Contemplating a high mileage (176,000km) 2006 C55. No nav, unfortunately.

I did a bit of browsing and see some recurring issues like steering adjustment 'dogbones' breaking, valve cover gaskets (not a big deal), rear main seal leaks (much bigger deal), seat heaters. Any other things to consider? Do the C55s have the same seat module issues as C32s?

I bought my '99 C43 a couple years ago with about 235,000km on it. To get it up to snuff (to my standards anyway) I put in all new hoses (probably overkill), new thermostat and a bunch of new bushings in the suspension - lower control arm bushings were cracked and leading to clunking. When I had the engine out to do the 55 swap (still ongoing, not running yet, might have to pull the 55 and put the 43 back in coz it's not making any sense = very worrying and part of the reason for wanting another car - see my sig for a thread) the engine mounts were toast too.

This particular car I'm looking at is local and most of the history should be obtainable. A Carproof report (for Canadian cars, better than Carfax) shows one 'miscellaneous' claim for about $4800, but NOT collision related. Other cars I've considered have shown, respectively, $15k and $26k in collision related damage repairs.

Also, this car is going to need brakes soon, but I could swap over low mileage items from my C43 (did a C32/55 caliper and rotor retrofit), new foglights and likely a new centre lower grille mesh - the latter two items are busted. I suppose those are all negotiation points, but those about C$800 in parts right there.

Note that C class AMGs are pretty rare in Canada, certainly much harder to find than in the US. The price is probably a bit high, as it was apparently traded into a Chrysler dealership and then a used car lot picked it up at auction. And prices are higher than what one would pay in the US, given the lack of 'inventory'. I hesitate to mention asking prices as invariably, someone is going to post about how they are too high, but these factors I outlined are live issues for Canadians.

I understand 06s can play MP3s, but I would be keen on swapping out the deck for aftermarket or getting some sort of iPhone integration, as it'd be nice to keep the steering wheel controls.

Before I started *******g around with it, my C43 was decently reliable. Never stranded me. I want something more modern now though, and something I don't need to wrench on. Fuel economy is not a concern, I know it'll be bad and don't care, I just want to live it up. As my C63/CL600/multiple S Class/GLK550 owning dentist buddy tells me, 'there's nothing like a V8'.

Alternatively, I'm also considering (for similar money) an '06 S4 Avant - which actually makes more sense for my mostly winter driving. Summer is top down in my S2k, but 'family growth' is eventually going to lead to the need for four doors more of the time, I fear. Not that the S2k is going anywhere, I just threw a supercharger on it, so it's sticking around for fun. I just like to have fun cars all the time.

Any comments, love to hear them.

 

I hardly ever use the nav and audio system is ok, so you won't be missing anything. I would make sure that you get xenons because it will cost you quite a bit if you want to retrofit them. The car is very reliable and probably more so than the C32. The interior is very nice and the suspension is a plus, over the C32. Very fun car to drive and the looks are very unique. As long as the car has been maintained well, I can't see too many issues. I would imagine that any maintenance issues that you have had with your C43 would apply to the C55.

I really hope that you get your engine swap issue figured out and that the engine is not hydrolocked. I've been following the thread and I'm amazed at all the work that you have done. I'm hoping it's something simple and you can get the car running, then you'll have a beastly C55.

I have a C32 and the wife has a C55.

 

I would recommend AGAINST getting any RWD AMG car if you are mostly going to drive it in the Canadian winter (and not as much in the summer??). With decent winter tires, it will be fine on lightly snow covered or mostly cleared roads. But in the deeper snow, and especially going up hill, the C55 can be challenging.....

Otherwise, it's a great car. Very enjoyable on everyday roads and on the track in my 6.5 year ownership experience. I did use it as a daily driver for the first 3 years (including Toronto winters). Now, I only drive it when there is no snow on the ground.

 

Canadian winter? ML55 or ML63 with AWD

 

I drove my C43 the last two winters. Deep snow is bad, but otherwise I was fine. I drive basically only in the city (Edmonton) and if the snow gets really bad, we have our Land Rover LR3.

That said there are obviously times when a torquey V8 doesn't start that great on slick roads and an LSD or AWD would be great to have - hence the desire to look at an S4.

I can deal with the snow - you have to when you live in Canada - what I'm keen to hear about are the experiences of others with high mileage 55s.

 

Ive got 86k on the odo and its still running strong as ever. The maintenance on these cars is pretty straight forward and not too much to go wrong. You hit most of them on the head in your post and yes the seat heater is still a problem (my butt warmer is out on my drivers seat now, lumbar is still good though) only other issue I have had was a leaking sensor on the tranny, not a big deal. The biggest on going cost most of us see is in gas and tires.



btw do you have a link to pics of your old SPG I tried the link in your sig but didnt work? I'm a sucker for SAABs, I miss mine alot.

