I couldn't resist! How I wish I'd had that info before I purchased my car. It's back on the road again with a replacement rim. Amazing how nice it feels to drive an E55.... 
Looking to purchase E55 have some questions
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2017
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BMW 528
Looking to purchase E55 have some questions
Hey everyone,
Just joined this fine forum as I'm looking to pick up a used E55. I have some questions if you folks don't mind, there's tons of info here so I figured it may just be best to ask to receive the most up to date info and opinions. In my area there is a 2004 E55 with mileage in the mid 50s, original owner, stock and looks to be in excellent condition. I haven't seen it in person yet but they are asking $18k, does that sound like it's in the ballpark? Is there a best year for the E55 ?
Are there any problem areas getting into a 13 year old car? I read some posts about fuel tank leaks, antifreeze/trans oil mixing due to radiator failure, comand failure, issues with seats etc.
I'm what I would consider an experienced home mechanic, been in and out of high power mustangs and lately subarus, so repairing and upgrading things can be handled by me, to a limit of course. Looking forward to your thoughts
Thanks
Cam23
Just joined this fine forum as I'm looking to pick up a used E55. I have some questions if you folks don't mind, there's tons of info here so I figured it may just be best to ask to receive the most up to date info and opinions. In my area there is a 2004 E55 with mileage in the mid 50s, original owner, stock and looks to be in excellent condition. I haven't seen it in person yet but they are asking $18k, does that sound like it's in the ballpark? Is there a best year for the E55 ?
Are there any problem areas getting into a 13 year old car? I read some posts about fuel tank leaks, antifreeze/trans oil mixing due to radiator failure, comand failure, issues with seats etc.
I'm what I would consider an experienced home mechanic, been in and out of high power mustangs and lately subarus, so repairing and upgrading things can be handled by me, to a limit of course. Looking forward to your thoughts
Thanks
Cam23
Last edited by Cam23; Apr 18, 2017 at 09:55 PM. Reason: Added questions
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 3
E63 AMG
I don't think $18k is out of range for a really perfect car in the color combo and options you want - I'd want to see service records though.
These cars are relatively reliable, but they're also extremely complex. Things like the pano roof and airmatic can cause issues, as can Keyless Go or any of the electronics.
If you're willing to spend the money for a totally sorted car I think that's always the best route - at $18k for an 04 I'd be looking for something requiring nothing and having had preventative maintenance done.
These cars are relatively reliable, but they're also extremely complex. Things like the pano roof and airmatic can cause issues, as can Keyless Go or any of the electronics.
If you're willing to spend the money for a totally sorted car I think that's always the best route - at $18k for an 04 I'd be looking for something requiring nothing and having had preventative maintenance done.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 599
Likes: 120
2004 E55
Any E55 you purchase I would pay for a Mercedes Tech to look over and pull pending faults and do a pre-purchase inspection. If I had a Star/SDS prior to purchase and scanned my car prior to purchase I would have walked away more than likely
Plan on $3-6500 a year in general maintenance ($3k you do the work - $6500 they do the work) depending on what fails. (tuck away $1500 for the SBC brake time bomb too)
It is not really milage that kills these cars it is lack of proper maintenance. I would much rather have a 100k mile car with proper documentation than a 50k mile car that is lacking such.
Hope that helps
w211 specific funny bunny:
https://www.google.com/search?{googl...1+e55+problems
Lots of info on the site for expensive repairs just search and you find everything from Crank Pulleys that fall off, SBC failure, Airmatic failure to fuel system failure. Poke and prod in that search box
50K I would expect you to pull SBC count, Replace fuel system, Replace some Control Arms/bushings, Possibly Refresh rotors/pads. Flush all fluids as you prolly know... etc
Paying more up front does not save your backside most times on these cars sadly
Plan on $3-6500 a year in general maintenance ($3k you do the work - $6500 they do the work) depending on what fails. (tuck away $1500 for the SBC brake time bomb too)
It is not really milage that kills these cars it is lack of proper maintenance. I would much rather have a 100k mile car with proper documentation than a 50k mile car that is lacking such.
Hope that helps
w211 specific funny bunny:
https://www.google.com/search?{googl...1+e55+problems
Lots of info on the site for expensive repairs just search and you find everything from Crank Pulleys that fall off, SBC failure, Airmatic failure to fuel system failure. Poke and prod in that search box
50K I would expect you to pull SBC count, Replace fuel system, Replace some Control Arms/bushings, Possibly Refresh rotors/pads. Flush all fluids as you prolly know... etc
Paying more up front does not save your backside most times on these cars sadly
Last edited by BoostedAero; Apr 19, 2017 at 08:45 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,965
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
So I don't have to type it all again...
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 599
Likes: 120
2004 E55
So I don't have to type it all again...
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,965
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
2005 E55, 2014 370Z, 2004 Mini Cooper JWC
So I don't have to type it all again...
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7081784
And, as Hulk added, "check compression or perform a leakdown test, especially before modifying.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2017
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BMW 528
Thanks a lot for the all the replies and info!
Just curious what makes up 3k-6.5k for general maintenance? Or do you mean that amount to fix stuff that might go bad?
That SBC issue really concerns me.
Just curious what makes up 3k-6.5k for general maintenance? Or do you mean that amount to fix stuff that might go bad?
That SBC issue really concerns me.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 599
Likes: 120
2004 E55
I just think of mine like a boat (break out another thousand) and it does not bother me as much
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Typically, when buying a seasoned AMG in general, your maintenance will consist of having the engine coolant changed every 4 years. Engine oil every year. Transmission service every 4 years. Brake fluid flush every 2 years. Rear differential flush and fill every 4 years. Also there are your general Services, A,B,C,D, etc. that will occur. But this is all dependent on how hard you run your vehicle, so some maintenance may come sooner. But I change my fluids according to the schedule I just gave you. So depending on whether the previous owner followed their maintenance schedule you might want to get all services done. And the price can be expensive, but its all relative considering these are $100,000 cars when new. So sustaining them isn't what one would call cheap, unless you do the work yourself, like me. And what I can't do, I take to my boys at Benz Elite Automotive in Alexandria.
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poop
My 04 e55 had 58k miles on it when i bought it this summer. I paid about 3k less then that from a dealer. It had pages of dealer records, including all the work from a Mercedes dealer to bring it up to CPO.
Since i bought it, the rear shocks leaked, replaced with arnotts, the S/C idler bearing needed replaced, the harmonic balancer literally fell apart, replaced some trim and cup holders and a few other small things, and tires.
probably put 3k into it and then all 2k in mods on top of that. All work done by me
The arisuspension is going to be your biggest maintenance cost IMO, check into that!
Since i bought it, the rear shocks leaked, replaced with arnotts, the S/C idler bearing needed replaced, the harmonic balancer literally fell apart, replaced some trim and cup holders and a few other small things, and tires.
probably put 3k into it and then all 2k in mods on top of that. All work done by me
The arisuspension is going to be your biggest maintenance cost IMO, check into that!
