Any idea how much all of this may cost? (03 E500)
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
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2003 w211
Any idea how much all of this may cost? (03 E500)
Sometimes I have the luck I guess... I recently purchased an 03 E500 that's just turning 80,000 miles. I love the car, but as you'll see below, it needs a few things. Any ideas what this may cost at the dealership to do?
Replace damaged small top fill radiator hose. (runs parallel to top radiator hose)
Check, or replace thermostat. Car runs 100 and max is 95. Maybe a cooler thermostat?
Check motor mounts- can feel a twisting at harder starts.*
Fix rough idle or miss.*
Fix mild roar car makes when driving. Feels like a wheel bearing?
Sbc *pump oils, flush.
Engine filters replace plus oil change
Replace air filters plus cabin air
Alignment 4 wheel needed wheel slightly turned
Fog lamp bulbs changed (keep passenger side as a spare)
Third brake light replaced (I have oem replacement)
Check valve cover gaskets
Replace cigarette lighter socket
Replace swivel cup holder (have oem replacement
Brake flush. All four corners. Check brakes
Sticky feeling start button on shifter knob (something spilled in it I'm sure)
Check shock and air suspension. Car leans in turns in both sport modes, and has brand new perf tires.
Power steering fluid. If smells burnt, vacuum, and replace fluid.
Replace drivers door handle (I have part)
Change trans oil
Remove old phone from center console that's outdated.
Replace damaged small top fill radiator hose. (runs parallel to top radiator hose)
Check, or replace thermostat. Car runs 100 and max is 95. Maybe a cooler thermostat?
Check motor mounts- can feel a twisting at harder starts.*
Fix rough idle or miss.*
Fix mild roar car makes when driving. Feels like a wheel bearing?
Sbc *pump oils, flush.
Engine filters replace plus oil change
Replace air filters plus cabin air
Alignment 4 wheel needed wheel slightly turned
Fog lamp bulbs changed (keep passenger side as a spare)
Third brake light replaced (I have oem replacement)
Check valve cover gaskets
Replace cigarette lighter socket
Replace swivel cup holder (have oem replacement
Brake flush. All four corners. Check brakes
Sticky feeling start button on shifter knob (something spilled in it I'm sure)
Check shock and air suspension. Car leans in turns in both sport modes, and has brand new perf tires.
Power steering fluid. If smells burnt, vacuum, and replace fluid.
Replace drivers door handle (I have part)
Change trans oil
Remove old phone from center console that's outdated.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 54
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2008 E350 Sport
E500 has it right, but there's a third way. There are some things that either require dealer attention or it's best to have the dealer do them, but a lot of things on your list can be handled by a DIYer. Oil change, filters, bulb replacement, lighter socket, etc. If you're willing to get your hands dirty, you'll save a ton. First things first, though. Get the idle, motor mounts, and road noise checked out and, if they're as expensive to fix as they could be, Plutoe may have a good idea. In any event, this will be a learning experience for you--the meaning of PPI being the start.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
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2003 w211
Greatly appreciate the advice! This car might stay or go at this point. I like it, love the power, etc., but am finding this car wasn't taken care of from the beginning.
If I were to sell it, I'd have to fix the motor mounts as when you step on the gas, it's obvious a mount is broken.
If I trade it, I'd have to do the same as the dealer would find it on their arou d the block test drive.
I've got 13,000 in it plus new Nitto tires, newly evacuated a/c, new freon at dealership, etc., had it detailed flawlessly. Kelly blue book hits it around 15k private party, and close to 13k trade. Any ideas what selling price for quick sale if I decide to do that?
Thanks again guys!
If I were to sell it, I'd have to fix the motor mounts as when you step on the gas, it's obvious a mount is broken.
If I trade it, I'd have to do the same as the dealer would find it on their arou d the block test drive.
I've got 13,000 in it plus new Nitto tires, newly evacuated a/c, new freon at dealership, etc., had it detailed flawlessly. Kelly blue book hits it around 15k private party, and close to 13k trade. Any ideas what selling price for quick sale if I decide to do that?
Thanks again guys!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
Your not getting 13k trade in. I had a 2003 E500 also with around 85k on it. Private value was 16,700 and trade in was 13k also. Dealer offered $7000 for trade in and my car looked and felt BRAND new.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,086
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
ya really isn't worth with how much it's gonna cost (unless you find a good indy and do some of that stuff urself, but even still, there will be more to come). I'm debating about keeping my car but between new tires, new brakes and rotors, motor mounts, spark plugs and wires. and still the car would have the rocking problem at low speeds, the gas leak issue (very common on the w211s), and a non-operative pano roof 
and on top of that lord knows how long till i start having airmatic issues 
and on top of that lord knows how long till i start having airmatic issues
Last edited by gaazmon; Jul 29, 2012 at 05:21 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
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From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
My 2 cents and then some....