 

Funny, the link worked for me fine just now.

Here are a few direct links to some of my favourite photos of my old car:

http://members.shaw.ca/saaboteur/spg...arter4-web.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/saaboteur/spg...rank-slide.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/saaboteur/spg...-longblock.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/saaboteur/spg...ow%20angle.jpg

 

Thanks, for some reason it didnt earlier but it is now for me as well

 

Only issue I've had with my c55 is the dogbone adjustment link in the steering wheel.

 

I have 92k on mine. Only problem has been air mass sensor, bad driver side seat heater and a cracked wheel.

 

I have close to 120k miles on mine, cracked rims are normal for the stock rims, Mass Air Flow Sensor gives out if you use K&N air filters (which I advise against), my power steering went a few months ago, and had to change the battery, after that nothing! This car is bullet proof. I'd say go for it, just get it checked out before you close the deal. Let us know how it goes!

Adam

 

I would not be afraid of high mileage, just poor maintenance. My c32 has 147,000km, my mr2 has 268,000km. Both are well maintained, neither have had any troubles.

Stuff always comes up sooner or later but it could just as easily affect a car with 1/3 the miles you are looking at. At least the C55 doesn't have a whole pile of supercharger stuff to break.

 

Also in agreement here. I drive mine all the time, year round here in NY ( very undersidezed dedicated snows BTW and its goes great! ) Just finished up a full 100K service - oil, plugs, rear diff., fixed srs failure and seat heaters, etc. and she still looks and runs fantanstic. Just as in love as I was in the beginning.
Service is key, and not just for C55's. Friend of mine runs a garage in town, and he has seen MANY higher end cars (BMW, M/B, etc) with the 10K service interval FAIL due to cokeing in the top end/cam covers. They oil starve, wear, and "tick". 10K is, in his opinion, way too many miles. I do 7K as I feel oil is cheap insurance. Either way, check for evidence of coking, as well rear main seal, cam covers- the usual.
As long as you can buy it right and it seems well maintaned your likely OK. But no one buys the AMG package for the savings, so a LOT have been rode hard and put away wet. I remember back when I had my XJR someone once said " buy the newest, lowest milage example you can afford " as being key to Jag ownership. That doesnt quite hold true here, but I have found it's never bad advise.
Cheers,
K

 

As long as you have maintenance records or know the history, I wouldn't hesitate to own or buy a high mileage C55.

 

The C55 is a great car. Mine hs been bullet proof but I have a big disclaimer here... It just turned 36k miles.

 

I actually didn't buy the particular car which I had first posted about. It's actually still for sale.

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ319549317

They want too much for it, he current listed price (of C$20k) is still a bit much, and they have dropped it $2k since I saw it in the fall. I don't think the car is going to shift anytime soon.

I had a look at it, and on a hoist too. Front and rear main seals leaking, power steering too, chunk missing from the front bumper skin on the bottom side, lower fender liner broken as well, both front fogs broken, plus it would need new pads and rotors all around. They tried to tell me that I should act quick because another guy was looking at it and it would "probably be gone in a couple of days". Bit too much of a project. They told me at the time that I could have it for C$20k out the door, tax in.

Pah. I passed and found one from a private seller, paid C$22k with half the mileage, none of the leaks and some mods I would do anyway (iPod hookup, resonator and cat delete). Been happy since. I have pix posted in other threads.

 

I hit 80K today and it still runs (and looks) like a dream

 

Mine has 92k right now and still runs like it did 30k miles ago. However, I need to change the seals on both valve covers. They're both leaking

 

i had that issue last year (2 or 3 times) - the gaskets they were installing were defective apparently, but they got it right and hasn't been an issue since

 

They will run for a long time!

 

I believe it!

On a related note, I don't know if this would be verified anywhere, but I wonder if there's a ranking report on the most reliable, limited maintenance, longest lasting AMG's out there... I would think that the C55 has to be pretty close to the top, while the supercharged 55s likely have more maintenance or reliability-type issues over time... or perhaps "maintenance" is the same for benz's and reliability of tuned engines is the differentiating factor?

Thoughts...?

 

That would be my guess also. Anything with kompressor on the back is not going to be very high up the list and the 63's have reliability issues which basically leaves the c55 or the older 3.6 V6, 4.3 V8 but I don't know much about those engines.

 

what are the major reliability issues with the 63's?

 

I believe the 63 issues have to do with the top end, cams and the materials - or something like that.

 

153,000 miles! Finally changed the leaky valve cover gaskets. It actually turned out to be the breather covers on top of the valve covers. They are just RTV'd on. I replaced the RTV, and replaced the valve cover gaskets. What a chore!