jimjcmo

Can of worms warning!!!

I've become a fan of the W210 E55. These are too cool, and just the right size. Spleeper to the untrained eye, an assassin for Billy Bob's in jacked up trucks.

Now here's that part where I need help. This car will spend the next two years as a daily driver until I can retire it to less mundane chores as a weekend road assassin. I need a modicum of reliability and parts availability until that time. Are there some week points to this car that are common? What about parts availability? Does everything have to be shipped over from Stuttgart?

As an owner of beautiful, but troublesome witch - a 96 Jag XJ12 - I'm getting stranded for too many times. Parts are pretty durn scarce as only 250 some XJ12's were sold in North AM in the two year model run.

Anyone care to offer guidance?

Regards,
Jim
96 XJ12 - soaking my spirit and wallet
72 TR6 - restored, fun slow

ruBENZ

Like any vehicle, a W210 E55 has it's issues: the infamous short lived MAF sensor, defective motor mounts, disappearing dash board pixels, and poorly design rear power window module to name a few. All aside, the E55 is bulletproof. Or, worth every penny spent for repair.

Mfte55black

I can only speak about my '99 E55. When I bought it a year ago, it had only 62k miles. It now has 76k. During the past 11 months that I've owned it, not one thing has broken on the car.

I have done some appropriate maintenance to it over the past year at Mercedes Benz. I have changed the oil twice (Mobil One)...replaced the air filters (it has two), flushed the radiator, flushed the brake fluid, installed a new MB battery, replaced the serpentine belt, replaced the brake rotors and pads, replaced both front shocks with new AMG ($600 ea) OEM shocks. Again, my local Mercedes dealership said none of the things I serviced were "necessary" at the time I serviced it (other than the oil changes)....but they also said 'it wouldn't hurt' to do those things by 75k miles.

I even had them pull out a spark plug to check the condition...they said they would last to 100k before requiring replacement. (there are 16 of them!)

I would recommend this car to anyone interested in using it for a high performance daily driver. Of course parts and maintenance for such a high performance car as the E55 is always going to cost more than a Honda! The bottom line is....from what I've read about this model and the knowledge I have about BMW's M5 cars....this Mercedes is bulletproof!

I am thrilled to drive this car...its a winner!

xlr8tin

I agree with most of these in my case. I haven't had to change the MAF yet, but I bought it with a few miles on it . I have now had it for 2 years, and it has almost 113K on it. Great car.

Part availability may depend on your location.

E55 KEV

also, many reports of roof rattles on many W210's. I had those issues on 2 W210's. A 98 E430 and 02 E55. Otherwise a great car.

Tacjam

refer you to this post....this sums it up the best!

https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/233196-been-test-driving-lots-cars.html

SleepersRock

I got mine with 58k and now has 74k. In that time the only thing that "failed" was the old key which I had replaced with the better looking chrome key anyway.

Standard items of Motor mounts and MAF needed replacing. I changed the plugs and wires at 70K although when I pulled them out the were in perfect condition and I probably could have waited until 100K.

Pretty much bullet proof as far as major mechanical work IMHO. Standard upkeep and maintenece is pretty pricey, but since you owned a jag I doubt you are a stranger to stealership maintenece/repair prices.

jimjcmo

WOW! Thanks for the replies. They're informative.

So how many W210 AMG's were shipped to the USA? I like exclusivity, but I don't care to be an orphan again.

Jim

nick 55

Not many.

Mfte55black

To my knowledge....something like 500 were made in '99, I don't know about how many from '00-02?

I haven't had any trouble getting replacement parts for my car from Mercedes Benz...one day wait at the most. They share many common parts with the E430 etc...

I think the kind of things that I think would be quite unique would be certain interior parts, seats, specialty engine parts...but those thinkgs should not be wearing out that frequently.

I wouldn't compare these cars to any Jaguar....and no offense to Jags'....those have had a reputation for not providing available parts...

croweld

I bought my 2000 E55 in August 2007 and so far it has been GREAT! I drove it cross-country from NJ to California (taking the long route through New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, etc.) over 6,000 miles for the 33 day road trip. The car was perfect. not one incident. well except when I left the sunroof open and got some rain water in the shifter... but that was my own damn fault - well my girlfriend was the last one to drive the car so I immediately blamed her. but it is my car so I should have made sure that she shut the sun roof. ok now I am just blabbing about nothing

good luck with finding car. I originally was looking at E320s then E430s and then I spotted the E55 and I got a great deal on it.

I know my friend back in NJ is planning on selling his 2001 E55 for an upgrade soon. Not sure if you are near there. but I really, really wanted to buy his car. it is immaculate. he just wasn't ready to sell last year.

xlr8tin

Sounds like your friend was/is hoarding his E55...tell him he needs to share the wealth. lol

A 33 day cross country trip...sounds awesome. I wish I had that kind of time.