Discussion
Ready to change my S Type Jaguar 4.2 after a smooth and uneventful 3 years.
Properly tempted by an e55 but should I not be? I like barges, fuel is not a big issue as I only do about 8k pa and a late car is in budget. Seem to be a number available with lowish miles and suspect they're not quick off the forecourts.
Any real life experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Duncan.
Properly tempted by an e55 but should I not be? I like barges, fuel is not a big issue as I only do about 8k pa and a late car is in budget. Seem to be a number available with lowish miles and suspect they're not quick off the forecourts.
Any real life experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Duncan.
Just Google 'buying e55 amg' and look at the hundreds of posts on UK Mercedes forums. I bought a late 2003 E55k about 18 months ago and it is an amazing machine but proper servicing is vital.
Late04/05 models do not suffer with problems the earlier cars had, but there are several potential problems.
1. Valeo gearbox radiator issues. Glycol contamination of the Auto fluid needing new radiator and torque converter.
2. SBC braking system. Electric braking pumps timing out prematurely. Mercedes used to fix FOC, but are now refusing due to age of vehicle. New pump cost around £2k including 4-5 hours fitting.
3. Airmatic Suspension. Make sure all is working OK. New atruts are around £800 rears each and £1200 fronts each plus fitting.
Fuel consumption
Cold start short journeys round town 7-9 mpg
A/b road 14 mpg
Motorway gentle cruise at 65mph 24 mpg
Very docile easy car to drive, slightly hard ride, but spin up the supercharger and you won't stop smiling, if you can keep your licence!
Late04/05 models do not suffer with problems the earlier cars had, but there are several potential problems.
1. Valeo gearbox radiator issues. Glycol contamination of the Auto fluid needing new radiator and torque converter.
2. SBC braking system. Electric braking pumps timing out prematurely. Mercedes used to fix FOC, but are now refusing due to age of vehicle. New pump cost around £2k including 4-5 hours fitting.
3. Airmatic Suspension. Make sure all is working OK. New atruts are around £800 rears each and £1200 fronts each plus fitting.
Fuel consumption
Cold start short journeys round town 7-9 mpg
A/b road 14 mpg
Motorway gentle cruise at 65mph 24 mpg
Very docile easy car to drive, slightly hard ride, but spin up the supercharger and you won't stop smiling, if you can keep your licence!
Correct the facelift 2006 E class did away with SBC braking. All E55 AMG are pre-facelift and have SBC braking. The replacement E63 AMG has the naturally aspirated 6.2 engine which had a few issues, 7 speed auto box which has a few issues, and since relatively few were produced the price of some spares are astronomical, ie. composite two piece brake discs £2k per pair. The E55 has massive torque low down the rev range, the E63 needs revs to get the performance down. Similar cars, very different in character to drive. Personally having driven both I would choose the E55 everytime.
With the suspension, you can only make sure it is all working Ok. There is a button to raise the car, listen for strange noises coming from the pump, and check the air lines for leaks. If possible get the car plugged into a star machine ( Mercedes diagnostics) and check for errors.
With the SBC issue there is no way to know.You just get a dashboard message and Mercedes do a diagnostic for £70 and tell you if it needs replacing. There is a software update that extends the life of the pump, but there are stories of low milage late models needing replacement. The problem is down to the number of cycles the pump has performed so stop start driving will mean shorter life. I have to say though they are very efficient and after a proper emergency stop a few weeks ago, fully expecting an impact and the airbags to deploy after a car pulled out in front of me I was amazed that the car stopped, and after 18 months the car never ceases to WOW me.
The main thing is check the service history carefully. The dash service indicator can be reset by pushing a sequence of buttons. I viewed three cars before buying the fourth all claiming to have full service history. Sorry but last service 10k miles and two years ago is not up to date FSH!
