Mercedes-Benz Klasa E (sedan / kombi) · W212 / S212
Generation 4 2009–2016
The W212 restored Mercedes' reputation for solidity after the W211. Four-cylinder CDI diesels (E 200/220/250) are the volume cars; the OM642 V6 in the E 350 CDI is the smooth long-distance engine; the facelift brought the single-headlight face, LED lights and modern assistance. The S212 estate is the biggest in the class. Early OM651 injector and chain issues, Airmatic ageing and the 7G-Tronic conductor plate are the things to check.
Photo: Charles01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Pre-facelift (2009–2013): twin rectangular headlights on each side, pronounced rear wheel arch 'ponton' crease
- •Facelift (2013–2016): single sweeping headlights with LED strips, smoother flanks, sport grille with big star on Avantgarde/AMG Line
- •S212 estate: long roof, self-levelling rear air suspension standard
2013 facelift
- Single-piece headlights replaced the twin-headlamp face; new grille with the sport (star) or classic (bonnet star) front
- Full LED Intelligent Light System optional; Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and many new assistance systems
- Interior with new dash, analogue clock, revised steering wheel; Avantgarde/Elegance replaced by Avantgarde/AMG Line
- E 350 BlueTEC 252 hp, E 400 biturbo, later 9G-Tronic on some versions
Engines
Engines
E 200 CDI (2.1) · 136 hp
2009–2016
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · RWD
Entry diesel, often taxi and fleet. Same OM651 as the 220.
E 220 CDI (2.1) · 170 hp
2009–2016
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · RWD
The volume W212. Frugal and robust after the early injector recall; loud for a Mercedes. Best with the 7G-Tronic Plus.
E 250 CDI (2.1 twin-turbo) · 204 hp
2009–2016
Diesel · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Twin-turbo OM651 with 500 Nm; brisk and economical, 4MATIC available. Same checks as the 220.
E 300 CDI (3.0 V6) · 231 hp
2011–2016
Diesel · Automatic · RWD
Detuned V6 diesel; smoother than the four, cheaper than the 350.
E 350 CDI (3.0 V6) · 231 hp
2009–2011
Diesel · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Early E 350 CDI with 231 hp: the smooth V6 long-distance choice. Oil cooler seals and swirl flaps are the known items.
E 350 CDI (3.0 V6) · 265 hp
2011–2013
Diesel · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Uprated V6 with 265 hp and 620 Nm; effortless. The pre-facelift enthusiast's diesel.
E 350 BlueTEC (3.0 V6) · 252 hp
2013–2016
Diesel · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Facelift V6 diesel with AdBlue (252 hp, 258 hp from 2014 with 9G-Tronic on some). The best all-round W212.
E 200 CGI (1.8 turbo) · 184 hp
2009–2013
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · RWD
Turbo four with direct injection; timing chain stretch is the known M271 EVO issue. From 2013 the E 200 uses the 2.0 M274.
E 250 CGI (1.8 turbo) · 204 hp
2009–2013
Petrol · Automatic · RWD
Same engine, more boost; same chain concern.
E 200 (2.0 turbo) · 184 hp
2013–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD
Facelift 2.0 turbo four (M274): better than the M271, still watch the camshaft adjusters.
E 250 (2.0 turbo) · 211 hp
2013–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Facelift 2.0 turbo with 211 hp.
E 350 CGI (3.5 V6) · 292 hp
2009–2011
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Direct-injection V6; the late M272 no longer has the balance-shaft issue of early engines. Smooth and thirsty.
E 350 (3.5 V6) · 306 hp
2011–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
M276 V6: one of Mercedes' good modern engines. Undervalued in Poland because it is petrol.
E 400 (3.0 V6 biturbo) · 333 hp
2013–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Facelift twin-turbo V6; fast, refined, rare.
E 500 (5.5 V8) · 388 hp
2009–2011
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Naturally aspirated 5.5 V8 with Airmatic standard; check the M273 balance shaft / idler gear on early engines.
E 500 (4.7 V8 biturbo) · 408 hp
2011–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Twin-turbo V8; timing chain tensioners and turbo oil lines on early M278s. Airmatic standard.
E 63 AMG (6.2 V8) · 525 hp
2009–2011
Petrol · Automatic · RWD
Naturally aspirated 6.2 V8 (M156) with the MCT gearbox; head bolts and camshaft lifters are the known items. A future classic.
