Opinions on E55 AMG Mercedes

[gsdave]

For some reason, these cars have caught my eye lately. Specifically the 99-early 200x models with the round head lights. Anyone know how these cars are for long term reliability?

[towelie]

All i know is they are fast with dat Nawsssss
and without it ass well

[68stang289]

My roommate has a 1999 CLK55 AMG and it has had its fair share of problems. Top motor issues, top leaking issues, goes through xenon's like it is its job (apparently an issue across the board with Benz's these years), the car will randomly just turn itself off while you are driving but keeps all the electronics on and an exhaust leak that never seems to go away for more than a day or two after the exhaust is tightened down.

That being said the car is an absolute blast to drive. Here are a few reviews from Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/mercedesbenz/e55amg/2000/review.html

[DustnF]

From what I have read, they hold up well, but are crazy expensive to repair/maintain.

I really love these cars.

[NotoriousGreaseMonkey]

Please get one...:) Seriously, we have a couple of customers with them. They love them and have had no major concerns.

[gsdave]

The ones I seem to be finding are 2000-2001 models nearing 100k miles. I just want something reasonably comfortable, quiet, roomy, reliable, and not rediculously slow.

[pat94cobra]

The ones I seem to be finding are 2000-2001 models nearing 100k miles. I just want something reasonably comfortable, quiet, roomy, reliable, and not rediculously slow.

Ask Derek. His wasnt slow :kinson:

[StephenK]

go to mbworld.org forums, E-Class has a lost of active posting, you will get all the information you need.

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/

[68stang289]

Ask Derek. His wasnt slow :kinson:

Derek's is an 05 so it's the new body style, not what he's looking for.

[tedness]

wasn't the e-class equivalent to the camry in the early 90's? or was that the c-class....

even the lower end benz's these days are pretty baller.

[NotoriousGreaseMonkey]

The E-class that was not an E-55 was like the Impala of the Mercedes line. Not a low end car but not the Baller S or SL or SLK class. The Early E-55 has a clutch on the super charger so it only comes on when needed. The are really a great car. but you HAVE TO keep up with the maintenance. They recommed changing the oil every 10-12K.. We see sooooo many sludged up engines because of this its not even funny. Do it every 5k. Mercedes tolerances are so tight that they are very hard on oil.

[gsdave]

wasn't the e-class equivalent to the camry in the early 90's? or was that the c-class....

even the lower end benz's these days are pretty baller.

Even if it was, I really don't care. Its not front wheel drive with a crappy 4 cyl or v6. When I look at them, the last thing I think of is a camry.

[gsdave]

The E-class that was not an E-55 was like the Impala of the Mercedes line. Not a low end car but not the Baller S or SL or SLK class. The Early E-55 has a clutch on the super charger so it only comes on when needed. The are really a great car. but you HAVE TO keep up with the maintenance. They recommed changing the oil every 10-12K.. We see sooooo many sludged up engines because of this its not even funny. Do it every 5k. Mercedes tolerances are so tight that they are very hard on oil.

What other issues do you see? I visited the forum posted above and one thread was full of electrical gremlin issues people kept throwing out as things that might be wrong with a guy's car. The carfax on the one I'm looking at has several alignments done on what seemed like a regular basis. Do they have a hard time holding alignments? How friendly are these cars to someone like myself that does most of his own work?

[NotoriousGreaseMonkey]

What other issues do you see? I visited the forum posted above and one thread was full of electrical gremlin issues people kept throwing out as things that might be wrong with a guy's car. The carfax on the one I'm looking at has several alignments done on what seemed like a regular basis. Do they have a hard time holding alignments? How friendly are these cars to someone like myself that does most of his own work?

Well there are numerous computers in those cars. So you have to have a MB scan tool to talk to them. They have a pretty complicated CAN system. We had a Mercedes in the shop (not an E55) that would not start. The tech found that the problem was one of the rear door control modules was bad. Unplugged the module and the car started.

The CAN lines develop corossion at junctions. The transmissions leak at the electrical connector. (all issues that have been addressed by Mercedes with upgraded parts) As far as alignments unless it has been altered we don't see alot of alignment issues. The worst thing we see with the suspension is the lower control arm bushings go bad.


Can you work on it yourself? Since I don't know your mechanical abilities I can't answer that one. As far as the basics, oil changes, brakes..etc Sure I don't see a problem with that. When it comes to the computer stuff take it to Furrin is my recomendation. Chuck (the MB tech) has 30+ years expierence with Mercedes. We send him to training to do our best in the aftermarket world to keep him up to date with new diag proceedures.

He helped fix Dereks.

[gsdave]

Thanks for the info--this is just the type of information I was looking for.

[fatkid]

Ask Derek. His wasnt slow :kinson:
I can vouch for that.

[Sandy H.]

Just ran across this S500 on CL if anyone is interested.

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/cto/1454081913.html

[Supradedupra]

Just ran across this S500 on CL if anyone is interested.

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/cto/1454081913.html

What a piece of shit car....