My 'cheap' High Mileage W211 E55 AMG Project

[Alex5000]

Makes for an interesting read thanks for taking the trouble to share, and for all of the quality photos.

I'm just finishing off some major work on mine: Removing the rear subframe to do the suspension (lower spring arm heim joints and forward subframe bushes were the only 'noticably worn parts) then paint the rear floor and arches. I can't say I've taken many good photos, although I may do a brief thread to share my experiences.

There are definately some common issues; my valve cover gaskets are leaking despite being replaced previously, and like yourself I have recently started getting the 'bounce' from the front door locks.

I went ahead and replaced the headlight lenses, looks like they had been restored before and a brand new set really set the car off - I just used a heat gun to soften the adhesive, and used buytl tape for the refit.

These cars are surprisingly easy to work on, even things like the SBC and Airmatic which seem scary to start with are maintainable without specialist tools in most cases.

That being said I still have a to-do list, but to get the car back on the road sooner; I'll save some of the less urgent parts until next winter. I think you are right about these being the best £/bhp available; personally I think the market needs to wake up to these a bit, they are fantastic cars

 

[91dm]

So after a long time, we found the leak. It was the seam sealer that failed there. We blasted the pressure washer in that area and you could see the water coming in clear. Did need to rip up the insulation though to confirm. Have removed and re-applied seam sealer now. Will let it cure till tomorrow and re-test with pressure washer again.

I'll popup some pics later on today.

Thanks SL03WLY, I will need to check mine if I get past these current issues.

Makes for an interesting read thanks for taking the trouble to share, and for all of the quality photos.

I'm just finishing off some major work on mine: Removing the rear subframe to do the suspension (lower spring arm heim joints and forward subframe bushes were the only 'noticably worn parts) then paint the rear floor and arches. I can't say I've taken many good photos, although I may do a brief thread to share my experiences.

There are definately some common issues; my valve cover gaskets are leaking despite being replaced previously, and like yourself I have recently started getting the 'bounce' from the front door locks.

I went ahead and replaced the headlight lenses, looks like they had been restored before and a brand new set really set the car off - I just used a heat gun to soften the adhesive, and used buytl tape for the refit.

These cars are surprisingly easy to work on, even things like the SBC and Airmatic which seem scary to start with are maintainable without specialist tools in most cases.

That being said I still have a to-do list, but to get the car back on the road sooner; I'll save some of the less urgent parts until next winter. I think you are right about these being the best £/bhp available; personally I think the market needs to wake up to these a bit, they are fantastic cars

Thanks Alex, yes I find it good to work on overall and was surprised at the room around the engine bay.

I found the valve covers very straight forward and haven't had any leaks since. I have the oil filter housing leak which seems to be another common one.

 

[SL03WLY]

Thanks SL03WLY, I will need to check mine if I get past these current issues.



Thanks Alex, yes I find it good to work on overall and was surprised at the room around the engine bay.

I found the valve covers very straight forward and haven't had any leaks since. I have the oil filter housing leak which seems to be another common one.

I uploaded some more pics of the full work carried out here from post #13 -> S211 Rain water leak into footwell - help finding point of ingress please | Bodywork

 

[pioneercollector]

Excellent read! And gives me lots of confidence in my 2003 SL 500 - I have done quite a few jobs on mine over the past 2 years ( Well not me, my indie mate! ) and there is always something looming and it has so far turned out to be other owners ill advised attempts to save a few quid!

When my alternator ceased to function on my way to York last year, i thought it was unlucky / odd as i was certain i had seen a fairly recent replacement invoice in my pile of service paperwork ....... when i returned from York i checked my files and Voila!! Yes it was replaced around 5 years ago, secondhand and for the SL 350 ....

I will get there and love the car - Love yours and the ongoing fixes, makes me feel it is all worth it

 

[wonkiestauto]

According to my information there is no service required for the supercharger. I'm going to change the oil on mine. Easy enough job if you take your time. It's hard to get small quantities of the special oil at the right price. Only need 150 mil.

You can buy a 500ml tin of the special Mobil oil from an aviation shop online cost me 18 quid with postage and I know its the right oil not some generic oil in a clear tub off ebay

 

[Teego]

You can buy a 500ml tin of the special Mobil oil from an aviation shop online cost me 18 quid with postage and I know its the right oil not some generic oil in a clear tub off ebay

I've still got 700 ml of Mobil Jet II left over from my oil change. I've offered it on another thread.

 

[91dm]

Here's an update on the E55

Water continued...
I had half given on this, couldn't find the time or interest. I found the front SAM had corrosion on the boards which I cleaned off but unfortunately couldn't rescue. It would constantly crank over on the first click of the ignition and keep the starter engaged, swapped relays but the problem must be on the board. I bought a second hand SAM off eBay with the same part number, it arrived also water damaged and had the same issue when installed. So a third SAM arrived off a CLS with the same part number which thankfully looked perfect with no corrosion. This fixed the cranking issue however I now found out I had no accelerator pedal, totally dead pedal and fault on the B37 circuit. I still don't have this completely fixed however think I am getting there, the ECU is currently off to be repaired again. I have in narrowed down to a bad ground and bad pin. Incase anyone is wondering the front SAM is not coded to the car/key. £30 for each SAM unit, £12 for a pedal which I don't think I need. To be continued hopefully.









While I'm waiting for the ECU to come back I thought I'd get on with fixing any other issues.

Fixing Leaks
I think the main culprit for the water leak was the seal at the bottom of the windscreen was almost non existent. I temporarily taped this area up to see if it made a difference and it seemed to stop the water. I had actually bought a new cowl but didn't realise it was as bad a problem. While I had the wipers off I gave them a coat of satin black which freshened the area up. The cover piece is fairly expensive £160 new from Mercedes but couldn't find any in good condition.











Spacer Test
I was bored, tired of tracing wiring faults and thought the back wheels need a spacer, this is a 15mm spacer which I think is too much. I don't have any 10mm, only 5mm so might try them when fixed and see how it looks.


So progress is slow but I'll hopefully have this back on the road before the end of the year ready for next spring!

Still cleans up good even when broken!



Thanks for reading

 

[91dm]

Some good news finally...

After 8 months I've finally got the bottom of the wiring issues and have a functioning accelerator pedal and ECU without faults!

Very happy with this!