rd122481

How reliable are these cars? Are there any common problems with them? Please let me know of your experiences as I am considering buying a '99-'01 E55 with mileages of 66k, 75k & 80k. What problems have you guys experienced so far? Thanks!

Mr. Vanos

From personal experience, my '01 has been pretty rock solid mechanically. I have not had any issues specific to the E55. I came out of a CLK55 and I can say the quality of the E is superior to the CLK. Granted I only have 33,000 miles on the car in 4.5 years, but some of the general issues I've had (again, nothing specific to E55, but just w210 in general). Everything was done under warranty:

- CD Changer replaced
- Passenger mirror adjust for Reverse gear has NEVER worked properly (I gave up after several attempts by dealer to fix it)
- Rear sunshade replaced (bad gears)
- COMAND replaced (would not eject CD properly)
- Dash cluster replaced (ambient temp LCD display out)
...there were a few other minor things that I can't think of right now.

Some of the early cars (2000 and earlier - I got this on my CLK430) had problems with fuel level sender where it would register EMPTY (typically) or FULL all the time. Personally, I would stick with 2000+ with the refreshed interior and exterior styling. Good luck!

Ben

Have had my MY2001 since January '01... 36K miles and counting... incredible vehicle, especially for daily driving.

All maintenance covered under warranty...

- SRS (air bags) module replaced
- Rain-Sensing Wiper module replaced
- Fuel Level Sensor replaced
- Harmonic Balancer replaced
- Oxygen Sensor replaced

Each visit to the dealership for maintenance can become annoying, but well worth it once the Beast is back in your hands.

AC556F

I've had mine since August '03 (Starmark® - I bought it with 24K miles) and had nothing but a very positive experience. I've driven to Seattle and back and lots of trips to CA and Las Vegas. Superb road rocket, and MUCH faster than most people think! The MAF was replaced (at 34K miles, under warranty) and the difference in performance is astounding. I went from a Z06 (too much police "attention") to the AMG so I could go fast but not draw too much notice. A nice, gray 4-door blends in really well. I've now got 44K miles on the E55, and the M-B warranty goes until 1/08 and 100K miles. Great car, great coverage.

I am selling it to get a '04 E55 (Starmark®). I am asking $42K - this includes the tranferrable factory Starmark® warranty.

tjcMBE55AMG

Reliability pretty good here too at 24K. Minor things like the CD changer glitch (now up to 3 radios and 1 CD replaced), sunroof cover rattle, sunshade not always 'happy' to go down, central locking pump replaced.

TJC

Fast55

Had a motor mount replaced under warranty and one MAF. Other than that,

Driver55er

Dash replaced due to cracking near pass airbag. Lower ball joints loose after 77k. Cat replaced under warranty. Crank position sensor bad, car would die at idle occasionally. Other than that, my 99 runs very strong.

I am going to have the headliner dropped next week (after two years of turning up the radio to drown out the headliner rattle) to fix "the rattle".

Great car!
A

Ps get ready to replace $260.00 rotors (each) and 200.00 pads DIY if you need a brake job. ouch!

E55Cent

it is a fun car but I have had some issues.
New tranny
rotors and pads
sunroof
BAS ESP module
New CATS both sides
two motor mounts
MAF
This seems to be the normal except the tranny blowing up. I drive the car extremely hard every day. I light up the tires and redline the car all day long. Maybe if I lightened up, I wouldn't have so many problems.
Mario

Mr. Vanos

I love it...you've listed rotors and pads as issues...hahahaha Did the dealer buy it?

Oh, yes MAF has been an issue on several models, not just E55. Mine was replaced too now that I think about it.

vraa

MAF is an issue. I think MAF means..

Mercedes Asomething.. Failure

Mr. Vanos

You're a very bright guy and that's the best you could come up with???

Seriously though, MAF stands for (M)*** (A)ir (F)low which refers to the sensor or meter a vehicle uses to measure the volume of air taken in, as well as compensates for its density. Depending on the level of MAF failure, a vehicle will register a Check Eninge light, may go into limp mode (OBD-spec state where power is retarded to protect the engine from emminent failure) or just completely shutdown.

vraa

I knew it meant Mass Air Flow, but I needed to relate it to it's extremely high failure rate because it's so sensitive.

And guess what you can use to clean it out.. alcohol

E55Cent

I replaced the rotors and pads my self. I purchased the rotors through a buddy at wholesale. I also went with "dust free" brake pads. I can't stand all that black dust on my wheels.

M6toE55

very good experience to date - two years this July. several lengthy trips to Phila. over the past couple of weeks, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride (except the beltway traffic of course - 495 always sux)

just come off warranty last month and had the engine mounts changed (did not notice a problem, just didn't want the hassle, and expense, later down the road).

replaced the dash module, as pixels just started to drop - very common

also replaced the gas tank float, as it would only register 3/4 full (at max) - also common

one arm-rest cupholder

...all under warranty. would highly recommend the '01 and up - get a starmark car if you plan on doing over 60,000 miles.... extremely satisfied so far - especially on the "trips" lasting around 5-seconds...

E55AMG99

Items repaired/replaced in 50K miles. All covered by warranty/
One bad front tire from factory
Steering rack assy (leaking into boots)
Fuel tank and various fuel/emissions items (tank expanded when fill nozzle failed to shut off)
All 4 cats
Shifter, TCU, valvebody, ECU (trans won't upshift 1-2 sometimes)

Items not covered under warranty
Front pads and rotors
Tires 2x (Pilot Sports 25K each set)
MAF

Overall, I LOVE this car and refuse to part with it. I even turned down several build solts for early W211 E55s. Maybe when the new model comes out in a couple of years.

Good luck to you.

E55 KEV

Only rattling sunroof/headliner issues with mine. good luck

mac2001

AC556F, I have the same seats - yours look nicer than mine. What do you use on them?