Running an E55 (W211) on a budget? Hear me out!
Discussion
I am definitely going to pull some aggro with this, but here goes...
I've been thinking about buying an E55 W211, so the one with the supercharger. I've been fantasizing about this car for a few year now, but have always put it off, seing that I don't have any real reason to buy it, other than that engine. I like small cars, but that engine is just mesmerizing. I just got another job, am planning to freelance (IT) and my current car is on it's last legs, has got me thinking about one again. I have some sort of justification now
Why an E, you ask? Well, that's mainly because of tax reasons. The wagon can be registered as a light cargo vehicle, bringing the tax down from 4500 euro a year to 150 euro a year (yes, 30x less). Being a light cargo has also tax benefits for my freelance gig.
The engine is the main reason. Engine swaps are not allowed here, so I am "stuck" with an E-class. I've been reading up on them, and pretty much everyone seems to agree: this car is very likely to ruin you.
Most things I come across: gearbox (coolant mixing with the oil), suspension, brake jobs, tires.
After googling a bit more, it seems that most of those issues can be addressed cheap or permanently:
- gearbox: conversion to a manual bmw box (check http://www.pmcmotorsport.com, about 1200 euro's for the big stuff, call it 2500 all in)
- suspension: BC racing makes a coilover kit, ~1000 euro
- brakes: prices don't seem tpp unreasonable, 300-400 euro for (cheap) replacement parts
- tires: enough choice in cheapo tires.
Are there other specific E55 parts that have a tendency to break and could get costly?
I realise this is not done for most of you, but in my opinion it's just a car, with a marvelous engine. If it was an option, I'd probably have the engine swapped in my RX-7, but it isn't. Having a car that can tow quite a bit and looks a bit more classy could be nice from time to time, so I am not completely against an E.
I realise resale value would probably be ruined by these mods. I don't really care about that, this would be a keeper. Most of my driving is on the highway. The car would definitely get an LPG conversion, with a silly big tank. LPG costs less than a third of petrol here, the setup would pay for itself in less than a year. The car would definitely be a tool, but a quite comfy one without the headaches of the OEM setup, or that's the goal at least.
(for those interested, most of my current/previous cars: Mazda RX7 FC, Nissan Silvia S15, Toyota Soarer (1JZ and 1UZ engines), many MX-5's (first gen, most of them turbo), JDM Impreza WRX STI, BMW 323ti (probably the best all rounder up till now!), BMW 325i (E36), BMW "345i" (e30 with 3.5l turbo from a 745i, but never got past the project stage), Nissan 200SX S13. Currently looking at kitcars(Sylva/Westfield), old Nissans (R32, PS13), an NSX and the E55. The E55 has priority as I am looking at options for a daily.)
I've been thinking about buying an E55 W211, so the one with the supercharger. I've been fantasizing about this car for a few year now, but have always put it off, seing that I don't have any real reason to buy it, other than that engine. I like small cars, but that engine is just mesmerizing. I just got another job, am planning to freelance (IT) and my current car is on it's last legs, has got me thinking about one again. I have some sort of justification now
Why an E, you ask? Well, that's mainly because of tax reasons. The wagon can be registered as a light cargo vehicle, bringing the tax down from 4500 euro a year to 150 euro a year (yes, 30x less). Being a light cargo has also tax benefits for my freelance gig.
The engine is the main reason. Engine swaps are not allowed here, so I am "stuck" with an E-class. I've been reading up on them, and pretty much everyone seems to agree: this car is very likely to ruin you.
Most things I come across: gearbox (coolant mixing with the oil), suspension, brake jobs, tires.
After googling a bit more, it seems that most of those issues can be addressed cheap or permanently:
- gearbox: conversion to a manual bmw box (check http://www.pmcmotorsport.com, about 1200 euro's for the big stuff, call it 2500 all in)
- suspension: BC racing makes a coilover kit, ~1000 euro
- brakes: prices don't seem tpp unreasonable, 300-400 euro for (cheap) replacement parts
- tires: enough choice in cheapo tires.
Are there other specific E55 parts that have a tendency to break and could get costly?
I realise this is not done for most of you, but in my opinion it's just a car, with a marvelous engine. If it was an option, I'd probably have the engine swapped in my RX-7, but it isn't. Having a car that can tow quite a bit and looks a bit more classy could be nice from time to time, so I am not completely against an E.
I realise resale value would probably be ruined by these mods. I don't really care about that, this would be a keeper. Most of my driving is on the highway. The car would definitely get an LPG conversion, with a silly big tank. LPG costs less than a third of petrol here, the setup would pay for itself in less than a year. The car would definitely be a tool, but a quite comfy one without the headaches of the OEM setup, or that's the goal at least.
