S/W212 common faults?

[quasarman]

Hi all,

Recently come back to Mercedes (and thus this forum) with a 2011 W212 350CDi Sport which I'm very much enjoying.

However I'm coming across some faults the previous owner hadn't spotted or fixed.

So far I've had:

Comand controller shaft broken (which I've fixed)
Air con packed up (needs booking in for a top up/regas)
Drivers seat bum warmer not working (looking into currently)

Does anyone else have any information on other common issues on this model?

Mine has done just short of 100K

 

[MrGreedy]

I've not had mine long. E350 2011 saloon.

Problems I've encountered:
- Comand controller shaft broken (fixed).
- Air con lost most of pressure during lockdown. Had it regassed a few months ago, but I suspect pressure has dropped again. I'll need to hook it up to iCarsoft pro to look at the pressure reading, but the air con is making Merc tell-tale hissing/gas groaning noises in the dash, which tend to indicate the pressure is getting low. My air con guy straight away reckons condensor on the front of the car is most likely culprit. Thin aluminium fins, rights in the firing line of salty road water and stone chips. I'll get it de-gassed and DIY this one.
- Nozzel/jet ball had popped out of one of the windscreen jets. New hose required (fixed).
- Upright bonnet star was seriously past its best, with corrosion around the base of the stem. Replaced with new 'anti-theft' removable star.
- Condensation inside the headlights. Replaced the rear bulb covers with modified ones that are a genuine new replacement Merc part number with 'breather' panels installed.
- If the saloon, leaks from around the boot seal resulting in wet boot due to poor condition/cleanness of the boot seal. Thoroughly cleaned with diluted APC and treated with gummi pflege, and all seems good (although I've had no leaks myself, I wanted to get the seals in good condition).
- Cloudy silver trim around the doors/windows, as a result of rubbish car washes using harsh acid chemical cleaners on the car. I've started polishing up with Autosol (I know this is for metal, and not the lacquer on these strips), which is quite abrasive and has taken some of the clouding off, but I also acknowledge this can never be fixed fully. A problem with many Mercs, not just the W212.
- Heavy cars with big heavy engines. I'm expecting engine mounts and gearbox rubbers to need replacing soon, as much on age as on mileage. I'm on 86k miles.

 

[Beardz]

I've had my E220 Estate (2012) for 5 years and on the whole it has been pretty reliable but is now starting to generate niggles.

So far other than usual consumables it has needed;

Leaking pipes for self levelling suspension (pretty common on estates).
Still ongoing issue as suspension at rear keeps sinking, possible sticking valves
Coolant leak possibly (can't see anything under the car, but it is going somewhere), due pressure test this week
Needed DPF regen despite being used on motorways a lot with work

Currently sitting at 122k so over 5 years not bad, but suspect it is time to change. This is my second E Class estate and tbh I will probably go for one of the newer shape ones sooner rather than later

Big fan of E-classes new & old

 

[Deleted member 156365]

My father had the 2011 E220 CDI AMG Line with brown designo leather, as an amazing car all round and sold it at 125k miles due to ULEZ coming into force in London.

The only issue that popped up around 100k miles was a air intake pipe rupturing (plastic became brittle with age). Replaced with a used air intake pipe and with labour the repair was around 250 Euros as we were in Croatia on holiday at the time.