E55 W210 buying guide?

[AndyS2]

I’m thinking of taking advantage of the current credit crunch and buying a W210 E55, so I’m after some buying advice. Things like:

What are the running costs like?
Any common problems with the engine or gearbox?
What sort of mpg can I expect? I’m used to averaging 19mpg so I’m hoping this won’t change much.
Are many consumable parts ( discs, pads dampers etc ) unique to this model?

I’m looking at 97-99 models for around 6K so any advice welcome.

[Parrot of Doom]

At that age, rust is going to be your main concern.

[AndyS2]

I've found a few buying guides to the W210 series and they all mention rust as a concern. I'm after some info specific to the E55, which seems harder to find.

[iluvmercs]

I can't help too much here, but make sure you have a decent Merc Specialist lined up, to help lower the running costs.

Gearboxes and Engines should be fine into higher miles. I've seen a couple with well over 100k miles which claim to have had new gearboxes, and you know they won't cheap. The only for my W124 E320 costs £2,500, so expect it to cost alot more!

Discs and pads will be AMG, rather than Mercedes, parts. But whether they are specific to the E55 or shared with other AMGs remains to be seen.

I'm sure there are a few W210 E55 owners on here to help. But it may be worth asking on www.mbclub.co.uk

Good luck with your search!

Darren

[AndyS2]

Anybody else got anything to add? Hopefully going to have a look at a couple on Saturday. So far I know that front brakes and exhausts will be expensive as they are unique to the E55, it'll chew rear tyres up fast, rust could be a problem and check the auto box changes smoothly as a new one is £3k!
I'll be posting up in the bargain barges thread if I buy one, so keep your eyes peeled.

[Paul.B]

I ran one for about 18 minths a few years back. I never had any trouble apart from a radio that kept "hanging" and needed the fuse removing to reboot. Not as quick as my M5 I had and not nearly as good in the twisties. Still at the money they are going for now well worth a look. As you know rust is the big issue.


Paul.B

[Accelerated]

AndyS2 said:

I’m thinking of taking advantage of the current credit crunch and buying a W210 E55, so I’m after some buying advice. Things like:

What are the running costs like?
Any common problems with the engine or gearbox?
What sort of mpg can I expect? I’m used to averaging 19mpg so I’m hoping this won’t change much.
Are many consumable parts ( discs, pads dampers etc ) unique to this model?

I’m looking at 97-99 models for around 6K so any advice welcome.

Hi Andy I have mailed you through the forum with some info you might be interested in

[AndyS2]

First of all, thanks to everyone who mailed me with advise or cars for sale. I broke every rule in the book by buying the first one I saw on saturday. Armed with all the tips I'd gathered myself and my brother spent an hour crawing all over the car trying to find fault with it, but besides needing 2 rear tyres we couldn't find anything wrong with it. It's a 98 R plate, 90K, FSH last serviced at 88K, no rust, everything works, gearbox smooth as silk, just had a new MAF and discs and pads all round. It's silver with a black leather interior, absolutley byooodiful to drive, all this for £4250!!
I'll post some pics at the weekend, to say I'm like a dog with two dicks is an understatement!

[Accelerated]

AndyS2 said:

First of all, thanks to everyone who mailed me with advise or cars for sale. I broke every rule in the book by buying the first one I saw on saturday. Armed with all the tips I'd gathered myself and my brother spent an hour crawing all over the car trying to find fault with it, but besides needing 2 rear tyres we couldn't find anything wrong with it. It's a 98 R plate, 90K, FSH last serviced at 88K, no rust, everything works, gearbox smooth as silk, just had a new MAF and discs and pads all round. It's silver with a black leather interior, absolutley byooodiful to drive, all this for £4250!!
I'll post some pics at the weekend, to say I'm like a dog with two dicks is an understatement!

Congrats !

[JamesK]

Sounds like a good deal - I'm a little jealous. New discs and pads all round is a huge bonus too as being an auto with all that weight and grunt they don't last too long

[Paul.B]

You Barsteward! That is great value for money. Be smug every time you drive it

Paul.B

[AndyS2]

Took it on a run up to Harrogate yesterday, mixed roads and about 160miles, it's doing around 20mpg which I didn't think was too bad. Only a little bit worse than the S4 and that needs super unleaded.
Spend most of today cleaning and polishing it, turned out quite nice I think.
Pictures as promised

[sleep envy]

£4,250?

cracking bargain - weel done!

[r129sl]

Looks great. I'm considering an estate version. What is the performance like? I currently have a SL500 (which is no slouch but occasionally gets embarrassed by unlikely rubbish) and want something significantly faster to go along side it.

[Accelerated]

I really don’t think you will be disappointed with the performance, despite its size the E55 is not as heavy as it looks, hence it will do the 0-60 sprint in well under 5 secs and delimited cars are known to push 180mph +

[boyzee]

Just found this post,looks like you got a bargain.I have a 98 E55 and ive owned it over 2 years and have done over 20k miles in it.I had a problem with the engine turning over but not starting when it was hot,if i left it for 10 minutes it would start ok,this turned out to be the crank sensor £85 fitted.I had new front disc,s and pads £650 gen amg items.As for rear tyres i got a pair from Elites at rainham essex for £84 each.The car has done 124k miles but drives like new still.It has had an upgraded ecu and derestricted,on a trip across germany it will go off the clock.Best of luck with yours.

[liner33]

Nice car looks to be like its already had new wings fitted at some time , whilst rust is an issue on the w210 most of the good cars around have had this addressed by MB or independantly nowadays

[boyzee]

liner33 said:

Nice car looks to be like its already had new wings fitted at some time , whilst rust is an issue on the w210 most of the good cars around have had this addressed by MB or independantly nowadays

Your correct in saying MB addressed the rust problem on these cars my own E55 had the wings taken back to bare metal and rust proved,the car has no sign of rust now.

[simonz]

hey, congrats on the big whip.....i have a 99 w210 e55, silver.... de-cat, and delimiter...it will easly go off the clock 160 with out thinking about it......

ive timed the 0-60 runs to average 5.3 seconds....

20 MPG is correct for normal driving....eco driving will get you 25 mpg..very good for an engine this size.....
country driving =£15 will take you 60miles.

never had a problem with mine yet, tyres are very expensive tho, as you would expect from 265 35 18 on rear and 235 40 18 on front....your looking at minimum £700 brand new for half decent set.

Where in the uk are you? im in the EaSt MiDz end.

ENJOY

[Dagnut]

Sorry For the thread rival, I am getting very tempted by these and I was wondering if any more problems have surfaced now they are a few years older?

I do a lot of short journeys and very few miles, would you see this as an issue?