Mercedes W212 E550 - Any Oppos with knowledge of these?

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw) 04/03/2018 at 17:18 • Filed to: Mercedes-Benz, unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

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I’m curious about reliability, any known weak links (especially in the drive train), etc.

I’m leaning used for my next car, and this seems like a potential option, despite the fact that the steering feel is utterly non-existent. The engine is pretty glorious actually...

fintail > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:31

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Pictured car looks like a 14, last of the V8 interceptors/non-AMG V8 E sedans in the US market.

MBWorld or Benzworld probably knows specifics, I’ve had a few W212, but all diesel and a gas. They are pretty solid cars overall, I think.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail 04/03/2018 at 17:32

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Mother in law has a 2014 E550 Cabriolet. She likes it, it’s fun to drive, and really powerful but she seems to be taking in for warranty claims every 6 months. Random electronic stuff keeps on breaking.

WilliamsSW > fintail 04/03/2018 at 17:35

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You are correct, of course - I should have clarified, but I was referring to the 4.7l TTV8, not the earlier 5.5 NA. I would specifically want a 2014 - I want the facelifted version and the TTV8, which narrows it down to one model year.

The W212 overall has a good reputation, reliability-wise - just don’t know as much about that engine particularly.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:36

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Maybe a car built on a Friday in late September?

Or maybe I have been lucky. First was a pre-facelift Bluetec - only issue was the “comfort access” or whatever telescoping wheel which jammed. Dealer fixed it no problem, warranty. Then an E350 gas - zero issues. Now final run E250 Bluetec, only issue nearly 2 years in was a secondary battery that failed (handles nannies and small features), 45 minute warranty repair.

A quirk now and then is expected on a German car, it’s not a Lexus in more ways than one :)

WilliamsSW > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:38

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Yeah, if I do this, it would have to either be an MB CPO or Carmax warranty.

The engine has all of the torques, it’s a hell of a lot of fun - although it’s *not* a driver’s car.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail 04/03/2018 at 17:38

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I meant to respond to William, whoops hopefully he sees it. Yeah I think it’s been stupid stuff like the seat belt motor and the seat thing and the top squeaking. I think that has been the worst one.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:38

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Cough cough buy an ISF cough cough.

fintail > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:38

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I’ve read it can be tuned to near-AMG levels.

I’d want a loaded 14 as well, for the facelift and the engine, too. I’m very picky about color and options though, and the one I want might not exist - when my current lease is up, shopping will be fun, as one of these could be on the list, along with another E250.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:40

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Ah, convertible-specific things, maybe. I can imagine it.

WilliamsSW > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:41

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Sorry, too small. Basically, I want a big, 4 door luxury car that drives decent and has lots of POOOOWAHHHHHHH without spending all of the monies. Chevy SS, BMW 550i, maybe a new Stinger GT2 - though I’m contemplating whether a new 340i is big enough.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:42

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After seeing consumer reports and hearing from people you seem to be in a much better spot staying away from BMW unless you lease. That is literally what BMWs are made for.

WilliamsSW > fintail 04/03/2018 at 17:45

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I’m not sure it needs to be tuned to near-AMG levels though - 0-60 mph is 4.5 seconds as it is.

I’m very picky about color and options though, and the one I want might not exist - when my current lease is up, shopping will be fun, as one of these could be on the list, along with another E250.

That’s LITERALLY me right now (except for the Bluetec part)- lease on the Lexus ends May 26.

The one I drove last weekend had pretty much all the boxes checked - except oddly didn’t have a heated steering wheel. Burmester, panoramic sunroof, Distronic, etc etc. 30k miles and $36k - but black on black.

I picked the photo above because I like Lunar Blue (or Cardinal Red).

victor > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:46

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That’s a m278 engine which has been used in almost everything. Good engines. I’m fine with the 7G tronic, but they shift really slow

WilliamsSW > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:47

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I would have no fear with a new BMW, but yeah, I’m pretty skeptical of the 550i, for the reasons you describe. I haven’t even driven that car.

WilliamsSW > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2018 at 17:48

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I figured - I saw it! :)

WilliamsSW > victor 04/03/2018 at 17:50

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I presume that’s the same engine that the S550 and GL550 of that era had as well?

It’s a freaking torque monster.

victor > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:51

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For distronic + (2014 and up) alone, it’s worth it

victor > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:54

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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M278_engine

It’s the best non amg hero engine out there IMHO. The funny thing is the m276/278 relation to the Pentastar V6 engine. I claim I drive a Chrysler

WilliamsSW > victor 04/03/2018 at 17:55

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I was a little put off because it was advertised as ‘certified’ but what the dealer meant was that it was “Autonation certified” not M-B CPO certified. “Autonation Certified” is a crappy 3/3 warranty. He wanted another $3,500 to make it MB certified.

But yeah, the car is a good value.

victor > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:56

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Eh. May still be worth it

WilliamsSW > victor 04/03/2018 at 17:57

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“443 lb-ft at 1600 rpm”

me likey

fintail > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 17:59

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But just in case you get the itch :)

I’d want a diamond silver (light blue) or maybe brown or white car with a light colored interior, and every option possible. I’d also prefer lux trim over sport, but not sure if many or any E550s were so equipped. Black on black would be tough, my sanity couldn’t handle it. Red is another rare one, you might have more luck with blue. My current Bluetec is indigo blue with brown leather, pretty uncommon. But as you know, buying at the end of the lease for these cars is difficult unless you want to pay way too much for the car.

I think all W212 have HK, Burmester didn’t come to the E until W213.

