A refined German executive sedan known for luxury, comfort, and advanced technology. The M264 2.0L turbo engine is generally reliable but has a documented cylinder head valve guide issue affecting early examples, particularly 2019-2021 models. The 9G-Tronic transmission is smooth but can exhibit minor jerkiness when cold. Airmatic air suspension is comfortable but expensive when it fails. Common issues include parasitic battery drain, turbo oil line leaks (2020 recall), carbon buildup on intake valves, and interior rattles. Mercedes has extended cylinder head warranty on the related M260 engine but not yet on the M264. Choose post-2021 models for fewer issues, or ensure comprehensive warranty coverage.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€1,650 - €3,100/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€700-1,200
Risk buffer
€950-1,900
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
M264 cylinder head valve guide failure€5,000 - €10,000
Design flaw with soft valve stem guides causes catastrophic failure, common 20,000-55,000 km · more· less
The M264 engine suffers from soft cylinder head valve stem guides - a confirmed design flaw Mercedes is aware of. Forum data suggests approximately 1% failure rate based on owner reports, with most failures occurring between 20,000-55,000 km, though some happen as early as 7 months out of warranty. Symptoms include misfires, rough running, sudden loss of power, and check engine lights. One owner's 2020 GLC with 39,500 miles suffered catastrophic failure requiring complete cylinder head replacement quoted at €5,500-6,000 in the US (€5,000-7,500 in Europe). Mercedes has extended cylinder head warranty to 15 years/241,000 km on the related M260 engine but has not yet done so for the M264. Class action lawsuits are pending. Affects primarily 2019-2021 models. Mercedes sometimes offers goodwill repairs for out-of-warranty failures at 60-70% coverage.
Airmatic air suspension failure€1,200 - €6,000
Air struts leak, compressor fails, causing vehicle sagging and ride height errors · more· less
The W213 E-Class with Airmatic air suspension is prone to common failures: air strut leaks (€1,200-2,000 per strut), compressor malfunctions (€1,100-1,500), and valve block issues (€400-900). Symptoms include vehicle sagging on one corner, "Vehicle too low" warnings, compressor running constantly, and uneven ride height. The Airmatic compressor relay is known to stick, causing the pump to run continuously even when the engine is off, severely draining the battery. Most failures occur after 60,000-100,000 km. At Mercedes dealers, total system overhaul can cost €4,000-6,000+. Independent specialists charge 30-50% less. Aftermarket parts (Arnott, Bilstein) can significantly reduce costs. Some owners convert to conventional coil suspension (€1,500-3,000) to avoid future Airmatic repairs.
Turbocharger failure / oil line leak€2,500 - €7,000
W213 E-Class turbocharger issues include actuator failures causing limp mode and EPC warning lights, particularly if driven gently or only on short trips as carbon builds up. There was a June 2020 recall for 2020 E350 models: assembly plant failed to properly tighten turbocharger oil feed and return lines, potentially causing oil leaks and fire risk. Symptoms of turbo failure include reduced power, excessive smoke (blue/white/black), high-pitched whining or whistling noise, and rattling if bearings fail. Turbo replacement costs €4,000-7,000 at dealers due to high parts cost (€4,500+) and labor (16+ hours, as engine may need removal). Actuator-only repairs at specialists cost €500-800 if caught early. Average turbo lifespan is 100,000-125,000 km with proper maintenance. Using premium fuel and occasional spirited driving helps prevent carbon buildup and actuator sticking.
Rough shifts (especially 1st to 2nd when cold), delayed engagement, valve body issues · more· less
The 9G-Tronic transmission in the W213 is generally reliable but owners commonly report rough or jerky shifting, especially from neutral to 1st or 1st to 2nd gear, both when cold and warm. Some experience delayed gear changes or jolts during brisk acceleration. Causes include slight valve body miscalibration, sticky solenoids, low fluid pressure, or faulty speed sensors. Mercedes dealers often say the behavior is "within range" even when noticeable. Solutions include software updates (covered under warranty if applicable), transmission fluid change every 4-5 years (€200-400), valve body replacement (€1,500-2,500), or solenoid replacement (€800-1,500). The transmission typically improves after the break-in period of 1,000+ km. Using STAR diagnostic tool helps identify specific fault codes. Overall, the 9G-Tronic is much improved over the older 7G-Tronic, and most issues can be resolved with software calibration.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€400 - €1,200
Direct injection causes carbon deposits, requires walnut blasting after 60,000-100,000 km · more· less
The M264 2.0L turbo uses direct injection, which causes carbon buildup on intake valves over time as fuel doesn't wash over them. Symptoms include rough idling, decreased acceleration, poor fuel economy, and misfires. Typically becomes noticeable after 60,000-100,000 km. The most effective cleaning method is walnut blasting: removing the intake manifold and using compressed air and crushed walnut shells to blast carbon deposits off the valves. Cost varies by shop: independent specialists charge €400-700, Mercedes dealers €800-1,200. The process takes 3-5 hours. Some newer Mercedes models include port injectors alongside direct injection to prevent this issue, but the M264 in many W213 E-Classes is direct injection only. Using premium fuel and occasional highway driving helps slow carbon accumulation. Preventive cleaning every 80,000-100,000 km is recommended.
