Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E 220 CDI, 150 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €528 | €3,200 | 228 | Diesel | 646DE22 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2006 |
| E 200 Kompressor, 163 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €532 | €4,800 | 171 | Natural gas / Petrol | 271956, 271E18 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2006 |
| E 240, 177 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €616 | €4,499 | 144 | Petrol | 112E26 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2005 |
| E 240, 177 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €617 | €4,499 | 144 | Petrol | 112E26 | Automatic (5) | 2003–2005 |
| E 320, 224 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €619 | €4,850 | 132 | Petrol | 112E32 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2004 |
| E 320, 224 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €623 | €4,850 | 132 | Petrol | 112E32 | Automatic (5) | 2003–2004 |
| E 500, 306 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €671 | €8,500 | 102 | Petrol | 113E50 | Automatic (5) | 2003–2006 |
| E 500, 306 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €644 | €8,500 | 102 | Petrol | 113E50 | Automatic (7) | 2002–2006 |
| E 270 CDI, 177 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €552 | €3,299 | 97 | Diesel | 647DE27 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2005 |
| E 280 CDI DPF, 177 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €566 | €3,500 | 89 | Diesel | 642920 | Automatic (5) | 2004–2005 |
| E 220 CDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €520 | €3,000 | 84 | Diesel | 646DE22 | Manual (6) | 2002–2006 |
| E 350, 272 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €595 | €5,500 | 79 | Petrol | 272972 | Automatic (5) | 2004–2006 |
| E 350, 272 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €574 | €5,500 | 79 | Petrol | 272964 | Automatic (7) | 2004–2006 |
| E 320 CDI, 204 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €584 | €3,250 | 76 | Diesel | 648DE32 | Automatic (5) | 2002–2005 |
| E 320 CDI DPF, 224 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €607 | €4,199 | 61 | Diesel | 642921 | Automatic (5) | 2005–2006 |
| E 320 CDI DPF, 224 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €560 | €4,199 | 61 | Diesel | 642920 | Automatic (7) | 2005–2006 |
| E 200 Kompressor, 163 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €508 | €3,990 | 59 | Petrol | 271E18 | Manual (6) | 2002–2006 |
Show all 17 variants
At a glance
- Years: 2002 to 2009, with a facelift in 2006. Saloon and estate.
- Reliability: 2/5. Brakes, air suspension and timing chains fail often enough to budget for.
- DIY: 2/5. Brake and air suspension faults need a scanner, and chain jobs need a workshop.
- Biggest risks: SBC brake faults before the 2006 facelift, air suspension leaks, stretched timing chains, and rust on arches and sills.
- Prefer: facelift cars from 2006 on, which have conventional brakes instead of SBC. Avoid: pre-2006 cars with brake warnings, and cars that sag after parking.
Engines and gearboxes
- M271 1.8 petrol (E 200 Kompressor): the timing chain stretches. See the chain detail.
- M112 V6 (to 2005): the crank pulley can loosen. See the crank pulley detail.
- M272 V6 and M273 V8: timing chains stretch, and the M272 balance-shaft gear wears early. See the M272 and M273 detail.
- OM642 3.0 V6 diesel (E 280, E 320 CDI): oil cooler seals harden and leak. See the OM642 detail.
- 7G-Tronic 722.9 automatic: see the 7G-Tronic guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBC brake faults before the 2006 facelift | Cars built 2002 to 2006 | Control unit about 100,000-150,000 km | Unit about 1,200 EUR in parts plus 3-5 hours labour (Germany, year not stated) |
| Airmatic air suspension leaks and compressor failure | Cars with Airmatic | Bellows about 80,000-120,000 km | Two rear bellows 2,500-3,500 EUR; compressor 1,000-1,300 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| M272 and M273 timing chain and balance-shaft gear wear | M272 V6 (about 2004-2007), M273 V8 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| M271 timing chain stretch | M271 1.8 petrol | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| OM642 oil cooler seals and EKAS intake flap actuator | OM642 3.0 V6 diesel | Not stated | Intake flap actuator just under 2,000 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| M112 crank pulley and tensioner | M112 V6 to 2005 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Chassis, ball joints, tie rods and steering play | All cars | Steering play about 300,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Rust at rear arches, sills and the tailgate | All cars, mostly before 2006 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for proof that the M272 or M273 chain was replaced, and whether the balance-shaft gear was done. Bad result: no proof, or a knock from the engine.
