E55K Moneypit Madness?
Discussion
Hi,
I've been thinking about chopping the S2000 in for a pre-facelift 2003-2005 E55K AMG. Now, these look cheaper than alot of nice stuff that is about. The rational behind this is that it will be little thirstier than the S2000 which does about 25mpg (my mileage is very low) but will be at once balistically bonkers when I put the peddal to the metal but comfy and practical the rest of the time.
Now what worries me with these is that apparently mercs of this vintage had electrical gremlins (sorted post 06 facelift but they're too expensive for me).
Can you guys shed any light as to whether the above is true? And what are they like in the real world for tyres, fuel, maintanence and repair?
We all know the sorts of horror stories you hear about similar vintage RS6's. Is it a world of misery that awaits if I buy one of these expecting sensible running costs (ie 2K per year excluding fuel and insurance)
I've been thinking about chopping the S2000 in for a pre-facelift 2003-2005 E55K AMG. Now, these look cheaper than alot of nice stuff that is about. The rational behind this is that it will be little thirstier than the S2000 which does about 25mpg (my mileage is very low) but will be at once balistically bonkers when I put the peddal to the metal but comfy and practical the rest of the time.
Now what worries me with these is that apparently mercs of this vintage had electrical gremlins (sorted post 06 facelift but they're too expensive for me).
Can you guys shed any light as to whether the above is true? And what are they like in the real world for tyres, fuel, maintanence and repair?
We all know the sorts of horror stories you hear about similar vintage RS6's. Is it a world of misery that awaits if I buy one of these expecting sensible running costs (ie 2K per year excluding fuel and insurance)
03 onwards should be ok. With your 2K a year I think you'd be taking a chance - as an example I spent about 7K on my 02 SL500 last year (not including fuel, tax or ins). And I've now got some odd electrics which will doubtless need another grand spending. That said I think that I just had a very bad year.
My main concern would be the suspension - if it's ABC you are in a world where it might be perfect. Or it might go wrong and cost you six trillion quid to fix.
My main concern would be the suspension - if it's ABC you are in a world where it might be perfect. Or it might go wrong and cost you six trillion quid to fix.
Tyres, brake discs and pads could eat up your annual £2k allowance in one go if you go down the main dealer route!
It was expensive car new, so will always have 'expensive car' running costs even for basic consumables, even if it is reliable.
I'd only consider it if I had a trusted local specialist who could look after it properly without breaking the bank.
It was expensive car new, so will always have 'expensive car' running costs even for basic consumables, even if it is reliable.
I'd only consider it if I had a trusted local specialist who could look after it properly without breaking the bank.
Dog Star said:
03 onwards should be ok. With your 2K a year I think you'd be taking a chance - as an example I spent about 7K on my 02 SL500 last year (not including fuel, tax or ins). And I've now got some odd electrics which will doubtless need another grand spending. That said I think that I just had a very bad year.
My main concern would be the suspension - if it's ABC you are in a world where it might be perfect. Or it might go wrong and cost you six trillion quid to fix.
Presume that that is some sort of adaptive air suspension a-la rs6??? didnt know they had that!!! Truth is that i'll be gentle with it 99% of the time. There is a good speciallist round here (leeds) so I wouldnt touch dealers with a barge pole!!!My main concern would be the suspension - if it's ABC you are in a world where it might be perfect. Or it might go wrong and cost you six trillion quid to fix.
Just to clarify on the consumables bit.... Are they normal expensive car expensive or sports car expensive? Do they wear out and need replacing at sensible rates or sports car (or worse) rates???
To me, on this car, things like disks, pads and tires look like they are sensible sizes? For instance, if driven sensibly are the replacement intervals also similar as for a normal car and just more expensive when replaced?
This is the thing with sports cars is that they often have expensive parts but also short life of consumables such as breaks and tires. I think that I can deal with one at this level (at speciallist prices) but not both...
To me, on this car, things like disks, pads and tires look like they are sensible sizes? For instance, if driven sensibly are the replacement intervals also similar as for a normal car and just more expensive when replaced?