Parasitic battery drain (12V system)€150 - €800
Control modules fail to sleep, draining battery within days if not driven · more· less
W213 E-Class owners commonly report battery drain when the car sits for more than a few days. Normal parasitic draw should be under 50 mA; anything higher indicates a problem. Common culprits include COMAND/MBUX infotainment staying powered (up to 278 mA draw reported), Audio Gateway modules, passenger seat adjustment/memory modules, overhead control module, and stuck relays. Symptoms: dead battery after 3-7 days parked, or needing jump-starts. Diagnosis requires multimeter testing (waiting 15-30 minutes for modules to sleep) and systematically pulling fuses to isolate the problem circuit. Mercedes STAR diagnostic tool can show which modules aren't sleeping. Solutions vary: software update (free under warranty), replacing faulty control module (€300-800), or fixing stuck relays. Battery replacement costs €150-250. Enable Battery Saver mode in vehicle settings to reduce drain. If persistent, consider disconnecting battery or using trickle charger when parked for extended periods.
COMAND/MBUX infotainment freezing€500 - €2,500
Screen freezes, unresponsive touch controls, system crashes require reboot or replacement · more· less
The COMAND/MBUX infotainment system in the W213 is prone to freezing, sluggish operation, and unresponsive controls. Symptoms include frozen screen, inability to change radio stations, time freezing, unresponsive navigation, and the system stuck on one function. Causes include software glitches, corrupted firmware, failing internal components, poor CAN communication, or low battery voltage during boot-up. Quick fix: press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds to perform a soft reset. If that fails, disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Most dealers recommend firmware updates (€100-300) to address known bugs. If hardware is faulty, control unit replacement costs €1,500-2,500. Some owners report the issue occurs once a year or so, usually resolved by turning off the car for 10 minutes. Mercedes-Benz tells owners to bring the car to a dealer if the system doesn't reset itself. Software glitches are more common than hardware failures.
Spark plug and ignition coil failure€250 - €800
Premature wear causes misfires, typically around 60,000-100,000 km · more· less
The M264 engine commonly experiences premature spark plug and ignition coil wear. Symptoms include engine misfires (P0300 code and cylinder-specific codes like P0301-P0304), rough running, poor acceleration, check engine light, and reduced fuel economy. Causes include normal wear exacerbated by direct injection carbon buildup and engine design characteristics. Spark plugs should be replaced every 50,000-80,000 km (Mercedes official interval is around 60,000 km). Ignition coils commonly fail around 100,000 km or 7 years. Parts cost: spark plugs €50-100 for a set of 4, ignition coils €40-80 each. At independent shops, full replacement (4 plugs + 4 coils) costs €400-600 including labor. Mercedes dealers charge €600-800. DIY costs under €200 if you do it yourself. Bosch is the OEM manufacturer; avoid BERU aftermarket coils. Replacing both plugs and coils together at 100,000 km is recommended preventive maintenance. Using premium fuel helps reduce carbon deposits.
Timing chain tensioner wear€1,500 - €3,000
Chain stretches, tensioner loses pressure causing cold start rattle around 100,000 km · more· less
The M264 engine is improved over the problematic M274, but timing chain issues still occur. The tensioner has a release valve that weakens over time, allowing oil pressure to bleed off overnight. This results in a distinctive rattle for 1-30 seconds on cold start, typically appearing between 60,000-100,000 km. If the rattle lasts more than a few seconds, the chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets all need replacing. Mercedes has updated the tensioner part number. Ignoring this can lead to chain skip and catastrophic valve/piston contact resulting in complete engine damage. Replacement cost is €1,500-2,000 at independent specialists, €2,500-3,000 at Mercedes dealers. The M264 uses a timing chain (not belt), so no regular replacement interval is specified, but proactive replacement around 100,000-120,000 km is recommended if any rattling is heard. Regular oil changes with proper MB-approved oil help extend tensioner life.
Gaskets degrade over time, visible spots under car and burning oil smell · more· less
Oil leaks are common on W213 E-Class models, originating from valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, or turbocharger oil lines. Symptoms include visible oil spots under the vehicle, burning oil smell, or low oil level warnings. The valve cover gasket degrades due to heat and pressure over time. For the M264 4-cylinder engine, valve cover gasket replacement costs €400-800 at independent shops, €800-1,200 at dealers. Turbo oil line leaks (subject to 2020 recall for improperly tightened lines) can cost €300-600 to repair. Oil pan gasket replacement is €400-700. Labor is significant as these parts require removing engine covers and accessories. Before authorizing valve cover gasket replacement, verify the leak isn't from camshaft sensors, which is a cheaper fix. Regular inspection for oil leaks during service is recommended, especially on cars over 80,000 km or 5+ years old.
