Started up the car yesterday and got a large plume of white smoke out of the exhaust. Feared it might be a head gasket, though no coolant has been used and no mixing of oil and coolant in the oil. Pulled all plugs and found both plugs in cylinder #8 coated in burned oil and wet with oil. Either rings finally gave or valve guide seals is letting oil seep in. After the initial smoking on startup the car doesn't smoke much, none observed when driving and still running excellent with no cylinder misfire but I know its not a good sign. Motor is bone stock, no tune, pulleys etc. Not looking to part it out as I am not interested in turning my garage into a pick-n-pull, thought I would see if anyone is interested in her. I am not planning to put more money into her given the KBB value. She's a black 2003 with 176K miles on the odometer, trans was replaced around 50K, just replaced motor mounts, AC compressor, alternator, and power steering pump in the last year, was hoping to take her to 200K as she looks nothing like a 15 yr old car, especially for a black one at that. Wheels/tires/brakes are in excellent shape. Also had the ABS Pump Assy replaced in the car and replaced 3 of the four corners with Arnott air springs. Let me know if you are interested, I hate to see go but hopefully someone else will be keep her roadworthy or make good use of all the parts.

 

Sorry to hear this, good luck with the sale.

 

if the smoke goes away...sounds like valve guides. but who knows. whats the sale price?

 

Very well could be, KBB puts the car around $4500-5K, but with the needed repairs I would let her go for $3K.

 

good buy! pics?

 

If you were up in the Bay Area I'd consider that. I have a hook up on labor and parts so I could probably get it fixed pretty cheap.

 

 

 

Sounds like worn valve seals. Someone is going to get a very, very good deal @ $3k.

 

Nice car, pity about the issues. Hopefully will find a nice home where someone competent can strip the engine and rebuild it. A leakdown test would help find out how major it is. Are you getting into another AMG?

 

Probably not getting another AMG for a while. Needing a good reliable commuter and hating throwing work mileage on an AMG.

 

Where are you located. I might be in for 3k

 

La Verne CA (greater LA)

 

How long you have the car ? so it had transmission rebuild 120K miles ago ? how is the interior and exterior condition ?
Still with original radiator for 03 E55 ?

 

I have had the car about 8 years now. The transmission was replaced when the original Valeo radiator failed and dumped glycol into the transmission. The transmission was replaced with a new unit and the radiator was replaced with the updated version to prevent the same glycol incident from reoccurring. The driver seat bottom shows where from 15 years of use but the rest of the interior and exterior are in very good condition

 

Car has been spoken for, thanks for your interest.

 

Obviously none of my business, but I hope it's going to someone who'll fix whatever's wrong and treat it like the fantastic car that it is. I hate seeing these cars get run into the ground, or even getting chopped up for track-only duty or for parts. They deserve far better.

 

Agreed, they intend to fix it, keep it stock, and use for a weekend driver.

 

Man I would say fix her and keep it. But I understand if you don't want to put more in it. Goodluck with the sale. If you weren't that far I would buy it and have two instead of one. :-)

 

3k.. that is insane. Almost literally insane.