C55 Reliability Woes
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Joined: Sep 2007
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C55 AMG
C55 Reliability Woes
My 2005 C55 has had been a very trouble prone car. I bought it when it was 2 years old with 21K miles. I have had it 20 months and it is now at 44k. In that time all of the following have been replaced, srs wiriing harness, seat heater control panel, both seat heaters, purge valve, both side marker bulbs, side marker housing, battery, seat heater (second time), steering angle sensor, purge valve (second time), air mass meter, crankshaft position sensor, thrust bushings, end link bushings, xenon headlight bulb, headlight control unit. In addition to these parts, it has had two oil leaks causing burnt oil smell in the cabin, the starter bolts were loose causing the starter to rattle, and the tires wore out prematurely because the dealer installed the tires wrong. The total shop time for all of these repairs has been over 6 weeks. While I love the look and feel of the car, it has become so frustrating, I really detest owning it any longer. I keep hoping the trouble will end, but it never seems to. I have only had it out of the shop for 1 week in the last 6 weeks. I am fortunate that I bought an extended warranty and they cover the rental car replacement, but the hassle factor has become huge.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I cannot decide what to do. I do not want to push this lemon off on anyone else and I can’t stand owning it any longer. Any thoughts on what you would do in this situation?
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I cannot decide what to do. I do not want to push this lemon off on anyone else and I can’t stand owning it any longer. Any thoughts on what you would do in this situation?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 695
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From: Delran, NJ
05 C55
pretty much the same for me. bought mine at 20k, now has 54k. the rocker cover oil leak, and bad marker lite sockets are pretty common problems that i personally consider minor.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
I have a 2006 C55 with 39000 miles on it that has been steady at the Dealer fixing & replacing things that the first owner, I guess just never noticed.
My next item is the audio amp as the volume at times goes low and sounds like someone talking into a cardboard box. The 2nd next thing that I need to show the dealer is that the LCD display between the Speedo & Tach goes completely black on warm days.
Thank god I bought the 7-Yr 100K...
FLASH: Just went to the store with the wife and tried to restart the car multiple times right after parking it, the key turned on the radio & accessories but nothing as far as starting the car. Went to the arm rest and pushed the in-car wrench button for roadside service. After talking to MB road service we sat there just waiting for the roll-back to arrive. After some 30 mins I decided to try again and this time the engine started, so we called roadside and cancelled the tow truck, had wife get her car and follow me to leave the car at the dealer. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to them about what happened.
I'm starting to think it's a bad ground in the electrical system somewhere that's common to all these things happening.
My next item is the audio amp as the volume at times goes low and sounds like someone talking into a cardboard box. The 2nd next thing that I need to show the dealer is that the LCD display between the Speedo & Tach goes completely black on warm days.
Thank god I bought the 7-Yr 100K...
FLASH: Just went to the store with the wife and tried to restart the car multiple times right after parking it, the key turned on the radio & accessories but nothing as far as starting the car. Went to the arm rest and pushed the in-car wrench button for roadside service. After talking to MB road service we sat there just waiting for the roll-back to arrive. After some 30 mins I decided to try again and this time the engine started, so we called roadside and cancelled the tow truck, had wife get her car and follow me to leave the car at the dealer. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to them about what happened.
I'm starting to think it's a bad ground in the electrical system somewhere that's common to all these things happening.
Last edited by MACHC5; May 10, 2009 at 09:04 PM. Reason: Something new just happened...
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 60
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From: Cleveland
2001 C240, 2006 C55 AMG, 2007 Ducati 1098s, 2005 C240 4Matic Wagon
I got my '06 55 with 10k two years ago, its got 24k now, not a single problem.
The warrantee is up this september, any suggestions on a good extended warrantee?
The warrantee is up this september, any suggestions on a good extended warrantee?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
2005 C55 AMG, 2010 VW GTI (Stage 1)
i have an 05, it had 21K on it when i got it, it's got 45K now... no major issues, just a couple service Bs that cost 700-800 this year and last to repair leaky tranny, flush brakes, etc. fortunately no major mechanical issues (my sunroof motor was messed up 2 different times but the dealer fixed it no charge when i went for service, so not a big issue).
whoever u bought it from must've KILLED it.... sorry man. good luck to u. why not sell it and get an E55?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
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scion xb
i'm considering a c55 in the near future ... (before the end of the year?). good to see people talk about these issues and what the possibilities are to give me a reality check. good luck with your car and hopefully i can get a (troublefree, knock on wood) nice one soon
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
I DON'T COME HERE ANYMORE
Tell me you're not really giving up the Scion for a Benz?!
I see more and more 05's having bugs then the 06's-but with anything that has lots of parts, theres lots to go wrong-all in all-great cars!
I see more and more 05's having bugs then the 06's-but with anything that has lots of parts, theres lots to go wrong-all in all-great cars!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
They all have issues, drivers included 
My C32, except for the crank pulley has been pretty flawless save for one seat heater. She gets no rest in the summer, so I really cant complain. The ML 55 (same engine as C55) has been flawless save the known power steering line issue and it gets no winter rest.
