Considering W210 E55... Experiences?
Discussion
Hello.
Prepare for a bit of a read.
First post here. Ill be asking lots of daft questions. This is a question to anyone that has owned/driven (for more than 20mins) a W210 E55.
Now Im 25, and aware it could be seen as a Grandad car. However, its the ~350bhp thats appealing to me, and the V8.
Now Ive had a few cars including a Golf GTI Turbo, 306 GTI6, Mondeo 140bhp diesel, 406 3.0 V6 Coupe, N/A Supra, 1.6 mx5...
My driving week is a 7-8 mile motorway commute to work, involving some nose to tail queuing, but the clincher is the 260+mile round trip at weekends to see my girlfriend. This trip is normally up the M6 or through Kirkby Lonsdale/Kendal/Settle when in the 306 GTI6 and MX5. Now I loved those two cars when I was driving back down on a summer Sunday evening, flooring it out of 2nd gear corners etc. But change that into a rainy November Friday night through the rush hour traffic and they were both not really suited to the motorway drive. They lacked any power and composure to make progress or overtake without dropping two cogs.
Now my current car is a 3.0 V6 210bhp 406 Coupe.
"Ooh its a French taxi in a posh frock, it will go on fire and the electrics will all break"
Right, Ive got that out of the way before you got it in there! I like it but it could do with a little more power. Its comfortable, quick(ish) and looks good. However, like the non turbo Supra (220bhp) I used to own, it can sometimes be troubled by modern diesels when accelerating up sliproads/entering NSL zones etc. I dont mean 335Ds, I mean 140bhp Mondeos!
In a perfect world, Id have a Nissan 200sx tuned to within an inch of it's life, but my girlfriend and her two children would be a bit peeved. Climbing over rollcages and zero legroom wouldnt be a bonus to them. Ive considered the whole "two cars" idea, and the fact of the matter is, Id be perpetually driving a cheap diesel car I didnt like, whilst my pride and joy sits at home unused. My favourite moments of car ownership are the little moments when you bury the loud pedal coming onto a deserted road or overtaking with no obstructions when the car surprises you and brings a smile to your face. Not when I particularly intend to go out for a drive and hunt down some unexplored B-roads, but when Im coming the long way home from work and surprise myself with my cars capabilities. This isnt the same old "I want a super-saloon, but with driver involvement" to which to reply is "buy an Integra Type R". This is more an opening up to compromise and wondering how well the E55 will fit in.
The E55 seems to fulfill the conditions of being an absolute motorway barnstormer, a bit of a Q-car, 4 seats and civilised enough for when I just want to get home and not try and turn the earth in the opposite direction with the 390lbs/ft of torque. I would be sacrificing the handling etc but I can borrow my Dad's MX5 if I want to tear up the hills.
I know to expect ~20mpg and hellacious costs but how much of these service cost nightmare prices have been created by people taking their car to main dealers and getting MB parts, and complaining their 10year old car is costly to maintain? Are pattern discs acceptable? A problem on the 406 Coupes is that the Brembo calipers squeal like burning pigs with anything but OE pads. And even most of the time with those.
Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thanks for reading my lengthy offering, and please no elitist replies of "if you have to ask, you cant afford". Im hoping the E55 can offer some sedate, stylish motoring with some genuine neck snapping performance when required. Would I be correct?
James
Prepare for a bit of a read.
First post here. Ill be asking lots of daft questions. This is a question to anyone that has owned/driven (for more than 20mins) a W210 E55.
Now Im 25, and aware it could be seen as a Grandad car. However, its the ~350bhp thats appealing to me, and the V8.
Now Ive had a few cars including a Golf GTI Turbo, 306 GTI6, Mondeo 140bhp diesel, 406 3.0 V6 Coupe, N/A Supra, 1.6 mx5...
My driving week is a 7-8 mile motorway commute to work, involving some nose to tail queuing, but the clincher is the 260+mile round trip at weekends to see my girlfriend. This trip is normally up the M6 or through Kirkby Lonsdale/Kendal/Settle when in the 306 GTI6 and MX5. Now I loved those two cars when I was driving back down on a summer Sunday evening, flooring it out of 2nd gear corners etc. But change that into a rainy November Friday night through the rush hour traffic and they were both not really suited to the motorway drive. They lacked any power and composure to make progress or overtake without dropping two cogs.
Now my current car is a 3.0 V6 210bhp 406 Coupe.
"Ooh its a French taxi in a posh frock, it will go on fire and the electrics will all break"
Right, Ive got that out of the way before you got it in there! I like it but it could do with a little more power. Its comfortable, quick(ish) and looks good. However, like the non turbo Supra (220bhp) I used to own, it can sometimes be troubled by modern diesels when accelerating up sliproads/entering NSL zones etc. I dont mean 335Ds, I mean 140bhp Mondeos!
