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First post here in the W212 section. Somewhat longtime member here. Enjoyed my 06 E55 for the last 4 years. Best car i've ever owned, but a gentleman from florida offered me a price for it I couldnt refuse, so I let it go. In search of another 4 door 8 cylinder daily driver I came across a nice 2010 E63. Black on black, 59k miles, bone stock, dealer maintained, immaculate carfax. Needs a few minor things but I scooped it up for what I think it a good price. Fully loaded including pano roof, distronic plus, dynamic drivers seat, lane keeping assist, harmon kardon etc.
Im aware of the common M156 engine issues. This one does have a minor rattle at cold start, almost certainly the cam adjusters. I will likely be addressing those sooner than later, but not immediately since at this time its only at cold start. Was thinking of doing the 63 motorsports plates to prevent this from happening again. How concerning is the factory head bolts? How many guys are still on the stock headbolts without issue?
My E55 had longtubes, heat exchanger, bosch intercooler pump, and DTK ECU and TCU tune. Car was a blast. Would like to follow a simple mod path for this car as well. Probably just headers/ x pipe and a tune. Who is a good recommended tuner for the w212 m156 cars?
I installed new cam adjuster plates in mine at 176,000 miles. Mine has 188k miles now. Still on original headbolts, knock on wood, i'm not overly concerned about it. There is a guy that has 355k miles on old headbolts. In 188k, it has needed:
-Intake manifold gaskets
-Fuel injectors (preventative maintenance, old ones can stick open)
-Spark plugs
-Alternator
-Radiator
-Coolant exp tank
-Thermostat
-Cam adjuster rebuild
-Valve cover gaskets
-Engine mounts
-Sway bar links
-TCM/Valve body replaced
And some minor things, cracked oil filler cap, cracked dipstick, etc.
Enjoy! These are very fun cars, i have taken mine cross country a few times and it amazes me how well it soaks miles up.
I had my W212 M156 tuned by OE Tuning and am very happy with the results. Throttle response is noticeably improved and the car idles just as smoothly as before.
Personally, I would do the headbolts but I do all my own wrenching and it ‘easy’ to do them proactively as a one-at-a-time replacement than having a failure and having to do ALOT more work (head removal/gasket/etc). If i had to pay for the service, that might be a different opinion. Maybe wait until you do the cam plates, as 60% of the work is already done once the valve covers and camshafts are out.
I have the following Mods:
ROW Airboxes
AFE Air filters
AR Long tube header and mid-pipe (factory mufflers)
86 Tuned tuning. I bought the car with an OE Tuning tune, but prefer the 86 Tuned.
Just ordered a Wavetrac LSD
I’m REALLY happy with that combination of mods and power level. The only other low hanging fruit would be bigger injectors and an e85 tune….but I’m not interested in that.
I have an SL55 and have done the same level of mods to it that you did except a smaller SC pulley. The SL is fun from 0-100…the e63 is fun from 60-140.
Personally, I would do the headbolts but I do all my own wrenching and it ‘easy’ to do them proactively as a one-at-a-time replacement than having a failure and having to do ALOT more work (head removal/gasket/etc). If i had to pay for the service, that might be a different opinion. Maybe wait until you do the cam plates, as 60% of the work is already done once the valve covers and camshafts are out.
I have the following Mods:
ROW Airboxes
AFE Air filters
AR Long tube header and mid-pipe (factory mufflers)
86 Tuned tuning. I bought the car with an OE Tuning tune, but prefer the 86 Tuned.
Just ordered a Wavetrac LSD
I’m REALLY happy with that combination of mods and power level. The only other low hanging fruit would be bigger injectors and an e85 tune….but I’m not interested in that.
I have an SL55 and have done the same level of mods to it that you did except a smaller SC pulley. The SL is fun from 0-100…the e63 is fun from 60-140.
Nice to see another m156 power w212 in the forum!
Nice! Where are you located?
I do all my own wrenching as well. Planning on doing the adjusters but was pondering doing the headbolts since it seems many get away without doing them for a long time. hate to create another issue when it doesnt need them.
Any of these tuners do remote tuning with HP tuners? Just a simple one for headers? Would hate to pay $300-$400 for one of those flash tools my genius or whatever when I can just use my laptop and HP tuners which I already have for my GM vehicles.
86 Tuned does remote with HP Tuners. He does a full custom one with a couple of data logs. I think we went through 3-4 tune revisions while he adjusted everything based upon readings. He even updated it when i got the ROW boxes.
I have a really low mileage m156 but I already purchased the 63 motor sports plates and have them ready when it is needed.
Regarding the headbolts….it’s a risk…who knows the real level of that risk. You just have to decide your risk tolerance. I know mine, and can live with you, sounds like you just need to do the same.
Enjoy the car and mod away until you hit 75k~ miles. Just keep up with the oil changes with Liqui Moly "Molygen" from FCP Euro to help cut down on lifter and adjuster noise.
I recently just refreshed the top-end on mine, it was a pretty easy process compared to doing LTH.
Enjoy the car and mod away until you hit 75k~ miles. Just keep up with the oil changes with Liqui Moly "Molygen" from FCP Euro to help cut down on lifter and adjuster noise.
I recently just refreshed the top-end on mine, it was a pretty easy process compared to doing LTH.
Yeah, it’s a long bridge to cross once you start thinking supercharger….so many things have to be upgraded at once.
You could probably get by with the stock trans on low boost for awhile at 600-650rwph. Once you start getting into the 700rwph range a built trans is recommended. Other than that it should be a pretty straight forward upgrade.
Originally Posted by MTBSully
Nice! Are you still on stock head bolts? Any pics of your exhaust setup? I won't be doing any power adders. Just headers and tune and cosmetic mods.
Mine is a 2011 with updated head bolts.
LTH and X-Pipe with custom tune by @eightysixtuned should make it into a whole nother beast.
The car also does not currently have functional AC/heat. Think its the blower motor. Decided to check fuses before I order one, fuse sheet in the trunk says fuse 66 in the trunk is for the blower motor, but theres no fuse location for that spot lol. Is mine different because it has 3 zone climate control? Anyone know which fuse I should be checking before I order a blower motor?
Welp, solved the blower motor issue, for now.... Took the motor out and hooked it up to a 12V battery and it almost jumped out of my hand. Put it back in the car and now it works perfectly. We will see how long that lasts.
It appears there is another small issue. Passengers side quarter panel tail light is completely out. Is this a common issue? I don't suppose this tail light has its own fuse?
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