Coming back to Mercedes-W211 E55 AMG

[Oli]

Right, after a year of living with firstly a TVR and then a Range Rover I've decided to actually scratch the itch that is the E55 AMG and had a couple of questions.

What's the best way to go about getting Ipod connectivity in one?, I would be looking at a 2003/2004 vintage with DVD based Command.

What's thier economy like around town?, they can't be much worse than the 15 MPG my RR was managing, or at least I hope not anyway, do you guys run them on normal Unleaded or Super?.

I've read a few people on here have had a chip which slightly boosts power but gets rid of the speed limiter, while I'm sure that I will be more than impressed with its huge performance and won't be wanting to go over 155 in the immediate future it would be good to know some reccomendations if and when the time comes.

Lastly is there anything major to look out for while viewing them apart from things you would look for on most cars?, was rust still a big issue in 2004 or was it a bit more under control by then, my 2001 CLK was starting to go in the usual places, from what I've read the engines are pretty solid, is there a transmission oil service I should look out for in the history or anything?.
Most of the cars I'm going to be looking at are between 50 and 80k mileage wise.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I'm looking forward to returning to some Teutonic build quality after a year of nightmares!.

 

[Londonscottish]

I've got a 2005 E500 with DVD-based COMAND and the iPod connector kit is around £200+ fitting

Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes iPod solutions :: Last-E & CLS Class (W211/W219)

Rust on 211's much better that 210's (and the 202 I came from) but I've heard the odd 211 rust story creeping in - at least one member here has had some rust attended to.

Mileage isn't as much of an issues as condition and service history. Mine is on 95k and feels rock solid. It got a massive spec, everything works.

Looks for evidence of TLC - mine had the g/box fluid done at 60k and the plugs at 75k, for example. Look to see if disks and pads have been done recently, too.

Also, specs vary a lot. Full fat COMAND is good to have, I personally love the HK 7.1 in mine. I also really like the Dynamic seats.

 

[prprandall51]

I would personally go for a late 2004 onwards model. They stopped production of the E Class for two weeks in autumn 2004 to re-jig the E-Class line to engineer out a large number of electrical problems (for example, the loom, which was being robot-installed, became hand-installed).

Tell-tale signs (apart from the manufacturing date) are the absence of puddle lights on the mirrors, no air-con in the central console cubby hole, a mesh drille on the dash instead of a slatted grille (covering the hidden air outlets).

 

[Londonscottish]

I would personally go for a late 2004 onwards model. They stopped production of the E Class for two weeks in autumn 2004 to re-jig the E-Class line to engineer out a large number of electrical problems (for example, the loom, which was being robot-installed, became hand-installed).

Tell-tale signs (apart from the manufacturing date) are the absence of puddle lights on the mirrors, no air-con in the central console cubby hole, a mesh drille on the dash instead of a slatted grille (covering the hidden air outlets).

When do the puddle lights come on? When the door is opened and ignition off?

And where on the dash are the hidden air outlets?

I'll check mine on the way home.....

 

[prprandall51]

When do the puddle lights come on? When the door is opened and ignition off?

And where on the dash are the hidden air outlets?

I'll check mine on the way home.....

Puddle lights: I don't know I haven't got them (!) but they are supposed to illuminate when you unlock the car or when you open a door, I think. The easiest way to tell is that there is a clear plastic lens in the bottom of the door mirrors on cars with puddle lights.

The hidden air outlets are mounted in the very large panel in the centre of the dash on the flat part at the top. In early cars this area was covered with a slatted grille (with, I think) a rotating control dial for the vents (or was it an upper / lower temperature distribution control?).

In late 2004 onwards cars, this area had a metal mesh grille with no visible controls. If you have the mesh grille you turn the vents behind it on by turning the top centre vent control wheels to fully open and then closing them until you feel the wheel "lock" into position about an 1/8 of a turn back from fully open. The flow of air though the visible vents is then considerably reduced and difused air starts to come out of the mesh grille. It provides draught-free ventilation.

 

[C240Sport97]

When do the puddle lights come on? When the door is opened and ignition off?

And where on the dash are the hidden air outlets?

I'll check mine on the way home.....

I have the puddle lights on my CLS .. built Jan 06.

they come on when you unlock the car.

 

[Londonscottish]

Puddle lights: I don't know I haven't got them (!) but they are supposed to illuminate when you unlock the car or when you open a door, I think. The easiest way to tell is that there is a clear plastic lens in the bottom of the door mirrors on cars with puddle lights.

The hidden air outlets are mounted in the very large panel in the centre of the dash on the flat part at the top. In early cars this area was covered with a slatted grille (with, I think) a rotating control dial for the vents (or was it an upper / lower temperature distribution control?).

In late 2004 onwards cars, this area had a metal mesh grille with no visible controls. If you have the mesh grille you turn the vents behind it on by turning the top centre vent control wheels to fully open and then closing them until you feel the wheel "lock" into position about an 1/8 of a turn back from fully open. The flow of air though the visible vents is then considerably reduced and difused air starts to come out of the mesh grille. It provides draught-free ventilation.

