Uber Wagon

HI -

I've regularly serviced my E55 at the dealer (mostly because for 7 years I had the MB 7yr/ 100K warranty) but now it's time to find an indy shop, I think - because the girl needs some love.

Leak in a coolant hose has it at dealer now, and they gave me "a list" of things I ought to do and the cost was, well, staggering. Seems a little nuts to pay probably 40% of the value of the entire car.... Most of this I know I COULD do myself, but with a new job and a new house build, my "free time", ain't...

Things on the list:

• Front brake pads and rotors
• Motor mounts
• Valve cover gaskets
• rear axles (boots leaking)
• spark plug replacement

I am at 60K miles. Car hasn't had a rough life - hardly ever driven in rain, nothing insane on the street, etc. I'll get new tires (another thread... but will then get car aligned)

Anything missing on the list I ought to do preventatively?

And any recommendations in Raleigh, NC area? Have heard positive things about CW Performance (Apex), and Foreign Service (Raleigh)

Thanks!

Dublinoh

When you do valve cover gaskets do the "timing cover" (?) gaskets too, also good start on what comes off to do plugs I think (are you leaking much oil? These could wait). Brake discs and pads are worth doing yourself if you have an experienced helper, parts can be had for far less than dealership cost. Motor mounts need to be done or I've heard you can actually damage things if engine moves excessively. Only thing I havn't done in 18 months of ownership are axle boots. At 60K miles I guess you are starting to have maintenance issues, I would suggest spreading them over a year or so. Also a new model would be something like $1000+ a month, so figure $300 a month to keep everything maintained is not so bad, and you have been coasting on that for some time, right?

Uber Wagon

I've kept the car maintained at the dealer for the past 10 years - and done (most) of what they have recommended. The oil leak is fairly minor, but it's been going on for a while. Just demo slight build up on the edges of the valve covers. I want to at least group things that make sense - so I can save some labor time if some of the prep / put back together time is overlapping.

I think I'll do brakes myself or have the indy shop do it if they are reasonable - I am just lacking in "good" work space right now.

And yeah - I am NOT buying a new car - in he 10 years I have had this - it's been pretty low maintenance - so putting some $ into it is a far better deal than getting something else. Besides - I am pretty sure I wouldn't pay for what I would "need" to replace this. The old girl still puts a huge smile on my face.

mightar

It is definitely tough to replace an AMG wagon - except with another one!

Forrest Gump 9

Easy solution, sell it to me. Most of the stuffs you list are very diy friendly except for the oil leak and rear axle boots. Just pay the dealer for those two items and tackle the other items one per weekend.

Yuille36

It is always cheaper to maintain an older AMG in most cases, then to spend $$$$ to buy a new one. Because these new AMG aren't cheap

tlambert

Did the dealership say they could replace the axle boots?

Last I checked there were no replacements for them? Axles have to be replaced?
Not 100% sure but I couldn't find replacements. And the dealer only had axles. $400+

I just did the VC gaskets recently and they're easy. Won't take long if you don't get crazy painting everything like I did.
Do the spark plugs while the VCs are off. Makes it easier too. NGK Plugs are waaay cheaper from JEGS.
The engine mounts sounds easy from the write ups here. Haven't done them yet myself but I'm sure it would be easier on a lift.

Uber Wagon

Dealer wants to replace the axles. Sigh. Seems like a high $ fix for leaking boots. SOMEWHERE the source for those is available. But seems like someone would have found it by now.

And of course, they have each line item priced independently like you do one operation, put the car back together, and then do the next one. ;-) Which is why I find it annoying.

BoostedAero

I just discovered my drivers rear is spraying gunk, I am planning on doing rear brakes and repairing the rear boot

Please report any findings back as I am taking the boot replacement on as well

Pics are here that show what it takes to remove drive shaft in order to replace the boot.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...e-install.html

tlambert

Frank Barrett

Dealers don't want to know about 10-year old cars. Where are you? Perhaps one of us can point you toward a good indy mechanic.