A Few Questions
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
A Few Questions
If all goes well I will be picking up my E55 this coming Saturday!
A few questions that I thought I would ask before making a major investment and buying this car would be how reliable is it? That's pretty much all that's going through my mind... I don't want to buy a lemon. The car I chose has 56k miles on it, it's a 2002 with all the options (nav and such) I believe. The carfax says it was serviced alot and that it came from Michigan to California... hmmm, any advice guys?
Thanks A Bunch!
Here is some of the Carfax... **this is when most of the repairs/services were done**
01/14/2004 13,983 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Irvine, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle
01/31/2004 14,499 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced
Fuel system serviced
Emissions system serviced
03/03/2004 15,474 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
09/07/2004 22,636 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Air conditioning serviced
Engine serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
12/18/2004 25,506 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Brakes serviced
Air conditioning serviced
Engine serviced
Electrical system serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
02/28/2005 26,798 Mercedes Benz of Escondido
Escondido, CA
760-745-5000
Mercedes-Benz of Escondido Vehicle serviced
Ignition coil replaced
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Body noise checked
Blower motor replaced
05/02/2005 29,645 Mercedes Benz of Escondido
Escondido, CA
760-745-5000
Mercedes-Benz of Escondido Vehicle offered for sale
Thanks Again!!
A few questions that I thought I would ask before making a major investment and buying this car would be how reliable is it? That's pretty much all that's going through my mind... I don't want to buy a lemon. The car I chose has 56k miles on it, it's a 2002 with all the options (nav and such) I believe. The carfax says it was serviced alot and that it came from Michigan to California... hmmm, any advice guys?
Thanks A Bunch!
Here is some of the Carfax... **this is when most of the repairs/services were done**
01/14/2004 13,983 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Irvine, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle
01/31/2004 14,499 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced
Fuel system serviced
Emissions system serviced
03/03/2004 15,474 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
09/07/2004 22,636 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Air conditioning serviced
Engine serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
12/18/2004 25,506 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Brakes serviced
Air conditioning serviced
Engine serviced
Electrical system serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
02/28/2005 26,798 Mercedes Benz of Escondido
Escondido, CA
760-745-5000
Mercedes-Benz of Escondido Vehicle serviced
Ignition coil replaced
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Body noise checked
Blower motor replaced
05/02/2005 29,645 Mercedes Benz of Escondido
Escondido, CA
760-745-5000
Mercedes-Benz of Escondido Vehicle offered for sale
Thanks Again!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
I drive a 2013 ML350
My experience
I have a 2002 also from Michigan, very similar history situation. Not knowing the previous history, I went ahead and replaced rotors, pads, tires, completed A & B services, full detail, replaced all filters. So far, 49K miles, no issues, and I use mine as a daily driver. I have a small "rattle-like noise" under heavy acceleration, almost sounds like a spedometer cable rattle, or small hole somewhere in the manifold area, but not bad. Good luck, it seems to be a very good choice in car.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: England
E55 AMG Estate W210 1998
From what I've read on this & other forums, & my own limited owner's experience, albeit used as a daily driver, from June 2007, these cars are bullet proof reliable, assuming regular thorough MB servicing. I've just read the brilliantly informative AMG book, 'Reaching for the Stars'. Fascinating insight into how each engine is built according to the 'AMG Manufaktur' or "One man, one engine" assembly procedure. Made me even more aware of just how special these cars are.
Only issue I have had so far, was with the overly sensitive interior motion sensor being triggered at 3am (headlights/hazard lights flash) by a spider, on the ceiling of the car. Removed spider & have had peaceful nights' sleep since
Chris
Only issue I have had so far, was with the overly sensitive interior motion sensor being triggered at 3am (headlights/hazard lights flash) by a spider, on the ceiling of the car. Removed spider & have had peaceful nights' sleep since
Chris
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
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From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 749
Likes: 8
From: The Bay. We Fresh.
