fryem

I have the oppurtunity for a great deal on an 03. Couple of thousand below invoice. Any significant changes?

Thanks

E55 KEV

NOPE!

AMG///Merc

The addition of optional cooling seats, but otherwise, it's all the same...

Best regards,
Matt

fryem

Thanks...getting closer to a deal!

clkguy

ask about the piston skirt slap they had in the 03 113 series engines, the reason for new motor mounts is to dampen the sound of the skirts slapping against the liner, the problem was not as excessive in the 55's due to the amg piston upgrade but still a weakness in the 113 engine family with high performance slipper type pistons with shorter skirts for less friction, they say the problem was rectified in 04 across the board of models

RJC

I have the same noise (light tapping sound on moderate acceleration) with my 04 that I did with my 03 with regard to the motor mount issue. The motor mounts that are used as a replacement for customers that complain are of an older design, the newer design mounts used in the 03+ cars transmits more noise but do a better job of quelling vibration. This is per two MB shop foreman on in Fla and one in CA.

AMG///Merc

Because that most certainly would NOT have been good news for me! I occasionaly hear a tapping sound at idle that I would describe as a "valve tap" type of sound, although I'm not assuming nor suggesting that's what it is. Is that the piston "slap" that I am hearing? Wouldn't piston slap cause premature wear on the pistons and liners?



Best regards,
Matt

RJC

Relax...all of the modular engines MB has been using since 99 have a noisy valvetrain especially compared to the previous DOHC 4 valve version. Go compare your car to an 04 and you'll see they're the same. Just make sure the 04 is at full operating temp to make certain the comparison is the same.