W211 E500 - Advice Please!
Discussion
Known issues include :
Increasing reports of auto transmission problems requiring replacement of the gearbox main valve body - £1100 fitted - this is seperate from the previously mentioned radiator/gearbox cooler issues.
EGR valve failure - £565 fitted.
MAF sensor failure £200.
Coil spring failure.
Airmatic leaks.
Knocking from steering requiring column replacement.
Crank sensors and glowplugs often fail.
Increasing reports of auto transmission problems requiring replacement of the gearbox main valve body - £1100 fitted - this is seperate from the previously mentioned radiator/gearbox cooler issues.
EGR valve failure - £565 fitted.
MAF sensor failure £200.
Coil spring failure.
Airmatic leaks.
Knocking from steering requiring column replacement.
Crank sensors and glowplugs often fail.
Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Tuesday 25th January 20:53
I have the same m113 engine in my SL500 with 205k miles up. It has been bullet proof. The only engine-related failure was the crankshaft position sensor; cost less than £100 fitted. It is also surprisingly economical.
The 5-speed 722.6 transmission gets a bad press but also is fundamentally bullet proof (it is, after all, used in the much more demanding SLR and 65 AMG cars). You should have the transmission fluid and filter changed regularly (not expensive) and probably also have the new design of plug fitted to the ECU connection (about £50). With the original design, eventually you will get a leak which is harmless if spotted, but if not allows transmission fluid to run along the wire and into the transmission ECU, leading to big expense.
The rest of it is standard E-Class with Airmatic suspension (so no coil springs but potential leaks).
The 5-speed 722.6 transmission gets a bad press but also is fundamentally bullet proof (it is, after all, used in the much more demanding SLR and 65 AMG cars). You should have the transmission fluid and filter changed regularly (not expensive) and probably also have the new design of plug fitted to the ECU connection (about £50). With the original design, eventually you will get a leak which is harmless if spotted, but if not allows transmission fluid to run along the wire and into the transmission ECU, leading to big expense.
The rest of it is standard E-Class with Airmatic suspension (so no coil springs but potential leaks).
I'm running a Feb 2005 E500 - so a late pre-facelift. It's on 97k now (I bought it on 90k last May)
No problems at all so far. Just had its first service/MOT and flew through. I've had the gearbox fluid changed as a precaution (best to do this every 50k)
All the toys work (and its got a monster spec), Airmatic is fine. The only thing that has broken is the switch for the passenger headrest adjuster - which I don't need as I've replaced the MB headrests with non-adjustable DVD aftermarket ones.
A lot of the big ticket service items have been done in the last couple of years - eg plugs (16 - count 'em) and disks. Plus the g/box fluid was done by the previous owner at 50k-ish. That lot costs £700-ish IIRC. And the wheels are perfect so must have been refurbed at some point.
Look for lots of history and evidence for the above - if not haggle - it it needs tyres/plugs/disks/g box oil/wheel refurb AND a major service you're looking at £2k.
If I were you I'd go for the latest, highest spec one you can find with the best s/h. Anything older and with patchy service pay a lot less. There are a lot of saloons out there but very few estates - good estates get snapped up fast so you've got be quick. Estates with low specs and funny colours sit around for ever.
I love mine and would thoroughly recommend one.
No problems at all so far. Just had its first service/MOT and flew through. I've had the gearbox fluid changed as a precaution (best to do this every 50k)
All the toys work (and its got a monster spec), Airmatic is fine. The only thing that has broken is the switch for the passenger headrest adjuster - which I don't need as I've replaced the MB headrests with non-adjustable DVD aftermarket ones.
A lot of the big ticket service items have been done in the last couple of years - eg plugs (16 - count 'em) and disks. Plus the g/box fluid was done by the previous owner at 50k-ish. That lot costs £700-ish IIRC. And the wheels are perfect so must have been refurbed at some point.
Look for lots of history and evidence for the above - if not haggle - it it needs tyres/plugs/disks/g box oil/wheel refurb AND a major service you're looking at £2k.
If I were you I'd go for the latest, highest spec one you can find with the best s/h. Anything older and with patchy service pay a lot less. There are a lot of saloons out there but very few estates - good estates get snapped up fast so you've got be quick. Estates with low specs and funny colours sit around for ever.
I love mine and would thoroughly recommend one.
r129sl said:
The rest of it is standard E-Class with Airmatic suspension (so no coil springs but potential leaks).
Buying second hand you may or may not get airmatic, less with it than not. Mine failed recently. the pipes to the rear failed. Rplaced the pump and the pipes for about £400. Not worth worrying about.softtop said:
r129sl said:
The rest of it is standard E-Class with Airmatic suspension (so no coil springs but potential leaks).
Buying second hand you may or may not get airmatic, less with it than not. Mine failed recently. the pipes to the rear failed. Rplaced the pump and the pipes for about £400. Not worth worrying about.Thanks chaps
That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
nine6four said:
Thanks chaps
That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
The spec is bang on. That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
The mileage very low.
The colour combo is not the "standard" silver/black or black/black - this the only question mark for me. If you're keeping it for 3+ years who cares? If you're planning to sell on in 12 months then it *might* just be an issue. There's been an estate in that colour combo (albeit with many more miles and poor spec) on Autotrader for 9+ months.....the price just keeps falling....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
You could always use this a bargaining chip....
