Considering a new MB, W212 vs W213 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 08-05-2019, 12:20 PM

Morning All,

I'm looking at moving up in the MB world and finally getting that was made after the wall fell. (My 190 is a 93 but still!)

I'm looking at the following, both are Mercedes CPO cars IIRC and they are within 2-3K price wise of each other.

1) w212 2015 E250 Bluetec with about 25K miles on it or so.
2) w213 2017 E300 with about 45K miles on it.

My daily driver is a 91 300D with about 360K on it now. I drive about 128 miles a day doing about 70-80 MPH, mostly highway. I am planning on moving closer to work in the next year or so here.

Generally, I like the diesels for their fuel economy but unfortunately Mercedes won't be bringing any of the w213 diesels to the states.

You guys have any opinions or thoughts about these two?

oldsinner111 · #2 08-05-2019, 12:38 PM

be sure and buy your own computer to reset all codes. I don't trust any because of limp home mode.Put's you and your wallet at the mercy of dealers

C280 Sport · #3 08-05-2019, 09:20 PM

My 2012 has been a fantastic car. It has about 50,000 miles on it now. I bought it 1 year old CPO with 25K Miles and I have not used the warranty once. The only things I have done to it was a new battery (Just last week) and oil changes, brakes and tires. Nothing out of the ordinary. I would go for the W212 because the 3.5 V6 with the 7 speed is solid and proven. The modern Diesel's tend to have issues so find a E350. The E300 is now a 4 banger with a turbo and I personally just do not trust the engine long term. Find a W212 E350 4Matic. No airmatic! I feel confident keeping my car 200,000+ Miles. Find a good MB shop instead of a dealer and get a PPI on whatever car you choose.

JamesDean · #4 08-06-2019, 12:10 PM

How's your fuel economy in the E350 been?

I thought I read that the current diesel Mercedes has was pretty solid?

iwrock · #5 08-07-2019, 11:51 AM

Long time, no talk... What's new...?

MB diesels has some quality issues from ~2009-2013, especially the OM642. I have one and really like it, but it does have faults.

Early ones (2006/07 through I think 2011-2012) has problems with the oil cooler seals - remedy being a 8-10 hour job of pulling the turbo, intake manifold, and other various goodies in order to reseal the cooler which sits in the middle of the V.

Mid generational ones (like 2009-2012) had issues with their oil coolers, timing chains, and ad-blue system. Oil coolers are the problem mentioned above + these ones have issues with chains stretching. The updated chain supposedly remedies it, but if one has the original chain, be weary and ready to repair it. The ad-blue system on these have issues being a newer system to MB and the common repair is to replace the ad-blue processor.

The newer ones seem to have the bugs worked out, and not too many complaints among friends who work at MB and friends who own them.

Regarding the OM654, I haven't heard much in the way of good or bad... But that might be due to their low rate of adoption here in CA.

JamesDean · #6 08-07-2019, 12:56 PM

Hey Justin! It has been a while! Not much is new, hopefully a newer MB in the future here. Just been working mostly tbh...slowlying coming to the realization that as tank-like as these 30 year old cars are...they are 30 year old cars and considering them a commute worthy daily driver can be problematic.

The car I'm looking at is a 2015 model year built in 10/14 I think. It sounds like it is after all these issues. Its only has 24K on it right now. Its CPO. They're asking in the low-mid 30s for it. My research shows its a OM651?

It has no airmatic systems on it.

I do like the styling of the newer W213 chassis but this E250 its pretty good looking too and has all the packages that I've been looking for and gets good economy. The few posts I've read over on mbworld and such indicate most guys get 36+ min on the highway. The w213 E300's appear to be in the high 20s maybe low 30's if you are careful. Comparatively that's where my 300D has been sitting. I tend to flog it though so 28-29 is the average for it. My 420 has been 17-19. The 190 I think 22-24.

C280 Sport · #7 08-07-2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

How's your fuel economy in the E350 been?

I thought I read that the current diesel Mercedes has was pretty solid?

Road trip usually bring about 28MPG or so. We went down to Florida and we are still here now and saw just over 28MPG. Not bad for a AWD car that weights a ton. A/C on as well.

JamesDean · #8 08-07-2019, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C280 Sport

Road trip usually bring about 28MPG or so. We went down to Florida and we are still here now and saw just over 28MPG. Not bad for a AWD car that weights a ton. A/C on as well.

Thats another thing that I didn't realize, just how heavy these cars are---my w201 is 2500 lbs, w124 almost 3500-3800, w126 about the same...the 212 is 5300-5800.

C280 Sport · #9 08-07-2019, 06:36 PM

The E Class of now is larger. My W210 E Class I use to have is the same size as the current C Class. The E Class now is more like the size of a older S Class. Maybe look into a W204 C Class if the E is too big for you? You can get a 2014 C300 or C350. Those are solid little cars.

JamesDean · #10 08-08-2019, 12:24 PM

I dont really have a problem with the size or weight. I was just surprised that they are that heavy now-a-days lol.

I talked to my mechanic about the newer diesels in general. He's never worked on them nor is trained on them as they are pretty rare in our area and he didnt see but maybe 1-3 a year. He does have some friends that have them and one of them is on his 4th engine in 70k miles. It was a 2014 model. I have no idea why or how that happens but he is against them.

Just gathering opinions and thoughts still.