Thinking of buying a 2003 S55
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I read through this thread and I can't say enough about preventive maintenance.
My '03 SL55 has been bullet proof. But I have kept up on the fluids (oil, aft, abc, coolant, etc). I use a STAR system to help with dx, as well as maintenance. If you are doing work on these cars yourself, it is invaluable. Fortunately, we carry the OEM units, so I have an advantage!
Keep up the good work!
My '03 SL55 has been bullet proof. But I have kept up on the fluids (oil, aft, abc, coolant, etc). I use a STAR system to help with dx, as well as maintenance. If you are doing work on these cars yourself, it is invaluable. Fortunately, we carry the OEM units, so I have an advantage!
Keep up the good work!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 212
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2003 S55 (SOLD) , 2012 S550
Well...just an update
ABC pump went out and i had it replaced...also had the tranny flushed....now the car drives like it should and puts a real smile on my face
2 Days ago i changed the spark plugs...no surprise here they were original and so 8 years old...didnt look that bad though...but the car drives way smoother with the new ones.
I still have mutiple vibration points if i just slowly rev the engine in park...but i will look at the engine/tranny mounts this weekend as i suspect one or more of those to be weak or even bad.
I also ordered a c3 multiplexer so i can get my das to work...well...that about sums it up..
Oh....yesterday i had the chance to drive a modified corvette zr1 with 900 hp....puts the s55 in perspective... my eye sockets still hurt!!
ABC pump went out and i had it replaced...also had the tranny flushed....now the car drives like it should and puts a real smile on my face
2 Days ago i changed the spark plugs...no surprise here they were original and so 8 years old...didnt look that bad though...but the car drives way smoother with the new ones.
I still have mutiple vibration points if i just slowly rev the engine in park...but i will look at the engine/tranny mounts this weekend as i suspect one or more of those to be weak or even bad.
I also ordered a c3 multiplexer so i can get my das to work...well...that about sums it up..
Oh....yesterday i had the chance to drive a modified corvette zr1 with 900 hp....puts the s55 in perspective... my eye sockets still hurt!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 212
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2003 S55 (SOLD) , 2012 S550
Mercedes of miami wanted 3800 for the abc pump and the tranny flush...i told the advisor no way and told him ill tow my car to an indy.....so i ended up at just under 3000 including taxes...with a year unlimited miles warranty on it...wasnt cheap but its done now...the filters , oil change and spark plugs i did myself...the tranny and engine mounts im going to do myself as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
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From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
I am going to atempt the ABC fluid change myself, but dont know of any way to do the "Rodeo" function...may have to manually raise and lower the car while renewing fluid...any other ideas out there? I have alreay bought the fluid and filter....filter $75, Fluid 10 Qts at $16 per.
Mike
Mike
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Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 212
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2003 S55 (SOLD) , 2012 S550
Well...last update....this past weekend i did an oil change and replaced the tranny mount...my god is this thing sweet now.....the only thing that bugs me is the supercharger chirp...but i guess ill leave that one alone...other than that this car is as new now...checked all the bushings and shes good... i did have a scare on friday night though....heard popping noises and 30 seconds later i get the "check coolant level" warning...thank god i was 1/2 a mile from home.....turns out that the upper radiator hose clip had come loose and the fluid was just pumped to the street.....its 2 inches in front of the abc pump (THE ONE MERCEDES JUST REPLACED!!!!) they must have banged it ...so i re-attached it and filled it but the pulley of the abc pump scored the hose...so i went to see the price...95 bucks...I DONT THINK SO...went to autozone...looked at all their hoses...found one with the same bends...cut it and attached it...15 buck fix...it pays to think outside the box with these cars...well i guess im done...car is driving smooth and solid now....
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Well...last update....this past weekend i did an oil change and replaced the tranny mount...my god is this thing sweet now.....the only thing that bugs me is the supercharger chirp...but i guess ill leave that one alone...other than that this car is as new now...checked all the bushings and shes good... i did have a scare on friday night though....heard popping noises and 30 seconds later i get the "check coolant level" warning...thank god i was 1/2 a mile from home.....turns out that the upper radiator hose clip had come loose and the fluid was just pumped to the street.....its 2 inches in front of the abc pump (THE ONE MERCEDES JUST REPLACED!!!!) they must have banged it ...so i re-attached it and filled it but the pulley of the abc pump scored the hose...so i went to see the price...95 bucks...I DONT THINK SO...went to autozone...looked at all their hoses...found one with the same bends...cut it and attached it...15 buck fix...it pays to think outside the box with these cars...well i guess im done...car is driving smooth and solid now....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 70
2003 S55 (SOLD) , 2012 S550
The tranny job is super easy....6 big bolts 2 small ones...take the cross brace off....2 more screws and the mount is out...dont forget the ground strap and dont forget to support the tranny!! (death would be quick 
)... i had strange vibrations at 1800-2200 and 2800-3200 rpm...in park or driving...all gone...smooth as silk...huge improvement over before and that old mount was only craked and not ripped off yet....for the money its a great little project that will make a big difference
)... i had strange vibrations at 1800-2200 and 2800-3200 rpm...in park or driving...all gone...smooth as silk...huge improvement over before and that old mount was only craked and not ripped off yet....for the money its a great little project that will make a big difference
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
Looking at the maintenance stuff looks like the rears are on the pipes near each shock absorber...not sure about the fronts...break the screws and close when fluid appears....it also says only bleed when the shock was reparied or replaced...
Mike
Mike