£2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of £600-750 a year maintenance costs sounds about right. My recent major service cost £900 inc £150-ish for gbox oil. A minor service would be a whole lot less. If an airmatic strut goes it's £600+ per corner (from an indy). Set of brakes £600-700? Plugs £300? (I'm guessing). Anyway you're in the right ballpark.
If you're more of a risk taker (like me) and don't do a lot of miles you could always go for something like this. After three years mine will back at national average mileage. And it the first 90k miles have been motorway then it could well be in better mechanical condition than an urban stop-stater on half the miles. This one has 386 bhp, better fuel economy, better handling (according to the hacks) and better build quality (so reveoved wisdom goes) Just a thought.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
angusc43 said:
nine6four said:
Thanks chaps
That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
The spec is bang on. That doesn't sound too alarming for such a high spec car.
Something like this looks interesting http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2364859.htm
Fair to say keeping 2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of 600-750 a year maintenance costs and you shouldn't be too disappointed?
Cheers
The mileage very low.
The colour combo is not the "standard" silver/black or black/black - this the only question mark for me. If you're keeping it for 3+ years who cares? If you're planning to sell on in 12 months then it *might* just be an issue. There's been an estate in that colour combo (albeit with many more miles and poor spec) on Autotrader for 9+ months.....the price just keeps falling....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
You could always use this a bargaining chip....
£2.5K in a rainy day fund and expectation of £600-750 a year maintenance costs sounds about right. My recent major service cost £900 inc £150-ish for gbox oil. A minor service would be a whole lot less. If an airmatic strut goes it's £600+ per corner (from an indy). Set of brakes £600-700? Plugs £300? (I'm guessing). Anyway you're in the right ballpark.
If you're more of a risk taker (like me) and don't do a lot of miles you could always go for something like this. After three years mine will back at national average mileage. And it the first 90k miles have been motorway then it could well be in better mechanical condition than an urban stop-stater on half the miles. This one has 386 bhp, better fuel economy, better handling (according to the hacks) and better build quality (so reveoved wisdom goes) Just a thought.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
I am a bit of a risk taker with my cars but as I'm planning to run my 1990 911 alongside this I might play it safe with something with lowish miles and solid history.
Actually like the rarer colours too and as I’m planning on keeping it for 2-3 years that could be my route into bargain 8 cyl motoring!
Cheers
Good luck and let us know how you get on. A 211 E500 and a 964 is a great combo. If I ever move out of the smoke I've told the wife I'm having a 993 alongside mine.
mbclub.co.uk is a good resource for advice and guidance on 211's in general
I use it all the time
If you get one I guarantee you it will take you serveral weeks and lots of headscratching to figure out all the functions. There are two user manuals for a 211 totalling 800 pages......
mbclub.co.uk is a good resource for advice and guidance on 211's in general
I use it all the time
If you get one I guarantee you it will take you serveral weeks and lots of headscratching to figure out all the functions. There are two user manuals for a 211 totalling 800 pages......
softtop said:
Angus
Have you driven an E55 and if so given they are half the price, is the E55 twice the car?
The question is open to the house if Angus has not had a go in an E55...
I've only driven the previous gen one - the 5.5 non-supercharged 210. In terms of power and performance it's a little faster than my 211 and a bit rawer. Harder top end and louder exhaust - for half the money. It's got the 340 bhp IIRC and about the same in torque. (Mine has 306 bhp I think. And about 340-350 lb/ft).Have you driven an E55 and if so given they are half the price, is the E55 twice the car?
The question is open to the house if Angus has not had a go in an E55...
Faster again is the facelift E500 with 386 bhp. and knocking on 400 lb/ft.
The 211 E55 is supercharged and therefore in a different league again. 450 bhp? Similar torque?
Can't remember the exact figure - these are guesstimates.
Here are some figures I dug out from a few places - can't guarantee their accuracy but they are in the right ball park. The 0-60 times look fairly conservative to me. Some mags shave a few 10th's off. I think the 0-100 time for mine (the 306 bhp one) is in the 14 secs bracket. I'd guess the E55 211 is in the low 11's (?) and the other two in between.
W211 E500 5.0L, 306 bhp, 339 lb/ft, 0-60 5.8 secs
W210 E55 5.5L, 349 bhp, 391 lb/ft, 0-60 5.4 secs
W211 E500 5.5L, 386 bhp, 390 lb/ft, 0-60 5.3 secs
W211 E55 5.5L, 469 bhp, 516lb/ft, 0-60 4.9 secs
W211 E500 5.0L, 306 bhp, 339 lb/ft, 0-60 5.8 secs
W210 E55 5.5L, 349 bhp, 391 lb/ft, 0-60 5.4 secs
W211 E500 5.5L, 386 bhp, 390 lb/ft, 0-60 5.3 secs
W211 E55 5.5L, 469 bhp, 516lb/ft, 0-60 4.9 secs
angusc43 said:
There's been an estate in that colour combo
Different colour Angus, the one in the auto trader ad looks very much like 'Jewish Racing Gold'! The car the OP is looking at is the same colour as mine (Cubanite Silver), it does have a bronzey tint to it but is darker than the bright Iridium Silver and suits the bigger Mercs such as the E and M Class very well IMO.yellowbentines said:
Different colour Angus, the one in the auto trader ad looks very much like 'Jewish Racing Gold'! The car the OP is looking at is the same colour as mine (Cubanite Silver), it does have a bronzey tint to it but is darker than the bright Iridium Silver and suits the bigger Mercs such as the E and M Class very well IMO.
Good spot - a little hard to tell on t'internetSo it's BUY then :-)
(it certainly looks like a peach)
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