W211 Wagons : school me - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

littlehandegan · #1 03-12-2014, 10:11 PM

My mother had a 2004 E320 Wagon that we sold with 110,000 miles. It was abused, it was reliable.

I am now looking at 2005-2006 W211 Station Wagons with 90,000-110,000 miles

Am I stupid? Are the 211's that bad?

I will be having a PPI done as well.

David C Klasse · #2 03-13-2014, 06:51 AM

I have 209k miles on my 2003 E320, and it's had it's issues... albeit not many! I'd definitely change the trans fluid, however.

Don't know much about the wagons, but I can't imagine they're that different.
Just my two cents.

Volvo Diesel · #3 03-13-2014, 03:26 PM

The PPI idea is a must, period. Also do some research on balance shaft issues in the early 3.5 litre motors and be wary of valve body issues on the 722.9, 7-speed transmissions. Ball joints, rear airmatic (or full airmatic, if so equipped), and intake flap issues are common as well, and expensive if out of warranty. Lots of info on the W211 page at BenzWorld on these issues...

My wife has a 2006 E350 wagon. It's not a bad car, but it's the weakest Benz I've owned.

Note that the 3.5L motor and 7-speed tranny were, I believe, first available in '06, so an '05 might be better.

Honestly, I don't think you gain much stepping up from a W210 to a W211, although I'm sure others may disagree.

I've often thought about selling ours and getting the best W210 wagon I can find...

jcyuhn · #4 03-13-2014, 04:11 PM

Through '05 it has the well proven m112 engine and 722.6 automatic transmission. From '06 onward you (mostly) get the m272 v6 and 722.9 7 speed automatic transmission. The newer v6 is the one with the balance shaft wear issue. The 722.9, at least on the web, doesn't have the sterling reputation of the earlier trans.

Until the '07 model year they all have SBC brakes. After that MB replaced it with a conventional anti-lock setup. SBC seems reliable enough, but in the unlikely event it needs a repair, it will likely be expensive. There is 10 year warranty on SBC, but that has expired on all but the last cars built with the system.

The 211 wagons use air struts for self leveling at the rear rather than the hydro-pneumatic struts used on previous wagon series. I am under the impression the rear air struts are not too bad on cars with self leveling only. They are optionally fitted with airmatic - air struts at all four corners. More to go wrong, basically.

Is it better than a 210? In a couple of ways I think it is (I've owned both). The 211 doesn't have the surface rust problems which plague the 210. The interior materials are more up to the standard of earlier Benz products. My 211 wagon seems more quiet than my 210 wagon ever did. And of course it's not nearly as old and used as a 210 wagon.

littlehandegan · #5 03-13-2014, 05:18 PM

Thanks

Yes, I am open to a W210 if one clean enough comes along.

pawoSD · #6 03-13-2014, 08:18 PM

The 05 onward MB's are of excellent quality IMHO....my 2005 wagon I just picked up is in perfect condition and its 9 years old....fit and finish is excellent, interior materials as good or better than older ones....and all electronics work great. Rides and runs smooth and quiet. 0 leaks.

engatwork · #7 03-13-2014, 08:33 PM

I paid $4k for my 05 E320 wagon I purchased almost a year ago and it has turned out to be a very good car after I put a good, used 90k mileage engine in it. It has just turned over 215k miles.

The wife puts a lot of miles and it does not miss a beat

. I wish it was a diesel.

littlehandegan · #8 03-13-2014, 10:27 PM

I am looking at one.

It is a 2004 E320 4matic. It was a California Lemon Law buyback 11 years ago in 2003. Price is cheap, and it has low miles and a decent Mercedes service history.

Any comments on Cali lemon buybacks?

dtf · #9 03-17-2014, 11:24 AM

I think the 2006 E Class wagons had the brake by wire systems. My service advisor at the MB shop says he used to work in the shop and they thought that system was terrible. I think MB abandoned them in 2007?