This is the thing with sports cars is that they often have expensive parts but also short life of consumables such as breaks and tires. I think that I can deal with one at this level (at speciallist prices) but not both...
hahithestevieboy said:
To me, on this car, things like disks, pads and tires look like they are sensible sizes?
I've got 18" AMG wheels from an SL on my non-AMG car, Michelin/Continental/Pirelli tyres are £250+ per corner! I've heard silly prices quoted on forums for discs and pads, but to be fair they were probably main dealer prices and Merc labour charges are very high. There's a few AMG owners who will be better placed to comment on actual parts prices for consumables.
ETA see the other thread just below on the SLK55 AMG for costs on consumables!!
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 8th April 16:46
How many miles will you do each year? how hard will you drive it? how long will you keep it? and are you going to look after it like an aeroplane or an old boot?
More miles, more cost. Harder driving, more cost. Keeper, more cost. Careful maintenance, more cost.
I do 20,000 fast but not hard miles a year in my 1999 SL500; I am keeping it forever; I maintain it like an aeroplane; it costs £5k to £8k per annum including 8 tyres. An E55 AMG will be more expensive.
More miles, more cost. Harder driving, more cost. Keeper, more cost. Careful maintenance, more cost.
I do 20,000 fast but not hard miles a year in my 1999 SL500; I am keeping it forever; I maintain it like an aeroplane; it costs £5k to £8k per annum including 8 tyres. An E55 AMG will be more expensive.
yellowbentines said:
sorry to go off topic (it may be helpful to the OP to know anyway) but how does an 02 car need £7k of work?£3K for a rear shock and PAS pump. That was from an indie
£1K in tyres
£400 discs and pads.
£760 for some electrical faults (heater controller plus a battery controller)
£700 (and something) for a service (major)
£320 wheel refurb
£170 control arm and steering joint *
£150 wheel repair *
£250 full alignment * ( items marked * the wheel repair, suspension repairs and align were my fault for *really* belting a kerb)
Plus loads of other bits and bats (interim oil changes, wipers, filters etc etc) so you can easily see how expenditure on those levels creeps up. A lot of the stuff like brake disc/pads and all filters I do myself too to try and keep costs down.
That said I do try to do things by the book - I would hope that anyone inspecting the car would think it was tip top now. The killer in the list above was the 3K on the PAS (which also does the suspension) pump and shock.
Edit to add- £320 front upper control arm.
Edited by Dog Star on Friday 8th April 23:18
Just for anybody who finds themselves needing a suspension unit, Arnott in the
USA do remanufactured items with better quality seals etc for £365 each with a lifetime warranty. Spoke to a few people who have had them in the states and they seem to be proving very reliable in service.
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ...
USA do remanufactured items with better quality seals etc for £365 each with a lifetime warranty. Spoke to a few people who have had them in the states and they seem to be proving very reliable in service.
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ...
Have a look on mbclub.co.uk for threads on this.
In terms of years E Classes in general get better the closer to the facelift changeover - so a lot of the electrical issues seem to improve from 04 on when they started fitting looms manually not by robot. And IIRC the very early ones had Valeo rads which can cause problems.
In terms of running costs one member over there reckoned consumables weren't much more on his 55k than on his previous 320 CDi.
The adaptive suspension on a E is Airmatic. The springs are replaced by air-compressed spheres. The dampers are electrically controlled for compression and rebound. They seem a zillion times more reliable the the RS6 ones but they are expensive if they go wrong.
My (Feb 05) E500 is on 97k and the Airmatic is fine. In fact everything is fine. It's got a monster spec and the only fault is that one of the headrest adjuster switches has come adrift.
In terms of years E Classes in general get better the closer to the facelift changeover - so a lot of the electrical issues seem to improve from 04 on when they started fitting looms manually not by robot. And IIRC the very early ones had Valeo rads which can cause problems.
In terms of running costs one member over there reckoned consumables weren't much more on his 55k than on his previous 320 CDi.
The adaptive suspension on a E is Airmatic. The springs are replaced by air-compressed spheres. The dampers are electrically controlled for compression and rebound. They seem a zillion times more reliable the the RS6 ones but they are expensive if they go wrong.