E 63 AMG (5.5 V8 biturbo) · 557 hp
2011–2016
Petrol · Automatic · RWD / AWD
Twin-turbo M157: 525 hp base, 557 hp with Performance Package, 585 hp E 63 S (2013+, 4MATIC standard on S in Europe). Very fast; full AMG history essential.
E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid (2.1 diesel hybrid) · 231 hp
2012–2016
Hybrid · Automatic · RWD
Diesel hybrid: extremely economical, but the small battery and hybrid electronics are ageing items.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E 200 CDI (2.1) · 136 hp Diesel · E 200 CDI / BlueTEC · OM651 | 48 | 2009–2016 | Manual / Automatic RWD | Entry diesel, often taxi and fleet. Same OM651 as the 220. | ||
E 220 CDI (2.1) · 170 hp Diesel · E 220 CDI / BlueTEC · OM651 | 90 | 2009–2016 | Manual / Automatic RWD | The volume W212. Frugal and robust after the early injector recall; loud for a Mercedes. Best with the 7G-Tronic Plus. | ||
E 250 CDI (2.1 twin-turbo) · 204 hp Diesel · E 250 CDI / BlueTEC · OM651 | 47 | 2009–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Twin-turbo OM651 with 500 Nm; brisk and economical, 4MATIC available. Same checks as the 220. | ||
E 300 CDI (3.0 V6) · 231 hp Diesel · E 300 CDI / BlueTEC · OM642 | 30 | 2011–2016 | Automatic RWD | Detuned V6 diesel; smoother than the four, cheaper than the 350. | ||
E 350 CDI (3.0 V6) · 231 hp Diesel · E 350 CDI · OM642 | 35 | 2009–2011 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Early E 350 CDI with 231 hp: the smooth V6 long-distance choice. Oil cooler seals and swirl flaps are the known items. | ||
E 350 CDI (3.0 V6) · 265 hp Diesel · E 350 CDI · OM642 LS | 26 | 2011–2013 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Uprated V6 with 265 hp and 620 Nm; effortless. The pre-facelift enthusiast's diesel. | ||
E 350 BlueTEC (3.0 V6) · 252 hp Diesel · E 350 BlueTEC · OM642 LS | 17 | 2013–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Facelift V6 diesel with AdBlue (252 hp, 258 hp from 2014 with 9G-Tronic on some). The best all-round W212. | ||
E 200 CGI (1.8 turbo) · 184 hp Petrol · E 200 CGI · M271 EVO | 65 | 2009–2013 | Manual / Automatic RWD | Turbo four with direct injection; timing chain stretch is the known M271 EVO issue. From 2013 the E 200 uses the 2.0 M274. | ||
E 250 CGI (1.8 turbo) · 204 hp Petrol · E 250 CGI · M271 EVO | 26 | 2009–2013 | Automatic RWD | Same engine, more boost; same chain concern. | ||
E 200 (2.0 turbo) · 184 hp Petrol · E 200 · M274 | 17 | 2013–2016 | Automatic RWD | Facelift 2.0 turbo four (M274): better than the M271, still watch the camshaft adjusters. | ||
E 250 (2.0 turbo) · 211 hp Petrol · E 250 · M274 | 10 | 2013–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Facelift 2.0 turbo with 211 hp. | ||
E 350 CGI (3.5 V6) · 292 hp Petrol · E 350 CGI · M272 DE35 | 28 | 2009–2011 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Direct-injection V6; the late M272 no longer has the balance-shaft issue of early engines. Smooth and thirsty. | ||
E 350 (3.5 V6) · 306 hp Petrol · E 350 · M276 | 30 | 2011–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | M276 V6: one of Mercedes' good modern engines. Undervalued in Poland because it is petrol. | ||
E 400 (3.0 V6 biturbo) · 333 hp Petrol · E 400 · M276 DELA30 | 6 | 2013–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Facelift twin-turbo V6; fast, refined, rare. | ||
E 500 (5.5 V8) · 388 hp Petrol · E 500 · M273 | 9 | 2009–2011 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Naturally aspirated 5.5 V8 with Airmatic standard; check the M273 balance shaft / idler gear on early engines. | ||
E 500 (4.7 V8 biturbo) · 408 hp Petrol · E 500 · M278 | 7 | 2011–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Twin-turbo V8; timing chain tensioners and turbo oil lines on early M278s. Airmatic standard. | ||
E 63 AMG (6.2 V8) · 525 hp Petrol · E 63 AMG · M156 | 1 | 2009–2011 | Automatic RWD | Naturally aspirated 6.2 V8 (M156) with the MCT gearbox; head bolts and camshaft lifters are the known items. A future classic. | ||
E 63 AMG (5.5 V8 biturbo) · 557 hp Petrol · E 63 AMG / E 63 S · M157 | 8 | 2011–2016 | Automatic RWD / AWD | Twin-turbo M157: 525 hp base, 557 hp with Performance Package, 585 hp E 63 S (2013+, 4MATIC standard on S in Europe). Very fast; full AMG history essential. | ||
E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid (2.1 diesel hybrid) · 231 hp Hybrid · E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid · OM651 + electric | 4 | 2012–2016 | Automatic RWD | Diesel hybrid: extremely economical, but the small battery and hybrid electronics are ageing items. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Classic
commonequipment line
2009–2013
Entry line: cloth or Artico, 16-inch wheels, bonnet star. Many taxis.
