Thank you all for your input and advice over the past few weeks. I picked up a black on black one owner lease return car with 33k miles and full service records for $45.9k. Factory warranty is valid until August. Body and Interior are AS-NEW! I am AMAZED at how hard this car pulls!!! It feels like my TT with 4 doors!

So... wheels, blacked-out grill, smoked side markers are on the project list. After I read the the bible of an owners manual so I can figure out how to turn the radio on!

I do have a question for you. Once every 15 minutes or so I hear this "squeeky chirp". what is this?

BTW- did I mention this car is Fookin' FAST!!!

 

Sounds like you did the same as me. A month ago I got an '03 with 26,000 miles for $45k. My warranty is out in August as well. Who cares!

I am going to assume that the "chirp" you are refering too is when you are accelerating. If so, it is a well known issue? The supercharger in the car is clutched in order to improve gas mileage and to save wear on the components during light driving. When the electro-magnetic clutch engages, the belt chirps due to a little slippage as the clutch engages. Remeber the movie Mad MAx? That is an example of a clutched supercharger. Though MB has had numerous warranty complaints about the chirp, it is the nature of the beast. An updated clutch pack came out last year but that was more to fix "rough engagement" issues.

IMO and my service rep, due to the chirp and the hard shifting AMG modified 5-speed tranny causing so many warranty claims from the non enthusiast who bought these cars , AMG opted for the normally asprated E63 with the smoother 7-speed tranny. An absolute beast as well with the rough edges smoothed out.

The only other issue that seems inherent in these cars is the failure of the IC Pump, intercooler recirculation paump, that results in dramatic power loss due to loss of cooling to the supercharger and thus the ECU's disabling it. The car still drives but with much less horsepower. You will know if it happens. MB has an updated pump as well but most opt to upgrade to an aftermarket pump that is more durable.

Other than that, these cars seem pretty bullet proof. I also have 996 TT X50 and it changes from day to day which car I enjoy driving. This E55 is a beast! Enjoy your car and as you already noted, the people on this website are a wealth of knowledge. If you do a search, you can find an answer to about everything you want to know. Congrats, again.

 

Congrats!

Im about to pull the trigger on an 03 E55 too when I get paid from my private buyer on the C32...

I suggest getting an extended warranty to avoid future troubles!
Post pics!

 

Dang Omeed, it's about time!
Best of luck and fun with it.

That's your s/c chirping.

If it only chirps every 15 minutes, you're not driving hard enough!

Line it up with the TT and post the video.

 

BTW..the one im about to get has the chirp too..I asked them to fix it when I take delivery of the car...dangit

 

If you can make the chirp happen by getting on and off the throttle then its the SC clutch,if it does it while at a steady throttle just cruising then it might be your AC clutch.

 

A good deelership will upgrade you SC clutch pack and IC before the warranty runs out.
Fine yourself a service department that is friendly. they are out there and it makes the world of difference.
Let us know about the mods!!

PICS!!!!

 

Congrats man...lets see some pics of this beast!!

 

Congrats on the new to you ride These Beasts are truely fun to drive.

 

Right on fellas!!! thanks for the enthusiastic welcome and the great advice on the SC and AC clutch. I have already made nice with the local dealer service manager. Pix will be coming as soon as the weather allows. It was a beautiful day yesterday and I should have shot them but I was too busy messing around with the on-board computer

 

Congrats and enjoy the

 

Congrats!!! Enjoy!

 

Thanks Mike! if you lived closer, I would've picked up your car
I was thinking the same on the video thing. will make it happen soon

 

Hey derrick,

Where are you buying your e55? Herb? Dont worry about the chirp.. Its inherent of the design of the supercharger but there is an updated super charger clutch that resolves the problem. I would suggest when purchasing your car to take it to my service tech at herb and he will take care of you. You want the IC pump and that changed out ASAP.. He is very mod friendly and has helped and a few other members out here on the boards... Let me know and I will PM you the information! Good luck.

Christian

 

thats alot of knowledge for a first post! good job on the research

 

In a straight line, my CL is faster than my '01 TT was. Of course, the pulley in the CL may help.

 

Congratulations on your new beast! Have fun and drive safe!

 

Xtian...

The dealer called me today and said that its better not to fix the supercharger chirp. They said they need to tighten something and that it will cause more harm than good..im like..?????wtf!!