My (Feb 05) E500 is on 97k and the Airmatic is fine. In fact everything is fine. It's got a monster spec and the only fault is that one of the headrest adjuster switches has come adrift.
quite simply, buy a good one and you will love it, buy a dog and you will regret it; there is no such thing as a 'cheap' AMG.
try to buy the best example available for your budget, ideally with a very good consistent MB service history, then spend about £1k on a tier 1 MB warranty; that leaves you with your other £1k for consumables.
it's also been mentioned that costs will be directly related to your driving style; harder you drive, quicker you will spend money.
finally, best to listen to advice from people whom have actually ran AMG models; is always amazing nonsense that is spouted by people that may of 'known' someone with one once, or are reporting on what 'they have heard'.
try to buy the best example available for your budget, ideally with a very good consistent MB service history, then spend about £1k on a tier 1 MB warranty; that leaves you with your other £1k for consumables.
it's also been mentioned that costs will be directly related to your driving style; harder you drive, quicker you will spend money.
finally, best to listen to advice from people whom have actually ran AMG models; is always amazing nonsense that is spouted by people that may of 'known' someone with one once, or are reporting on what 'they have heard'.
355spiderguy said:
is always amazing nonsense that is spouted by people that may of 'known' someone with one once, or are reporting on what 'they have heard'.
Not sure if that's a subtle dig, but if someone 'has heard' something directly from an AMG owner, why disregard it as nonsense?angusc43 said:
Have a look on mbclub.co.uk for threads on this.
In terms of years E Classes in general get better the closer to the facelift changeover - so a lot of the electrical issues seem to improve from 04 on when they started fitting looms manually not by robot. And IIRC the very early ones had Valeo rads which can cause problems.
In terms of running costs one member over there reckoned consumables weren't much more on his 55k than on his previous 320 CDi.
The adaptive suspension on a E is Airmatic. The springs are replaced by air-compressed spheres. The dampers are electrically controlled for compression and rebound. They seem a zillion times more reliable the the RS6 ones but they are expensive if they go wrong.
My (Feb 05) E500 is on 97k and the Airmatic is fine. In fact everything is fine. It's got a monster spec and the only fault is that one of the headrest adjuster switches has come adrift.
The Valeo rads were a big problem, the water/oil cooling leaked and allowed water to lubricate the gearbox...In terms of years E Classes in general get better the closer to the facelift changeover - so a lot of the electrical issues seem to improve from 04 on when they started fitting looms manually not by robot. And IIRC the very early ones had Valeo rads which can cause problems.
In terms of running costs one member over there reckoned consumables weren't much more on his 55k than on his previous 320 CDi.
The adaptive suspension on a E is Airmatic. The springs are replaced by air-compressed spheres. The dampers are electrically controlled for compression and rebound. They seem a zillion times more reliable the the RS6 ones but they are expensive if they go wrong.
My (Feb 05) E500 is on 97k and the Airmatic is fine. In fact everything is fine. It's got a monster spec and the only fault is that one of the headrest adjuster switches has come adrift.
then spend about £1k on a tier 1 MB warranty; that leaves you with your other £1k for consumables.
You could,nt get better advice than the above, if your going to buy one of these AMG cars. My own 06 E55, is well documented in another forum, for its engine failure, at 23K miles. I also know of 2 other engine replacements, 1 no. SL 55 and another E55, these engines will cost in region og £30K to replace at MB, so the tier 1 warrenty, whilst painful to buy,(around £900 dependant on excess), is a bargain should things go wrong, engine and electronics wise, along with what ever else can fail.
This said, I have had my car 4 years now, albeit I only take it out when I am doing 20 miles plus, stopping and starting a car of this engine size is not good, and whilst the replacement engine issure was enough, and grateful I had the tier 1 warrenty, very little else has gone wrong with it in this time, and it is a most exciting car to drive, if you can find a decent one, go for it, its a great thrill to get into the car and feel its power and comfort.
