W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Starting to hate my E63!

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Old May 24, 2008 | 05:24 AM
  #1  
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Starting to hate my E63!

Dear friends,
I have written here before regarding a mysterious problem that seems to have no solution so far - The poor handling of my car. My E63 handled marvelously until about 2 months ago, when, for no apparent reason, things turned ugly. The car began to handle like the the Chevy Imlapa I once rented in Montana during the early 90s (in a snow storm, mind you). I Took car to the dealer twice. They performed 2 alignments and strongly recommended that I replace my tires. The alignments made no difference whatsoever. The car still handled poorly, with long delays in steering response and low grip. Step 2 was to replace all 4 tires with PS2's (although there was still plenty of life left in the contis, apparently) and an expert alignment done at Stokes tires in Santa Monica. Unfortunately, the car is still plagued by the same issues. I have started to actually dislike driving it, and the occasional freeway 'play', is now a scary proposition. Changing lanes at high speeds requires very a high concentration level, and passing in the fast lane can be tricky. I am not sure what to do next.... If anyone in the LA area who owns an E63 and considers himself an experienced driver is willing to meet and drive the car, I would more than appreciate the 2nd opinion. Or, if you know of any handling 'gurus' please let me know of their whereabouts. This is too expensive of a car for these kinds of problems, and throwing $$ at it doesn't seem to help so far. Any thoughts before I drive it into the ocean?
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Old May 24, 2008 | 07:12 AM
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Maybe you could give us a better description of the problem.

Is it floating, is there increased body roll, does the car not want to track straight, does it wander around the lane, etc?
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Old May 24, 2008 | 12:13 PM
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OK...

Originally Posted by Blacksport350
Maybe you could give us a better description of the problem.

Is it floating, is there increased body roll, does the car not want to track straight, does it wander around the lane, etc?
Sure: It does seem to 'float'. It isn't focused, there isn't increased body roll I don't think... All is well in a strait line, but when changing lanes or in cornering it feels like it's drifting or sliding, to the point where (to me) it feels unsafe. It just handles like a big old American car and not like a refined German sedan.
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Old May 24, 2008 | 12:32 PM
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just let me have your car and you can take mine!!!

/problem

/thread

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Old May 24, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by E63ory
Sure: It does seem to 'float'. It isn't focused, there isn't increased body roll I don't think... All is well in a strait line, but when changing lanes or in cornering it feels like it's drifting or sliding, to the point where (to me) it feels unsafe. It just handles like a big old American car and not like a refined German sedan.
just a suggestion, have you checked your tread wear ? i'm no expert, here's a guide how to check your tread depth using coins...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=51
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Old May 24, 2008 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by blackcls63
just a suggestion, have you checked your tread wear ? i'm no expert, here's a guide how to check your tread depth using coins...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=51
Tires are 2 days old bro (ps2's)
Thanks!
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Old May 24, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Maybe something is loose in the suspension? Did dealer take it for a test drive? What did they say?
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Old May 24, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Lets go for a drive? Im in LA.
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Old May 24, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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that is very unusual the e63 should not handle like that at all,I suggest having your dealer contact MB special tech and have them meet with you and take the car for a ride. You have a awesome vehicle and shouldn't feel that about your car. you can call 1800formerc and talk to them and they will get the appropriate people involved. Good Luck and be patient
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Old May 24, 2008 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by juicee63
Lets go for a drive? Im in LA.
Class act !
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Old May 24, 2008 | 06:42 PM
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I bet is is the airmatic malfunctioning!!! Airmatic ..
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Old May 24, 2008 | 06:51 PM
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Thanks

Originally Posted by tbenz
that is very unusual the e63 should not handle like that at all,I suggest having your dealer contact MB special tech and have them meet with you and take the car for a ride. You have a awesome vehicle and shouldn't feel that about your car. you can call 1800formerc and talk to them and they will get the appropriate people involved. Good Luck and be patient
This is great info! Thanks!

I will contact them right away
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Old May 24, 2008 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by juicee63
Lets go for a drive? Im in LA.
I am in downtown. Where are you?
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Old May 24, 2008 | 07:09 PM
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I think letting Juicee63 drive/ride with you would be a good idea,at least he would be able to confirm your problem&maybe he knows a different S/A at another dealership where you can bring your car.

Airmatic could very well be the problem.....