(for those interested, most of my current/previous cars: Mazda RX7 FC, Nissan Silvia S15, Toyota Soarer (1JZ and 1UZ engines), many MX-5's (first gen, most of them turbo), JDM Impreza WRX STI, BMW 323ti (probably the best all rounder up till now!), BMW 325i (E36), BMW "345i" (e30 with 3.5l turbo from a 745i, but never got past the project stage), Nissan 200SX S13. Currently looking at kitcars(Sylva/Westfield), old Nissans (R32, PS13), an NSX and the E55. The E55 has priority as I am looking at options for a daily.)
I speak from an SL55 perspective.
Gearbox fluid and coolant
Make sure it is not a Valeo radiator (if it is check it is the upgraded one)
Suspension
Check for leaks and correct ride height. Also a good idea to put it on a scan tool to check pump pressure and for codes. Also check fluid and make sure it is nice and green. It does need changing and lack of changes can lead to problems.
Then you don't have to swap out gearboxes and change the suspension.
The engine is fantastic though and well worth it.
Gearbox fluid and coolant
Make sure it is not a Valeo radiator (if it is check it is the upgraded one)
Suspension
Check for leaks and correct ride height. Also a good idea to put it on a scan tool to check pump pressure and for codes. Also check fluid and make sure it is nice and green. It does need changing and lack of changes can lead to problems.
Then you don't have to swap out gearboxes and change the suspension.
The engine is fantastic though and well worth it.
DapperDanMan said:
I speak from an SL55 perspective.
Gearbox fluid and coolant
Make sure it is not a Valeo radiator (if it is check it is the upgraded one)
Suspension
Check for leaks and correct ride height. Also a good idea to put it on a scan tool to check pump pressure and for codes. Also check fluid and make sure it is nice and green. It does need changing and lack of changes can lead to problems.
Then you don't have to swap out gearboxes and change the suspension.
The engine is fantastic though and well worth it.
That was not nearly as bad as I expected! Thank you for the tips Gearbox fluid and coolant
Make sure it is not a Valeo radiator (if it is check it is the upgraded one)
Suspension
Check for leaks and correct ride height. Also a good idea to put it on a scan tool to check pump pressure and for codes. Also check fluid and make sure it is nice and green. It does need changing and lack of changes can lead to problems.
Then you don't have to swap out gearboxes and change the suspension.
The engine is fantastic though and well worth it.
Finding a car that is in good condition would be preferable, but I try to keep a worst case scenario in mind. If it works out better, great!
I would only replace the OEM parts if necessary, I wouldn't change them preventative.
Can you do any of the work yourself? Many thousands of savings to be had doing DIY on them. My experience is on a humdrum 211, but I've saved a lot of labour charges by troubleshooting things myself.
A hooky STAR system would let you get into the nitty gritty of diagnostics (being an IT freelancer I'm assuming you'd be comfortable with that of course), and save a fortune for troublesome niggles.
A hooky STAR system would let you get into the nitty gritty of diagnostics (being an IT freelancer I'm assuming you'd be comfortable with that of course), and save a fortune for troublesome niggles.
Had my Estate for two and a half years costs to date are a little under £4000, apart from regular servicing and maintenance by a specialist I've had an airmatic strut fail and an air pump.
Costs also included the well known window regulator fail and a geometry set up.
Not sure you can run these on a budget unless you're capable of doing the work yourself.
Costs also included the well known window regulator fail and a geometry set up.
Not sure you can run these on a budget unless you're capable of doing the work yourself.
Isn't the sensotronic brake pump likely to fail ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensotronic_Brake_Co...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensotronic_Brake_Co...
Hi all,
thanks for the feedback. It seems that the really expensive stuff would be solved by those modifications?
I don't plan on doing the work myself, but I go to a local indy with most my cars. I should be able to do the basic stuff (changed the suspension on my mx5 and e36 before), but I really don't like working on cars
How are the electronics on this, and how interchangeable are they with the non-amg models? I am mainly worried about essential stuff for driving. If the gps or the heated seats don't work,wouldn't bother too much.
If it was feasible here in Belgium, I'd probably look for a 190 to put that engine in
thanks for the feedback. It seems that the really expensive stuff would be solved by those modifications?
I don't plan on doing the work myself, but I go to a local indy with most my cars. I should be able to do the basic stuff (changed the suspension on my mx5 and e36 before), but I really don't like working on cars
How are the electronics on this, and how interchangeable are they with the non-amg models? I am mainly worried about essential stuff for driving. If the gps or the heated seats don't work,wouldn't bother too much.
If it was feasible here in Belgium, I'd probably look for a 190 to put that engine in
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