It is a buyers market for big engine performance cars, but well looked after E55's are becoming more rare, so take your time seeking out a good one. One rule of thumb I look for is the tyres. Original spec is Continental Sport Contacts or Dunlop with strengthened sidewalls to take the torque. If a car has budget tyres then the owner has cut corners with the servicing. Also check the disks. The Brembo brakes, 8 piston with 8 pads on the front are very powerful and the disks become rippled.
With the SBC issue there is no way to know.You just get a dashboard message and Mercedes do a diagnostic for £70 and tell you if it needs replacing. There is a software update that extends the life of the pump, but there are stories of low milage late models needing replacement. The problem is down to the number of cycles the pump has performed so stop start driving will mean shorter life. I have to say though they are very efficient and after a proper emergency stop a few weeks ago, fully expecting an impact and the airbags to deploy after a car pulled out in front of me I was amazed that the car stopped, and after 18 months the car never ceases to WOW me.
The main thing is check the service history carefully. The dash service indicator can be reset by pushing a sequence of buttons. I viewed three cars before buying the fourth all claiming to have full service history. Sorry but last service 10k miles and two years ago is not up to date FSH!
It is a buyers market for big engine performance cars, but well looked after E55's are becoming more rare, so take your time seeking out a good one. One rule of thumb I look for is the tyres. Original spec is Continental Sport Contacts or Dunlop with strengthened sidewalls to take the torque. If a car has budget tyres then the owner has cut corners with the servicing. Also check the disks. The Brembo brakes, 8 piston with 8 pads on the front are very powerful and the disks become rippled.
A number of members on another forum (me included) wrote a list of things we felt were important for a new member while he was looking to buy an E55 recently, he thankfully put it all together in one thread.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
Edited by SavMan on Saturday 19th January 08:06
Intercooler pump can be problematic - mine was replaced under warranty after they were unable to diagnose the fault until I took a print of a forum thread to them!
A few full throttle runs should be enough, you will notice a HUGE drop in power as the supercharger will stop engaging and you're driving a milk float!
My car also had an issue with the oil level sensor, which caused a false low oil reading, which prompted me to fill up, dangerously triggering then a high oil pressure warning... luckily no damage done.
Mirrors can stop folding back out.
Keyless go can often fail.
The standard stereo set up with a rear subwoofer is very poor!
My car without sat-nav was almost impossible to sell on.
Otherwise, I can honestly say it has been my favourite car owned to date! The power delivery is something else - I still swear that the acceleration felt more brutal than in my 911 turbo.
A few full throttle runs should be enough, you will notice a HUGE drop in power as the supercharger will stop engaging and you're driving a milk float!
My car also had an issue with the oil level sensor, which caused a false low oil reading, which prompted me to fill up, dangerously triggering then a high oil pressure warning... luckily no damage done.
Mirrors can stop folding back out.
Keyless go can often fail.
The standard stereo set up with a rear subwoofer is very poor!
My car without sat-nav was almost impossible to sell on.
Otherwise, I can honestly say it has been my favourite car owned to date! The power delivery is something else - I still swear that the acceleration felt more brutal than in my 911 turbo.
Fantastic choice. I've had an E55 estate for a couple of years and absolutely love it. I honestly don't know why everyone doesn't drive one. It's not been dear to run with minimal depreciation and only a failed door lock to replace.
The keyless entry doesn't work on the offside and one of the mirrors doesn't fold but it's 9 years old and I don't care. Other than that it has aged well and still looks and goes brilliantly.
I think it's really cosseting though so if you're looking for driving excitement it might be a bit big. For sheer thrust it alters your perception of fast but I never feel tempted to chuck it about. I've been lucky enough to have some great cars but this is the one I won't be parting with.
Buy it!!!! You won't regret it
The keyless entry doesn't work on the offside and one of the mirrors doesn't fold but it's 9 years old and I don't care. Other than that it has aged well and still looks and goes brilliantly.
I think it's really cosseting though so if you're looking for driving excitement it might be a bit big. For sheer thrust it alters your perception of fast but I never feel tempted to chuck it about. I've been lucky enough to have some great cars but this is the one I won't be parting with.
Buy it!!!! You won't regret it
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