Mercedes Classe E W212 (2009 – 2016)

Reliability score : 7.6/10

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 (Sedan) and S212 (Estate) marked a crucial turning point for the brand, deliberately engineered to restore the legendary reliability lost during the W210 and early W211 eras. Featuring a sharp, angular design with quad headlamps initially, it received a massive facelift in 2013 (MY2014) that softened the styling, integrated the headlights, and introduced major technological and powertrain upgrades. Positioned as the quintessential executive car, the W212 is renowned for its exceptional highway cruising comfort, robust build quality, and vast array of powertrains. This guide focuses heavily on the highly popular diesel engines (OM651 4-cylinder and OM642 V6), which are capable of astronomical mileages but require strict adherence to maintenance schedules and a

✅ Strengths

Exceptional build quality and interior materials, especially on facelift models (2013+).
Outstanding highway ride comfort and cabin insulation.
OM642 V6 Diesel offers a perfect blend of torque, refinement, and fuel economy.
Estate (S212) offers class-leading cargo capacity (up to 1,950 liters) and standard rear self-leveling air suspension.
Advanced safety features for its era (Pre-Safe, Blind Spot, Lane Keep Assist).
9G-Tronic transmission (introduced late in the run on specific models) is superb.

⚠️ Weaknesses

OM651 timing chain is located at the rear of the engine, making replacement extremely labor-intensive.
OM642 oil cooler seal replacement is a guaranteed, expensive maintenance item (10+ hours labor).
Airmatic suspension (optional on sedans, standard on V8s/Estate rears) air springs and compressors will eventually fail and are costly.
Early 7G-Tronic transmissions can be jerky and suffer from conductor plate failures if fluid changes are ignored.
M271 1.8L petrol engine is plagued by timing chain and camshaft adjuster issues.
Foot-operated parking brake feels dated compared to electronic systems of rivals.

🎯 Verdict

The W212 E-Class is a return to form for Mercedes-Benz, offering tank-like build quality and supreme comfort. If you are buying a diesel, the facelifted models (2014-2016) are highly recommended. The E220 CDI (OM651) is a brilliant workhorse, provided the oil has been changed frequently and you budget for a potential timing chain replacement around 200,000 km. The E350 BlueTEC (OM642) is the ultimate cruiser, but you must ensure the oil cooler seals have been replaced with the updated Viton parts. Avoid the early M271 petrol engines entirely. A well-maintained, post-2013 W212 is one of the best used luxury cars on the market today.