How are C55's Holding Up With Age?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 C55 AMG
How are C55's Holding Up With Age?
I'm currently in the market for a used W203 C55 and am wondering how these particular models are holding up with age as 2005's are now 5 years old. I'm familiar with the quality of MB's, especially with the (now) old W124 cars, but am unfamiliar with the newer models. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Are CPO'd cars "worth it"? They typically fetch a pretty large premium over non-CPO's vehicles.
Thanks!
Mark
Are CPO'd cars "worth it"? They typically fetch a pretty large premium over non-CPO's vehicles.
Thanks!
Mark
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
2005; non-CPO; no aftermarket warranty; had it since July 09; 55,000 miles; daily driver
; I really haven't had any major issues with it (knock on wood).
IMO, CPO and extended warranty is really a personal decision on the C55, unlike a must on some other MB's and AMG's.
; I really haven't had any major issues with it (knock on wood).IMO, CPO and extended warranty is really a personal decision on the C55, unlike a must on some other MB's and AMG's.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
I have 96k miles on my car and haven't really had any problems. I only had an issue when the detailers wet some of the electrical items in my car, but after it dried out everything was ok.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 441
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From: SoCal
2008 CLK63 AMG Black Series, 2022 BMW X3 M40i
I'm going on my 5th year of ownership and all has been good. I had to take care of some alternator and electrical issues last year. It was covered under warranty so no worries. I also have the extended warranty for the extra piece of mind.
52k miles and still driving strong
52k miles and still driving strong
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: AL,IL, GA, CA
CLS, SLK, ETC
Electrical issues are prolly the most common (Alt reg, alt, CPS, Seat heater, cd player, changer, etc). Repair cost 60-600.
Then there are some common tear n wear issues such as engine / tranny mounts / AC / PS
500-1000
Overall, great car but seat heater is a pos. (changed it 4 times)
Then there are some common tear n wear issues such as engine / tranny mounts / AC / PS
500-1000
Overall, great car but seat heater is a pos. (changed it 4 times)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
96k!!! Oh the abuse!
One thing you're going to notice is that while many of these problems are somewhat common for MB's, and you're definitely going to see them on the C-class, there is no clear, defined, "this is absolutely going to fail on you and cause you much grief".
One thing you're going to notice is that while many of these problems are somewhat common for MB's, and you're definitely going to see them on the C-class, there is no clear, defined, "this is absolutely going to fail on you and cause you much grief".
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From: People's Republic of California (Southern Region)
C55 AMG, CLK550
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
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From: Moorestown, NJ
Capri Blue 2005 c55 AMG
Well, looks like I have one of the common MB C55 AMG's. My driver side seat bottom heater is out, and both valve cover gaskets leaking like a siv. Oh well, $100.00 deductible, going in next week. I wonder what else they'll find. I bought it in Nov. with 19k miles on her, and now have 30k lol.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 252
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From: Fort lauderdale, Florida
2005 Red C55 AMG and 2009 Harley davidson NIghtster SIlver and black
I haven't had any problems with my car since i had it just normal stuff..
Does anyone know of a good Warrant company that wont kill my pockets?
Does anyone know of a good Warrant company that wont kill my pockets?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 295
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 C55 AMG
Thanks for the replies, these are very helpful.
Also, if a car is purchased without an existing factory warranty, can one be added by the dealership at a later date? Aftermarket (ie non factory backed warranties) are, in general, a scam from what I've read.
Also, if a car is purchased without an existing factory warranty, can one be added by the dealership at a later date? Aftermarket (ie non factory backed warranties) are, in general, a scam from what I've read.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 33
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From: Philly, PA
C55
Well, looks like I have one of the common MB C55 AMG's. My driver side seat bottom heater is out, and both valve cover gaskets leaking like a siv. Oh well, $100.00 deductible, going in next week. I wonder what else they'll find. I bought it in Nov. with 19k miles on her, and now have 30k lol.
Out of curiousity, where do you take it for service?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Seattle, WA
C55
I bought my 05 with 26.4k on the clock...put 18k in one year and the only thing that went bad was the PS pump...but thats really uncommon.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
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From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
My power steering pump took a crap too. I was doing a doughnut though. My alternator took a crap as well. Also at 480whp my transmission said enough was enough. I just got it back from RENNtech yesterday.
