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I have a 2004 e55 that I purchased recently, I’m in love with the car but it came with problems and I’m not sure if I should flip it quick or keep it repair it. A little back story.....
I purchased it for $5,000 for the car that had a pretty beat interior and 137K miles. The interior I don’t mind since I can fix that pretty easily, and it had a shredded pulley belt that partly made its way into the oil pan. When the car warmed up it was spewing oil all over the place. The car came this way and I figured I wouldn’t mind fixing it. The repairs for that and a replacement radiator costed me 2,350. I paid an additional 300 for motor mount installation. After that was done the mechanic noticed 3 leaks, leaky valve cover, oil filter housing, and rear main seal. After doing some research on those the rear main seal is the costly one. The other two leaks are labor intensive as well but doable without lifting the car. The specialist mechanic said it’s good for now, but I'm a perfectionist. I want to get it done but don’t want to bury myself in the car for the hell of it.
The dilemma I’m in begins with how much I’m in on it. I’m in about $7,800 with the minor leaks And interior left. Do you guys think I should get rid of it and look for a better one with nicer interior? Or is the cost so low that repairing the leaks and interior put me at about 10K worth it?
The car has been a dream of mine since I was 11, granted I’m 21 so not long but it’s the cheapest car I could find and now I know why, but you guys tell me what your opinion is?
Anyone know a shop that’s willing to do all the leaks maybe for a good price?
Anyone maybe know a guy who has replacement trim parts or refinishes the trim already inside the car for a good price as well?
ugghh just want this car to be sorted...
Last edited by Mohammed Sherif; 12-10-2019 at 01:17 AM.
Wow thats a bit sad it was so neglected. How bad is the rear main seal? I am not sure how cheap the interior items will be, you pretty much need new seats. If you are a perfectionist this is not the right car but maybe you can find some cheap seats from a wrecked car.
Wow thats a bit sad it was so neglected. How bad is the rear main seal? I am not sure how cheap the interior items will be, you pretty much need new seats. If you are a perfectionist this is not the right car but maybe you can find some cheap seats from a wrecked car.
I have the seat leather for the bottom cushions that I got from a salvaged car with the heated and ventilated wires. The seat is the least of my worries. It’ll cost a couple hundred bucks to install them and the seats will be really good condition.
the rear main seal is minor leaks, very minimal right now. Specialist said it’s not worth fixing at the current leak rate.but that coupled with the other leaks, I’m worried about possibly starving my engine of oil if I forget to fill it up or if it the leaks get bigger over time.
Fix the other leaks, they are relatively easy just an annoying job. I have a slow leaking rear main seal as do a lot of other people. If you are losing enough oil to have an engine problem your garage and driveway will be completely covered in oil.
Fix the other leaks, they are relatively easy just an annoying job. I have a slow leaking rear main seal as do a lot of other people. If you are losing enough oil to have an engine problem your garage and driveway will be completely covered in oil.
ok cool! So you think keeping the car for about 9k with everything but main seal sorted is worth it?
If you really like the car and you have cheap sources for the interior bits as you mentioned then yeah it would make sense, also you have already invested into it. Of course if there are other hidden problems then that could change things.
You can fix the two first leaks yourself with common handtools. You need gaskets and rtv for the breathers on top of valvecover. There are guides here on the forum. If the rear main seal is not super leaky, leave it until you need transwork.
You can buy used seats on ebay or go with some bucket seats turning it in to a racecar.
This was a 100 thousand dollar car. If you want it perfect, it will cost you a few bucks. Even at 20k it's a great value. What can you replace it with that's even close? Just one man's opinion, and if you crash it or get hit by some careless fool, there's a good chance it will save your life.
IMO, you're going to lose your shirt if you don't work on the car yourself. For something really complicated that requires the official MB software, or extremely specialized tools? Sure pay a specialist, but everything you mentioned so far should be DIY-able.
The cheapest used AMG ends up being more expensive than the ones that were pricier in the beginning!
As long as those appear to be the only big issues, I think you should try to fix the oil leaks, save the RMS for when it's *bad* or you need to access the trans etc anyway. After those are done and you don't have other driving issues, try to source some seats and interior parts. There are often AMG cars being parted out that would be a good resource.
besides those, as long as other common issues hold out for a while (air struts for example) just enjoy the car and fix it as you go.
