School me on Mercedes E-Class (W212)

[DonDavis]

Very timely thread.

I will prob start a thread later, but I'm considering moving on from the Land Rover.

Back on topic...I have really enjoyed my Outback wagon. It's a great local/light use vehicle. Maintaining 75mph on the freeway is a chore.

I need a wagon I can drive to Tennessee and back with ease. And W212 is what I think I want. In 4wd/awd or whatever it is.

Great info!!

[RNajarian]

I’ve got a 2010 W212 (E350 Sedan 93,000 miles) and a 2012 W204 (C350 Coupe 104,000 miles)

Except for brakes, tires, oil changes, and windshield wipers we haven’t had any maintenance costs.

The later W212s have better looking dash instrumentation

One issue with the 204 is the top windshield seal is leaking allowing rain to get inside the car. There is a 1/4 gap between the frame and windshield that could easily have some butyl/silicone injected into it which will stop the leak. In the meantime I have put a strip of 2” electrical tape on the top part of the windshield which stopped the leak.


2010 W212 Dash Instrumentation




2012 W204 Dash Instrumentations




Temporary fix of W204 windshield leak.

[DonDavis]

Hmm, this sold June 2021 for $25k.

That’s a lot of vehicle for that money.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2015-mercedes-benz-e350-4matic-wagon/

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by jyl

I recently got a W211 2004 wagon with under 30K miles. Recommend looking for Mercedes owned by old persons who seldom drove them but had the money to have them religiously dealer-maintained.

I’d like comments about how DIY-able these cars are? Do you need the very expensive MB Star scanner system, can you instead get an Autel or similar, or will the cheapo OBDII code readers suffice?

It depends. Lots of info here-https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w212/766737-scanner-3.html
I have an ali star system for my older v12s, and have been very happy with it. It uses the previous c3 multiplexer, newer versions use c4/5. The software is easy, the multiplexers are of varying quality.

[RANDY P]

STAR can be expensive- the version of STAR (actually called DAS) you want for a 212 is the 2014/09 version along with a C3 multiplexer. Works best with these cars (faster) You can buy a Dell D620/630 online with that version preinstalled and pair it with a c3 mux and be in business.

These older cars from W210-W212 actually use DAS, not STAR which is what you're getting with 2014/09 version of diagnostic software.

Newer versions obviously work on newer cars and are typically wireless, and actually use STAR Diagnostics and a wireless C4 multiplexer. If you try to use a newer software on a W212 it will launch DAS and not use STAR, and when it launches it will be slower thanks to wireless so don't bother with the latest setup unless you have plans for a newer car eventually.

With that said, if you buy any cracked version of this stuff expect the little accessories not to work- such as Workshop Info System (WIS) Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC)- none of these add ons are typically complete, so you will typically get complete ability to diagnose and perform actuation, but you will not get the DIY worksheets to do the actual repair, nor the parts catalog.

One last thing- if you do buy one of these Chinese setups, never, ever put it on your wifi network, never let it get online. It will try to call to the mothership which will then update the software and likely lock out your C3 MUX (bad serial number) as copyright protection.

I bought my DAS/Star laptop off ebay from a reputable seller in England, and it's been great. Found a deal on a used c3 MUX there no one bid on, so got that for nothing. Plugged it all in and works like a champ.

I also have MBCARSOFT MBII diagonstic tool, but little instructions and you cannot recode (turn off annoying features) like you can with DAS/STAR. My car has nagging key chimes disabled and the automatic headrest adjustment with seat move turned off (annoying)

rjp

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

With that said, if you buy any cracked version of this stuff expect the little accessories not to work- such as Workshop Info System (WIS) Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC)- none of these add ons are typically complete, so you will typically get complete ability to diagnose and perform actuation, but you will not get the DIY worksheets to do the actual repair, nor the parts catalog.

One last thing- if you do buy one of these Chinese setups, never, ever put it on your wifi network, never let it get online. It will try to call to the mothership which will then update the software and likely lock out your C3 MUX (bad serial number) as copyright protection.

Good points. I have my wireless disabled on the dedicated dell I use for my c3 star, for this reason. My WIS and epc work, but there's also a version posted over on Benzworld with a virtual pc that works with older windows versions. They also have PDF's of Startek Info over there that are useful.

[RANDY P]

Oh and one last thing about STAR/DAS- Developer mode is a hot item- get the ability to recode car and experiment with settings, over and above standard operation. Takes off the 'training wheels' so theoretically you could screw things up bad if you're not careful.

Problem is, Developer mode is entirely in German- fair warning.

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Good points. I have my wireless disabled on the dedicated dell I use for my c3 star, for this reason. My WIS and epc work, but there's also a version posted over on Benzworld with a virtual pc that works with older windows versions. They also have PDF's of Startek Info over there that are useful.

LOL, My WIS I think gives me technical how to's on servicing busses and trucks. It's missing like the 2nd disk of instructions- only high level groupings are there.

Drill down, try to get to a specific subsystem and it's 'file not found'.

I don't worry, if it's something heavy I'll just send it to a shop anyhow. I just wanted to be able to diagnose accurately for basic stuff (dead sensor, that sort of thing) and make changes to convenience settings. Basic OBD reader is all but useless on these cars.

rjp