E55 Restoration
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2003 e55
E55 Restoration
Restoring new to me E55. This week I tackled two broken exhaust manifolds, a broken converter, upper ball joints, tires, and brakes. Car rides really well now, It was painful to drive at first. Next week I'll be replacing the lower ball joints and having it aligned.
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2003 e55
I really couldn't tell a difference with the ball joints. But, I've only owned the car for about a week and driven it about 10 miles, so I'm not that familiar with it. The tires were extremely cupped and worn. I think that made the largest difference in ride quality. Both manifolds were completely cracked at the flanges. Anything over 1/4 throttle and the car would sound like an old pickup up truck with a horrible exhaust leak. It still sounds horrible because the previous owner destroyed the exhaust system by removing the mufflers and resonator. I'm ordering two magna flow mufflers and a x pipe/resonator. I'll be replacing everything except the stock tubing that is left with 3 inch mandrel. The oem exhaust system looked to be extremely high quality. I don't understand why someone would do this to a car like this. The rear tail pipes go from 3 inch to 1.5. It's terrible.
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
A perfect example of why I will offer less money or walk away from a car modified by an amateur...the previous owner totally F'd up the exhaust; didn't even bother to install mandrel-bent tubing at the rear. Hard to understand how someone could mess it up so bad what with the easy availability of information on today's internet.
I hope you got it at a cheap price and it's good to see you restoring it to its full capability.
If this is your first E55, PM me your email address and I'll send you plenty of info on the car. I've spent over two years collecting this stuff from the dusty corners of the world wide web....
I hope you got it at a cheap price and it's good to see you restoring it to its full capability.
If this is your first E55, PM me your email address and I'll send you plenty of info on the car. I've spent over two years collecting this stuff from the dusty corners of the world wide web....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 39
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2003 e55
A perfect example of why I will offer less money or walk away from a car modified by an amateur...the previous owner totally F'd up the exhaust; didn't even bother to install mandrel-bent tubing at the rear. Hard to understand how someone could mess it up so bad what with the easy availability of information on today's internet.
I hope you got it at a cheap price and it's good to see you restoring it to its full capability.
If this is your first E55, PM me your email address and I'll send you plenty of info on the car. I've spent over two years collecting this stuff from the dusty corners of the world wide web....
I hope you got it at a cheap price and it's good to see you restoring it to its full capability.
If this is your first E55, PM me your email address and I'll send you plenty of info on the car. I've spent over two years collecting this stuff from the dusty corners of the world wide web....
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2003 e55
Thank you. Found another non-disclosed serious problem. I filled it up today and there is a pretty bad fuel smell. Seems to be coming from the tank area. It's crazy because I told the seller that I was only making the trade because I needed a back seat to put my children in. People these days amaze me. I understand the ball joints and stuff...maybe he didn't know. But a fuel leak....smh.
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2003 e55
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From: DC Burbs
2016 E63s
I really couldn't tell a difference with the ball joints. But, I've only owned the car for about a week and driven it about 10 miles, so I'm not that familiar with it. The tires were extremely cupped and worn. I think that made the largest difference in ride quality. Both manifolds were completely cracked at the flanges. Anything over 1/4 throttle and the car would sound like an old pickup up truck with a horrible exhaust leak. It still sounds horrible because the previous owner destroyed the exhaust system by removing the mufflers and resonator. I'm ordering two magna flow mufflers and a x pipe/resonator. I'll be replacing everything except the stock tubing that is left with 3 inch mandrel. The oem exhaust system looked to be extremely high quality. I don't understand why someone would do this to a car like this. The rear tail pipes go from 3 inch to 1.5. It's terrible.
Glad youre bringing the car back to glory.
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2003 e55
Thanks. Transmission has been acting up since I've been able to drive it. There is a strange 2-3 shift, and it completely poped out of gear today for about 5 seconds. I love how honest people are. Found a few codes. Looks like I'll be throwing a conductor plate in when I service the transmission. Sweet!
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2003 e55
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From: Dublin,OH. Ft Myers, FLA
E63 AMG 2007
I am NOT saying Harambe made this mistake, but this thread should be required reading for posters who ask if the $6000 E55 they found for sale is a bargain. Without his skills this would cost a small fortune to sort out. Harambe where are you located? You should be able to replace fuel pumps, filters and fuel tank on Mercede's dime. Again no intention of criticizing you.
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2003 e55
I am NOT saying Harambe made this mistake, but this thread should be required reading for posters who ask if the $6000 E55 they found for sale is a bargain. Without his skills this would cost a small fortune to sort out. Harambe where are you located? You should be able to replace fuel pumps, filters and fuel tank on Mercede's dime. Again no intention of criticizing you.
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2003 e55
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2004 E55
Thanks. Transmission has been acting up since I've been able to drive it. There is a strange 2-3 shift, and it completely poped out of gear today for about 5 seconds. I love how honest people are. Found a few codes. Looks like I'll be throwing a conductor plate in when I service the transmission. Sweet!
At 120K, I threw a plate and a lot of time into diagnosing what ended up being a crapped out free-wheel in my trans causing my 2-3 flare up that would result in "gear ration implausible" then limp mode. you may be better off just spending the time R&Ring the trans after you pull it rather than chasing a daemon... maybe time for a rebuild and a R&R'd/upgraded torque converter
look for brass colored flakes in the pan when you drop it and inspect the fluid
2003's were prone to transmission fluid glycol contamination due to radiator failure mixing trans fluid and coolant...this could also be a possibility just so you are aware
Last edited by BoostedAero; Feb 13, 2017 at 04:58 PM.
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2003 e55
How many miles on trans?
At 120K, I threw a plate and a lot of time into diagnosing what ended up being a crapped out free-wheel in my trans causing my 2-3 flare up that would result in "gear ration implausible" then limp mode. you may be better off just spending the time R&Ring the trans after you pull it rather than chasing a daemon... maybe time for a rebuild and a R&R'd/upgraded torque converter
look for brass colored flakes in the pan when you drop it and inspect the fluid
2003's were prone to transmission fluid glycol contamination due to radiator failure mixing trans fluid and coolant...this could also be a possibility just so you are aware
At 120K, I threw a plate and a lot of time into diagnosing what ended up being a crapped out free-wheel in my trans causing my 2-3 flare up that would result in "gear ration implausible" then limp mode. you may be better off just spending the time R&Ring the trans after you pull it rather than chasing a daemon... maybe time for a rebuild and a R&R'd/upgraded torque converter
look for brass colored flakes in the pan when you drop it and inspect the fluid
2003's were prone to transmission fluid glycol contamination due to radiator failure mixing trans fluid and coolant...this could also be a possibility just so you are aware
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
Traction control malfunction could be from a TCU tune. Try to locate some blue top solenoids while you have it down.
The URO interface connector might not fit properly so reuse the old one with the new seal. At least it will save the TCU from damage.
Git er done
The URO interface connector might not fit properly so reuse the old one with the new seal. At least it will save the TCU from damage.
Git er done
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2003 e55
Is the tcu, the trans control unit? I received an oem one with the car and aparently it has some kind of aftermarket control unit. Is that possible? Or do they just re flash the oem control unit?
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2004 E55
Can you clear the Trans codes with your reader?
I am under the impression that those had to be cleared with a Mercedes SDS?
Perhaps BBirdwell will chime in, he one of the rockstars with these cars, I take his word as automotive e55 gospel
