Mercedes-Benz E 350 Wagon Is Everything You Need For $30,000

While the temptation to have something that adds a bit of spice to your daily drive is hard to ignore, especially if you’re a passionate gearhead, this prospect usually comes with spending more money on maintenance. For those who have the responsibility of looking after a family, or perhaps who are after a trusty daily that can make many life problems disappear, a good wagon can usually answer your prayers.
 

Then comes the decision over which one to spend your hard-earned cash on. This used German specimen is arguably all the car you ever need, for a few very good reasons. This piece explores the 2014-2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon and why it is the ideal used model for daily life. The story looks at the used value and the model’s technical specs.
 
The E-Class Is One Of Mercedes’ Most Established Models
Mercedes-Benz has made building mid- and full-size sedans its bread and butter over the last 100 years. Often, these vehicles tend to lean more toward luxury than toward affordability. The E-Class is one of the clearest examples of this approach, with the nameplate dating back to 1993.
 
Rather than being an all-new model, the first E-Class was a simple rebrand of the Mercedes W124 sedan, coupe, and wagon lineup. Whether it be as a range-topping luxury sedan or a dependable wagon ready to haul the family, the E-Class and its predecessors could be trusted to get the job done.
 
A total of six generations of the E-Class have been developed over the last 30-odd years. The subject of this piece is from the 2014 model year and has the internal designation W212.
 

The Facelifted W212 Model Was A Considerable Evolution
When looking for a wagon that can do it all, the W212 E-Class is an excellent used specimen to take a gander at. First introduced in 2009, Mercedes elected to conduct a considerable revision of the model for the 2014 model year. Most brands tend to make some minor styling alterations and add new equipment as part of a facelift, but Mercedes took a different approach. It ended up spending over a billion dollars redeveloping the E-Class, with the changes going far beyond its comprehensive exterior redesign.
 
The model was also treated to a range of modern safety systems, updated engines, and redeveloped suspension, among other changes. It was a significant step forward for the E-Class, and used versions of the wagon can now be had at a reasonable price.
 
The E350 Model Is An Excellent Compromise
While the AMG E63 Wagon may tempt gearheads, its huge twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 lump would cost you a fortune in running costs over your ownership period. It’s also a bit overkill for a car built to be a versatile daily driver, so opting for the more reserved E350 version is likely the best way forward.
 
The E350 gets a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 powerplant that produces 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, more than enough to get you shifting at a decent pace. The engine connects to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which can be run in a semi-auto manual mode if you want a bit more engagement on your favorite route to work. The advantage of the V6 is that, aside from featuring fewer bespoke performance parts that cost a fortune to replace, it’s also considerably more fuel efficient. While the E63 AMG can only muster 18 miles per gallon combined, the E350 achieves 22 MPG.
 

The E350 Wagon also comes with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system as standard. The system can individually adjust the torque sent to all four wheels, ensuring each wheel can produce optimal grip at all times, in all conditions. When looking for a trusty workhorse that can do it all, the E350’s solid and advanced underpinnings deliver what many drivers are looking for.
 
The E350 Also Provides Excellent Comfort With The Right Spec
A good daily driver also needs to be comfortable to drive. The E350 Wagon comes with a self-leveling rear air suspension as standard, which ensures the car rides nicely no matter what is in the back. At the front, you can have either a sport or comfort-focused suspension setup. Those looking to use the E350 regularly would be better off choosing examples equipped with the Comfort option, as you’d be able to cruise effortlessly to your next destination.
 
Mercedes’ Upmarket Wagon Is Also Practical
In wagon form, the E350 boasts a ton of usable space that should prove handy in a wide variety of situations. A total of 20.5 cubic feet of usable space is available with the front two rows of seats in place, while 57.5 cubic feet is available with all the rear seats folded down. The layout makes it ideal for transporting large cargo. The large hatchback lid makes grabbing things in the rear much more straightforward, too.
 
In addition to its natural size, the E350 also comes with an extra party piece. There are a pair of rear-facing seats that can deploy in the cargo area. They fold into the floor when not in use. The setup means that an owner can carry up to seven people in a pinch. All of this capability comes with a plush ride, upmarket cabin, handsome looks, and solid road performance. All of this comes at a reasonable price. What more could you possibly need?
 

All This Can Be Had For Under $30k
Bearing in mind the E350’s usefulness as a daily workhorse, finding a facelifted W212 example with low mileage can be extremely tough. AutoTempest shows several solid examples for well under $30,000 with decent mileage and in good condition. There’s also a silver 2016 specimen in good condition with a little over 60,000 miles for $27,888 on Cars.com.
 
Higher-mileage E350 wagons are available for closer to $20,000. However, saving up a little more and finding a lower-mileage car would give you some extra peace of mind because fewer miles means the car shouldn’t require expensive replacement components too soon.
 
The E350 Offers Plenty Of Versatility For Its Sub-$30k Value
Aside from its upmarket foundations, there is plenty more to be excited about when looking at the facelifted W212 Wagon. It comes with plenty of standard equipment, such as heated and power-adjustable leather seats, a natural-light-enhancing moonroof, and a useful automatic dual-zone climate control setup.
 
As a comfortable daily driver, the E350 Wagon comes loaded with all the equipment a person would need to keep occupants comfy. Buyers also get an electric tailgate that is exceptionally useful for accessing the trunk when a person’s hands are full. A comprehensive infotainment system offers Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation.