[kaej]

i been looking around for a new car for a while and this would be my first MB its a 07 E350 with 100,000 miles or i might go with the 06 with a little less miles bt still high..... that said how reliable are these cars at high miles in terms of tranny, engine and electronics? any major repairs/problems i read the 06 have problems any one know more on that? and also is it really as hard (and expensive) as they say it is to do regular maintenance work filters,oil spark plugs etc .. sorry if this is a lot of question but i just wanna get as much info as i can be for i jump the gun like i said i have never owned a MB im 20 so yes i love a fast car and this one has the looks/luxury and i cant wait to see if it has the power ive been hearing about im already in falling in love with this car:bowdown: but i just dont wanna be dishing out loads of money for repair the first year....

 

[Roadking999]

Please read post #19 in the Temp DIY section on top of the forum.
The 211's can go 150,000 miles plus with no problems if properly maintained, the reason I didn't say 250,000 miles is because they are too new to have that many miles accumulated, among the 2 you mentioned, buy the one that has complete maintenance records.

 

[Noodles]

What I can say is that in the 2003 ML500 and ML350 with the same 5 speed transmission as the W211 4matics go past 200k. I have no info on how far the 7g transmissions are lasting. A lot of the consensus is that the 5 speed is a more durable transmission from those production years discussed in this thread.

 

[kaej]

thanks guys answer give me great piece of mind! and roadking the two issues that concern me are the engine leaks on the 3.5l, 7 speed transmission control valve.
are these DIYable or would you have to take it to the stealership? and do u know the cost for both engine leak and tranny control valve in terms of diy and taking it to the shop?

 

[Noodles]

The valve body on the 7g is probably the biggest thorn in that transmission.
I have lost count of the revisions. Siemens and MB should both be taken to the woodshed
over the issue.
It can not be replaced as a DIY. So many are still failing that the part is forbidden by MB
to be sold over the parts counter they are in that short of a supply.
Even if you could get one it is not a DIY without a MB SDS computer.

 

[Roadking999]

+1 to Noodles answer
The average control valve bill is $1200, the engine leaks are DIY'able depending on what's leaking, the cam plugs are easy and accessible, the valve cover is relatively easy, the crank seal and oil sensor are less accesible.
You have to have the right tools for all of this.

 

[kaej]

Ok thanks again guys really helpful
So do the 07 and 08 only come with the 7g or do they make 5g for those yrs too?

 

[Roadking999]

w/ 4matic

 

[kaej]

I noticed u have the 06 4matic how has your experience been with the car so far and how many miles do u have on it?

 

[Roadking999]

145k miles
replaced quiet a few parts under warranty, since then I have replaced the v-belt, self tensioner, thermostat, plus normal maintenance(brakes, fluids, filters, tires).
The car is as tight now as it was at 20K miles.
Reliability above average

 

[kaej]

sounds great man thanks!
so if i would get the e350 it would still be smarter to get a warranty on it then?

 

[Noodles]

Can you even get a worthwhile warranty from a reputable company on a 100k mile MB?
I know places offer them, but many consumers get burned on those. If it is an in house
warranty from a used car lot they will screw you on it.

 

[Tommyin Cbille]

I had quotes for $4800 - $6000 4yr bumper to bumper from third party co's last spring.

 

[armanchosbenz]

What makes you think a 100k is a lot for a benz.
I bought my 06 e350 4matic with 91k miles on it, i spent about 1500 dollars on it...mostly maintenance.transfer case oil change,spark plugs,antifreeze and
the most expensive was the trans. oil change and now it runs like a dream

make sure it wasn't abused and it was maintained properly.

Most importantly you must have a trusted and experienced indie mechanic
nearby...i know in some rural places that is not possible,so if your only option
is the mb dealer.Think twice about making the purchase.

If i didn't live near gene's german cars (3miles away) in woodside ny i would
probably sell both my benz's and buy a ford fusion or something similar.

GOOD LUCK

 

[kaej]

thanks and i was told the 07 was the better choice and also "03-06 were...well too many issues to say the least." do yall feel this way seein yall all have the 06 4matic?and since that do yall not trust the 7g trans?

 

[armanchosbenz]

It's not that i dont trust the 7speed trans...i live in the northeast snow belt.
I need to be able to drive in 6 inches of snow if i have to,but if you live in a state where winters are mild by all means go for the 2wd.
But. let me just say that the 4matic handling is superior to the rear drive cars.
Just last night i overshot my exit on the highway i was on.
At the last moment i hit the brakes real hard and once i was in the exit ramp
i gunned the engine and all four wheels were giving the car traction...plus the traction control was doing it's thing, but the point i'm trying to make is 4matic
isn't just for snow...it's for safety foremost.

 

[kaej]

Thanks I'll keep that in mind when im looking around