dlachance

I've been lurking around here for quite a while, but I figured I'd go ahead and post up. I am shipping out to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in November and will be returning home to Texas on leave in April. I will be purchasing a 2005/2006 E55 when I get back. The reason for my post is this; what are things I should go ahead and replace when I get the car? Since I plan on buying privat party, will it be worth it to bring the car to the MB dealer to get looked at?

I am thinking I will go ahead and replace all the nair suspension with coilovers. I had a couple Lincolns with air ride and do not want to have to deal with a breakdown, again. Ball joints and a/c are things that I notice a lot of people having to replace.

Any other pointers or tips? I would appreciate it, I am very sure I will be purchasing one, God allowing.

Thanks,

Dylan

efiftyfizzle

I definitely think a PPI is worth it... especially from a private party. If you buy it from a Mercedes dealer, ask them for the paperwork.

I wouldn't swap out the air suspension right away... give it a chance at first. I really like it and think it's really comfortable for the type of car this is supposed to be and it can definitely stiffen up a bit when you go into the Sport modes.

A major concern should be the fuel tank / pump. This is probably the #1 problematic thing on these cars, and there's currently a class action lawsuit against MB for it. Tell the dealership you want to drive the car on a full tank and see if you can notice any gas smells. It probably sounds ridiculous to them, but you don't want to end up like me with a $1500 repair bill a month after you get the car.

AKnight55

A new IC pump is always a good idea.

AMGfan

Screw the MB dealership...they will rape you on labor and parts. Ingratiate yourself with a ASE MB independent shop with techs that have worked @ MB...UNLESS it has an MB warranty. If no warranty...MB is last place I'd go...but that is me.

The car totally stock?

- I/C pump upgrade
- Heat exchanger upgrade
- lighter rotors
- air suspension check

I'm sure other will chime in...

dlachance

Efifftyfizzle- I called 4 local benz dealers, none offer PPI's. Apparently there are a few local places that can do it though. Can you elaborate on the fuel pump issue?

AMGfan- I/c pump, I'm assuming your talking about the intercooler pump? I do plan to upgrade most of the cooling system for the s/c along with getting the s/c ported. Are you running a set of lighter rotors? I am thinking of maybe a 2-pc setup. Do the e55's dust a lot, and who makes their calipers; are they in house? My 12gt has brembos off of a Gt500 and they dust like crazy. The wheels are coated after one day of driving. Im upgrading those to a set of Hawks.

My mom had a C230 that she had taken care of at the benz dealer, to hell with $1000 services...

AMGfan

Yes - Intercooler pumps (do search...really a lot of info on it)
Yes - ran lighter Evosport rotors on the E55 back in the day
Ok - brake dust was par for the course

theblckghst

awesome, another dumb *** private who is going to make his chain of command work overtime to kick him out for making outrageous financial decisions. Maybe you should think of the $1,491.08 (gross) paycheck you will be getting and see how that fits into a budget. Then you should think about the 3 out of every 5 new soldiers who are chaptered out of the Army in the first 90 days of their service, and wait to see if you are part of that 60%.

DVC

I would wait until you at least make E5. Don't forget about insurance on top of that maintenance and fuel expense.

efiftyfizzle

Here's all you need to find info on the fuel issues:

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...all-bombs.html

dlachance

Wow, I come on this forum asking for advice, and am insulted? F*** you, mr theblckghst who knows every damn thing In the world. I have worked my *** off the past two years of my life. There is a reason I am 19 years old and have a vehicle that is already paid for and a business with a current capital holding (including equipment, vehicle etc.) of more than what an E55 would even cost. Go **** off kid, you have some growing up to do. I can't believe the ignorance.

dlachance

I've always wanted to throw down $25k for a rolling bomb! So it seems that MB is unable and partially unwilling to fix the issue, and that an aftermarket solution is key. That is too bad, you would think for a vehicle of this caliber, the quality would not come down to this.

dlachance

I will be selling a vehicle I currently own outright in order to purchase the AMG. I will be going in as an E2 so it is a few hundred more per month than an E1. My brother will be taking up my business in my absence, I will be receiving a 6% cut to begin with, so there is a little money in that also. I appreciate the concern. The vehicle will be driven very little anyways, so fuel is not so much a concern, I'm running a custom 93 tune on the mustang. Does the E55 take premium?

Thanks!

AMGfan

Yes on 93oct for E55...

theblckghst

thats Staff Sergeant theblckghst to you, and you're the kid.

dlachance

If I had as little respect as you do, I would come back with some assinine reply, but I'll leave it be.

DVC

Yes, 93 like your 5.0L. If you can turn a wrench yourself and use the auto skills center, it will make all the difference. In fact, I'd say that would just about be mandatory, unless you find one with a warranty. You'll probably be in the barracks, so living expenses are pretty low, assuming you have no debt.

You'll definitely attract a certain kind of attention from fellow Soldiers and command. I can verify that from driving a Porsche back in the PFC days LOL. Not all of that was good attention.

Get an insurance quote ASAP. That may take your entire midmonth LES alone.

Oh, and thank you for serving our country!

GT-ER

Didn't know your kid posted on this forum, you should keep these family discussions private.

SPCJOHNSON

Seriously listen to the SSG he honestly does have you're best interest as a NCO and obviously knows what he's talking about being both an E55 owner and in the army. I've been in for about 2.5 years hopefully about to make my 5 and I'm still not ready to take on ownership of a /////AMG yet. I know that an I'm fine with waiting til the time is right and the right car comes up. Are you going to be a 13 series?

theblckghst

Huh?

streetspeeder

Priceless...LMAO!