- Check the car after it has stood overnight. A sag or a "car too low" warning points to a leak. A scanner reads compressor run time: 40-80 hours per 100,000 km is normal, over 200 hours means a leak. Two rear bellows cost 2,500-3,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
- On cars built 2002 to 2006, a scanner reads the SBC pump run time. Bad result: a red brake warning, a pump that runs over 15 seconds to reach pressure, or an accumulator that holds pressure for less than 30 minutes. A new unit costs about 1,200 EUR in parts plus 3-5 hours labour (Germany, year not stated).
- Start the car cold and listen for a rattle at the timing cover. Ask whether the chain and sprockets were changed. Bad result: a rattle.
- Look for fresh oil at the back of the engine and in the coolant. Bad result: oil in the coolant. The intake flap actuator repair is just under 2,000 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
- Listen for a knock at idle, and check the crank pulley for play. Bad result: a loose pulley. This can cause major engine damage.
- Turn the wheel lock to lock, then drive over bumps. Bad result: play in the steering or knocks from the front joints. Steering play is typical after about 300,000 km.
- On a lift, check the rear wheel arches, sills, lower door edges and tailgate for bubbling or holed metal. Check the boot for water. Bad result: holes, or water that corrodes the rear electronics box (SAM).
Running costs
| Operational | €271 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €146 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €161 |
| Total per month | €578 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €80 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,585
- 25th percentile
- €2,800
- Median price
- €3,998
- 75th percentile
- €5,890
- Median mileage
- 246,730 km
- Median first registration
- 2004
- Dealer share
- 24.2%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €6,774
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
SBC brake faults before the 2006 facelift
Symptoms: a red brake warning, a soft brake pedal, and the code C149F ("system pressure too low"). With serious faults the automatic gearbox will not go into Drive.
Cause: SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) uses an electric pump to fill a pressure store, the accumulator. If the pump control fails, the accumulator is not filled enough. The backup battery can also fail over the years.
Which cars: built 2002 to the 2006 facelift. Facelift cars use conventional brakes.
Life: the hydraulic control unit lasts about 100,000-150,000 km.
Fix: a new accumulator costs about 380 EUR in parts. A complete unit costs about 1,200 EUR in parts, plus 3-5 hours labour (Germany, year not stated). Mercedes ran recall campaigns in 2004 and 2005 and replaced hydraulic units.
In the US, a recall (campaign 2005110001) fixed a loose ground wire on the SBC pump. No European recall for that wire is confirmed.
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: SBC brake problems, CarWiki: E-Klasse problems, kolesa.ru: W211 with mileage, body and brakes, MBUSA recall letter 2005110001
Airmatic air suspension leaks and compressor failure
Symptoms: the car sags overnight or after parking, often on one side or at the rear. The compressor runs for long periods, and the warning light comes on with fault code C1044 ("level deviation").
Cause: Airmatic is the air suspension. Its rubber bellows (air springs) crack from UV and ozone, typically after 80,000-120,000 km. The compressor overheats if it runs against a leak. The air dryer saturates, and the valve block's seals harden and leak slowly.
Which cars: cars with Airmatic.
Checks: a height difference of more than 10 mm points to the bellows or valve block.
Fix: a bellows takes about 1.5 hours per side. Replace the air dryer when the compressor is changed.
Cost, Germany, year not stated: two rear bellows 2,500-3,500 EUR. A compressor 1,000-1,300 EUR, of which parts are about 600 EUR.