- Decide if you want to get your hands dirty with the tasks and whether you should or shouldn't try to. You will learn something trying to do it yourself. The lessons may be enlightening or may be frightening. It takes tools, time and tenacity. Timidness won't do it.
- Decide if you want to keep the car
- If you decide to keep it, then do the urgent maintenance items or have them done soon
- Ask yourself why some of these items are on your list. Who put them there? Why?
- Divide your list up. Don't confuse fault items with maintenance items
- There are several items you could ignore. Who cares if the start button is slightly hard to press? Do you actually need the lighter socket?
- Expect and budget to replace air-suspension components on a 2003 E500 by now. But you don't have to replace airmatic with airmatic if you don't want to. There are alternatives
- Is there actually something wrong with your brakes? Get it seen to before your SBC 10 year warranty goes away next year. (That doesn't mean all brake-work is free! It does mean if there's something wrong with the SBC, now is the time to check it out - while Carl and Gottlieb at MBUSA might pick up part of the tab.)
- Take care of the thermostat issue and the hose. Now. That is your greatest exposure to further problems. (assuming the SBC and potentially bad suspension don't wrap you around a tree, and I doubt either will.)
- You do not need to ponder on a "cooler" or a "hotter thermostat." You need the one specified for your car, in your market
- Find an independent Mercedes workshop and enlist them if you decide not to do the work yourself. You do not have to enlist a proper dealer except for the SBC work unless you are happiest doing so. Do not enlist a mechanic who lacks Mercedes knowledge. I am sure you will need help for some of this work.
- Start to write down your fuel consumption per-tank and share what you learn on his forum. That will help other E500 owners to help you figure out the general health of the car. (e.g. If those noises you are hearing really could be bearings going bad, or just regular and to be expected.)
- Is the Check Engine Light on? If so, get the rough idle looked into and be sure to have the mechanic write down and share with you the fault codes and post them here. Or get a code reader yourself and do it
- When is your next state inspection/ emissions test? If soon, that will focus your mind on check-engine lights, misses and codes.
- Research, research, research. There is a wealth of learning on this site and elsewhere. You'll get respect if we can all see you've tried to look stuff up and learn. You'll get ignored if all you do is bleat out questions without lifting a finger to help yourself. (and I am not saying that you have been!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Vista, Ca
2003 E500 (W211)
wow, so sorry to hear about all those issues. I wish you would have seen my car for sale. Where are you located at? I have very good independent mechanic that always worked on my e500...and if there was something he couldn't fix or didn't know what was wrong, he would have a mercedes mechanic come by to his shop to take a look at it.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 11
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2003 w211
wow, so sorry to hear about all those issues. I wish you would have seen my car for sale. Where are you located at? I have very good independent mechanic that always worked on my e500...and if there was something he couldn't fix or didn't know what was wrong, he would have a mercedes mechanic come by to his shop to take a look at it.
Thinking about selling her. Just want to find one someone who has actually maintained without paying too much. My Wife says the 03 E500 is a grandpa car,
but I disagree. I found a 4 matic recently that was a "deal," but since I'm in FL most of the time, I can't justify dropping 2k on the inevitable 4matic differential. I do, however, need to drive in the snow at times with family in the north east, so tough call. I'm open to suggestions.I really want to fix this car as I like it well, but don't want to waste $ if I can avoid it.
Last edited by leap; Jul 22, 2012 at 03:21 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
the 500 is a beast of an engine. These cars r pretty heavy but the V8 hauls 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I found out the driver's motor mount is broken ( common), but ordered both sides to be safe. I may have both replaced, or just the broken one.
Thinking about selling her. Just want to find one someone who has actually maintained without paying too much. My Wife says the 03 E500 is a grandpa car, but I disagree. I found a 4 matic recently that was a "deal," but since I'm in FL most of the time, I can't justify dropping 2k on the inevitable 4matic differential. I do, however, need to drive in the snow at times with family in the north east, so tough call. I'm open to suggestions.
I really want to fix this car as I like it well, but don't want to waste $ if I can avoid it.
Thinking about selling her. Just want to find one someone who has actually maintained without paying too much. My Wife says the 03 E500 is a grandpa car,
but I disagree. I found a 4 matic recently that was a "deal," but since I'm in FL most of the time, I can't justify dropping 2k on the inevitable 4matic differential. I do, however, need to drive in the snow at times with family in the north east, so tough call. I'm open to suggestions.I really want to fix this car as I like it well, but don't want to waste $ if I can avoid it.
