Hello! I'm looking at getting back into an AMG. My previous was a 2014 W212 E63. Was a great car but because the M157 is flawed engine, I couldn't keep it long term. Been doing some research on the W211 E55 platform and it seems like a good one to jump back into the AMG foray. I found a 2005 w/142k miles. I'm mechanically inclined so short of engine out stuff, I will be doing all the work myself. Here is a clip of the engine running from a cold start. I'm concerned about the intermittent clicking sound heard in the video. Almost sounds like a chain guide. Please have a listen and lmk!

 

Dang, thought this forum would be a lot more active vs the W212 one. Guess not lol.

 

Chains aren’t an issue, lifters like to make noise. At 21 years old with 142,000 miles, I wouldn’t expect it to sound like new.

 

If you plan on pulling the engine, buy it. if not move on to lower miles...that one sounds more noisy than most.

 

Outside of that clicking sound, the engine itself sounds normal to me. It's my understanding that all the chain driven components are in the front of the engine so that shouldn't require an engine out right? Reason I have my eyes set on this one is because it's an auction car, so it'll be a cheap buy. I was able to pull it's service history and it was serviced at Benz dealerships it's entire lift. Service history doesn't show that any serious work was ever done to it.

 

Looking at the way the front end is pushed into the front of the engine by the collision, it could just be a pulley or the belt touching the fan shroud. Good thing the W211 was designed with a modular front end.

 

I said pulling the engine because for me the amount of time hunched over the front end is not worth it. I would rather pull the engine and of course now find the oil pan, rear main seal ,valve covers, timing cover, crank sensor, spark plugs yada yada yada. So you know that's what usually happens especially with the miles. Hell pull the torque converter and put a new front pump seal in.

 

Can the engine be removed from the top with just a cherry picker or does it need to be dropped from underneath?

 

Good eye. Yes, it was in a light front end collision.

 

I have 2005 in mint condition with 40k miles for sale if interested. but its not cheap

 

@SICAMG getting old sucks. I used to have no problem working on my cars until 2 in the morning. Now I stand there looking at the car trying to motivate myself. Sometimes I just sigh and tell myself "I'll do it tomorrow." I agree that there are times it is easier to just pull the entire engine and transmission to pull major maintenance...

 

Tell me about it buddy !! The worst part is lying on the floor and constantly getting up and down plus for me I start getting nauseous after working on my back and have to call it quits for the day. Now I set a time limit at 2 hours at a time and that's it.
I always say man I have had enough of this car stuff but my soul tells me to keep going ! I also said I would never ever be one of those guys you talk to that says "you know back in the day I used to have this and that" and now 95% of everyone I know stopped with cars because of marriage, kids, life, what ever....not me...ever.

 

I wouldn’t think about working on cars without a lift. If I had to do that I would get a new car.

 

As soon as they come out with a new E55 then I will be all set !
I always either had my own shop or worked at the dealer so a lift was never an issue but now I have no choice since retirement but I have come up with a lot of ways to make things much more easy to do and still have many connections for all my crazy projects/ideas with the car.

 

Friend has a 2005 E55 with 98K miles --- owned several years

Silver/Anthracite, keyless go
No accidents, original paint
The adaptive headlights and the door sensor doesn't work
He just spent $6000 on mods like pulleys, IC, ECU and few other things

He wants $15,500 and if that interests you, I can hook you up with him.