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Airmatic diagnosis, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 buying advice, CarWiki: Airmatic problems
M272 and M273 timing chain and balance-shaft gear wear
Symptoms: a rattle or timing fault codes. A stretched chain can cause major engine damage.
Cause: on the M272, the balance-shaft sprocket is made of weak material and wears early. The timing chain then loses its timing. M273 V8 chains also stretch.
Which cars: M272 V6 built about 2004 to 2007 (sources say end 2006 or 2007). M273 V8 (E 500), with cars built to September 2006 named most at risk.
Fix: the sprocket repair usually needs the engine out. Ask a dealer whether a service campaign was done (the dealer system shows it).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 typical faults, Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems, 8020 Automotive: M272 problems
M271 timing chain stretch
Symptoms: a rattle from the timing cover, most often on a cold start. A stretched chain can jump and damage the engine.
Cause: the chain stretches, and the sprockets wear with it. The cam-adjuster solenoid leaks oil, which can soak the wiring loom.
Which cars: E 200 Kompressor and E 200 NGT.
Fix: replace the chain with its sprockets. An oil-stop cable (part number A2711502733) stops oil reaching the solenoid.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: CarWiki: E-Klasse problems, Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems
OM642 oil cooler seals and EKAS intake flap actuator
Symptoms: oil at the back of the engine, and oil in the cooling system. The intake flap actuator (EKAS) can fail.
Cause: the oil cooler seals harden with age and leak. Turbo oil leaks damage the EKAS actuator. An exhaust manifold material fault sends particles into the turbo, mostly on older cars.
Which cars: E 280 and E 320 CDI.
Fix: a new oil cooler seal is labour-heavy, because the intake section has to come off. The EKAS actuator repair costs just under 2,000 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 typical faults, CarWiki: E-Klasse problems, Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems
M112 crank pulley and tensioner
Symptoms: a rattle, a knock or uneven running. A loose crank pulley can cause major engine damage.
Cause: the crank pulley can loosen, and the timing tensioner often breaks.
Which cars: E 240 and E 320 V6 to 2005.
Fix and cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: CarWiki: E-Klasse problems, Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems
Chassis, ball joints, tie rods and steering play
Symptoms: play in the steering, knocks over bumps, and looser handling. Chassis faults can make the car fail the TÜV inspection.
Cause: tie rods, ball joints and rear axle bushes wear. Steering racks show play after about 300,000 km.
Which cars: all cars.
Fix and cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: W 211 used-car test, Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems, kolesa.ru: W211 with mileage, body and brakes
Rust at rear arches, sills and the tailgate
Symptoms: bubbling or holed metal at the rear wheel arches, sills, lower door edges, the tailgate and the underbody. Trim can hide the sills.
Cause: the paint and rust protection of pre-2006 cars was weak. Water collects behind the tailgate chrome strip.
Which cars: found on some cars, mostly before the 2006 facelift.
Water: water from a leaking tailgate seal or the boot corrodes the rear electronics box (SAM). Fix the water source first. Replacing the SAM alone will not solve it.
Fix and cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 typical faults, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 buying advice, kolesa.ru: W211 with mileage, body and brakes
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | not given | 2004 and 2005 | SBC hydraulic units replaced |
In the US, a recall (campaign 2005110001) covers the SBC pump ground wire on 2003-2005 E-Class cars. No European recall for that wire is confirmed. Check open campaigns for your VIN with a Mercedes dealer.
Maintenance
- Replace the timing chain with its sprockets when it stretches. Early replacement can save the sprockets.
- Replace the air dryer when the Airmatic compressor is changed.
- Replace the SBC backup battery when it fails.
- Keep the tailgate seal and boot dry, so water does not reach the rear electronics box.
Sources
English
German
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 typical faults
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: SBC brake problems
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Airmatic diagnosis
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: W211 buying advice
- CarWiki: E-Klasse problems
- CarWiki: Airmatic problems
- Gebrauchtwagenberater: W211 problems
- AUTO BILD: W 211 used-car test