WilliamsSW > victor 04/03/2018 at 17:59

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I know, but it took me by surprise. Seems silly to me that a Mercedes dealer has 2 different used car certification programs going on, and it irritated me.

WilliamsSW > fintail 04/03/2018 at 18:03

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https://www.carmax.com/car/15334655

Here’s your color combo - though this one isn’t as loaded as the one you like.

And this is the car I actually drove - you’re right, it’s H-K, I’m confusing it with another car I drove:

https://www.mercedesbenzofwestmont.com/used/Mercedes-Benz/2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-0ec3e5f40a0d04fe618e5b1bf29d467d.htm

victor > fintail 04/03/2018 at 18:08

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The HK is 17 speaker with sub in my wagon. Sounds amazing still. The only up from that is B&O

AM3R, lost another burner > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 19:06

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I’d give the 340i a shot. They really improved on the steering feel, and the turbo inline six is a beautiful engine with lots of potential. I love my e92 335i, and you can find a 340i with a stick!!!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > victor 04/03/2018 at 20:31

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Do you have any links or specific knowledge on that? I don’t know shit about the pentastar but I’ve talked to some Chrysler guys who now work for Benz and they said those engine families are nothing alike.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 20:41

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Nope. I don’t know anything at all 

Super solid. I think I’ve replaced one air strut. And... Umm... Done a lot of normal maintenance?

As far as that specific engine goes, I’ve done a couple wiring harnesses, cam sensors, and cam solenoids for oil ingress. And a head gasket on a GL like 5 years ago. But those are extremely small percentages. I haven’t seen or even heard of another head gasket since. Overall very reliable engine. If you want to check for oil in the harness just disconnect a couple cam sensors, they’re at the top front of the engine, the right ones are easy to access.

As for the trans, it’s been around forever so almost every issue they’ve had was resolved in production by 2014. Stay on top of maintenance and I wouldn’t worry about it.

WilliamsSW > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/03/2018 at 20:56

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You rock. Not enough stars for this but I might be drinking

fintail > victor 04/03/2018 at 21:11

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I’ve never seen a non-AMG 212 with the B&O. Have you ever encountered one? Was it only AMG?

WilliamsSW > AM3R, lost another burner 04/03/2018 at 21:11

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Agree —-I’m kinda hoping for a 340 stick but hard to find unless I order and spend $

AM3R, lost another burner > WilliamsSW 04/03/2018 at 22:15

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They pop up pretty frequently around me! Just keep searching.

victor > fintail 04/03/2018 at 22:40

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It was an option. Price was high so super rare

victor > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/03/2018 at 22:41

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http://jeepgarage.org/f73/pentastar-v6-from-mercedes-61272.html#/topics/61272

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > victor 04/03/2018 at 23:21

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The only guy in there who seems to know what he’s talking about says the only thing they share is the 60 degree V, but no actual parts. And pulling pictures of the pentastar up on Google, it doesn’t look similar to a 276 at all. Cam solenoids and cam adjusters look similar but that’s it. Nothing else.

victor > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/03/2018 at 23:28

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Yeah, I think it’s only the basic architecture

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > victor 04/03/2018 at 23:55

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Yeah, if by that you mean no actual parts.

WilliamsSW > AM3R, lost another burner 04/04/2018 at 09:41

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I haven’t really looked for used ones - 4 doors is a hard requirement for me, so it may be a challenge to find a stick.

That said, my local dealer has an Estoril Blue 340i with a manual inbound right now for some reason - they claim it’s not a customer order car, so it’s available, though I’m skeptical of that.

WilliamsSW > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/04/2018 at 09:45

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Thanks again for this - one question - “oil in the harness”? Is that from a leak in the cam solenoids that gets into the harness?

Stay on top of maintenance

So true on any car, all the more so with a German car. I’ve got an 18 year old BMW convertible that I bought brand new (almost 110k miles), and absolutely everything works as it’s supposed to, so I’m comfortable keeping up with that.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WilliamsSW 04/04/2018 at 10:14

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Yes, and/or from the cam sensors. Replace all those and you should be good to go. Unless it’s gotten into the ME (motor electronics/engine control unit), then it would also need that, a harness, and any other contaminated components.

Nice! Oh, and as always, a pre purchase inspection is a good idea.

WilliamsSW > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/04/2018 at 10:59

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OK - makes sense, thanks! At first glance, ‘oil in the harness’ seems like an odd issue!

Good point on the PPI, I’ll need to look for someone who can do that. I have a BMW guy (though he’s a hike from me) but not an MB guy.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WilliamsSW 04/04/2018 at 14:33

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There’s oil pressure behind the solenoids and it can force it’s way through internally. As for the sensors, it just seeps through. But I haven’t seen an issue after having the parts replaced. Also, if it wasn’t clear, you won’t see these leaks externally, only by disconnecting them.

Adealership should be fine. And you can request that a team lead or master tech look it over. Because these haven’t been hitting indie shops for too long a dealer will probably have a better idea of what to look for.

WilliamsSW > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/04/2018 at 14:59

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Thanks! Yeah, I figured you’d have to disconnect them to see, based on your earlier comment.

I’d be happy to take any car I’d find in to the local dealer - - only hangup with the car I drove last Saturday is that the local dealer is the seller (and they have already inspected it themselves).

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WilliamsSW 04/04/2018 at 15:22

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Gotcha. Third party is always a good idea. But if you can’t find a good third party option, ask to have another tech look it over again, a different tech than originally, and see if you can talk to him yourself.