New '03 E55 Owner!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
New '03 E55 Owner!
My insurance company gave me a very reasonable settlement after my CLK was totalled and I picked up an E55 in Phoenix today--love the car and it's a night and day difference over what I had! Few questions:
1)For those DIYers, is the preventative maintenance fairly easy with this car? I noticed it didn't have a dipstick and the red cap fooled me! I also noticed that it has a "C Service" as well. When I had the CLK430, I did all my own maintenance.
2) Does the supercharger run all the time? The engine has the whine at stop lights like the blower is running but I thought it only activated when a considerable throttle input was applied.
Thanks for your help with my dumb questions above and I am excited to learn more about this car and assist others in this forum!
1)For those DIYers, is the preventative maintenance fairly easy with this car? I noticed it didn't have a dipstick and the red cap fooled me! I also noticed that it has a "C Service" as well. When I had the CLK430, I did all my own maintenance.
2) Does the supercharger run all the time? The engine has the whine at stop lights like the blower is running but I thought it only activated when a considerable throttle input was applied.
Thanks for your help with my dumb questions above and I am excited to learn more about this car and assist others in this forum!
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hawaii
1996 E320, 2018 Ducati Panigale V4S, 2012 1199 Panigale
the car doesnt have a dipstick, but the oil is measured electronically though your display and steering wheel buttons. the service intervals can also be reset if you do your own work. just do a search on this and youll see how to do it. there is also a fantastic DIY section above for belts and pulleys etc. Enjoy the beast, welcome to the family.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
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From: Seattle
05 E55
Welcome to the W211 forums now. 
My service C light just came on. From what I found, it is just a routine inspection of belts/fluids and change any that are needed. Something you can do yourself.
As for the whine at the stop light, you shouldn't hear it. In fact, I barely hear mine at WOT. Hopefully, someone else can jump in on that.
My service C light just came on. From what I found, it is just a routine inspection of belts/fluids and change any that are needed. Something you can do yourself.
As for the whine at the stop light, you shouldn't hear it. In fact, I barely hear mine at WOT. Hopefully, someone else can jump in on that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego
2004 E55
Is it the same whine heard at start-up? If so that isn't supercharger whine, it sounds more like a secondary air injection pump, or a power steering pump warming up. If this is the sound you're hearing, it should go away after the car warms up though.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
Whine
Thanks, the whine does seem to go away after the engine warms up. If I watch the clutch assembly of the supercharger, shouldn't part of it be stationary and not running when the engine is at idle? I want to ensure that the clutch didn't freeze up on me.
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
you can test the clutch. put the car in 1st gear and accelerate very slowly to prevent early s/c clutch engagement. as the rpms get to around 3500 you should feel a sudden jerk as the s/c clutch locks up. i've not heard of a frozen s/c clutch but if you don't feel that jerk, it's possible.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
Thanks, will give this a try to see if it engages at this rpm in 1st. Do you know if the supercharger has its own gear oil or does it use engine oil for lubrication. I thought Lysholms, like most Roots type blowers, had their own gear oil in the front and rear cases, but I could be wrong. I didn't know if it required an oil change after a specified interval.
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Joined: May 2008
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2004 E55
Thanks, will give this a try to see if it engages at this rpm in 1st. Do you know if the supercharger has its own gear oil or does it use engine oil for lubrication. I thought Lysholms, like most Roots type blowers, had their own gear oil in the front and rear cases, but I could be wrong. I didn't know if it required an oil change after a specified interval.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: NorCal
W211,E90,E66,E39,E38,NSX,Z32-TT
You'll still see the assembly rotate when its at idle, that's just the way it is. As you accelerate from light crusiing, you will feel a slight jerk when the SC clutch engage.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
Thanks guys! This thing is a rocket! Am building up a twin turbo 69 Camaro right now, so my modding budget will go to it, but to have this as a daily driver is the best of both worlds.