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From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
With 66k on the clock and all my mod's, the only things that really broke on my car were the seat heater (broken for the 3rd time, not going to fix it this time), both valve cover gaskets and the coolant temperature sensor (both repaired under warranty). My Harmon Kardon Comand system, as well as the Tel.Aid system, had to be rebooted and udated once by the dealer under warranty. I've had the CPS, MAF, VR, accessory belt, tensioner pulley, engine mounts, tranny mount, tranny filter & fluid, fuel level sender/filter and all other fluids and filters replaced prophalatically. Besides the above two items, the C55 seems to be bullet proof if properly maintained. Eventually, you will have to replace all the other items I mentioned -- they are known trouble spots.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Delran, NJ
05 C55
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
I suppose the CPO was worth it for me since otherwise I wouldn't have had a warranty at all. I've got until December to decide if I want to extend the CPO warranty to get an extended warranty. I work on cars for a living, so there's plenty of stuff I can do myself. If the transmission takes a dump or if something happens where DAS is needed for diagnosis, it'll have to go to the dealer though. I'm still very on the fence about whether or not to extend the warranty, especially since I don't put tons of miles on it. I think they told me I can do one more year for $1k and two years for $2k.
So far in my ownership I've only had to replace the valve cover gaskets and an idler pulley (it wasn't making noise, but it was a little loose). My SA at the dealer told me the car only had a few things fixed under warranty, some sensors for the HVAC and I forget what else. Nothing major though.
So far in my ownership I've only had to replace the valve cover gaskets and an idler pulley (it wasn't making noise, but it was a little loose). My SA at the dealer told me the car only had a few things fixed under warranty, some sensors for the HVAC and I forget what else. Nothing major though.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
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From: AL,IL, GA, CA
CLS, SLK, ETC
With 66k on the clock and all my mod's, the only things that really broke on my car were the seat heater (broken for the 3rd time, not going to fix it this time), both valve cover gaskets and the coolant temperature sensor (both repaired under warranty). My Harmon Kardon Comand system, as well as the Tel.Aid system, had to be rebooted and udated once by the dealer under warranty. I've had the CPS, MAF, VR, accessory belt, tensioner pulley, engine mounts, tranny mount, tranny filter & fluid, fuel level sender/filter and all other fluids and filters replaced prophalatically. Besides the above two items, the C55 seems to be bullet proof if properly maintained. Eventually, you will have to replace all the other items I mentioned -- they are known trouble spots.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2005 C55 AMG
With 66k on the clock and all my mod's, the only things that really broke on my car were the seat heater (broken for the 3rd time, not going to fix it this time), both valve cover gaskets and the coolant temperature sensor (both repaired under warranty). My Harmon Kardon Comand system, as well as the Tel.Aid system, had to be rebooted and udated once by the dealer under warranty. I've had the CPS, MAF, VR, accessory belt, tensioner pulley, engine mounts, tranny mount, tranny filter & fluid, fuel level sender/filter and all other fluids and filters replaced prophalatically. Besides the above two items, the C55 seems to be bullet proof if properly maintained. Eventually, you will have to replace all the other items I mentioned -- they are known trouble spots.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
However, after owning a C43 AMG and a 300E, I would not own any Mercedes, especially an AMG without a factory or aftermarket warranty.
Currently I use Mercury Insurance through autowarrantybroker.com, great co., insurred with $0 deductible up to 100k.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 293
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From: Middle of IL in a corn field
2006 C55 AMG White/Ash
I just copied this from the Mercedes AMG maintenance book. It never did give a mileage for a C55. The supercharged cars get a belt every 40k miles, but the NA motors like in a C55 seems to be based on age and condition. RM European lists the belt for about $27, if the tensioner is bad it's about $100.
1351 Check engine poly-V-belt condition
The poly-V-belt is subject to wear and aging.
It must be checked for cracks and wear at
every B-service. Replace poly-V-belt if necessary.It must be checked for cracks and wear at
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,443
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
I just copied this from the Mercedes AMG maintenance book. It never did give a mileage for a C55. The supercharged cars get a belt every 40k miles, but the NA motors like in a C55 seems to be based on age and condition. RM European lists the belt for about $27, if the tensioner is bad it's about $100.
1351 Check engine poly-V-belt condition
The poly-V-belt is subject to wear and aging.
It must be checked for cracks and wear at
every B-service. Replace poly-V-belt if necessary.It must be checked for cracks and wear at