Finally yes they are expensive to run and maintain, but any car of this nature will be, what ever make, your getting what you pay for, and lets face it the W211 E55, if you can find the right one, they are a bargain £-BPH wise. From what I understand from these cars 04 onwards good for corrosion and electronics issures, and from my veiwing a lot of these dated cars have usually have a good spec. Best of luck with your search
You could,nt get better advice than the above, if your going to buy one of these AMG cars. My own 06 E55, is well documented in another forum, for its engine failure, at 23K miles. I also know of 2 other engine replacements, 1 no. SL 55 and another E55, these engines will cost in region og £30K to replace at MB, so the tier 1 warrenty, whilst painful to buy,(around £900 dependant on excess), is a bargain should things go wrong, engine and electronics wise, along with what ever else can fail.
This said, I have had my car 4 years now, albeit I only take it out when I am doing 20 miles plus, stopping and starting a car of this engine size is not good, and whilst the replacement engine issure was enough, and grateful I had the tier 1 warrenty, very little else has gone wrong with it in this time, and it is a most exciting car to drive, if you can find a decent one, go for it, its a great thrill to get into the car and feel its power and comfort.
Finally yes they are expensive to run and maintain, but any car of this nature will be, what ever make, your getting what you pay for, and lets face it the W211 E55, if you can find the right one, they are a bargain £-BPH wise. From what I understand from these cars 04 onwards good for corrosion and electronics issures, and from my veiwing a lot of these dated cars have usually have a good spec. Best of luck with your search
Thanks for your responses guys. I appriciate it a great deal. These cars are seriously rare though so the search is tough...
A word on mileage, I have done about 5K in the last year which has included a fair ammount of work mileage (a couple of K).
My commute to work is about 4 miles each way through some traffic but not too stationary. It takes about 10-15 minutes max each way. It works out to less than 2K per year !!!. The rest of it is made up of longer recreational journeys and longer works trips. Works trips are generally crusing at a (slow) speed of my choosing up the motorway. Generally therefore, most of my driving is very gentle but with quite a few short trips and the odd blast.
As you have all said, stuff like breaks and tires are almost directly related to driving style and distance. In this context fuel costs worry me little and general yearly servicing and depreciation costs tend to be more of a worry than mileage related consumables...
A word on mileage, I have done about 5K in the last year which has included a fair ammount of work mileage (a couple of K).
My commute to work is about 4 miles each way through some traffic but not too stationary. It takes about 10-15 minutes max each way. It works out to less than 2K per year !!!. The rest of it is made up of longer recreational journeys and longer works trips. Works trips are generally crusing at a (slow) speed of my choosing up the motorway. Generally therefore, most of my driving is very gentle but with quite a few short trips and the odd blast.
As you have all said, stuff like breaks and tires are almost directly related to driving style and distance. In this context fuel costs worry me little and general yearly servicing and depreciation costs tend to be more of a worry than mileage related consumables...
E55 Max said:
Hmmm funny to see this thread when I am considering changing mine!
Oh and I am the chap that AngusC43 was talikng about!
Rule no 1 find a good Indie
Rule no 2 Don't go to Mercedes.
If you stick to those two then you won't get any horrendous bills.
What's your Budget?
Cheers. The value of my 04 reg S2000GT plus a couple of K. Would love it to be a straight swap but that aint gonna happen....Oh and I am the chap that AngusC43 was talikng about!
Rule no 1 find a good Indie
Rule no 2 Don't go to Mercedes.
If you stick to those two then you won't get any horrendous bills.
What's your Budget?
I bought my 1998 E55 amg 5 years ago with 100k on the clock.Since then i have done 41k in it useing it every day.In this time i have replaced the front disc,s 2 sets of rear tyres an i set of front tyres.Like others have said steer clear of main dealer,s for serviceing,i get the oil an filter changed every 10k, and apart from a new ignition key that was £230 the car has been totally reliable.The performance is awesome and driven gently it will do around 22 mpg.I know its hit an miss buying a car like this and the newer one,s seem to have more trouble but don,t let this put you off a great car.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff