Hi all, back again, trying to decide between these two E350 CDI's. Could use some opinions

[cjmarka]

Hello all

Well after owning two amazing E55s, I ended up selling both because, well I was using them as dailies and just not very economical.

So I've done a lot of research and ended up looking at W212 E350 CDI's. I feel they still provide a solid punch but get much better fuel economy. I've narrowed the search down to two - both 2010 (60 plate) models.

The first is a 7-owner Calcite White one with 72k miles and at a dealer and its priced at £8995

Used Cars | Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Cambridgeshire | Thurlow Nunn

View the wide range of used cars available from Thurlow Nunn in Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Cambridgeshire. Explore the models in stock and our affordable used car offers available online.

www.thurlownunn.co.uk

The second is private party Palladium Silver one with 83k only 3 owners and what I think is a great price at £7500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106123779358?sort=distance&include-delivery-option=on&radius=90&postcode=pe12ux&min-engine-power=250&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=8500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=Sport&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&year-to=2021&model=E%20CLASS&page=1

I have both vins and they are almost identically equipped except the white one has Sport Seats (244) and the palladium silver doesnt. Also, I think white looks better with the pan roof.
White one - Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI 2010-09-14 - WDD2120232A326302
Silver one - Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI 2010-09-15 - WDD2120232A327453

But is it worth an extra £1500 for sport seats, -11k miles, sold by a trader with a 6 month warranty? The 7500 price is real tempting, and the owner seems to have taken very good care of the car, recently serving the gearbox and replacing the front discs/pads as well.

Any advice and input is welcome, thanks in advance

 

[SpikyMikey]

Your decision may have been made for you: the white one is not showing on the dealer's website anymore ( unless it's hiding somewhere)

 

[cjmarka]

Your decision may have been made for you: the white one is not showing on the dealer's website anymore ( unless it's hiding somewhere)

I placed a deposit on it a few days ago before I saw the Palladium Silver one

Here is the ebay listing of the white one

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY SPORT Auto Saloon Diesel Automatic | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY SPORT Auto Saloon Diesel Automatic at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[SpikyMikey]

Aha!!

 

[SpikyMikey]

I guess it depends how much comfort you get from buying from a dealer with a warranty vs a private seller (bearing in mind that dealership warranties can be a bit limited).
For me the number of owners on the white one would mark it down and personally I'm not generally keen on white cars. There isn't much in it mileage -wise. The seats are only worth the money if they 'fit' you better than the standard offerings.
Maybe go and try both; IMO sometimes the 'feel' of a vehicle is the deciding factor that cannot be gauged from photos alone.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[cjmarka]

Thank you Spiky

That is great advice, especially considering that my major worry of course is with the oil cooler leak issue which can be very costly to fix. I spoke with the dealer and they said their 6-mo warranty would likely NOT cover this issue as they see it as normal wear and tear. I am waiting for them to confirm this, but if that's the case then I will probably just go grab the silver one and be happily on my way.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I've bought cars with 6 month warranties where the list of exclusions was longer than that of the items actually covered , however at least with a dealer supplied car you have some comeback if it is not significantly as described. However, with knowledge of Mercs in general and the model you are looking at specifically, with care you can almost certainly get a better deal with a private sale. Let us know how you get on.

 

[chic0821]

Grey one for me, I prefer a light interior as it "lifts" the whole cabin. If your concerned about the oil cooler. get it checked out or labour the point with the seller with the sucking through your teeth to emphasise it & try to negotiate a reduction.

 

[horatio]

You even discover it’s been done. People who aren’t “in to” cars don’t tend to mention these things - in fact they seem to think it makes the car sound troublesome.

I bought a BMW from a private seller and only discovered from the paperwork that it recently had nearly £3k spent on a transmission rebuild and brand new TC. Imagine not mentioning that!

 

[MrGreedy]

The warranty is there to protect the dealer, not you. Don't worry about a warranty or not if it is 6 months or less.
The dealer still has to sell a car that is fit for purpose (for 6 months) and this is a requirement under the law.
Warranties longer than 6 months give benefit to you, as the dealer can wash their hands after 6 months.

Regarding the oil cooler seals (or any other mechanical defect), the dealer will try and wriggle and say it's not covered by warranty, and this might be true, but the law says it still needs to be fit for purpose (not the exact words) and therefore this translates to the dealer potentially being responsible for fixing faults that are pre-existing at the point of sale, or that potentially materialize within something like 6 months from purchase.

If the white one had the oil cooler leak and an inspection organised by you immediately after purchase (and well within 30 days) revealed that the oil cooler seals needed to be replaced, then you should give the dealer the opportunity to fix any faults identified during said inspection, or you can reject the car (without question before the 30 day period!). For this reason, travelling a long way to buy a car can have downsides if you need to return the car for work at the supplying dealer/trader.

Regarding the oil cooler seals, they will be due for changing if they haven't already been done.
I've just changed mine on a 2011 car. Even with the 'upgraded' purple viton seals on newer models, all the garages I've spoken to about this issue suggest that oil cooler seals leaking is a matter of when, not if.
If there is no evidence of the seals having already been changed, and if they are not leaking at purchase point, I would expect them to start leaking soon based on the age.

If you buy privately, you will have zero comeback, so a pre-purchase inspection at an independent Mercedes specialist is recommended.

 

[W1ghty]

Buy an icarsoft MB2 for £150 and save the £1500 by buying the cheaper one ?

 

[cjmarka]

W1ghty I will be doing that for sure, thank you. And I settled on the silver one. Its a great price, well taken care of, and I will take it to my guy (Alex Crow) and keep a good eye on it.

 

[W1ghty]

W1ghty I will be doing that for sure, thank you. And I settled on the silver one. Its a great price, well taken care of, and I will take it to my guy (Alex Crow) and keep a good eye on it.

Excellent , I get my work I can’t do , done by Alex as well .

 

[SmartAmg]

W1ghty I will be doing that for sure, thank you. And I settled on the silver one. Its a great price, well taken care of, and I will take it to my guy (Alex Crow) and keep a good eye on it.

Good choice, normally I'm a fan of White car's with Pan roofs, but in this instance the Silver one is Defo the right one, love the interior.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Well done that man.
More pics please once you have it.

 

[Funkyboy]

Thank you Spiky

That is great advice, especially considering that my major worry of course is with the oil cooler leak issue which can be very costly to fix. I spoke with the dealer and they said their 6-mo warranty would likely NOT cover this issue as they see it as normal wear and tear. I am waiting for them to confirm this, but if that's the case then I will probably just go grab the silver one and be happily on my way.

Normal wear&tear it's an internal seal not like a service item like pads& disc's stay away from those clowns

 

[davymead]

£7.5k. A lot of car for the money. Nice spec.

 

[fabes]

Late to the party but agree your decision.
Prefer the exterior and deffo the interior colour.

Also the white was on 19s it looks like......
You might have 'tyred' of that ride quickly (sorry)

Enjoy.

Ps money saved for a remap given your prior choice of cars.....?

 

[cjmarka]

Fabes

You read my mind. A stage 1 map is first order of business! I just need to find a reputable shop near me (Peterborough) who can do it.

 

[cjmarka]

Bought it!

Pics coming later. Enjoyed the ride home immensely, but definitely will be eyeing a S1 remap