ER1

I am thinking about buying a S55 Kompressor (supercharged model) first registered 03/2003 and driven 100.000 km. The price is quite right, but the problem is that it does NOT have a warranty and the seller is not exactly Daimler AG but rather a small general car dealer. The car has had only one owner, supposedly and elderly person. I am thinking of keeping the car for at least 2-3 years.

If I were to check the car at a Mercedes dealer before purchase, are there any tips what problems to look for in addition to ABC/airmatic failures and electric gadget malfunctions?

What are your experiences with reliability with the 2003 supercharged model? For example how reliable and expensive to fix are the most expensive parts such as the engine and gearbox - is it probable that they will hold well until at least 200.000 km?

Thank you in advance!

Corsa9000

The S55 Kompressor engine is very reliable. There is a known problem with the Kompressor clutch engagement which causes a chirp on acceleration but it is not harming anything, some owners don't mind it, some opt to replace the parts, mine was done under warranty.

The items to look out for are: ABC, COMAND display, some driver seats jerk forward a little when braking and bladders leak air for the lumbar support.

Have the car inspected of course and I highly recommend an extended warranty since no repair for the W220 is inexpensive.

Good luck!

Viet_Amg408

ABC.....AND ABC.......thats pretty much it..

sprins

You forgot ABC, ABC and ABC.

Can't stress that enough.

ABC pump: definitely will go some day. On the bright side, it might already been replaced. Look into that.

ABC struts: May start to leak one day. Once you start replacing one, all will eventually have to be replaced.

mk4mike

i sometimes drive my dads s55 an i engage abc, he never drives with it on... sometimes i hear a sound coming from the right side of the trunk! is that where the pump is? its a noise those lasts for about 3 secs and is pretty noisey

bzliteyear

I think the ABC is always on, right? isn't it just whether want to do the sports setting?
As for the sound...oh, that's not good.
Could that be the hint of ABC pump or valve block issues to come?
Good luck.
PL

MBtech1098

Yes, Active Body Control is always active...it's a complete hydraulic suspension. ABC Sport just changes the dampening charecteristics.

ER1

Thanks to everyone for the helpful information! I will surely be careful about the ABC system. It appears that the car was just serviced at an authorized Mercedes service at 100.000 km and at least the brake discs + pads have been changed to new ones. The next service should be at 120.000 km. I will actually get a separate 3 year warranty for the car, so that should cover the risks mostly for at least that period. I really hope it will be a good car...

plastique999

I bought a 2003 S55 with 105K miles on it (killer deal), but I will also echo the above regarding the ABC system......mine has failed 3 times. I have replaced the filter, and the valves.....fortunately know a good MB mechanic, and I have the extended warranty. Other than some minor electrical malfunctions (seat adjusting on its own, trunk lid fickle), the car has been solid. The motor is solid and strong.....
My prediction, however, is that the tranny may be the next thing that may go (ext. warranty should cover)....I have some slight hesitation on some shifts with load.

Viet_Amg408

1. might be your supercharger lagging

or

if slight delay or somthing similiar to that is due to engine torque limiter delay underload for smoother shift and prevent damage to tran....sound normal..you can remove or adjust that with transmission software update...

Reckless

Warranty company spent $9k fixing ABC in my 600. I wonder if hitting a bad pothole will do it.

plastique999

Thanks!....where do you get transmission software update?

saintz

You should change the tranny fluid if it hasn't been changed recently. That is normally a symptom of old fluid and a change will both smooth it back out and protect it.

rondocap

I have an S55 with 120,000 miles. (not km!)

The ABC stuff was done at around 100k, but aside from that, it's just been normal maintenance and wear/tear items.

Here is my review of it below. It's the 2001 model without the supercharger, but the car is mostly the same as the 03+ ones aside from the engine and other interior upgrades, the maintenance is pretty much the same.

https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...mg-2001-a.html