When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If you saw my other post i had my 2010 e550 totalled out. Didn't think i would be able to find another e550 sedan with low miles. Found this one in Chicago with 21k miles, flew there from Seattle, picked it up and drove it across i90 back to Washington this weekend. doesnt have a ton of extra features like air ride or massage
got a good price, has a minor issue with the radar, lane assist, blind spot, pre-brake, and distronic are inoperable but i usually disable most of those features, will be taking on the project as rest of the car seemed fine, and it did just make it 2300 miles running like a champ, especially in SD where i had to slow down to 110 sometimes. Also i think having cruise control not function helped keep me alert.
will need to tint the windows asap and its my first biturbo w212 so planning to do some power upgrades too.
Last edited by Boarderjosh10; 10-02-2023 at 07:35 PM.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 OM642 ; R107 M117, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Beautiful and it looks like you have distronic plus, which is great. Don't worry about losing airmatic or massaging seats, that just means it'll be more reliable. The 4.7TT engine is reliable, however the plastic cooling system is not. It won't let you destroy your engine like BMW's cooling issues, but at that age things will start to crack and leak. When the first hose goes, just go ahead and do it all at once.
I have distronic plus on my E400 and thought it was mostly worthless because my longest drives were on the incredibly curvy VA/WV I64/Turnpike. It works OK there, but really struggles with the high speeds, curves and angles. I just drove to OBX from central virginia and realized what an incredible system it is. On a "normal" non WV route (or CO since that's the only other place that seems as bad or worse than the WV turnpike), it's a game changer.
Edit: I have mine tuned with a JB4, which I don't think they offer for the 4.7TT. However, renntech, oetuning and a half dozen others can get your 4.7TT to 600 crank HP or more with only an ECU tune if you're interested. OEtuning claims they can get 480 crank with just an ECU on my 3.0TT...
Usually just the sensors get water intrution thru the wiring harness from what I have read. Gotta check mine. This causes the inside cercuit board to corrode. GL with new ride.
Thanks all, surprised I found it as quickly as I did. Had been quietly searching with a saved search for v8 e classes. Wife agreed I had been looking for a long time so if I thought it was the right one then it was meant to be.
Last one had massage and air. Both were pain in the *** and had to repair both at times so will probably not miss either.
Haven't gotten too far into the problem with the sensors. There is a code for b29/3 interference and it appears to have some dings near the front sensor so probably was a botched repair. Car was 1 owner and always serviced at mb dealer so I plan to have them get me any repair history they have. Shouldn't be mush given the miles.
i was happy with the tune I had from oetune so might go with them. Do people upgrade the turbos or mostly bov and intercooler upgrades with stock turbos? haven't used methanol since I played with rotary's.
Heading to Dominican Republic for some sun so I'll check back on the car next week. Hearing they are going to have a week of rain so might have to hop to somewhere else. Made it back from the road trip 5 hours before take off.
Last edited by Boarderjosh10; 10-03-2023 at 12:58 AM.
Unicorn year for the US. Only FL model to get the V8 outside of AMGs
Yes one of the pros for sure. Always wanted the v8TT but also liked saying I had the last big V8 (over 5l) with the 2010. With the tune on the 5.5 from Oetuning I feel like it was very similar power as the 2014. But pretty sure I got way better mpgs with the 14 on the road trip.
When you say unicorn year, like should I be storing this thing in a barn for 30 years? Interior is mint. Exterior a couple minor nics. I got lucky once in my life having an iPod in the box with appreciation. I have the means to save this one and given less than 25k miles wondering if I shouldn't drive it. Saw a 91 hammer with 30k miles go for $100k so wasn't sure on this model.
Or do I molest it by tuning ecu, upgrade the turbos, and go full hog on it? I see there are 100hp gains with an ecu tune alone
Great car had mine since new, and no regrets. Get those sensors fixed though, they can save you, or someone else from an accident. My 2012's seat lifted me, up and squished the sides of my back to allow me steer away from an idiot cutting into me. It uses the radar, and all those cameras. I expect it from my newer S213, but not from this old daily. I opted for the options hoping I would never have to use them. Who knew I would end up using them 11 years later last year.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 OM642 ; R107 M117, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by Boarderjosh10
Yes one of the pros for sure. Always wanted the v8TT but also liked saying I had the last big V8 (over 5l) with the 2010. With the tune on the 5.5 from Oetuning I feel like it was very similar power as the 2014. But pretty sure I got way better mpgs with the 14 on the road trip.
When you say unicorn year, like should I be storing this thing in a barn for 30 years? Interior is mint. Exterior a couple minor nics. I got lucky once in my life having an iPod in the box with appreciation. I have the means to save this one and given less than 25k miles wondering if I shouldn't drive it. Saw a 91 hammer with 30k miles go for $100k so wasn't sure on this model.
Or do I molest it by tuning ecu, upgrade the turbos, and go full hog on it? I see there are 100hp gains with an ecu tune alone
A W212 E550 with the 4.7TT is a unicorn for people looking for a W212, but it'll never be a classic. The 5.5TT on the E63 will be the "classic" if any ever exists. It's just that they only offered a 4.7TT in a facelift for one year, so if you're looking for a V8TT in a facelift that isn't an insane AMG, that's the only one you can get.
Congrats on the E550. Rare bird! Enjoy it and have fun. Get the ECU Tune. Forget the value. Life is short. Want a return on your investment? Invest in blue chip stocks. Not a W212.
10-02-2023, 07:28 PM