In a perfect world, Id have a Nissan 200sx tuned to within an inch of it's life, but my girlfriend and her two children would be a bit peeved. Climbing over rollcages and zero legroom wouldnt be a bonus to them. Ive considered the whole "two cars" idea, and the fact of the matter is, Id be perpetually driving a cheap diesel car I didnt like, whilst my pride and joy sits at home unused. My favourite moments of car ownership are the little moments when you bury the loud pedal coming onto a deserted road or overtaking with no obstructions when the car surprises you and brings a smile to your face. Not when I particularly intend to go out for a drive and hunt down some unexplored B-roads, but when Im coming the long way home from work and surprise myself with my cars capabilities. This isnt the same old "I want a super-saloon, but with driver involvement" to which to reply is "buy an Integra Type R". This is more an opening up to compromise and wondering how well the E55 will fit in.
The E55 seems to fulfill the conditions of being an absolute motorway barnstormer, a bit of a Q-car, 4 seats and civilised enough for when I just want to get home and not try and turn the earth in the opposite direction with the 390lbs/ft of torque. I would be sacrificing the handling etc but I can borrow my Dad's MX5 if I want to tear up the hills.
I know to expect ~20mpg and hellacious costs but how much of these service cost nightmare prices have been created by people taking their car to main dealers and getting MB parts, and complaining their 10year old car is costly to maintain? Are pattern discs acceptable? A problem on the 406 Coupes is that the Brembo calipers squeal like burning pigs with anything but OE pads. And even most of the time with those.
Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thanks for reading my lengthy offering, and please no elitist replies of "if you have to ask, you cant afford". Im hoping the E55 can offer some sedate, stylish motoring with some genuine neck snapping performance when required. Would I be correct?
James
[quote=IndecisiveJames]Hello.
Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thats because the people who could afford them new usually had a heated garage to keep them in?
Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thats because the people who could afford them new usually had a heated garage to keep them in?
There are loads around but finding a good one is a nightmare.
I looked at 9 E55's last year up to 11k and all but one (which i should have bought
) were in only in at best average condition. Rust rust rust rust and rust is the eternal W210 issue.
I gave up and am now back looking at CLK55's which have similar issues but generally seem to be in much better condition.
You'll have to be patient and prepared to view plenty of dogs if your budget is only 5k
can you afford to run one? remember it was a 60k car new and i met a few owners who had bills of 2-4k in a short ownership period
I looked at 9 E55's last year up to 11k and all but one (which i should have bought
) were in only in at best average condition. Rust rust rust rust and rust is the eternal W210 issue.I gave up and am now back looking at CLK55's which have similar issues but generally seem to be in much better condition.
You'll have to be patient and prepared to view plenty of dogs if your budget is only 5k
can you afford to run one? remember it was a 60k car new and i met a few owners who had bills of 2-4k in a short ownership period
Edited by buccal on Monday 18th January 08:17
Edited by buccal on Monday 18th January 08:18
Edited by buccal on Monday 18th January 08:20
finlo said:
IndecisiveJames said:
Hello.
Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thats because the people who could afford them new usually had a heated garage to keep them in?
I've been running C43's for the last seven years. I test drove an E55 when I bought the first one. I preferred the 55 but settled for the 43 as I am in central London and didn't need the extra size at the time.Any pointers? Any corrections to what Ive just said with my preconceptions of the E55? My budget would be around £5000. I know rust is an issue, and have seen some W210s with actual holes in the bodywork, but the E55s Ive seen advertised don't seem to suffer so bad.
Thats because the people who could afford them new usually had a heated garage to keep them in?
Merc's of this era do suffer from rust as you've spotted. They can all generate big bills. There's all the day to day stuff - tyres/discs/pads/dampers/ball joints. I've never come across patttern discs for mine. Then electrics - 16 plugs and HT leads, 4? 8? coil packs - and all the various motorised bits and bobs inside. Geaboxes (on C43's) can let go.
I guess it's a lottery - on a good year you can spend vitually zip. On a bad one an easy £2k. But that's the same for any 10 year old German performance metal.
If you're lucky enough to find a good one you'll love it. My C43 estate is primarily a family car these days and puts a big grin on my face every time I tap into the torque and power. But it's also great in grinding traffic. The E55 is a more mental machine - and paradoxically also more comfortable and refined.
I suggest joining one of the Mercedes forums where you can get a lot of detailed advice and where good cars sometimes come up - at the very least you can be more confident in the provenance of a member's car. That's not to say there isn't a massive bill just round the corner, of course. It just reduces the chances a bit. Google MBClub UK.
Edited by angusc43 on Monday 18th January 09:20
Thanks for the replies!
I was hoping the big bills werent as random as has been suggested. Day to day running costs is something I am looking into but it is a valid point to raise. Would the general consensus be that a £5000 example would be to good to be true or are there some ok examples? Looking at Autotrader that budget seems reasonably fair.
