Need Some Work Done
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Joined: Jul 2017
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2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Need Some Work Done
I have a 2012 E550 with 102K miles and have put about $5K in the car over the past year. It looks like I am needing another round of maintenance, as I have a slow coolant and oil leak. The shop is recommending resealing the upper front timing covers and replacing the turbo coolant lines and water pump. With labor and assorted seals/gaskets it comes to $3800. I love the car, but am having an issue justifying putting more money into a car that is only valued at $8K tops. Thoughts?
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Mercedes e350 coupe
Hi Davery.
your dilemma is common.
When I've had this feeling..I usually start thinking about how expensive the replacement car will be...and usually the old car repair bill (or bills) is/are less than the sales tax/dealer fee's on a newer model. Then I start to think of how much a newer model would depreciate yearly, etc. Your e550 sound like a well maintained machine that is still a very attractive body style. Plus it has to put a smile on your face every time you crank up that monster motor! I would consider keeping it. You know its history.
But I'm usually wrong.
Motor on,
Mark
your dilemma is common.
When I've had this feeling..I usually start thinking about how expensive the replacement car will be...and usually the old car repair bill (or bills) is/are less than the sales tax/dealer fee's on a newer model. Then I start to think of how much a newer model would depreciate yearly, etc. Your e550 sound like a well maintained machine that is still a very attractive body style. Plus it has to put a smile on your face every time you crank up that monster motor! I would consider keeping it. You know its history.
But I'm usually wrong.
Motor on,
Mark
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Hi Davery.
your dilemma is common.
When I've had this feeling..I usually start thinking about how expensive the replacement car will be...and usually the old car repair bill (or bills) is/are less than the sales tax/dealer fee's on a newer model. Then I start to think of how much a newer model would depreciate yearly, etc. Your e550 sound like a well maintained machine that is still a very attractive body style. Plus it has to put a smile on your face every time you crank up that monster motor! I would consider keeping it. You know its history.
But I'm usually wrong.
Motor on,
Mark
your dilemma is common.
When I've had this feeling..I usually start thinking about how expensive the replacement car will be...and usually the old car repair bill (or bills) is/are less than the sales tax/dealer fee's on a newer model. Then I start to think of how much a newer model would depreciate yearly, etc. Your e550 sound like a well maintained machine that is still a very attractive body style. Plus it has to put a smile on your face every time you crank up that monster motor! I would consider keeping it. You know its history.
But I'm usually wrong.
Motor on,
Mark
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2015 E400
I'm probably keeping my '15 for as long as I'm alive...
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Joined: Jul 2017
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2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
I'm not so sure I'd want a new car these days. It's so hard to find a V8, plus the number of ECUs. Maintaining the car you have will actually be less expensive, all things considered. Who wants to take the first time buyer's depreciation hit, along with the tax liabilities, then the additional risk of the additional electronics.
I'm probably keeping my '15 for as long as I'm alive...
I'm probably keeping my '15 for as long as I'm alive...
The interesting thing about this car is the supposed $7-8K value of this car. As far as I can tell, there are only three or four 2012 cabs for sale in the entire country. The closet one to mine has 20K less miles than mine, but they are asking $16K. In the pics it does not look in any better condition than mine.
Last edited by Davery; Dec 14, 2025 at 01:17 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I have a 2012 E550 with 102K miles and have put about $5K in the car over the past year. It looks like I am needing another round of maintenance, as I have a slow coolant and oil leak. The shop is recommending resealing the upper front timing covers and replacing the turbo coolant lines and water pump. With labor and assorted seals/gaskets it comes to $3800. I love the car, but am having an issue justifying putting more money into a car that is only valued at $8K tops. Thoughts?
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
Last edited by Arrie; Dec 14, 2025 at 03:02 PM.
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2015 mercedes benz e400 4matic
For the leak, I have a 2010 E550 with a great engine before turbos. It runs extremely well after almost 200000 miles, but it developed oil leak in the front of the engine. Almost the whole front of it was covered with oil.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
For the leak, I have a 2010 E550 with a great engine before turbos. It runs extremely well after almost 200000 miles, but it developed oil leak in the front of the engine. Almost the whole front of it was covered with oil.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
For the leak, I have a 2010 E550 with a great engine before turbos. It runs extremely well after almost 200000 miles, but it developed oil leak in the front of the engine. Almost the whole front of it was covered with oil.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
I read all about replacing the gaskets on the front engine covers but I did not do that I just tightened all the bolts on the covers I could get to and I must say I was very surprised how loose most of the bolts were. I gave the engine a good wash before the tightening job and so far leaks have not come back.
I don’t drive this car much. After the job I have put only about 400 miles on it so perhaps I need more time to know for sure.
For the value, what do you think you can buy for $3800 to replace your Benz? Not much I must say. You are not keeping it for selling or trading it in for value, are you?
If you like the car keep it and keep driving it. Take it to a garage and ask them just to tighten the front bolts on the engine and then wash it so you can see if it starts leaking again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Tightening the engine front bolts has nothing to do with coolant lines. It is all aluminum parts that are bolted on the aluminum engine block.
if your only complaint is the oil and coolant leak the bolt tightening can very likely fix it and should cost way less than changing the gaskets.
my leaks stopped with bolt tightening and I don’t think my car is the only one where this helps.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Doing what?
Tightening the engine front bolts has nothing to do with coolant lines. It is all aluminum parts that are bolted on the aluminum engine block.
if your only complaint is the oil and coolant leak the bolt tightening can very likely fix it and should cost way less than changing the gaskets.
my leaks stopped with bolt tightening and I don’t think my car is the only one where this helps.
Tightening the engine front bolts has nothing to do with coolant lines. It is all aluminum parts that are bolted on the aluminum engine block.
if your only complaint is the oil and coolant leak the bolt tightening can very likely fix it and should cost way less than changing the gaskets.
my leaks stopped with bolt tightening and I don’t think my car is the only one where this helps.
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From: Chicago
Bi-Turbo E550 Coupe (W207)
