2003 E500 - new to me
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Joined: May 2022
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2003 E500
2003 E500 - new to me
Just picked up a 2003 E500, 77k miles. Few questions for everyone:
1) local shop said front tie rods and both front wheel housings need replaced/work. How many hours if I did it myself and never done before?
2) need any recommendations for replacement stereo with bluetooth and apple carplay
3) Visit Workshop for AirMatic light on, even though air shocks replaced in 2017...should I be nervous?
Thanks!
1) local shop said front tie rods and both front wheel housings need replaced/work. How many hours if I did it myself and never done before?
2) need any recommendations for replacement stereo with bluetooth and apple carplay
3) Visit Workshop for AirMatic light on, even though air shocks replaced in 2017...should I be nervous?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Not sure what you mean by wheel housings. Wheel bearings? I didn't think tie rods were that bad if you had the tools, but certain tools you can rent from Autozone. Haven't had to do wheel bearings, but tie rods, ball joints, sway bar links, upper/lower control arms have been replaced.
Haven't done apple carplay. That's a tricky replacement, there's several old recommendation in the old threads. But you basically get an aftermarket android unit that doesn't look the same. Lots of them on Aliexpress, just don't know which ones are good ones as there are so many and they change all the time.
If you have a light on, you should get a code scanner to see what the error code is. You should not ignore error codes. If the car isn't sitting low, you may have an air leak somewhere. If you ignore it, eventually that burns out the pump which costs a lot more to fix than just fixing the air leak.
Haven't done apple carplay. That's a tricky replacement, there's several old recommendation in the old threads. But you basically get an aftermarket android unit that doesn't look the same. Lots of them on Aliexpress, just don't know which ones are good ones as there are so many and they change all the time.
If you have a light on, you should get a code scanner to see what the error code is. You should not ignore error codes. If the car isn't sitting low, you may have an air leak somewhere. If you ignore it, eventually that burns out the pump which costs a lot more to fix than just fixing the air leak.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 50
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere deep in Florida
2003 E500, 52k miles
Well
You purchased that 2003 Mercedes because it was a "good deal". Now you're beginning to find out why! Replacing the air struts and/or air compressor is in your near future. Brakes, motor mounts and AC leaks too. I had to replace both of my front struts ($2100) and later my air compressor ($800). This year I did all 4 brakes. Now rides smoothly, stops on a dime. Nice. 60k miles. How many previous owners and what service records do you have?
Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 248
Likes: 36
From: L.A., Moscow, NYC, San Diego, Baja
1998 E320 Wagon, 2003 W211 E500, 2003 W211 E500, 1999 W210 E55 AMG
Just picked up a 2003 E500, 77k miles. Few questions for everyone:
1) local shop said front tie rods and both front wheel housings need replaced/work. How many hours if I did it myself and never done before?
2) need any recommendations for replacement stereo with bluetooth and apple carplay
3) Visit Workshop for AirMatic light on, even though air shocks replaced in 2017...should I be nervous?
Thanks!
1) local shop said front tie rods and both front wheel housings need replaced/work. How many hours if I did it myself and never done before?
2) need any recommendations for replacement stereo with bluetooth and apple carplay
3) Visit Workshop for AirMatic light on, even though air shocks replaced in 2017...should I be nervous?
Thanks!
The Airmatic suspension can become expensive quite quickly. Learn it. Arnott has great customer service for their lifetime guarantee.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 400
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
...As members have suggested the airmatic is expensive, and if not corrected it will do you in the worst way. What ever you do DONT buy from RTM out of Florida they have a terrible service center. Doing the job yourself is not hard it's rather easy with the proper tools. Congrats, and welcome
R,
2Merks
R,
2Merks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Congrats. I've owned two '03 E500. Great cars. Require maintenance. Buy a scanner. I just did the inner and outer tie rods. Spent an hour on each side. You'll need a ball joint seperator, torque wrench, and inner tie rod removal tool (I used a pipe wrench). The biggest issue for me was understanding how to remove the inner dust boot clamp.
The Airmatic suspension can become expensive quite quickly. Learn it. Arnott has great customer service for their lifetime guarantee.
The Airmatic suspension can become expensive quite quickly. Learn it. Arnott has great customer service for their lifetime guarantee.
Also while SBC has a 25 year warranty and there's probably about 5 years left on the 2003, the fuel tank could also leak and that was limited to 15 years so that would already be expired.