Im going to sign up on MB Club UK, I was searching there last night.
I was hoping the big bills werent as random as has been suggested. Day to day running costs is something I am looking into but it is a valid point to raise. Would the general consensus be that a £5000 example would be to good to be true or are there some ok examples? Looking at Autotrader that budget seems reasonably fair.
Im going to sign up on MB Club UK, I was searching there last night.
Oh Im well prepared for that! 
So would these cars be best avoided?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1432687.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1341304.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1389977.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1443086.htm
So would these cars be best avoided?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1432687.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1341304.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1389977.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1443086.htm
Looks like MB Club on tour here!
I can't comment on the 210 55, but I am mostly loving my 211, as said before the 210's rust badly, so make sure that you get a clean one.
The joys of a sleeper car, that is the key. Refined when you want it to be, but boy when you press the loud pedal what a hoot.
Go for it, but just be aware that all parts are going to be more expensive than you may think. Research the common parts and make your mind up from there.
I can't comment on the 210 55, but I am mostly loving my 211, as said before the 210's rust badly, so make sure that you get a clean one.
The joys of a sleeper car, that is the key. Refined when you want it to be, but boy when you press the loud pedal what a hoot.
Go for it, but just be aware that all parts are going to be more expensive than you may think. Research the common parts and make your mind up from there.
I bought one a W210 E55 in Nov 2008 when used car prices were at their lowest. It had 90K on it, full MBSH and I paid £4250. Mines been 100% reliable, but as others have said they have potential to be expensive. Things to watch are:-
1. Rust. Mine was really clean when I got it but even in just over a year the rust is now coming through on the arch’s, and I wash and wax it regularly.
2. Brakes are expensive, fronts discs are dealer only as nobody make pattern parts, expect to pay around £225ea and pads are about £125 a set. Rears are std W210 so not too bad.
3. I’m on about 11k on the rear tyres and there is not a lot left in them, not cheap as they are 265/35/18.
4. 100k service can be expensive as there are 16plugs to change and it’s labour intensive. MB dealer quoted £350 just to change plugs. I did the full service myself and it cost around £200 in parts and took best part of a day.
5. Make sure the gearbox oil is changed. When MB launched the car it was sealed for life, then they changed their minds and said it need a fluid change at 40k. Most people seem to think that it’s a good idea to change it every 40k now. Again fluid seems to be dealer only and its £12/ltr. I paid MB dealer £170 to change mine. If the box does go west, it’s £3k for an exchange box from MB.
6. Insurance, at age 25 have you got a quote yet?
I’ve loved every minute with mine, traction is a bad in the wet and not great in the dry so the traction control works overtime, and expect to get friendly with local petrol station as you’ll be averaging around 18mpg!
Oh and they’re s**t in the snow!
1. Rust. Mine was really clean when I got it but even in just over a year the rust is now coming through on the arch’s, and I wash and wax it regularly.
2. Brakes are expensive, fronts discs are dealer only as nobody make pattern parts, expect to pay around £225ea and pads are about £125 a set. Rears are std W210 so not too bad.
3. I’m on about 11k on the rear tyres and there is not a lot left in them, not cheap as they are 265/35/18.
4. 100k service can be expensive as there are 16plugs to change and it’s labour intensive. MB dealer quoted £350 just to change plugs. I did the full service myself and it cost around £200 in parts and took best part of a day.
5. Make sure the gearbox oil is changed. When MB launched the car it was sealed for life, then they changed their minds and said it need a fluid change at 40k. Most people seem to think that it’s a good idea to change it every 40k now. Again fluid seems to be dealer only and its £12/ltr. I paid MB dealer £170 to change mine. If the box does go west, it’s £3k for an exchange box from MB.
6. Insurance, at age 25 have you got a quote yet?
I’ve loved every minute with mine, traction is a bad in the wet and not great in the dry so the traction control works overtime, and expect to get friendly with local petrol station as you’ll be averaging around 18mpg!
Oh and they’re s**t in the snow!
Great advise thanks mate. Ive got an insurance quotes Im a bit of a research fanatic so I havnt gone off half cocked. It will be similar to what I pay now (as I am getting shafted but changed car mid policy).
Need to look into this in more depth as Im at a crossroads as to speak with what I do with my money. Starting to restore classic bikes again and there seems to be quite an interest. Just need to decide whether to choose short term pain for long term gain i.e. no silly car just yet, and pile money into this business.....
Need to look into this in more depth as Im at a crossroads as to speak with what I do with my money. Starting to restore classic bikes again and there seems to be quite an interest. Just need to decide whether to choose short term pain for long term gain i.e. no silly car just yet, and pile money into this business.....
James see my comments in the thread below :
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Mine is now for sale if interested I will send you more info & pics. via e-mail
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Mine is now for sale if interested I will send you more info & pics. via e-mail
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