Mercedes-Benz E 500 2008

🚨 What to check before buying

Overall risk score: 10/10

Serious risks

• Hot-V turbo oil leaks: Turbo oil lines and gaskets in the hot V area can leak — oil drips onto exhaust.
• Timing chain tensioner: Chain tensioner can weaken — chain noise on cold start.
• Car is 18 years old — expect age-related wear: rubber seals, bushings, water pump, AC compressor
• Very high mileage (253,250 km) — expect suspension, drivetrain, and turbo wear. Thorough pre-purchase inspection essential.

Additional notes

• Vehicle is 15+ years old. Age-related issues: rubber seals/hoses degrade, electrical connectors corrode, suspension bushings wear. Not specific to any engine, but expect €500-1,500/year in age-related maintenance beyond normal service items.
• Mercedes M278 4.7 V8 twin-turbo with 100k+ km: timing chain tensioners and guides wear, causing rattling on startup. Chain is at the front but still expensive due to engine complexity. Also prone to: turbo actuator failure, air suspension issues (in S/CLS-Class), and expensive sensor failures. Budget €2,000-4,000 for timing chain service.
• Any car with 200k+ km requires extra scrutiny. At this mileage: suspension components are worn (bushings, ball joints, shocks), seals and gaskets are hardened, electrical connectors corrode, and major components approach end-of-life. For luxury cars (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) the cost of 200k+ km maintenance can exceed the car's value. Always get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) and budget 15-25% of purchase price for immediate maintenance.
• Vehicle is 15+ years old. Age-related issues: rubber seals/hoses degrade, electrical connectors corrode, suspension bushings wear. Not specific to any engine, but expect €500-1,500/year in age-related maintenance beyond normal service items.