Just got my first AMG; Now I have some concerns...
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2005 C55 AMG
Just got my first AMG; Now I have some concerns...
Hello everyone,
I picked up my 2005 C55 AMG from Car Max on Saturday. Drove 5 hours to pick it up because I've coveted the C55 for a while and it seemed like a great pick.
It's got 60k miles, interior looks great, and once I got the car max sticker off the back the exterrior looks awesome too (one scratch back left fender). Got it for $20,998 an added a warranty up to 100k miles for another ~$2k
Been loving the car so far, but took it in today to the local MB dealership to get it checked out (I can return it within 5 days, and get 30 days of free repairs). The dealer came out with the following list of issues:
- Front sway-bar is noisy (links and bushings) $464
- Right front rim is bent slightly - $180
- The brake pads + rotors are after market parts replace with MB parts and brake flush (dirty) - $630+98
- Front thrust arm bushings are leaking - $536
- Motor mounts and trans mount (collapsed) - $949
Upon seeing this list of stuff wrong I was really dissapointed and was preparing myself to depart with my newest prized possession, but upon asking him it seemed like he thought these weren't indicative of poor maintenance and given my warranty I should "wait 45 days and then they'll write it up and we'll get it up to par" but he didn't see any "major" problems with it.
I'm going to run it by my personal mechanic who apparently used to work on a C55 for a family member and see what he thinks but as long as I can get CarMax to fix most of those things I'm planning on keeping it. But wanted to see if I could get any other opinions from some more experienced benz enthusiasts. Thanks!
I picked up my 2005 C55 AMG from Car Max on Saturday. Drove 5 hours to pick it up because I've coveted the C55 for a while and it seemed like a great pick.
It's got 60k miles, interior looks great, and once I got the car max sticker off the back the exterrior looks awesome too (one scratch back left fender). Got it for $20,998 an added a warranty up to 100k miles for another ~$2k
Been loving the car so far, but took it in today to the local MB dealership to get it checked out (I can return it within 5 days, and get 30 days of free repairs). The dealer came out with the following list of issues:
- Front sway-bar is noisy (links and bushings) $464
- Right front rim is bent slightly - $180
- The brake pads + rotors are after market parts replace with MB parts and brake flush (dirty) - $630+98
- Front thrust arm bushings are leaking - $536
- Motor mounts and trans mount (collapsed) - $949
Upon seeing this list of stuff wrong I was really dissapointed and was preparing myself to depart with my newest prized possession, but upon asking him it seemed like he thought these weren't indicative of poor maintenance and given my warranty I should "wait 45 days and then they'll write it up and we'll get it up to par" but he didn't see any "major" problems with it.
I'm going to run it by my personal mechanic who apparently used to work on a C55 for a family member and see what he thinks but as long as I can get CarMax to fix most of those things I'm planning on keeping it. But wanted to see if I could get any other opinions from some more experienced benz enthusiasts. Thanks!
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
those are not large issues, but for the price you paid for the car and for the extended warranty they should be able to take care of them. the only thing that rings a bell is how you examined that the motor and transmission mounts have collapsed, but they should be replaced every 60k miles or so anyways.
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
I would talk to carmax and see if they will cover the brake maintenance, should have looked at the rotors and pads and got them to reduce the price a bit. If it is not covered and you're handy with a wrench, then you could do it all yourself for about $500. Front rotors $100 each, rear rotors $50 each( could probably have them resurfaced), all 4 pads $150, and fluid $25.
Everything else on the list should be covered by warranty. The rims are super sensitive and prone to cracks and bends. My brand new rim developed a crack within a few months of buying it from the dealers and I don't recall hitting any major potholes or anything.
Everything else on the list should be covered by warranty. The rims are super sensitive and prone to cracks and bends. My brand new rim developed a crack within a few months of buying it from the dealers and I don't recall hitting any major potholes or anything.
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2005 C55 AMG
Thanks mike and loudandheard, I should have called it out more directly but there wasn't anything wrong with the brakes according to the tech, he was just suggesting to replace them with MB OEM parts, something I'll ask for from CarMax with everything else but be willing to give that one up pretty easily.
Absolutely in love with the car (I know a stock silver C55 is nothing novel on this board, but its a real awesome upgrade for me), so I'm glad its nothing thats a real shock to you guys.
Absolutely in love with the car (I know a stock silver C55 is nothing novel on this board, but its a real awesome upgrade for me), so I'm glad its nothing thats a real shock to you guys.
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2019 GLC63, 2020 M2 Comp, 96 Miata M Edition & 19 Forester
Are they not issues not covered by warranty? The leaks, swaybar and mounts should be fix
Take it back and tell them to fix it or take off the repair amount from your sale price. It should come out from carmax in tip top shape. Regardless of your warranty, remember they might not cover it if it is a pre existing issue.
Take it back and tell them to fix it or take off the repair amount from your sale price. It should come out from carmax in tip top shape. Regardless of your warranty, remember they might not cover it if it is a pre existing issue.
