E55 W211 Reliability
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
E55 W211 Reliability
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Last edited by markyoussef; 04-11-2021 at 06:03 PM.
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
There are lots of threads covering this topic. SBC and fuel pumps used to be an issue unless you are outside the USA then it can be very expensive. It can hurt your wallet, it usually takes a few thousand $ to catch up on missed maintenance from previous owners. Do that properly and it should be reasonably reliable but it's no Corolla. The fuel pump extended warranty ends on 2004 models next year. Do some searching and come back with more questions, good luck on your purchase.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
All good ask away but if you want to understand these cars well I would search for "SBC", "pulley belt maintenenace" learn about "STAR" and "WIS" (the mercedes diagnostic and coding system and workshop information system- repair manual), search general maintenance- have a look at this https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-benefit.html and this one especially https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7169029
Easiest way to search I find is use google, type what you want, add E55 and then "site:mbworld.org" at the end and you will have much better results than the search function here.
Easiest way to search I find is use google, type what you want, add E55 and then "site:mbworld.org" at the end and you will have much better results than the search function here.
#5
Member
Hello, I was considering buying a W211 E55 (2004 model year, I would try to get a newer one but it's not in my budget) and I've found a handful of them for under 10k. Other than the airmatic suspension, is there any reliability issues with the car that I should know about before buying? Since I would be using it for a daily driver, I would like something that's reliable enough to where it won't always leave me stranded, won't constantly be in the shop, and won't hurt my wallet. If anyone has any advice or things to know before purchasing it would be greatly appreciated! I will get a PPI before purchase as well.
#7
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#8
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My daily is a 03 Mitsubishi Lancer. I've already spent 2k in repairs this year and it needs at least another 1k in repairs. Fuel economy isn't a big concern to me as my ML gets about that much surprisingly. I know the airmatic suspension is a problem but other than that I haven't seen any other major issues with the car. What has need repairs with your E55?
#9
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
If you can't DIY things yourself, you should probably stay away. Airmatic as mentioned earlier can leave you stranded when it fails. Everything on the AMG is more expensive, go online and look at the price of brake rotors and pads. It can easily hurt your wallet especially if it's not in your budget. But you may get lucky. If you like the speed, I would suggest looking at a 2007+ E550, although they still have airmatic.
#10
Member
My daily is a 03 Mitsubishi Lancer. I've already spent 2k in repairs this year and it needs at least another 1k in repairs. Fuel economy isn't a big concern to me as my ML gets about that much surprisingly. I know the airmatic suspension is a problem but other than that I haven't seen any other major issues with the car. What has need repairs with your E55?
EDIT: also my heater control valve is going out, so I have heat about 60% of the time in the car. Easy and relatively cheap fix though. Good thing it doesn't get all that cold in the south.
Last edited by N_Rob; 12-16-2018 at 05:08 PM.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Front ball joints and control arms, airmatic compressor, main compressor line, both rear shocks, entire fuel system done under recall because the previous owner hadn't, fuel relay (separate from the fuel system recall), valve cover gaskets, oil cooler lines cracked and covered my engine in oil under almost full throttle, coil pack, engine mounts, and I've got a weird whine that sounds like oil pump (which is normal) but mine is continuous even after the car warms up (not normal I don't think, at least mine didn't do it until a week ago) so possibly new oil pump. I DIY'ed most of this, if I hadn't then my wallet would be very pissed right now.
EDIT: also my heater control valve is going out, so I have heat about 60% of the time in the car. Easy and relatively cheap fix though. Good thing it doesn't get all that cold in the south.
EDIT: also my heater control valve is going out, so I have heat about 60% of the time in the car. Easy and relatively cheap fix though. Good thing it doesn't get all that cold in the south.
#12
Member
A lift would be preferred, but a jack and jack stands should be sufficient for most things. Personally I don't have a lift, so I would just take it to an indy for anything that requires one.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
I don't have a lift. I do everything on jack stands. If it is a crap job I take it to the dealer. Good idea to get some sort of Mercedes code scanner and there are a few spare parts it is never a bad idea to have floating around, fuel pump relay and alternator voltage regulator to name a couple.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I don't have a lift. I do everything on jack stands. If it is a crap job I take it to the dealer. Good idea to get some sort of Mercedes code scanner and there are a few spare parts it is never a bad idea to have floating around, fuel pump relay and alternator voltage regulator to name a couple.
#15
Super Member
I owned my 06 for over 8 years now, I've recently started working on it myself and saved a ton of labor cost. Since DIY, I found it easy and satisfying. Having the right tools will alleviate many frustration and cursing. Researching the how to is key, this forum is awesome to get help with "how to" and Pelican Auto Parts got a good how to list for reference as well. Here's some works I've done in the recent past with cost figures:
supercharger bearing- @ $50 (Nachi)
control arms x 4 - @ $100 each (Lemforder)
lower balljoint x2- @ $60 both (Duralast/it was an emergency)
upper balljoint x2- @ $85 each (MB/it was an emergency)
stabilizer x 4- @ $20 each (Lemforder)
motor/trans mounts- @ $160 (Lemforder)
rear airbag x2 - @ $350 each (Arnott)
front strut x2 - @ $450 each (Arnott)
oil change- @ $100
Make sure you research on right part fitments.
MODs:
well that's another matter; see below sig, I started mods this past OCT and just finished them this past Tues did it all myself with no CEL ($4k)!!!!!
All works done on jack stands, get a creepy crawler.
