anyone?

Spring perches issues anyone?

As a 16yr MB tech, I agree with pretty much everything Alain V. posted. If you are used to the build quality of the Mercedes of years past and were blindfolded and put in a 211, you wouldn't believe there was a star on the hood.

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90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff

Hey guys,,,,I'm not trying to take a wizz in anyone's cherios.... I just have a habit of telling it like it is.
The truth is, there are far better choices out there- as far as quality and cost per mile is concerned, than the late model used mercs.
The first owners are usually satisfied, since the cars are under warranty.
The second owners are the ones who get hosed when the cars start to lose pieces like an early 70's jag.

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Alain
independant MBZ tech since 1981
http://www.motorsportlegendsks.com/

As an owner of a 2011 e350 Sport AND a 1995 e420 AND a 1991 560SEC, I totally agree with the above.

The 1991 and 1995 cars are clearly built to a cost no object standard of build quality, durability, and longevity that the 2011 of mine clearly does not have and while I warrantied it up the kazoo, I do understand that the Mercedes Benz is built to a price point now, and it would be unlikley to ever hold up as long and faithfully as the w124 (1986-1995) or the w126 (1980-1991).

and it is NO accident that when buying my w124 and w126, I purchased the last model year available of each. They are both great examples Bruno Sacco's beautiful iconic masterpieces. Instantly identifiable as a Mercedes Benz and nothing else.


My e212 e350 is a lovely new cruiser and well equipped and safe.

But it is ugly..

And compared to my old ones, it is honestly cheap both in the literal and perjorative sense;

And it has no soul.


If after the warranties are gone and it starts giving me trouble, I'd get rid of it in a heartbeat. I really would!

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Put the same person in a W212 sedan - and they'd think they were in a new Cadillac sedan. That person was me driving one (2011 W212 Bluetec) two weeks ago. Uninspiring, to say the least. BIG, and SAFE? Yes........

The automotive world of levelling the playing field has led to common denominators industrywide. Low or high? That's up to the individual.....

This is the reason I no longer own my 06 E3504matic. In many ways it was a good car, quiet ok on fuel. The inclement weather driving confidence afforded by the 4matic was unmatched and I own an A4 quattro BUT even though I owned under warranty it always made me nervous to own it. I've been around these cars for over 50 years and it never felt like a Mercedes in the sense that the deal was you pay more up front but due to its durability you will win in the end operating cost wise and enjoy the satification of owning the best car in the world along the way. Instead the E350 felt like the deal was you got a nice car to drive but it was really a financial conduit between my bank account and Mercedes corporation. I had countless things repaired under warranty.

Though the car was very quiet and smooth I still got road feedback through the steering that didn't exist on my 190E. I would go over a bumpy section of road and the whole car shuddered again unlike any Mercedes I ever owned.

This is a great post because having said everything above I really don't want to continue to not drive a Mercedes they are just in my blood and find myself looking at the lastest model E Class hoping that there as been some return to the classic Mercedes approach. Consumers is saying that the latest E's are pretty reliable so who knows.

What was the last real Mercedes?

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MBlovr
'59 180 Dad's original
'59 180 Dad's 2nd one
'67 250SE Dad's last one
'59 220 SE My first one
'62 220SE Coupe second one
'89 190E 2.6 5spd third one
'06 E350 4matic (sold)
'10 E350 4matic