Elegance
commonequipment line
2009–2013
Chrome details, wood, comfort suspension, bonnet star.
Avantgarde
commonequipment line
2009–2016
Sport grille with large star, lowered suspension, 17–18 inch wheels, darker interior trim. The most common Polish spec.
AMG Line / AMG Sports package
commonequipment line
2009–2016
AMG bumpers and side skirts, AMG wheels, sports seats, flat-bottom wheel, sports suspension. Styling and seats: the engine is unchanged.
Watch out: 'Pakiet AMG' is claimed from wheels alone or from a retrofitted bumper; check seats, steering wheel and pedals too.
E 63 AMG / E 63 S
rareperformance model
2009–2016
Full AMG car: AMG V8, MCT/Speedshift gearbox, AMG suspension and brakes, wide front track.
Watch out: AMG Line cars are often listed as 'AMG'; a real E 63 has the 6.2 or 5.5 biturbo V8 and the VIN shows it.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
Airmatic air suspension
Standard on E 500/E 63, optional elsewhere; the comfort option that defines a good W212. Ages like all air systems.
Struts and compressor age; budget several thousand PLN per corner.
rare
Multicontour seats with ventilation / massage
Ventilated, massaging multicontour seats are rare and expensive originally; a clear marker of a rich order.
rare
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound
Rare flagship audio on later cars.
uncommon
LED Intelligent Light System
Facelift (2013+) full-LED adaptive lights; a real night-driving upgrade.
uncommon
Distronic Plus
Radar cruise, on the facelift with steering assist; makes the E the continental cruiser it is.
rare
Head-up display
Facelift-only option, rare.
very rare
Night View Assist
Rare thermal camera option.
uncommon
360° camera
Facelift option; useful on a large sedan.
rare
Soft-close doors
Luxury detail from a rich order.
common
AMG Line / AMG Sports package
AMG bumpers, wheels, sports seats; what buyers picture as a sporty E.
common
Harman Kardon Logic7
The common premium audio.
uncommon
Panoramic sliding roof
Light and appeal; check drains.
common
COMAND Online navigation
The full COMAND system rather than Audio 20.
common
Keyless-Go
Keyless entry and start.
uncommon
Thermotronic four-zone climate
Rear climate controls.
uncommon
Heated rear seats
Comfort marker.
uncommon
Tow bar
Practical; common on estates.
common
18–19 inch AMG wheels
Visual.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Solid body and interior quality; W212 corrected the W211's electronic and rust troubles
- +OM651 and OM642 diesels are durable once the early items were addressed
- +Comfort and long-distance refinement remain class-leading
- +S212 estate is the most practical car in the segment
Expensive when they fail
Airmatic7G-Tronic repairsOM642 oil cooler seals (labour)AMG engine workLED ILS headlamps
Polish market
Second only to the BMW 5 Series in supply. Pre-facelift 220 CDI Avantgarde cars are everywhere, often ex-taxi or fleet; facelift E 250/E 350 BlueTEC with history are the cars worth travelling for. Petrol E 350/E 400 are undervalued.