I love my Beast and would get another E55 in a heart beat!!!! Good Luck on your decision.
supercharger bearing- @ $50 (Nachi)
control arms x 4 - @ $100 each (Lemforder)
lower balljoint x2- @ $60 both (Duralast/it was an emergency)
upper balljoint x2- @ $85 each (MB/it was an emergency)
stabilizer x 4- @ $20 each (Lemforder)
motor/trans mounts- @ $160 (Lemforder)
rear airbag x2 - @ $350 each (Arnott)
front strut x2 - @ $450 each (Arnott)
oil change- @ $100
Make sure you research on right part fitments.
MODs:
well that's another matter; see below sig, I started mods this past OCT and just finished them this past Tues did it all myself with no CEL ($4k)!!!!!
All works done on jack stands, get a creepy crawler.
I love my Beast and would get another E55 in a heart beat!!!! Good Luck on your decision.
Last edited by MSG 55G; 12-16-2018 at 10:06 PM.
The following users liked this post:
markyoussef (12-16-2018)
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
I believe some have AUX port in the glove box. Mine did not. I put an aftermarket head unit in.
#17
Super Member
I've owned mine for 3 and a half years, put 35,000km on it, modded it straight away with tune and headers then gradually upgraded to where i am now. I thrash it so I usually get 12 mpg.
In this time all I've HAD to do besides brakes and tyres was the alternator and the fuel pump. I've changes all the engine management sensors ahead of time coz they're ez (15 minute jobs usually) and I figured it'd be best for the engine to be computing accurate data.
Fuel pump in US is covered by warranty, as is the SBC which means you can tick them off the list.
So really you have Airmatic (I change the front strut in about 30min a side and rears look like they would take about the same, maybe an hour) as well as the alternator and maybe a sensor or two but they're all reasonably cheap and easy to replace as I said. I cant really think of any other common issue the platform has, some minor transmission stuff but that isnt too bad, someone else can tell you about them, haven't had any trans issues myself.
In this time all I've HAD to do besides brakes and tyres was the alternator and the fuel pump. I've changes all the engine management sensors ahead of time coz they're ez (15 minute jobs usually) and I figured it'd be best for the engine to be computing accurate data.
Fuel pump in US is covered by warranty, as is the SBC which means you can tick them off the list.
So really you have Airmatic (I change the front strut in about 30min a side and rears look like they would take about the same, maybe an hour) as well as the alternator and maybe a sensor or two but they're all reasonably cheap and easy to replace as I said. I cant really think of any other common issue the platform has, some minor transmission stuff but that isnt too bad, someone else can tell you about them, haven't had any trans issues myself.
The following users liked this post:
markyoussef (12-17-2018)
#18
Hello, I was considering buying a W211 E55 (2004 model year, I would try to get a newer one but it's not in my budget) and I've found a handful of them for under 10k. Other than the airmatic suspension, is there any reliability issues with the car that I should know about before buying? Since I would be using it for a daily driver, I would like something that's reliable enough to where it won't always leave me stranded, won't constantly be in the shop, and won't hurt my wallet. If anyone has any advice or things to know before purchasing it would be greatly appreciated! I will get a PPI before purchase as well.
It will hurt your wallet if you plan to take good care of it,i have probably spend around 12k last seven years on parts only(repair and mods)
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hell, I've spent $5K between last year and this year, on general maintenance and repairs alone on my 07 E63.
Rule of thumb, anything that has AMG written on it, as far as parts go will be expensive. Hence the car isn't cheap to maintain.
Rule of thumb, anything that has AMG written on it, as far as parts go will be expensive. Hence the car isn't cheap to maintain.
#21
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Oh, your car looks really nice though.
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thanks.......But this is the price we pay to keep these older AMGs on the road. Because they aren't cheap.
Last edited by Yuille36; 12-17-2018 at 03:48 PM.
#23
I've owned mine for 3 and a half years, put 35,000km on it, modded it straight away with tune and headers then gradually upgraded to where i am now. I thrash it so I usually get 12 mpg.
In this time all I've HAD to do besides brakes and tyres was the alternator and the fuel pump. I've changes all the engine management sensors ahead of time coz they're ez (15 minute jobs usually) and I figured it'd be best for the engine to be computing accurate data.
Fuel pump in US is covered by warranty, as is the SBC which means you can tick them off the list.
So really you have Airmatic (I change the front strut in about 30min a side and rears look like they would take about the same, maybe an hour) as well as the alternator and maybe a sensor or two but they're all reasonably cheap and easy to replace as I said. I cant really think of any other common issue the platform has, some minor transmission stuff but that isnt too bad, someone else can tell you about them, haven't had any trans issues myself.
In this time all I've HAD to do besides brakes and tyres was the alternator and the fuel pump. I've changes all the engine management sensors ahead of time coz they're ez (15 minute jobs usually) and I figured it'd be best for the engine to be computing accurate data.
Fuel pump in US is covered by warranty, as is the SBC which means you can tick them off the list.
So really you have Airmatic (I change the front strut in about 30min a side and rears look like they would take about the same, maybe an hour) as well as the alternator and maybe a sensor or two but they're all reasonably cheap and easy to replace as I said. I cant really think of any other common issue the platform has, some minor transmission stuff but that isnt too bad, someone else can tell you about them, haven't had any trans issues myself.
i live in Auckland and am looking for headers for my E55, where did you get yours?
#24
MBWorld Fanatic!
#25
Performance mods Akl nz
I’m in Auckland New Zealand just bought a 05 e55 amg was wanting to get headers exhaust pulley tune cooling etc was wondering if any one on here is in Nz and had any recommendations, prices ? Thanks