Entering the world of W211 ownership

[davidmudley]

Hi all,

I'm new to the MB world & forum, but have gained invaluable knowledge from the site already as I looked for my car. I love all things motoring (except traffic jams and road tax!) and have had many cars over the years, but I've never quite had the opportunity to scratch the AMG itch. So with my wife and kids out of the country for a week I pulled the trigger and bought myself a 2003 E55 AMG with 125k miles.

It needs a bit of TLC to bring it up to a good standard, and I suspect I will find that it needs more than I envisaged once I get going, but many of the common items have already been addressed.

I'm already addicted to the refined engine, and slightly nervous about the scale of electrical and mechanical items to work through (I noted 50 error codes). With any luck many of these are old or linked errors so if good fortune is on my side then I won't have as many issues to deal with as it first appears.

Thanks and I look forward to embedding myself in the community.

David

 

[W1ghty]

Hi all,

I'm new to the MB world & forum, but have gained invaluable knowledge from the site already as I looked for my car. I love all things motoring (except traffic jams and road tax!) and have had many cars over the years, but I've never quite had the opportunity to scratch the AMG itch. So with my wife and kids out of the country for a week I pulled the trigger and bought myself a 2003 E55 AMG with 125k miles.

It needs a bit of TLC to bring it up to a good standard, and I suspect I will find that it needs more than I envisaged once I get going, but many of the common items have already been addressed.

I'm already addicted to the refined engine, and slightly nervous about the scale of electrical and mechanical items to work through (I noted 50 error codes). With any luck many of these are old or linked errors so if good fortune is on my side then I won't have as many issues to deal with as it first appears.

Thanks and I look forward to embedding myself in the community.

David

View attachment 145037

You are going to be in SO much trouble when she finds out what you have done .
Hopefully all the codes are because of an old/poor battery .
Lovely looking car by the way , from the wrong sort of W211 car owner (diseasal)

 

[m80]

Nic lookin' mo mo.
Make a note of the codes,
delete all and start afresh, seeing which of them may return.

 

[davidmudley]

Thanks m80. I've done exactly that, I plan to use the car a couple of times over the coming days so I'll see what comes back later in the week.

 

[PaulG]

Welcome to the forum and a the world of the W211. You'll find plenty of people here who will give advice or point you in the right direction when/if you need help.
Just a few regular subjects that come up quite often:
- Bluetooth adaptor or new head unit
- SBC brake pump
- Airmatic suspension

From the right sort of W211 owner. (petrol) @W1ghty

 

[W1ghty]

Just a little taster of the old girl

 

[PaulG]

Just a little taster of the old girl
View attachment 145044

Still looking good

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!
Fremde, etranger, stranger.
Gluklich zu sehen, je suis enchante,
Happy to see you, bleibe, reste, stay.....

 

[AMGeed]

Well done on getting yourself an E55.
I had 6 happy years with mine and was fortunately pretty much trouble free.
Many of the fault codes are /were attributed to low voltage at some point, so make sure both batteries are fully charged.
The aux battery under the pollen filter is often forgotten about until it starts to fail.
If you haven't got one, a cheap multimeter can pay dividends for fault finding and checking voltage of the batteries.
You should be looking for 12.6v+ for a fully charged battery


Your car looks in great shape although I notice someone has changed the alloys to non AMG ones in the second photo. The alloys in the first photo are the correct ones.
If you want the correct ones (albeit copies), these are on sale from a member here. Now a giveaway at £400.

[SOLD] - Merc w/s211 alloy wheels refurbed | Classifieds - Mercedes Parts or general for Sale

Mercedes Wheels AME, AMG Reps Prof refurbishment done Aprox 500miles ago, were fitted to my s211 e270 since sold No cracks etc collection from Harwich, Essex. 18 x 9j et35 all round. £649

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[W1ghty]

Well done on getting yourself an E55.
I had 6 happy years with mine and was fortunately pretty much trouble free.
Many of the fault codes are /were attributed to low voltage at some point, so make sure both batteries are fully charged.
The aux battery under the pollen filter is often forgotten about until it starts to fail.
If you haven't got one, a cheap multimeter can pay dividends for fault finding and checking voltage of the batteries.
You should be looking for 12.6v+ for a fully charged battery
View attachment 145051

Your car looks in great shape although I notice someone has changed the alloys to non AMG ones in the second photo. The alloys in the first photo are the correct ones.
If you want the correct ones (albeit copies), these are on sale from a member here. Now a giveaway at £400.

[SOLD] - Merc w/s211 alloy wheels refurbed | Classifieds - Mercedes Parts or general for Sale

Mercedes Wheels AME, AMG Reps Prof refurbishment done Aprox 500miles ago, were fitted to my s211 e270 since sold No cracks etc collection from Harwich, Essex. 18 x 9j et35 all round. £649

forums.mbclub.co.uk

The second photo is your old buddy Wightys car . Note the AMG wheel centres

 

[AMGeed]

The second photo is your old buddy Wightys car . Note the AMG wheel centres

Ah, that explains it.
As you were


Edit. Why did I think that was part of the OP's post?
Losing the plot methinks.

 

[W1ghty]

Ah, that explains it.
As you were


Edit. Why did I think that was part of the OP's post?
Losing the plot methinks.

As you are now a lowly M271 car owner you can be forgiven for not recognising the more premium models

 

[AMGeed]

As you are now a lowly M271 car owner you can be forgiven for not recognising the more premium models

Harsh.
But fair.

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

Nothing like a good sensible purchase…. I too purchased my S211 whist my good wife was away and survived.
You have a few good independent Mercedes mechanics within an hours drive should you need one.. enjoy the new car..

 

[DanE350cdi]

I miss my w211, cracking cars and built well.