ScottAlexander

I've owned an 07 E63 for about 2 years. 75K on the clock. Been a dismally expensive venture. For a car with an $85K sticker the poor quality and poor reliability is astounding. And, yes, I even have an aftermarket warranty....which doesn't cover Airmatic suspension. Probably the biggest, and most expensive part of these cars. Whenever the car is working as it should there is nothing like it. Power, performance, and luxury. But, be prepared to shell out deeply to keep this thing on the road. Don't be fooled by the "German quality" nonsense. It's a very complicated, over-engineered turd.

Perhaps I made the mistake of thinking that Sticker $$$ = Quality & Performance. It doesn't. For the AMG Sticker $$$ = Performance and nothing else.

I'll miss the performance, but I just can't justify a car that spends 1 month a year in the shop for bizarre electrical problems and replacement of parts with less than 60K miles. Unbelievable.

Here's my advice to a would-be suspect...I mean buyer; If you need a car that you can count on every day and have some fun on the weekend then this is not for you. If you like to twist wrenches, fiddle with weird problems, enjoy the AMG club, and don't mind shelling out $3K-$4K per year on "stuff" then you will like the E63. Otherwise, steer clear. I'm starting to think that AMG = A Mountain of Garbage.

I'm disappointed as I had such high expectations for a car that I have dreamed of for so long.

HeissRod

You may have bought into an $85k car for mid $20k, but the parts are still priced for an $85k car. Anyone here will tell you that.

With that said, I am sorry you have had a bad experience.

stockC43

Sounds like you should of done a little more research before buying. First year of the first engine Amg designed and built themselves may not be the best one to buy. Also on the airmatic- show me any rubber component that holds pressure and constantly flexes for ten years that won't eventually fail.

I still think they are a huge value used, even if you spend a few grand a year maintaining it. Figure out have price and 3 years of maintaining it you should be around $30-35k. Show me another car that you have everything that a e63 has to offer for that money.

You want reliability, go by a toaster (accord/camry)

carguyshu

I just sold a 2007 Infiniti G35x that has had to have the valve body in the transmission replaced 4 times at close to $2,000 each time. I've never had a single valve body go bad in any other car ever. Apparently Infiniti had a poor casting process for these that cause them to clog or fry the computer. All of the nissan line of SUVs have problems with the radiator going bad and dumping coolant in the tranny and ruining it. That's the lesson I learned from owning a Japanese car. I decided if I'm going to have expensive repairs it might as well be in a car that is significantly better and bought an SL55. The thing about the SL is that I can do most of the work myself too with a STAR tool. The tranny on nissan cars requires a dealer to program and you're forced to go there for those problems. I don't have that problem with my mercedes.

carguyshu

fwiw hondas also had lots of tranny problems for awhile b/c they designed the tranny, then asked fluid manufactures to make a fluid that is appropriate for it. Needless to say it took several years and lots of blown trannys for them to figure out that this strategy was a bad idea. All cars have common issues/problems.

e500slr

Airmatic isn't a big deal, if it blew on me I'd just go with D2 Coilovers immediately, problem solved. The E63 did have a head bolt issue though. It's a matter of luck to be honest, some get a perfect example that needs nothing but usual servicing and some get a nightmare one that drains them.

jmb614

Don't let the door slam you in the ašš on your way out, sweetheart.

Sugar_Mouth

I agree generally speaking a Japanese car is more reliable than a German car. I can also say a Japanese car has no soul and is a bore to drive. Cars are a liability either way, I'd prefer to enjoy the drive while I lose money. :-)

cetialpha5

If you looked at the quality rankings, German cars have always ranked behind the Japanese, sometimes even behind American cars. Honda is also involved in some massive recalls of their airbags that probably won't get completely sorted out for a few years as that's probably how long it'll take to make the replacement parts. That also affects several other Japanese car companies. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

I also think Airmatic is also a well known failure item and you should have found a warranty company that covered it. That's one of the problem with 3rd party warranty companies, some of them don't have very good coverage.

E55Freak

I think you were just the unlucky recipient of a car that the previous owner didn't want to dump money into because they couldn't shell out the money. That is typical with these cars...I have owned my E55 for 3 years this week and I have dropped a total of $2200 in 3 years on it. These cars are like any car...some are great, others need a bit more TLC.

coolchuck

Sorry youre having a bad experience with your E63.
But what do you think the Japanese have that can compare? Right now nothing. The closest is the M56 and that still needs custom exhaust mods and tuning to really bring out the power. And if you wanna make that wheel gap go away, you're talking coilovers. So your still throwing money at the car. GS-F? It sounds like a contender on paper but it will be a 1st year car so they will still be working out the kinks. If all you want is reliability, there is always the Accord/Camry/Altima..(so boring)
I know thses cars arent perfect. They're expensive, complicated, and a blast to drive. Maybe you just got a dud.

tw2

Japanese cars generally don't have luxurious systems like airmatic or abc suspension, hard to compare. Why didn't you get a C63 if you wanted to avoid the adjustable suspension. Or get arnotts replacements or coilovers and be done with it forever. Both of which someone with some mechanical skills could even install themselves.

StarvingArtist

My first CLS 55 saved my life due to it's strength when I hit a low flying moose at 63 mph.
I haven't had a breakdown after 100,000 miles, and since I read the forum I know what to fix ahead of time. When my airmatic fails I'll fix it and smile because I'm alive and I get to do all my driving in a safe comfortable awesome hot rod.


Just goes to show everyone has a different outlook.

Ls1toAMG

Well sounds like you would like a Ford Expedition. Mine in 12 years i have spent about 400 total. Brakes and alternator. I have never had to replace any lightbulbs or lights. Paid 11k back then. Over 100k miles later it's still going..

That being said I love my E55.

BlownV8

Problem with the Expedition and many other Ford products is the interior just starts to disintegrate. The leather is very thin and low quality as are the buttons and plastic. Other than that, the engines and trannys are very good in Ford trucks. I'm a fan of Ford just not their interiors.

Ls1toAMG

I agree. Leather does wear. Plastic I'm used too. Actually my E55 is my first non American nice car. Much nicer inside than American cars. The newer stuff is getting better but it's not a priority. Seems a car that drives for you is.

MJ50

there's no "maintenance free" cars...
seems like spending over a grand in maintenance is "not reliable" car according to OP...
OP, your only option is leasing the car so u r always under warranty forever... but will end up costing you more...

IndiumGreyE63

Best car I've ever owned. And I've owned many....

Max.H

k bye

RikTT

All depends MOSTLY on a previous owners neglect at times to get a bad apple. Beautiful paint doesn't always mean good driveline or suspension etc. until it's too late after purchase. After owning 3 Audi's about 7yrs ago at the same time, I said I'd be done with Germans/Euro after their headaches. I'm still loyal to JDM cars but like someone said, needs that soul aka power (ex: better ISF). Jap cars do take a better beating though having currently a few in the stable well over 55's power

berti_00

buy a honda than replace the transmission every other year

dchl21

cry me a river

INS1GNIA

Pretty sure some members spent that amount last weekend lol.

HeissRod

You guys realize he hasn't been back since posting this thread, right?

PeterUbers

Lol

Heiss you put it best

Dude spent $20k on a car that stickered for $85k... Some people will never get it... Can't afford a used amg if you can't afford the maintenance or repairs

Bye bye!!