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From: MA
Mosselman 190E 16V+ C63S+ Abarth 595
Those prices are ridiculous. Almost missed the warranty part and was going to say get those hands dirty! I would definitely have a trustworthy mechanic take a look at it. Besides the rim which should be obvious to see if its bent , I am saying 95% shot all the issues are BS. I mean come on... collapsed engine & tranny mounts that you didn't notice before buying or driving it for 5 hours!!! I would also take a look and find what brand rotors are on there. The dealer would replace Brabus calipers to make a buck calling them "aftermarket"
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Washington DC
2009 CLS63 AMG
awesome wheels! going to the stealership isn't that smart because they'll talk to you into stuff you don't really need. going to a trust worthy honest mechanic and explaining to him that you'll return the car if it had excess issues would be the smartest route imo
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2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
The dealer isn't taking advantage of anything. When you take a car in and pay for an inspection, they're going to nit pick it to death and note everything they find. That's the point! Everything they found looks very normal to me. I bought my car with 32k and the transmission mount had already been replaced and at 36k both motor mounts and both front torque arms were replaced. My sway bar is aftermarket now, but I've replaced links and bushings of tons of different cars so it wouldn't be a surprise that they fail on these cars too.
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From: Monmouth Junction, NJ
'06 C55, '14 Audi S4, '09 Range Rover Sport, '07 Lexus ES350,
Thanks mike and loudandheard, I should have called it out more directly but there wasn't anything wrong with the brakes according to the tech, he was just suggesting to replace them with MB OEM parts, something I'll ask for from CarMax with everything else but be willing to give that one up pretty easily.
Absolutely in love with the car (I know a stock silver C55 is nothing novel on this board, but its a real awesome upgrade for me), so I'm glad its nothing thats a real shock to you guys.
Absolutely in love with the car (I know a stock silver C55 is nothing novel on this board, but its a real awesome upgrade for me), so I'm glad its nothing thats a real shock to you guys.
Also, I cannot imagine CarMax agreeing to replace rotors and pads just to return the car to OEM parts - unless there is something wrong with the aftermarket parts.
Good luck with the car - color looks good and easy to maintain.
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
Isn't the whole idea of buying from CarMax is that you pay the haggle free price (which is considerably higher than average going prices), and in return you should be getting a car that's worry free and in tip-top shape?
Have CarMax shoulder those repairs, otherwise just return it. There are better deals currently out there. They should at least agree to fix the suspension and mounts issues as well as perform brake flushing. They might give you a hard time on the rims and brakes and rotors though (if pads are still good and rotors are not yet warped).
Have CarMax shoulder those repairs, otherwise just return it. There are better deals currently out there. They should at least agree to fix the suspension and mounts issues as well as perform brake flushing. They might give you a hard time on the rims and brakes and rotors though (if pads are still good and rotors are not yet warped).
Last edited by Chedeng88; Apr 11, 2012 at 02:19 PM.
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
- Front sway-bar is noisy (links and bushings) $464
Really? And is it that big of a deal? You can probably replace these for free yourself.
- Right front rim is bent slightly - $180
Yea, that happens, but if you don't lose any air and don't feel any vibes then live with it. My front driver side has a slight dent in it.
- The brake pads + rotors are after market parts replace with MB parts and brake flush (dirty) - $630+98
Who cares if they're aftermarket? Do they work, and work well? Brake flush can be beneficial. You can buy the pump for 60 bucks and a liter of fluid for like 15 bucks.
- Front thrust arm bushings are leaking - $536
That can happen, hasn't happened on mine yet. I think you need to replace the whole arm perhaps.
- Motor mounts and trans mount (collapsed) - $949
Motor mounts are known to go bad on MB V8's. I don't know if mine are bad and don't know how to tell, except that when I look at mine they seem to look ok and my car doesn't vibrate all over the place. And if it did, oh well.....
My car has 104k, and I didn't do any of those items except for the brakes stuff. But when I took it all apart at around 80k, they easily had another 20k left on em.
Really? And is it that big of a deal? You can probably replace these for free yourself.
- Right front rim is bent slightly - $180
Yea, that happens, but if you don't lose any air and don't feel any vibes then live with it. My front driver side has a slight dent in it.
- The brake pads + rotors are after market parts replace with MB parts and brake flush (dirty) - $630+98
Who cares if they're aftermarket? Do they work, and work well? Brake flush can be beneficial. You can buy the pump for 60 bucks and a liter of fluid for like 15 bucks.
- Front thrust arm bushings are leaking - $536
That can happen, hasn't happened on mine yet. I think you need to replace the whole arm perhaps.
- Motor mounts and trans mount (collapsed) - $949
Motor mounts are known to go bad on MB V8's. I don't know if mine are bad and don't know how to tell, except that when I look at mine they seem to look ok and my car doesn't vibrate all over the place. And if it did, oh well.....
My car has 104k, and I didn't do any of those items except for the brakes stuff. But when I took it all apart at around 80k, they easily had another 20k left on em.
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2005 C55 AMG
To follow up:
Carmax agreed to take care of everything, except for the brakes as some people thought they might. They said they would check them again but unless there is a deficiency they won't just replace parts which makes sense to me. Taking it in Tuesday for service.
Overall I'm really happy with the car so I'm keeping it, given that it has the warranty, all of thses issues seem to be common issues with a car like this of this milleage, my personal mechanic thought it was overall in really good shape, and most imporantly I just really love driving it and I think its going to be worth a few extra repair bills.
Thanks for all the feedback and advice. Cheers!
