Just built one clean as swapped C43 and ejoy a bit longer.
Timing Chain at 300k miles: worth it?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Timing Chain at 300k miles: worth it?
I'm at a cross roads, gentlemen. My 99 needs a timing chain, and my shop has quoted $1700 to do the chain, tensioner, and guides.
It needs the work, and it's the cheapest quote I can find, plus it's my preferred trusted mechanic doing the job (at a discount).
But would you? The engine runs tops and has no issues. Is noticeably faster than my 98 with nearly 100k less miles. I'm certain the engine has a great deal of life left in it and I'm starting to forget about the whole 55 engine swap because it's just too expensive on a car so old and worthless. I'd rather just find a nice CLS55 AMG if I want a real rocket, since those are getting pretty cheap nowadays.
If I do the timing chain, I'm thinking I'll really do the car up right and begin to fix it up (and do a resonator/secondary cat delete), and probably sell my black one.
Wife wants me to sell the 99 at 3k instead of fixing it, she obviously has issues justifying the price of a timing chain. My 99 has been listed at 4k for over a month (intentionally high price, I don't NEED to sell it, just seeing if it would sell) and no buyer. I'm thinking I'll quit screwing around with 2 cars and sell my 98 for 3.5k and dump cash into my 99 and make it nice again.
Thoughts?
It needs the work, and it's the cheapest quote I can find, plus it's my preferred trusted mechanic doing the job (at a discount).
But would you? The engine runs tops and has no issues. Is noticeably faster than my 98 with nearly 100k less miles. I'm certain the engine has a great deal of life left in it and I'm starting to forget about the whole 55 engine swap because it's just too expensive on a car so old and worthless. I'd rather just find a nice CLS55 AMG if I want a real rocket, since those are getting pretty cheap nowadays.
If I do the timing chain, I'm thinking I'll really do the car up right and begin to fix it up (and do a resonator/secondary cat delete), and probably sell my black one.
Wife wants me to sell the 99 at 3k instead of fixing it, she obviously has issues justifying the price of a timing chain. My 99 has been listed at 4k for over a month (intentionally high price, I don't NEED to sell it, just seeing if it would sell) and no buyer. I'm thinking I'll quit screwing around with 2 cars and sell my 98 for 3.5k and dump cash into my 99 and make it nice again.
Thoughts?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Canal Winchester, Ohio
99 C43 AMG, 01 ML55 AMG, 05 C55 AMG, 02 CLK 55 AMG, 99 Slk 230, 03 SLK 230, 02 C230k, 98 C230
For $1200, you can just drop in a 55 engine swap. Why spend 1700 on a tensioner guides and chain when you get a better engine with less miles for less thats a direct drop in?
$800-1200 buys you a sub 140k 55 engine.
$800-1200 buys you a sub 140k 55 engine.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I did find a 2002 E55 engine with 125k a few hours away for $1800, but I have no idea if it's ME2.8 and if it will work. I know my guy wants $900 to drop it in.
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From: netherlands
Carlsson CM60 EX:C36AMG'96
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Canal Winchester, Ohio
99 C43 AMG, 01 ML55 AMG, 05 C55 AMG, 02 CLK 55 AMG, 99 Slk 230, 03 SLK 230, 02 C230k, 98 C230
I sent an offer in on this one,
They came back with a $700 counter offer. But there is an e55 one at my local lkq 10 mins away for $1100. I'd pay a little more just to get all the accessories as extras.
Last edited by Viperns; Mar 24, 2016 at 08:10 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 949
Likes: 47
From: San Diego
2004 E55
Originally Posted by Viperns
Lol, it happens sometimes. Which add on ebay did you go with?
I sent an offer in on this one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/121808767286?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
They came back with a $700 counter offer. But there is an e55 one at my local lkq 10 mins away for $1100. I'd pay a little more just to get all the accessories as extras.
I sent an offer in on this one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/121808767286?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
They came back with a $700 counter offer. But there is an e55 one at my local lkq 10 mins away for $1100. I'd pay a little more just to get all the accessories as extras.
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
W202 w/ a 5.4L V8
Mine came with most of the accessories and we put the best of the two motors onto the one that went into my car. Everything else went with the old 4.3L. I think I paid a little under $1200 for my motor out of an 02 clk55 with about 70k on the clock. I think $900 (9hrs labor) is very good based on what I paid for my swap. I think we were in the 11-13 hour range with mine. Anyway, enough of my babbling. Congrats on the grab and the swap. I never worry about cost. You typically paid what it's worth to you at the time. Someone might find more value in scouring the internet for 18hrs a day to save a few bucks but most of us don't have that kind of time or interest 
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
After goofy ebay bugs that were cancelling and closing the listing, the engine is finally being shipped. I am SUPER stoked. I hope the install doesn't eat up too much of the proceeds from the sale of black one. Would like as much left over as possible for other mods/repairs.