Known weak points
- moderateOM651 injectors and timing chain (early 2.1 diesels)Early OM651s (2009–2011) had Delphi injector problems (recalled) and a small share of timing chain / sprocket wear; later cars are much better.Check: Ask whether injectors were replaced under recall and listen for chain rattle at cold start.
- moderateOM642 V6 oil cooler seals, swirl flaps and turboOil cooler seals in the V leak (labour-heavy), intake swirl flaps and the turbo actuator wear; the EGR and DPF age like all diesels.Check: Ask whether the oil cooler seals were done; look for oil in the V of the engine.
- seriousM271 EVO timing chain (1.8 turbo petrol)Timing chain and camshaft adjuster wear; rattle at start and fault codes.Check: Cold-start video; ask about chain replacement.
- moderate7G-Tronic conductor plate and torque converterThe 722.9 gearbox's conductor plate (speed sensors) and the torque converter lock-up clutch can fail; fluid changes every 60,000 km help.Check: Ask for gearbox fluid change records; feel for shudder at 40–60 km/h and harsh downshifts.
- moderateAirmaticAir struts and the compressor age; sagging overnight is the sign. Standard on E 500 / E 63 and estates' rear axle.Check: Ask for a morning photo after standing; ask about strut replacements.
- moderateSteering lock (ESL) and electronicsElectronic steering lock failures immobilise pre-facelift cars; SBC is gone but the ESL is the W212's known electronic weak point.Check: Ask whether the steering lock was replaced or fails to release intermittently.
- noteRust on early carsRarely serious, but early W212s can show corrosion at the tailgate/boot lid edges and around the wheel arches.Check: Check boot lid edges and arches with a magnet or gauge.
- seriousAMG engines (E 63)M156 head bolts and lifters; M157 turbo oil lines and chain tensioners. Budget accordingly.Check: Insist on complete AMG service history and an inspection.
- moderateImports and mileageMost Polish W212s are German imports; corrected odometers occur, especially on taxi-spec 200/220 CDI.Check: Ask for VIN and previous inspection records; compare wear to the stated mileage.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 509 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 Diesel · 170 hp 220 CDI 7G-TRONIC Avantgarde | 15% | 34 999 PLN | 266 500 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD / AWD |
1.8 Petrol · 184 hp 200 CGI BlueEff | 12% | 38 900 PLN | 197 869 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD |
3.0 Diesel · 231 hp 350 CDI BlueEff | 11% | 35 500 PLN | 305 000 km | Automatic · RWD / AWD |
2.1 Diesel · 204 hp 250 CDI 7G-TRONIC | 8% | 39 999 PLN | 266 754 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD / AWD |
2.1 Diesel · 136 hp 200 BlueTEC 7G-TRONIC Elegance | 8% | 31 900 PLN | 299 000 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD |
3.5 Petrol · 306 hp 350 4-Matic Avantgarde | 5% | 58 000 PLN | 153 000 km | Automatic · AWD / RWD |
1.8 Petrol · 204 hp 250 CGI BlueEff | 5% | 43 000 PLN | 185 000 km | Automatic / Manual · RWD |
3.5 Petrol · 292 hp 350 CGI BlueEff | 4% | 45 500 PLN | 199 462 km | Automatic · RWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- 350 CDI BlueEff14
- 220 CDI 7G-TRONIC5
- 350 CGI BlueEff5
- 250 CGI BlueEff5
- 200 CGI BlueEff4
- 350 CDI 4-Matic BlueEff3
- 250 CDI 7G-TRONIC3
- 200 7G-TRONIC Avantgarde3
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Radio 100%Multifunction steering wheel 97%Rain sensor 97%Electric front windows 97%Leather steering wheel 93%Electric door mirrors 93%Power steering 93%ESP stability control 93%Electric driver seat 90%Front armrest 90%Electric rear windows 90%Heated door mirrors 90%Driver airbag 90%Passenger airbag 90%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
Facelift E 350 BlueTEC (2013–2016) with Airmatic and LED ILS
The most complete W212: smooth V6, modern lights and assistance.
E 250 CDI / BlueTEC facelift with documented history
Economy and pace with the later, better OM651.
E 350 M276 petrol for quiet running
Reliable V6 at diesel prices.