Trim pieces, vents, and panels develop annoying rattles over time · more· less
Interior rattles are a common annoyance reported by W213 E-Class owners. Rattles come from door panels (both low and high), dashboard trim, air vent surrounds, MBUX screen housing, and under the dashboard. While not expensive to fix, addressing them may require multiple dealership visits. Common fixes include: applying felt tape or foam padding behind trim pieces, tightening loose screws and clips, padding speaker grilles, and securing door panel clips. Many owners report this is their "4th Mercedes with some sort of rattle." Temperature changes cause plastic to expand/contract at different rates, creating gaps. DIY fixes using 3M felt tape cost under €50. Dealer labor to diagnose and fix multiple rattle sources can cost €200-400. These are cosmetic annoyances rather than mechanical failures, but they detract from the premium ownership experience. Most common on cars with larger wheels due to more road vibration transmitted through the chassis.
Good overall reliability for a luxury car, but watch for M264 cylinder head
The W213 E-Class represents a significant improvement over the problematic W212 generation. The M264 engine is generally reliable but has a documented cylinder head valve guide defect affecting roughly 1-2% of engines, primarily 2019-2021 models. Most other issues are typical luxury car maintenance items with higher-than-average costs. Choose post-2021 models to minimize risk, ensure comprehensive service history, and consider extended warranty coverage given the potential for expensive repairs. Independent Mercedes specialists can reduce costs by 30-50% versus dealers.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Mercedes dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify oil changes with MB-approved oil at proper intervals.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), uneven wear. W213 uses 225/50R17 to 245/40R19 depending on trim. Budget €600-1,200 for full set.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for rust (rare on aluminum body), accident damage, paint mismatch indicating repairs.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including varied speeds to get transmission and engine fully warm.
Specific for this vehicle
M264 cylinder head - check engine performance
Watch for misfires, rough running, or check engine light. Request diagnostic scan for cylinder-specific fault codes. This is critical on 2019-2021 models.
Airmatic suspension operation (if equipped)
Check for sagging on any corner, "Vehicle too low" warnings, or uneven ride height. Listen for compressor running excessively. Lean on each corner - should rise back smoothly.
Test COMAND/MBUX infotainment thoroughly
Test all touchpad controls, voice commands, navigation, screen responsiveness. Check for freezing or lag.
Battery and parasitic drain test
Ask seller if battery has been replaced or if car needs jump-starts after sitting. Check battery manufacture date.
Turbocharger operation
Accelerate hard from low RPM. Should boost smoothly without hesitation, smoke, or EPC warning light. No whining or whistling noises.
9G-Tronic transmission shifts
Drive for 15+ minutes to warm transmission. Check for smooth shifting, especially 1st to 2nd. Minor jerkiness when cold is normal.
Interior rattles
Drive on rough roads. Listen for rattles from doors, dashboard, vents. Minor rattles are common and not a dealbreaker.
Oil leaks
Look under the car and in engine bay for oil residue around valve cover, turbo area, and oil pan.
Verify recalls completed
Contact Mercedes with VIN to verify all recalls addressed, especially 2020 turbo oil line recall and 2024 ground connection recall if applicable.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Turbo oil line improper tightening - fire risk (2020 E350)Verify completed
Starting current limiter overload - fire risk (2017)Verify completed
Ground connections overheating (2024 models)Check if applicable
Transmission wiring harness routing (2024 models)Check if applicable
MBUX software error - cross-traffic alert (2024)Check if applicable
80-Amp fuse manufacturing defect (2023-2024)Check if applicable
Exit warning system software error (2023)Check if applicable
Fuel pump failure (2021-2023)Check if applicable
Contact Mercedes-Benz with the VIN to verify all recalls completed. The 2017 starting current limiter recall was significant (1 million vehicles worldwide, 51 fires reported). The 2020 turbo oil line recall is critical for fire safety. Use official Mercedes recall checker at mbusa.com/en/recall or visit a local dealer.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (4 years / 80,000 km)Expired on most used cars
Extended warranty available€1,500-3,000/year
M264 cylinder head warranty extensionNot yet announced
Most used W213 E-Class models (2016-2020) are outside the original 4-year/80,000 km factory warranty. Mercedes Extended Warranty is available and covers mechanical/electrical failures throughout the UK and Continental Europe (including Netherlands). Must be contracted within first 24 months from registration, can extend up to 10 years/200,000 km. Available in 3, 4, or 5-year terms. Given the potential for expensive M264 cylinder head failure (€5,000-10,000), extended warranty is highly recommended for 2019-2021 models or any car without comprehensive service history. Mercedes has extended cylinder head warranty on the related M260 engine (15 years/241,000 km) but not yet on M264 - goodwill coverage is possible if negotiated.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.