Mercedes E350/E400 Wagon

I'm thinking about getting a Mercedes E350 or E400 wagon to replace both my Ford Expedition and my Audi A6, mostly for use as a winter ski car and general foul weather driver, and hauler of stuff. A loaner for the kids when they come back to town as well, and maybe some other visitors.

A new one looks to be around $70-72k the way I would option it, but given that I don't plan to put that many miles per year on it, I'm thinking of saving money and buying a used one-- probably right around the end of the warranty period, as that's the big inflection point in value. So 2014-2016.

I'm not afraid at all of owning a car like that out of warranty-- I have a couple of good independent german car mechanics who I use for other cars, and I understand how to get things repaired at a reasonable cost, get things rebuilt rather than replaced, etc. It's a different mindset than owning new.

Anyone have any experience with these cars, any pitfalls, things to avoid, etc?

 

No wagon or Mercedes fans here, I guess?

 

I have a W211 E320 wagon, which is the generation before yours; so not apples to apples.

I would just say anything you'd typically be wary of on a similar age E class sedan applies to the wagon, with the possible addition of self leveling/air ride rear suspension.

they're great cars and perfect for your requirement.

 

You make a good case for it. I'd just take the time to get one with the options you want, and enjoy it!

 

I found a new 2018 E400 wagon at a dealer a few hundred miles from me, at a pretty darn aggressive discount. I pick it up on Monday, so we'll see how it is.

 

Picked up the E400 wagon yesterday, drove it 250 miles home-- fantastic machine! The infotainment/navigation leaves a lot to be desired, especially after owning Teslas for the last 6 years, but aside from that it's phenomenal.

 

Nice, they’re great cars imo. Let’s see some pictures.

 

Sure, here are a few...


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

nice! gotta love E class wagons

 

Slap a ski box on it and you’ll be all set!

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice picture! I'm thinking about that-- any recommendations?

For just my wife and I, I'm also thinking of just lowering the center rear seat and sliding the skis in there.

 

Have 95 E320 wagon, great car!

 

No reason not to just have the skis up between the seats, but the boxes look awesome on wagons - particularly when they’re paint to match. The one I posted above is a Thule Hyper XL Cargo box.

 

I have a 2016 E350 with a normally aspirated V6 and 48,000 trouble free miles
Very practical wagon
Only thing I dislike is the Econo mode as default
If I could keep the S mode constantly....
Otherwise great wagon and beautifull lines

 

FWIW,
We have ‘08 R350 “whatever”..like a sw/like a van..
.doing well,nice ride,drives good..huge back seat,massive Bdoor...front seat seems scrunched up,sun visor bumps your head..must be the roof slant,huge front windshield..
..lines remind of your 400..bet that v-8 will scoot..
Thinking of a 300, or 250 CL,is it..but know the drive ride will be diminished,so there’s that..and buzzy,a I-4? Hmm..idk.

 

Interesting... mine starts in "Comfort" mode-- I've never put it in Econo mode so far (and have no plans to). I only use Sport occasionally, as for driving around in traffic I find Comfort mode to work a bit better.

 

traded my w211 for a w212 this weekend.

it’s an improvement of 1

big upgrade in performance and modern amenities.

Here it is in its natural environment

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

btw mine starts in eco mode as a default. which means stop/start is the default. any way to reprogram that?

 

Mine may be different, but stop/start on is the default. I think that is a regulatory requirement as of some year. I usually turn it off, although actually at a long stop light, I don't mind it. Mine definitely does NOT default to ECO at startup, though.