The 2024 W213 E350 with the M264 2.0L turbo four is too new for widespread pattern failures, but early adopters and prior model years reveal oil dilution issues, transmission cooler leaks, and concerning bottom-end wear that can grenade the engine if ignored.
M264 Oil Dilution and Piston Ring Wear
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil level rising between changes, smells like fuel, Rough cold starts, misfires, low compression on one or more cylinders, Metal shavings in oil, knocking noises from bottom end
Fix: Mercedes issued TSBs for piston ring updates, but severe cases need short block replacement or full engine rebuild. Expect 18-25 hours labor for short block swap, 30+ for full teardown. Some warranty extensions exist through 80k mi, check eligibility first.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
9G-Tronic Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Red fluid pooling under engine bay, near front of transmission, Low transmission fluid warning on dash, Harsh shifts or delayed engagement if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: External cooler lines corrode or cooler itself cracks at welds. Replace cooler and lines, flush system, refill with MB 236.17 fluid. 3-4 hours labor, straightforward job but parts aren't cheap from dealer.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that disappears under load, Visible sag or cracking in rubber mount when inspected from below
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fatigues, loses damping. Replacement requires supporting trans, usually 2-3 hours labor. Use OEM or Lemforder; cheap aftermarket mounts fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Connecting Rod and Main Bearing Wear (Severe Cases)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Deep knocking from lower engine, louder when cold or under load, Low oil pressure warnings, fluctuating gauge readings, Metal fragments on oil filter media or drain plug magnet
Fix: Result of oil dilution or extended oil change intervals. Requires full bottom-end rebuild: crank polishing or replacement, new bearings, pistons, rings. 25-35 hours labor. Often totals the car if out of warranty.
Estimated cost: $10,000-18,000
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Long crank times, especially when hot, Intermittent stumbling or power loss under hard acceleration, Fuel pressure fault codes (P0087, low rail pressure)
Fix: M264 uses cam-driven HPFP; internal seals or plunger wear out. Replace pump and fuel filter together. 2.5-3.5 hours labor. Genuine MB part required, aftermarket pumps cause comebacks.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Boost Control Issues
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from engine bay on cold start that fades in 30-60 seconds, Reduced power, limp mode, turbo underboost or overboost codes, Turbo lag or surging during acceleration
Fix: Wastegate actuator rod wears, electronic actuator fails, or exhaust side carbon buildup causes sticking. Often needs turbo R&R for actuator replacement or turbo rebuild. 6-8 hours labor, more if coolant lines corroded.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Skip the 2024 unless CPO with extended warranty; wait for 2025+ with updated pistons and rings, or buy a six-cylinder—M264 is a ticking time bomb without religious maintenance.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.