2008 W211 E63
You will love the car. I use mine as a DD for over 150 miles a day, and I would not have bought anything that could leave me stranded in the middle of no where. So far, my baby has been rock solid, and gets better with every service I do. (FYI...Just did the "B" service and the car is defiantely smoother at idle and accleration. Also, less engine noise too. I think the previous owner just changed the oil at the 10K intervals on the trip computer.)
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
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From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
You will love the car. I use mine as a DD for over 150 miles a day, and I would not have bought anything that could leave me stranded in the middle of no where. So far, my baby has been rock solid, and gets better with every service I do. (FYI...Just did the "B" service and the car is defiantely smoother at idle and accleration. Also, less engine noise too. I think the previous owner just changed the oil at the 10K intervals on the trip computer.)
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 749
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From: The Bay. We Fresh.
2008 W211 E63
Service on MB is expensive in general. If you can do it yourself an "A" service, basically an oil change, will run you about $80-$100 for the oil, or about $100 - $150 if you take it to a dealer.
A "B" Service should be the above, plus new dust filters for the cabin (taking out the glove box is a *****, but well worth it once you see the nasty filters inside), and a new wiper blade I believe. The dust filters and wiper blade are about $30 each, though I'm not 100% certain. A "B" service may cost $200-$250 or so.
Its the later services that get real expensive: spark plugs, wires, etc.
A "B" Service should be the above, plus new dust filters for the cabin (taking out the glove box is a *****, but well worth it once you see the nasty filters inside), and a new wiper blade I believe. The dust filters and wiper blade are about $30 each, though I'm not 100% certain. A "B" service may cost $200-$250 or so.
Its the later services that get real expensive: spark plugs, wires, etc.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Service on MB is expensive in general. If you can do it yourself an "A" service, basically an oil change, will run you about $80-$100 for the oil, or about $100 - $150 if you take it to a dealer.
A "B" Service should be the above, plus new dust filters for the cabin (taking out the glove box is a *****, but well worth it once you see the nasty filters inside), and a new wiper blade I believe. The dust filters and wiper blade are about $30 each, though I'm not 100% certain. A "B" service may cost $200-$250 or so.
Its the later services that get real expensive: spark plugs, wires, etc.
A "B" Service should be the above, plus new dust filters for the cabin (taking out the glove box is a *****, but well worth it once you see the nasty filters inside), and a new wiper blade I believe. The dust filters and wiper blade are about $30 each, though I'm not 100% certain. A "B" service may cost $200-$250 or so.
Its the later services that get real expensive: spark plugs, wires, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Novato, California
2000 E55 AMG
You're going to need a slush fund for this baby. And, she is worth every penny. 
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
FYI, a tuneup (replacing 16 spark plugs) will run about $495 (parts/labor) at the dealer. An often overlooked item is a fuel filter. I would recommend this at the 30K to 40K range; $225 (parts/labor) at the dealer. And, the list goes on... You're going to need a slush fund for this baby. And, she is worth every penny.
You're going to need a slush fund for this baby. And, she is worth every penny. 
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I agree with everyone, these things are really reliable if you take care of them. Be on time with your oil replacement and I wouldn't recommend changing oil every 10k miles; I change mine and running Mobil1 every 5k. Fuel filter as noted maybe about 40-50k miles and run clean high octane fuel at all times. Spark plugs go to 100k miles but if you're worried, have them checked earlier. Pay attention to your car and always have it checked if something doesn't feel or sound right. Good luck on your purchase!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I agree with everyone, these things are really reliable if you take care of them. Be on time with your oil replacement and I wouldn't recommend changing oil every 10k miles; I change mine and running Mobil1 every 5k. Fuel filter as noted maybe about 40-50k miles and run clean high octane fuel at all times. Spark plugs go to 100k miles but if you're worried, have them checked earlier. Pay attention to your car and always have it checked if something doesn't feel or sound right. Good luck on your purchase!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
LOL, amazing the things we learn about each other...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
