RE: Mercedes E55 AMG Estate: Spotted

[Martin_Hx]

Same engine as, i think the ML55 AMG which we have, makes a great noise and she is hilariously quick off the mark for such a big girl

[W124]

I've had a few 210s. One was great - no rust really. The others just fell apart. I con't see any rhyme or reason to the rust issue - save the good one had a kind of flecked special order dark green paint. I've got no data for this but I suspect, suspect mind, the special order paint jobs were done in old school paint - the standard colours were water based.

In my extensive experience, post facelift 124s are just as bad if not worse. Also I would add that, in fairness, the 210 is a much nicer drive.

[Leins]

Martin_Hx said:

Same engine as, i think the ML55 AMG which we have, makes a great noise and she is hilariously quick off the mark for such a big girl

Same as that, never thought I'd have so much fun in a big SUV

[CDP]

nightflight said:

I had one of these (admittedly a diesel) for three years. In that period it had every panel, apart from the near side rear passenger door, replaced under warranty due to rust. Even the front suspension sheared off under heavy braking due to rust. The second worst car I've ever owned, only beaten by a BMW 535D, which was just hideously unreliable.

I've heard of a few of these were the suspension mounts rot through with very little visible warning before they sheer. Surely that counts as a serious safety issue?

It's amazing that Mercedes still have a reputation for quality - even the darkest days of Alfa or BL weren't that bad. But it is German I suppose....

[AC43]

Mr E said:

AC43 said:

And if you can find a 388bhp one all the better.

Ding. Mine wasn’t 6k though.

Oh yeah. Good point. Budget creep. Like my purchase actually......

[stuckmojo]

Almost perfect. But then, rust.

[culpz]

givablondabone said:

Lots and lots of stories of these being not that great. For a Merc. At a time when they let quality dip big time.

It's a shame, as i really like this era of Mercedes, looks wise. But, yes, it was at a time where quality and reliability weren't up to scratch for an expensive and luxury brand. Add in the rust issues and dodgy electrics and you've got a potentially expensive ownership proposition.

This is still a decent car though and if you're up for a bit of a punt and don't mind getting it up to scratch, i'd say it's a good car for the money. I'd love a CLK430 and have seen a few up for sale for very cheap. However, there's probably a good reason for that.

[pSyCoSiS]

J4CKO said:

Spend a bit more, get a W211, you will save money on Mig wire, Steel plate and Por15, its faster and wont look like an abandoned trawler if you turn your back and it rains.

To be fair, this one looks good, some do seem to avoid the galloping rust but the W211 isnt much more expensive and is way better.

If you are getting W211 Kompressor at this sort of price point then expect to spend a fair bit on it to get it up to scratch (unless you get lucky and bag a good one).

They are much more complicated cars than the W210 (Air Suspension, SBC Pumps, Gearboxes can be fragile with all that torque).

The W210 is a proper iron fist in a velvet glove, simple mechanicals and a durable power train.

There is a reason good, rust free ones are going up in value.

[Mr E]

I’m kind of hoping that they sorted the W212 as a result as I suspect we’re keeping ours for a while.