My C32, except for the crank pulley has been pretty flawless save for one seat heater. She gets no rest in the summer, so I really cant complain. The ML 55 (same engine as C55) has been flawless save the known power steering line issue and it gets no winter rest.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 121
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From: Chester County
2006 C55
You will hear the "horror stories" on any board you choose. I have an 06' with 35K and not one problem (knocking on wood).
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 510
Likes: 3
From: san jose, ca
2002 C32 1987 190E 2.3 334K miles and going
I have a 2006 C55 with 39000 miles on it that has been steady at the Dealer fixing & replacing things that the first owner, I guess just never noticed.
My next item is the audio amp as the volume at times goes low and sounds like someone talking into a cardboard box. The 2nd next thing that I need to show the dealer is that the LCD display between the Speedo & Tach goes completely black on warm days.
Thank god I bought the 7-Yr 100K...
FLASH: Just went to the store with the wife and tried to restart the car multiple times right after parking it, the key turned on the radio & accessories but nothing as far as starting the car. Went to the arm rest and pushed the in-car wrench button for roadside service. After talking to MB road service we sat there just waiting for the roll-back to arrive. After some 30 mins I decided to try again and this time the engine started, so we called roadside and cancelled the tow truck, had wife get her car and follow me to leave the car at the dealer. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to them about what happened.
I'm starting to think it's a bad ground in the electrical system somewhere that's common to all these things happening.
My next item is the audio amp as the volume at times goes low and sounds like someone talking into a cardboard box. The 2nd next thing that I need to show the dealer is that the LCD display between the Speedo & Tach goes completely black on warm days.
Thank god I bought the 7-Yr 100K...
FLASH: Just went to the store with the wife and tried to restart the car multiple times right after parking it, the key turned on the radio & accessories but nothing as far as starting the car. Went to the arm rest and pushed the in-car wrench button for roadside service. After talking to MB road service we sat there just waiting for the roll-back to arrive. After some 30 mins I decided to try again and this time the engine started, so we called roadside and cancelled the tow truck, had wife get her car and follow me to leave the car at the dealer. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to them about what happened.
I'm starting to think it's a bad ground in the electrical system somewhere that's common to all these things happening.
$70.00 part + 1.5 hour labor.
GL
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From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 695
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From: Delran, NJ
05 C55
now that i think about it, that happened to me one time about three years ago. same exact thing....shut the car off and it wouldnt crank or fire. tried it a couple more times over a ten minute period and it started. i was extremely busy at the moment, and never did get it to a dealer. that was probably 30k ago, and it has never happened since then. are you still happy with the exhaust that Denny did for you? i went by there on sunday, and started thinking about it again. just wondering what its like after living it with it for a little while. thanks 
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
2005 C55 AMG, 2010 VW GTI (Stage 1)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
now that i think about it, that happened to me one time about three years ago. same exact thing....shut the car off and it wouldnt crank or fire. tried it a couple more times over a ten minute period and it started. i was extremely busy at the moment, and never did get it to a dealer. that was probably 30k ago, and it has never happened since then. are you still happy with the exhaust that Denny did for you? i went by there on sunday, and started thinking about it again. just wondering what its like after living it with it for a little while. thanks
The Mufflex exhaust work is really worth it. And I'm still thinking of installing the Kleemann headers too.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
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scion xb
yeah, even us toyotas have tons of horror stories about maintenance and such, including my own.
anyway, i hope to score a really low mile (under 20K) 2006 model. are there parts that typically fail or need to be checked around 20-30K ?
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
W221
My 2005 C55 has had been a very trouble prone car. I bought it when it was 2 years old with 21K miles. I have had it 20 months and it is now at 44k. In that time all of the following have been replaced, srs wiriing harness, seat heater control panel, both seat heaters, purge valve, both side marker bulbs, side marker housing, battery, seat heater (second time), steering angle sensor, purge valve (second time), air mass meter, crankshaft position sensor, thrust bushings, end link bushings, xenon headlight bulb, headlight control unit. In addition to these parts, it has had two oil leaks causing burnt oil smell in the cabin, the starter bolts were loose causing the starter to rattle, and the tires wore out prematurely because the dealer installed the tires wrong. The total shop time for all of these repairs has been over 6 weeks. While I love the look and feel of the car, it has become so frustrating, I really detest owning it any longer. I keep hoping the trouble will end, but it never seems to. I have only had it out of the shop for 1 week in the last 6 weeks. I am fortunate that I bought an extended warranty and they cover the rental car replacement, but the hassle factor has become huge.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I cannot decide what to do. I do not want to push this lemon off on anyone else and I can’t stand owning it any longer. Any thoughts on what you would do in this situation?
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I cannot decide what to do. I do not want to push this lemon off on anyone else and I can’t stand owning it any longer. Any thoughts on what you would do in this situation?
I had somewhat similar situation with my 1st C55. I bought it in 05 with around 4.5 K miles and had 3 major problems within 2 weeks. It felt as if I couldn't live with that car anymore and I couldn't make myself even look at it. My dealership found exactly the same color/options combo and shortly after that we did the switch. This 2nd C55 now has over 100K and counting. It had it share of problems, most of them expected, but nothing like what you are describing on your car.
It seems that you are in a pretty tough situation. What options are you currently considering?
