2007 C55 Estate, laundry list

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Dammit

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Hi everyone, I recently bought my first AMG - and have been very much enjoying it.

I wanted to get it serviced and have finally had the opportunity and dropped it into DDR in Surrey.

This is the list that I got back:

Water pump has slight play, £534.96
Bleed nipples on front calipers - NSF snapped off, OSF heavily corroded, £291.54
NSR spring broken, req 2 new springs, £338.40
OSF ARB link gaitor split, req new link, £86.58
Both torque strut bushes torn, req 2 new bushes £263.28
O/S engine mount has leaked out oil, req 3 x mounts, £572.80
Rear discs corroded, req discs and pads £287.66
All clamps and connections on exhaust corroded, £103.26
NS rocker cover leaking, req new gasket £169.26
Rear main leaking, £666.66
Front door check straps req replacement £281.22

Which was something of a surprise, but then I didn't have a pre-purchase inspection done so I am the author of my own misfortune here.

I have a question for the mechanically minded here - the PO said he'd had the rockers re-sealed in his ownership, which would be within the last year and a half. Now his garage (not a Merc specialist) may have just done a poor job, but putting those with the RMS am I looking at a crankcase pressure issue?

i.e. should I be looking for blocked breathers before replacing the seals?
 
Here's the old girl parked at work:Here's the old girl:

40370945904_b504028b36_b.jpg
 
Wow, that is quite a repair bill to fix those faults.
Just shows the importance of a PP Inspection.

I don't doubt DDR, but some of those costs I would query.
Water pump, engine mounts (only two but assuming a trans' mount as well) and rocker cover gasket all seem very expensive.
 
It is two engine mounts and the transmission mount.

I've just paid for bodywork on my other car, so am not in a position to say to DDR "do the lot", this month.

Therefore I'll do the important safety related stuff and will attend to the waterpump, RMS and rocker cover on a return visit.

I'm also a bit wary of treating a symptom but no the disease - if indeed I've got a crankcase pressure issue, it'll just blow the seals again.

Unless RMS is a known 75,000 mile service item?
 
I think a few of the M113 engines are known to weep oil from the rear main seal.
I was told unless it was an unduly heavy leak to leave it. ( Mine doesn't leak, was passing conversation with my indy when he gave mine the once over.)
The main seal isn't a service item.

Wise move just tackling the important irems first.
I'd get the springs and water pump done first.
 
You think the water pump should be treated as a priority? I was going to do this lot first:
NSR spring broken, req 2 new springs, £ 338.40
OSF ARB link gaitor split, req new link, £ 86.58
Both torque strut bushes torn, req 2 new bushes £ 263.28
O/S engine mount has leaked out oil, req 3 x mounts, £ 572.80
Rear discs corroded, req discs and pads £ 287.66

As they looked like "must not leave" items, and then tackle the waterpump along with the door check straps and bleed nipples when I get paid again.

If the waterpump is likely to go from "slight play" to "need new V8" then I'll change it now.
 
A number of those items would have been MOT failures or advisories, how long has the MOT to run?
 
November. Normally, and in any other month, I'd have said "do everything", this month I paid for the respray and new roof on my 996 so I have to prioritise.
 
Also, no advisories on the past two MOT's, which is interesting.
 
You think the water pump should be treated as a priority?

I would. The pump can quickly go from having slight play to leaking and the engine overheating.

I would also get a quote for the work from PCS in Hordean off the A3 in Hants.
They are forum sponsors and Mercedes specialists.
I'm still suspicious of some of those prices. I can't see a water pump costing over £500 to supply and fit.

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire
 
Also, no advisories on the past two MOT's, which is interesting.
Very!

I simply do not believe that some of those issues have not been present and noticeable at a previous MOT.

Also for the best part of £3600 I would be certainly looking at other quotes and opinions from someone like PCS
 
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I would also get a quote for the work from PCS in Hordean off the A3 in Hants.

Unfortunately I'm lending the car to a friend to go on holiday in from the 21st, so I've got no time to shop around.

Bearing in mind your advice, how about this list:

Water pump has slight play, £534.96
NSR spring broken, req 2 new springs, £338.40
OSF ARB link gaitor split, req new link, £86.58
Both torque strut bushes torn, req 2 new bushes £263.28
O/S engine mount has leaked out oil, req 3 x mounts, £572.80


That should take care of the "must do" stuff, then I can get the rest done the next time?
 
How much for a ARB link! Febi do the links and complete Torque Arms btw.

Lovely looking car, Good find.:thumb:
 
The prices for some parts etc do seem high,
Unfortunately I'm lending the car to a friend to go on holiday in from the 21st, so I've got no time to shop around.

Bearing in mind your advice, how about this list:

Water pump has slight play, £534.96
NSR spring broken, req 2 new springs, £338.40
OSF ARB link gaitor split, req new link, £86.58
Both torque strut bushes torn, req 2 new bushes £263.28
O/S engine mount has leaked out oil, req 3 x mounts, £572.80


That should take care of the "must do" stuff, then I can get the rest done the next time?

Do you need the ARB link replaced now? Only a minor saving but the link can be replaced later.

Might be worth having the tracking checked after replacing the torque struts.
 
Good idea about the tracking, I put the ARB link on the list because it struck me as being important.

I don't know what it'll cost to get DDR to investigate the breather system - couple of hours do people think?

Also, what would an oil and filter change run to on one of these engines, would anyone know?
 
ARB link currently has a split dust cover, it will need replacing at some point and probably best to replace both when you have checked the quote with someone else.
 
Thanks. I ok'd some of the work today, given that my friend needs the car by Wednesday I didn't feel I had a choice - went with the following:
Rear springs
Water pump
Torque tube bushes
Rocker cover gasket (get rid of the oily smell)
Engine and transmission mounts

I'll ask them to check the alignment tomorrow, forgot to mention that today.

I also spoke to Olly at PCS, I'll run the car down to him when I get it back again, get a second opinion/price for the rest of the work.
 
OP, don't beat yourself up for not having had a pre purchase inspection done. If you had you would probably not have bought the car at all. I agree with others here , some of the prices quoted seem a bit steep. how many miles on the clock ?

Are you able to do any of the work yourself ? just asking as some of the jobs listed are DIY for someone with a bit of mechanical aptitude. I have had some of these jobs done on my C55.
 
Make sure the water pump is done before giving over to "a friend" otherwise you won't be popular..

Back in the 80's we went to the South Of France (St Tropez) by car.. had a great time except we developed a noised that started to peak in time for the journey back. So we hared it back up the road trying to get as near to dover as possible keeping an eye on the pump every now and then...We got on the boat and overloaded with "Duty Free" and I mean "Overloaded" if we were stopped we were jailed, fags were hidden everywhere, bottles of wine rolling around on the floor of the car, tucked in armrests, you name it, it was hidden. So we roll off the Ferry at Dover and " Anything to declare Sir?" asks customs.. " No Sir" "Thats Fine, on you go have a pleasant evening.." Huge sighs were heard all round as we drove off overladen in Duty Free. 20 miles outside Dover and justice was done.. the water pump parted company from the block and propelled itself through the radiator ... from Dover we were relayed (AA) all the way home and took ages... hence don't let it happen to your friend....:(
 

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