Hi Everyone,

Just purchased a 2007 e63 AMG and looking for a recommendation for a honest and credible independent shop in Northern VA or Washington DC area.

Thanks

 

@Yuille36 will check-in shortly, he has a shop he likes that may work well for you. .

 

I’ve been with Benz Elite Automotive for about 12 years now, their expertise is on Mercedes, but they also work on other German makes including Italian exotics. I can’t tell you the number of McLaren’s, Lamborghini’s, Porsche’s and Ferrari’s I’ve seen in the shop.

The shop is located at 2809C Dorr Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031 Their phone number is 703-370-1221. For quotes and service ask to speak to Emile or Eddie.

It’s funny, but I was at the shop yesterday getting my oil changed on my X5M, and I’m taking my E63 to the shop on Tuesday to have its oil changed.

This shop does great work, or I wouldn’t be suggesting them, their prices are reasonable not cheap. And their work speaks for themselves.

A little back story, my good friend is the shop foreman and AMG guru at MB of Arlington, he told me about these guys years ago, when my cars warranty expired. He told me to stop spending my money at the dealership, and to take it to these guys. And Emile and Eddie actually trained under my good friend, so they know what their doing. And I haven’t been disappointed with their work.

And, I don’t give praise lightly, so when I say these guys are good, I mean it.

 

Thanks for the reference. I went to HBL was quoted for $1,800 which includes a discount for:
1. Oil Change
2. Spark plug
3. Brake fluid flush
5. Transmission flush
6. Coolant flush

I did ask them how much would it be for replacing the head bolts and they gave a range of 4-5K.

Two more Qs...
1. Anything else is recommended to build a baseline as a new owner of a used e63?
2.Have you replaced the head bolts proactively and is it recommended?

BTW, my car has 73.5K miles and has a G Service message on the dash that is due in about 4500 miles.

Thanks

 

Yes, I have replaced my head bolts out of abundance of caution. My cam lobes were in great condition, so I replaced my lifter tappets.

To establish a baseline for your E63, you need to have all fluids changed, and have all general maintenance performed. That way, your starting from scratch, and you can now start tracking maintenance. And establish a spreadsheet for maintenance, and stay on top of things as they appear.

 

Thanks for the guidance.

I will call BenzElite tomorrow to make my appointment and will let them know referral is from an X5M and E63 satisfied customer.

Did you replace the head bolts at the same shop? Would you share how much did it cost and what was the mileage when performed? Is it suggested to do it ASAP?

Thanks again

 

Yes, my head bolts were replaced by Eddie (Benz Elite Automotive). I think it cost, but don't quote me around $1700, and I was at 89,XXX miles. I wanted them replaced before hitting 90,000 miles. I talked to my buddy (Shop Foreman/AMG Guru at MB of Arlington), he said their data shows that most failures start around 90,000.
So we replaced my head bolts one by one, so as to retain the clamping force on the cylinder heads. This is the cheapest and most effective method of replacing them, so you don't need to replace the head gaskets, costing you even more money. This does explain the $4-5K quote from HBL, as they would most likely remove the entire cylinder head.
I would only remove the heads, if you had bad head gaskets or a leak. I just called Gretta (Benz Elite) to tell her to expect your phone call. This isn't something, that requires you to do right away, unless your car start showing systems, like low coolant, Check Engine Lights (CEL), white smoke out the exhaust, rough running.

After my head bolts were removed, we examined all of them, and only one was questionable, all the others were in great shape, to the point that Eddie said we could have left them in. But this is insurance, for what could happen. Their are numerous E63 owners out their with 150,000 miles with original head bolts.
The issue is that the head bolts rest inside the water jacket, exposed to engine coolant, and the engine coolant starts to eat at the bolt head causing it to fail, thereby losing clamping force on the cylinder head, causing engine coolant to leak inside the cylinder. You don't know this until your car starts to shows symptoms.
But this would ruin your engine, if it hydro-locks. Don't panic, this happened to a small number of M156 engines. But it is cheap insurance if your plan on keeping this car for years to come. And you'll have peace of mind, knowing this will not fail if the future. And the guys (Emile & Eddie) will tell you the same thing.
There not into making money off you, instilling fear, they will be in front with you, so that you can decide for yourself. I have a thread in here about head bolts, and my experience with Benz Elite Automotive, with pictures.

William

 

Mosaic Motors in Falls Church does great work and are experienced with AMG vehicles.

 

@Yuille36 Thanks for calling in the shop today as well. I did speak with Emile and asked for his recommendation on the most economical (if there is such a thing) to build a baseline and replace the head bolts. He is going to put in a recommendation by Monday and I will keep you posted.

 

Quick update and a Question...Since last post, I ended up purchasing yet another 2007 E63 with 53K and a lot of history. The headbolts were replaced at the Arlington dealership, I did had all the fluid flushed and replaced. I was about to put the California E63 on the market but it is just too clean and decided to take a deep dive and go for the preventive maintenance, changing the headbolts, lifters, pully, etc.. My question: Do you go with the M159 lifters or any other recommendations? Also do you change to the metal pully or stick with the OEM plastice ones? Thanks

 

I seen your E63 when, I was at Benz Elite several weeks ago. I went with the SLS lifters, and not the Black Series ones, due to the cost. And I stayed with the plastic pulleys, as their cheap and easy to upgrade to metal if needed. As doing all these preventative maintenance items weren’t cheap to begin with.

 

Thanks, I'll let you know what Emile suggests....

I'm looking for MB E class 2003 - 2009 vendors/sites that sell quality after market products... I take my Audis to New German Performance in Manassas https://www.ngpracing.com/ for service and they have interesting aftermarket parts on their website. One in particular that stood out is https://www.rennline.com/. They are mostly focused on Porsche and also cover Audi and VW. Does anyone know if there are any vendors/website similar to Rennline or kooglewerks (great place for BMW 2002s restorations) that focus on MB specifically on E Classes for such items like phone mounts that would fit like a glove, etc.? Appreciate any guidance...

 

These guys might have some of the items that your looking for https://www.carid.com/2007-mercedes-...s-accessories/

 

My 09 E63 had the head bolts done by the Prior Owner along with M159 lifters (not the BS lifters). I had developed start up rattle from the adjustable cam plates, so I had the cam plates replaced with aftermarket plates (hardened) earlier this year. While the top end was apart, the PCV was replaced and I had the Black Series lifters, Black Series motor/tranny mounts installed. I changed my pulleys with a set from Weistec, but wasn't thrilled with the cheap bearings they used in their alloy pulleys - had to replace one of them due to premature failure. To me, if you are going to the trouble of replacing lifters, might as well go for the Black Series set.