Thanks - IIRC I have the mesh - will have a proper look in 20 mins and see if I can't figure out how to use the draft-free ventilation. I LOVE my 211 - full of quality details.

Hopefully it's a late 04/early 05 build - first registered in Feb 05 so right on the cusp.

 

[Alps]

Hi oli

good choice of mota! i`ll try and answer a few Q`s for ya

MB do an ipod kit, as already mentioned about £200, or if you keep an eye out on fleabay ive seen them a few times for about £99

defo go for a 2004 year build model (not just 2004 reg!) these have later electrics and other bits.

around town between 15-20 is about normal, racing at every set of lights, prob abt 12.

they should only be run on super!

speak to Olly and Lopes on perf mods, Renntech are the best for the e55. normally pully and chip upgrades is where to start, check out mbworld forum, many us bods with e55`s upgraded on there.

theres alot of infor on here, just need to spend time searching, yes rust is still an issue, mines going in for a rear arch in a few weeks.

alot out there, try and get a well spec`d one, look at the online parkers guide which has a list of ALL the options available and for what years, get as many of these as poss, just keeps the car more interesting for longer!

good luck!

Alps

Right, after a year of living with firstly a TVR and then a Range Rover I've decided to actually scratch the itch that is the E55 AMG and had a couple of questions.

What's the best way to go about getting Ipod connectivity in one?, I would be looking at a 2003/2004 vintage with DVD based Command.

What's thier economy like around town?, they can't be much worse than the 15 MPG my RR was managing, or at least I hope not anyway, do you guys run them on normal Unleaded or Super?.

I've read a few people on here have had a chip which slightly boosts power but gets rid of the speed limiter, while I'm sure that I will be more than impressed with its huge performance and won't be wanting to go over 155 in the immediate future it would be good to know some reccomendations if and when the time comes.

Lastly is there anything major to look out for while viewing them apart from things you would look for on most cars?, was rust still a big issue in 2004 or was it a bit more under control by then, my 2001 CLK was starting to go in the usual places, from what I've read the engines are pretty solid, is there a transmission oil service I should look out for in the history or anything?.
Most of the cars I'm going to be looking at are between 50 and 80k mileage wise.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I'm looking forward to returning to some Teutonic build quality after a year of nightmares!.

 

[Alps]

i have puddle lights on mine too!

 

[e55]

"yes rust is still an issue, mines going in for a rear arch in a few weeks"

What!!! rust on yours...I cant belive that. I thought it all stopped in 2002 with the W210

 

[Alps]

yep, very slight on outer edges of the wheel arch!

mb approved one side only!

"yes rust is still an issue, mines going in for a rear arch in a few weeks"

What!!! rust on yours...I cant belive that. I thought it all stopped in 2002 with the W210

 

[Oli]

Thanks for the info everyone, I will let you know when I've found one and put up some pics, hoping to have one by around Christmas.I really like the look of the W211 E Class too, shame to hear rust can still be an issue but from the sounds of things it sounds far less than previously, my 2001 CLK 230k was starting to go on one of the front wings and the arches.

The MPG doesn't sound too bad around town for such a big engine, I'm guessing on a run thier actually pretty good on fuel for thier size?.
Are they designed for use on Super only?, I'm not really bothered as I used to only run my TVR on V Power.

Good to hear there's an iPod kit for them, could most places who do stereo installations do this?, or would it be better to take it to Mercedes themselves?.

 

[Alps]

id take it to a good indi, not mb nor a stereo installers, or as your in surrey, i would go to comand online.

 

[st4]

yep, very slight on outer edges of the wheel arch!

mb approved one side only!

It would not be a genuine Mercedes experience if there was any different to that post.

 

[Londonscottish]

I would personally go for a late 2004 onwards model. They stopped production of the E Class for two weeks in autumn 2004 to re-jig the E-Class line to engineer out a large number of electrical problems (for example, the loom, which was being robot-installed, became hand-installed).

Tell-tale signs (apart from the manufacturing date) are the absence of puddle lights on the mirrors, no air-con in the central console cubby hole, a mesh drille on the dash instead of a slatted grille (covering the hidden air outlets).

...so checked mine out; Feb 05 delivery, must have been built after the changeover - no puddle lights, no a/c in central cubby, mesh air vents in centre.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Oli]

Were all the 2003/2004 E Classes problematic then?, or is it more like some were and just check all electrics work?.

Also I wondered what colour people think looks best for the AMG?, I'm going to go for either Black or Silver.

 

[Alps]

most are black or silver

 

[tagnut]

Were all the 2003/2004 E Classes problematic then?, or is it more like some were and just check all electrics work?.

Also I wondered what colour people think looks best for the AMG?, I'm going to go for either Black or Silver.

No electrical issues experienced with mine so far. First registered Dec '03.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I've had two In the 2003/04 bracket and both have been flawless.

 

[Oli]

That's what I mean, I hadn't heard that the 2003/2004 E Classes were especially problematic with electrics and I'm more than likely going to buy one from a dealer so I get warranty just in case.
One thing I'm not sure about on them is when people put the SL55 alloys on them as I don't think they suit the car that well, the E63 boot lip is a really nice addition in my opinion.