Want To but E55 estate help please

[Sealine South]

Hi all

I am a merc virgin and would like to buy an E55 estate. I have seen a couple of 03/04 cars on autotrader for about 13k with 70-80k mikes for about 13k. Is there anything to worry about?

I am not worried about fuel as only do about 11,000 mies a year.

Thanks

Ben

[vilus]

Estates go for a premium over saloons. The biggest concerns are the Airmatic suspension, ( Self levelling on the estate), and the SBC braking system. A full service history is important. Most ten year old examples on their third or more owners have incomplete history and budget tyres fitted. Remember you are not buying a £13K estate car, you are buying a £65K car that is 8-9 years old. Try the mbclub.co.uk and search buying E55 AMG. There is a comprehensive guide written by dozens of owners with experience of buying and owning this model. The W211/S211 E55 is an amazing vehicle, and very docile and driveable to take your dogs to the park/ shopping etc. but a complete hooligan when you press the loud pedal.

[vilus]

I just noticed you are in Southampton. FYI you have one of the best Independant Mercedes Specialists in the UK close to you in Horndean. They do not sell cars, but for servicing etc. Olly, the owner, is a true Mercedes Guru.

http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

Edited by vilus on Monday 6th May 21:55

[Sealine South]

Thanks Vilus.

Have you seen the cars on Autotrader? One with Canfield and another with a bike dealer in Scotland. Any thoughts on them?

I assume the engines are fairly bulletproof?

Thanks for the tip on the garage in Horndean - very useful.

Ben

[Sealine South]

Hi folks

Pretty close to buying an E55 amg, 53 plate with 70k miles. It says it needs a D service in about 5,000 miles. Does anyone know how much it'll be?

Thanks

[ALawson]

Try calling the garage above or your local MB Main Dealer.

[softtop]

Sealine South said:

Hi folks

Pretty close to buying an E55 amg, 53 plate with 70k miles. It says it needs a D service in about 5,000 miles. Does anyone know how much it'll be?

Thanks

as cheap as it gets, A is the most expensive though they read the output from the 'Star' software. Should be little more than an oil change but who knows!

[vilus]

Last year a C service cost me £400 at an independant, of which £130 was brake fluid change. The ABCD etc indicated the amount of time the computer estimates will be needed based on mileage, time and how the car is driven. Ie. When the Star diagnostic system is plugged in the car will indicate what work needs to be done based on the service schedule. A is one hour, B two hours through to G 7 hours. A + symbol means the brake wear sensors have activated.

[rayv10]

hi
just brought one looked at it liked it never looked back excellent car

[Sealine South]

I chaps. Picked it up yesterday, epic car! Bought it off a real gent and loving every minute so far.

Got a funny noise from the brake pedal, sounds like a dull vibration if you know what I mean! Other than that, love it!

[r129sl]

I'm pretty sure the brake pedal thing is normal and is something to do with the sensotronic braking system.

[Welshbeef]

How powerful should the brakes feel on this car? Are they progressive or on/off like BMWs ?

If you drive one ad pressed then had to press a lot harder to get it to stop is that walk away or ?

[vilus]

SBC brakes are known for their lack of feel, but that said are amazingly effective. The brake pedal is an electrical actuator for the SBC pump which depending on how hard and quickly you step on the pedal, releases pressure from the reservoir to provide hydraulic pressure to the braking system. If you are in traffic they feel a bit soft and weak, but stamp on the pedal and the car should stop on a sixpence. Ultimate braking performance depends on the tyre grip on the road. I recently had a fright when a 'scummy mummy' on the school run, talking on her mobile, pulled out in front of me turning right onto a main road, and stopped in my lane. With about a cars length between us I stamped on the brake and braced myself fully expecting an impact and airbag deployment. To my amazement, despite a damp road the car stopped 12" away from the woman now screaming that I'd nearly killed her kids! I was double gob-smacked at her cheek, and the fact the car stopped in about 20 feet from 30mph! The actual brake pedal during this incident felt very different from regular ABS. I felt 3-4 very strong , artificial pulses from the pedal, but the wheels never locked and released as the seatbelt tightened and I whacked my head on the visor. I was well impressed, and the SBC pump is worth the cost IMHO.

[Welshbeef]

A question re the two battery setup if one battery goes flat not the one to start te starter motor how long before its recharged? I ask as the nav wasn't possible to use with the flat battery which without doubt in a car like this if its not working would be eye wateringly pricy to fix.

[vilus]

IF when you start the engine the dashboard show' battery protection, electrical consumers unavailable' then the small battery under the bonnet is likely suspect. The message should disappear after a few minutes. During this time all non essential electrics such as heated rear screen, heated seats etc will not work. If it is just the Nav, then it is the command unit or nav that is not working. A new consumer battery is about £70 from mercedes. Dealers usully offer quite good prices on batteries.
Here are a couple of links that might be of interest to you..

http://bayhas.com/mercedes/w211/contents/INDEX.htm

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid...