Water pump took a dump
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Water pump took a dump
Just did a Baltimore to Jacksonville and back 5 days later for a cruise I went on. Drove for 2 days and the car dump it's coolant just had new radiator put in for 1300 now there saying 960 for the water pump. I found a pump for 147 and change Mercedes wanted 375. I have changed plugs and wires, the crank pulley and pulley tensioner, front coil springs, radiator and serpentine belt. I did everything myself except the radiator and coil springs. The car has 133k i bought the car with 110k in january.I spent 10k out the door on the car. Im wondering after I fix it am I gunna run into something else or did I pretty much cover everything. And if I do trade it in any idea what I could be getting back.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
W210 E55
Assuming you have a W210 E55, these are generally solid cars. You've covered a lot of stuff but what is the condition of your brakes? How about the transmission? Did you check the service history of the car before you bought it? That might give you a good idea of what has been done and when.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I had the brakes rotors and pads changed at 120k forgot to add that. The vin report says on warranty there is like 2 pages of warranty repairs from everything from motor mounts to the steering rack. I wasn't aware of the dealer repair till after I bought it. I agree on the independent. But the money I save on that I'm just gunna have to shell out on rental and a tow. The radiator was done under insurance from a minor accident. I love my car, the transmission is fine but if I kick it down on the freeway happens rarely but it drops out of gear and I have to pull over and put it in park then drive. Besides that it shifts real smooth. Im worried if I service the trans it's gunna be worse off, the standard 300buck trans service by Mercedes should be my option? I have a 02 with every option. Also was recently pulled over and when the police searched the car they were digin in the center console , like in the console were the cord goes in the and now I have tele aid SOS warning on the dash 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Metro ATL
2001 E55 AMG (sold)
Many of the repair items you have mentioned are to be expected in a car with 120k miles. There are some other somewhat minor things that may pop up though. Some common ones are crank position sensor (<$50, DIY) and MAF sensor, (<$150 DIY) O2 sensors can go also since they are only rated by Bosch for 100k miles. There are 4 of them on the E55 which can run up to $500 to replace them all.
There are also suspension bushings and ball joints that tend to go bad as well. Drivetrain can need motor mounts, flex disc, center bearing, and a few other parts.
I look at most of these as 'expected cost of ownership'. Don't forget this was a $70,000 car when it was new.
Other than these 'common problems', I wouldn't necessarily think that the car will continue to be a maintenance burden. However, that description of the transmission dropping out of gear is worrisome.
Just remember, it is a 10 year old car. Don't abuse it and it should last quite a while longer (unless that trans goes).
There are also suspension bushings and ball joints that tend to go bad as well. Drivetrain can need motor mounts, flex disc, center bearing, and a few other parts.
I look at most of these as 'expected cost of ownership'. Don't forget this was a $70,000 car when it was new.
Other than these 'common problems', I wouldn't necessarily think that the car will continue to be a maintenance burden. However, that description of the transmission dropping out of gear is worrisome.
Just remember, it is a 10 year old car. Don't abuse it and it should last quite a while longer (unless that trans goes).