I recently bought an 04 E55 3 months ago with 138k miles/1 owner with a near perfect interior but needed some light mechanical work like the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing leak, the air strut in front went after a couple months, needed new tires, etc. It's been a great, fun car besides those items. I am in the middle of getting parts together for the oil filter housing leak after just having the valve cover gaskets completed.
remember, it's a $80k+ car now worth around $10k assuming one that is well sorted and clean-ish. Yours is definitely a project and if you are looking to get it back to 100% without DIY most of the issues yourself, its going to cost you and I would not expect coming out breaking even if you decide to sell it down the road...
OP the oil filter housing leak is a 'pressure fed leak.' As such it can and will turn into a huge mess at any time if it is not already. Easy to fix for those mechanically inclined. For those who work with computers or who cook for a living not so much. Cleanliness IS next to godliness! Get it clean before disassembly. Use the spray in a can. Brakecleaner. Buy a case of them. You'll use them. Beware that if using the flammable flavor it must all have evaporated before starting it up. Pull the plastic under the engine so you don't end up with a puddle in it.
When it comes time to do the rear main seal be sure the shop buys the aluminum housing the seal lives in as it often breaks when attempting to remove the seal.
From my perspective, any late model AMG will have it's issues. It's probably best to keep your current vehicle and get all the issues sorted out.
Then you'll really appreciate what a great car the E55 is. But regardless, if your were to buy another, it will come with issues as well, especially for only $5000.
Besides a really sorted E55, will cost you a lot more money.
even the biggest youtubers doing all the work themselves and getting everything for cheap end up right around $10k anyway to get these cars going and they consider that a STEAL . . . . two recent ones come to mind from this year alone . . if you love the car and plan to keep it for a couple years or more id keep it. if you dont absolutely love it, sell it now because you wont be happy if anything else breaks.
its probably still cheaper than selling it and then buying a 'clean' $12k one that will end up with a diff set of problems anway
The cheapest used AMG ends up being more expensive than the ones that were pricier in the beginning!
i agree...with anything European, spending a little more for one that has been kept up is better in the long run than one that has been neglected and has massive issues.
obviously there is a breaking point, but all in all you want one that has been maintained rather than neglected.
I would say fix it. I just bought an '04 myself. Has quite a few issues. Spent 8k, and I've already dumped another 2k into it. But think about what you have. Where else will you find the performance for that price?
I would say fix it. I just bought an '04 myself. Has quite a few issues. Spent 8k, and I've already dumped another 2k into it. But think about what you have. Where else will you find the performance for that price?
True that...
someone recently sent me a direct message saying to use AT 205 to reseal rear main leak. Any thoughts on if that would actually work? Or if it’s safe? They mentioned Scotty Kilmer saying it’s okay.
Keep it and learn to DIY will save you mucho dinaro! it’s not difficult to work on her. Tons of how to videos and this forum is best to get research and info on fixing. I just recently started DIY my 06 E55 after taking to my over priced Indy shop for 8 years! Now I’ve done service A-E to pulled out supercharger all within this year. I kept her stock for over 8 years and she was getting a bit boring until after I’ve done the required maintenance, I started modifying her, now it’s a joy to daily drive her with a blast of WOT every once in awhile and taking to the 1/4 mile drag strip to test my built.
I just completed rear main seal which was leaking for nearly 9 years. I shopped around with local Indy shop for a good deal. I paid $700 from a shop who the owner I met on this forum; werkstatt310(???), gonna start a post to give him recognition. Only reason I did not DIY on rear main is because I don’t have a lift. I also did the oil filter housing gaskets three days ago. Parts cost in total $65, I elected to buy gaskets from dealer for $40; 46mm socket cost $15, 3/4-1/2 adapter $9. Did valve cover gaskets 6 months ago, $30 gaskets.
As for interior, I have 3-5 pick a part at my disposal to pull from 2003-2009 E series. Let me know what you need. I do have two set of wood trimming that I plan on CF wrap and sell. Before mods Semi current DIY CF wrapped wood trims
It appears that your seats are next on the To do list. The wrap doesn't look bad, but I do like the quilted floor mats.
last on my list on seat repair. I had one section done and haven’t had time to go back. Got to install conductor plate tomorrow and trunk tank.
Some fool burnt a cigarette hole on my rear seat while I was at the track.
floor mat also has custom logo. Ordered from Customein for $140, took two months to delivered. I don’t recommend getting them from Customein. Read photo caption. Part of the rear carpet mat is starting to scrape off due to front seat sliding back and forth. It’s not leather material. Pitty the fool that burnt my seat!!!!
12-10-2019, 01:15 AM
