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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.
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.
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.
Are you coming from the ML350 as your daily? I came from an Acura TL and, well... I've had more issues in the first year than the 3 years of driving the Acura that had 200k on the clock when I moved on. Of course I expected this though, the E55 is no ordinary Japanese sedan like the TL. Only one of these issues has required me towing the car; one of the suspension compressor lines developed a hole and the car was unable to inflate the struts. My car was slammed to the ground and undriveable because of the rubbing. There isn't much that will leave you stranded I would say, unless it's a 2003 with the old radiator and you grenade your transmission or you have a serious Airmatic failure. But be prepared for what you're getting into. E55's are 12-15 years old now, a 12-15 year old high performance sedan (for the time) at that. Performance cars and luxury cars are not known for their reliability. Mix the two categories, and you've got a chasm of possible headaches. Things will go wrong, and it will cost more than most other cars. I would recommend becoming comfortable with DIY'ing almost everything. Oh, and get used to 10-15 mpg average . But I have absolutely zero regrets about having this car as my DD even with the fuel economy and problems I've had because it puts a smile on my face every time I get to drive it, which is every day of course! You can't put a price on that imo. Go for it, you won't regret it. Most things you'll have to fix have a DIY thread on here that you can follow to the letter and be fine. Post pics when/if you pick one up.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
I'm completely fine with DIYing everything in this car, but, would I need a lift to work on it, or could I just work on it as is?
I'm completely fine with DIYing everything in this car, but, would I need a lift to work on it, or could I just work on it as is?
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.
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.
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.
How long do most repairs take you on average? Also, does the car have an auxiliary port?
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.
How long do most repairs take you on average? Also, does the car have an auxiliary port?
Bit hard to say as repairs are so varied. I haven't had to do too many repairs luckily as my car has under 30,000 miles still. Air filters takes about 45 mins wrestling with the horrible intake boxes and Y-pipe, spark plugs takes over an hour for most people, the back ones are very hard to get to. Oil change takes about 15 minutes if you stick a hose down and pump extract it out. Valve cover gaskets usually takes between 1-6 hours depending on how fussy you are and how you get the old gasket maker off. Suspension parts very variable, many many hours on jackstands, much less with a lift. I would rather pay the dealer for this but it is perfectly DIYable.
I believe some have AUX port in the glove box. Mine did not. I put an aftermarket head unit in.
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.
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.
If your looking for a economical car this is not it!
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)
If your looking for a economical car this is not it!
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)
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.
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.
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.
i live in Auckland and am looking for headers for my E55, where did you get yours?
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
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. But I have absolutely zero regrets about having this car as my DD even with the fuel economy and problems I've had because it puts a smile on my face every time I get to drive it, which is every day of course! You can't put a price on that imo. Go for it, you won't regret it. Most things you'll have to fix have a DIY thread on here that you can follow to the letter and be fine. Post pics when/if you pick one up.
