Nocturnal-G

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!!

Brad S55(IN)

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.

E55 Estate Fan

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

Nocturnal-G

Soundin' good... is there anything else I can know about this car before I buy it?

Thanks!

Yacht Master

Don't worry, you will do anything, to feed an E 55 addiction. Welcome to the club.

Nocturnal-G

LOL, Thanks!! This forum feels much more welcoming than BenzWorld.

SleepersRock

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.)

Nocturnal-G

At how many miles do I need to service it? That sounds expensive.

SleepersRock

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.

Nocturnal-G

Well the dealer I'm buying mines from already replaced many parts or so I'm told... doesn't sound too bad.

ruBENZ

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.

Nocturnal-G

The thing is... how do i know when to change these parts.. does the car tell me via the dash? Or i'm just gonna have to take it to the dealer every month. lol

jimmydagreek

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!

Nocturnal-G

Sounds excellent... and btw, if your really Greek... im Armenian LOL, n you know how Greeks n Armenians have things in common! LOL

jimmydagreek

I'm really REALLY Greek and you know what's even funnier, my wife is Armenian (from Yerevan) and her family is from Greece, lmao...Take care brotha...

Nocturnal-G

My mom's side grandparents were raised in Greece, my dad's side were raised in Armenia... so I guess I have a little bit of both cultures! LOL, amazing the things we learn about each other...

jimmydagreek

Well in the end, welcome to the MBWorld family mang!!!

Nocturnal-G

Thanks! This is a much better community than the rest out there.