On the flip side,after a hour or so w Juicee you may have your arm twisted to start dragracing your 63
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Old May 24, 2008 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by oldgixxer
I think letting Juicee63 drive/ride with you would be a good idea,at least he would be able to confirm your problem&maybe he knows a different S/A at another dealership where you can bring your car.

Airmatic could very well be the problem.....

On the flip side,after a hour or so w Juicee you may have your arm twisted to start dragracing your 63
Looking forward to meeting Juicee.
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Old May 24, 2008 | 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by E63ory
I am in downtown. Where are you?
Hollywood, We could meet half way and take the car down the 101? Im around all day PM me . I think Tomorrow I will be heading to Irwindale to run 1/8th mile. I have a good amount of seat time in the E63, so I should be able to tell if your car is malfunctioning.
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Old May 25, 2008 | 11:18 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by E63ory
Dear friends,
I have written here before regarding a mysterious problem that seems to have no solution so far - The poor handling of my car. My E63 handled marvelously until about 2 months ago, when, for no apparent reason, things turned ugly. The car began to handle like the the Chevy Imlapa I once rented in Montana during the early 90s (in a snow storm, mind you). I Took car to the dealer twice. They performed 2 alignments and strongly recommended that I replace my tires. The alignments made no difference whatsoever. The car still handled poorly, with long delays in steering response and low grip. Step 2 was to replace all 4 tires with PS2's (although there was still plenty of life left in the contis, apparently) and an expert alignment done at Stokes tires in Santa Monica. Unfortunately, the car is still plagued by the same issues. I have started to actually dislike driving it, and the occasional freeway 'play', is now a scary proposition. Changing lanes at high speeds requires very a high concentration level, and passing in the fast lane can be tricky. I am not sure what to do next.... If anyone in the LA area who owns an E63 and considers himself an experienced driver is willing to meet and drive the car, I would more than appreciate the 2nd opinion. Or, if you know of any handling 'gurus' please let me know of their whereabouts. This is too expensive of a car for these kinds of problems, and throwing $$ at it doesn't seem to help so far. Any thoughts before I drive it into the ocean?
So you have totally new tires? They allways feel softer. Did you check that ALL of the bolts are tightened proberly? Once they forgot to do the final tightening for me a few years back...
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Old May 25, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by kip
So you have totally new tires? They allways feel softer. Did you check that ALL of the bolts are tightened proberly? Once they forgot to do the final tightening for me a few years back...
All is good with the new tires... This is not an installation problem, I think it's the suspention
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Old May 25, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by E63ory
All is good with the new tires... This is not an installation problem, I think it's the suspention
See you tomorrow we will get this solved . Sounds very scary and very unlike the E63. Anybody in LA have a GTECH we could borrow?
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Old May 25, 2008 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by E63ory
All is good with the new tires... This is not an installation problem, I think it's the suspention
E63roy, did you ever get to test drive another E63 to confirm the results?
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Old May 25, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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uh oh... Josh is looking for a Gtech pro. Watch out, you are about 15 minutes from running that thing in the quarter mile...first comes launch technique, next thing you know your charcoal filters are in the garbage, and your spare is in your garage! On the bright side, with his advice, you'll probably dip into the 11's...
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Old May 25, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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try 19" rims it worked for me
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Old May 26, 2008 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by juicee63
I bet is is the airmatic malfunctioning!!! Airmatic ..
YES YES - after my accident, it wasn't working properly, it apeared to there computers that it was, they replaced the airmatic ride controller and the problem when away.

EDIT FOR DETAIL: It would float like you discribe, doing just like you described, it would be stiff at times at lower speeds till there was enough speed to lift the car.

AIRMATIC RIDE CONTROLLER (Covered under your warrenty, $500 - no cost to you)

Last edited by intellilogic; May 26, 2008 at 01:24 PM.
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Old May 26, 2008 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by intellilogic
YES YES - after my accident, it wasn't working properly, it apeared to there computers that it was, they replaced the airmatic ride controller and the problem when away.

EDIT FOR DETAIL: It would float like you discribe, doing just like you described, it would be stiff at times at lower speeds till there was enough speed to lift the car.

AIRMATIC RIDE CONTROLLER (Covered under your warrenty, $500 - no cost to you)
good info, going now to drive it
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Old May 26, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by juicee63
good info, going now to drive it
Make sure you take that detour to the dragstrip while your at it
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