jugar23m

Ok, been following this forum since I got my car. Love it from the first day! A few days ago while coasting down a hill about 30mph I heard a grinding noise that suddenly turned into a metal grind. No CEL, no smoke or over heating. I shut it down got it home, The cars starts and idles fine just a knock on the top towards the rear of the motor. Had a car towed in to the dealer and they are telling me the engine is toast?? I'm a bit confused as the car starts up and does not sound like engine that is blown up. Any input would be great not only does the car only have 58k on it but it is not abused. Mercedes has offered to pick up half the cost of the replacement but that equates to 15k + out of pocket for me. At this point I am so upset on how this car could just take a crap at 60k..

AMG6.3

No warranty? Why is MB willing to pay for half the cost? What was the root cause/problem of your engine failure? Is it head bolt problem?

CarHopper

Any mentions of the tranny going bad?

jugar23m

Service manager made a couple calls to MB to try to help out as the car is out of warranty. It literally had no symptoms or issues. Has a had all scheduled maintenance. No transmission issues although it does kind of sounds like broken flywheel. I guess what confuses me is that the car starts right and idles fine.

realjones88

Probably worth the time and expense to have someone else look at it. Maybe another dealership or independent.

abcut973

Get a second opinion.
No white smoke, no low coolant messages?

jugar23m

Wife drove the car a few days last week she said she the coolant light came on and turned off. News to me!! I did check the coolant level when I got it home checked the oil as well and a little smoke at start up but only after it sat in the garage for 3 days.

CarHopper

Oh the ole coolant message.... Not sounding too good. It may sound like it is running fine now, but I bet if you left it on for a while it wouldn't sound so great.

Did the dealer say full motor swap? I'm assuming so with that price tag.

jugar23m

Yeah, the recommendation was a new engine. At this point I'm pretty upset! Can't believe the car has taken a crap at 60k. Will anyone rebuild? Or should I start looking around salvage dealers. Any options if indeed the engine is toast? At this point I'd rather put 20k into a new M4 or 997tt.

Merc63

You've been on here for how long and don't know when that coolant message comes up more than once that's alarm bells?

Screw a new engine. There is tons of used ones on the market. Call Weistec I bet they have a few kicking around. Or call some wreckers and throw a used engine in it and drive it, done deal.

-ian

Sorry to hear but how much is a used engine ( unknown history, mileage etc ) going to cost with labour charges compared to MB picking up half the cost and fitting a brand new warranted engine ?

If the difference was only a few thousand I know which way I would be going.

AMG6.3

Determine failure first then determine best repair you might not need an entire motor. I would take your car to an indy shop for a tear down not the stealership.

It is easier for dealership to replace entire motor the rebuild but is much more money for you. Check out your options

abcut973

Some have managed to get the dealership split the cost of repairs.
Might worth give it a try.

ab0bab0i

He already said dealer would split half the cost but its still $15k.

Thrilla

I believe the dealership is paying half the tab, per his original post.
IMO, have the dealer handle the engine swap. It'll be easier for you to sell it later if the repair was backed by the dealership and MB.

abcut973

My bad. I get confused with another similar thread.
How come this repair is $30k when some have had repairs for $6k. You definitely need a second opinion.

jugar23m

30k is for a new engine from Mercedes. So far they have determined the engine is toast, but no explanation of the cause or what exactly is broken? I am thinking of getting second opinion so we will see.

C3Duece

imho a rebuild from a qualified indie will be your best/cheapest option. Either way GL and keep us posted.

jugar23m

Car goes to an indy shop today after the dealer offered me 5000.00 on trade in. What else could I expect right!!!! Anyway I have been looking for replacement engines found one locally but its off a 2008 E63 does will this engine work cant get an answer from the dealer or shop?

abcut973

$5k for your car
The engine in the 2008 E63 is the same M156 so it should work. But you will still be in the engine range for the headbolt issue.

rediesel

I know it's easy to spend other people's money, but I thought 15k for a dealer installed new AMG engine was a good price. Sucks it happened I understand, but I'd get the new engine or send it to Weistec and have it rebuilt by the pros. I'm sure a used M156 ain't cheap, and I'm guessing the ones that came out of wrecked cars weren't babied.

Speedriven1

$15K is nuts. Where are you located?

Speedriven1

That's accurate. Sometimes extended warranty companies will offer to replace with a used engine that, almost always, has more problems than the one it's supposed to be a "fix" for.

jugar23m

I am located in Portland Oregon.

Spearsba

I had an engine swap for my 2011 C63 last August. It was covered by the CPO. I saw the final bill and it was over $70K. It was a new engine from Afalterbach, crated and shipped to my dealer. The process took over a month. If $$30K is right, and the indie/rebuild starts getting towards the $15K mark, I'd take the dealer up on the offer.