Thinking of buying this...any feedback, pointers please

[such01]

After owning my W212 for 8 years I have decided to give in to the V8 itch and have seen this:
It has had 2 owners with full MB history and is currently on 84k.
Aside from the rear subframe / corroded brake pipes etc what should I be looking for?
Any potential big bills for common issues?
This will be my daily driver - covering around 15-20k per year.
I intend to hang onto it for a while too.
Can do DIY stuff such as oil changes and brakes discs/pads.
Mot history is good with no prior issues
Thanks

 

[Skd884]

 

[such01]

Thanks for this - is this the same car dealer said he's had it for around 8 months

 

[AMGeed]

Doing 15 -20k a year, you are going to have a large fuel bill.

I prefer the facelift to the prefacelift personally but if you are set on this car, check the timing chain has been upgraded to the stronger double link version. Photo in the link below.
Just look in the oil filler cap opening. The engine may rattle a bit from a cold start if the oil check valves haven't been replaced to stop the oil draining from the top end.
The M157 has its critics, but I loved it. Bags of torque from low revs and reasonable economy for a V8.
Good luck.

M157 old style cam chain life. - MBWorld.org Forums

W212 AMG - M157 old style cam chain life. - As all you experts will know there were issues with the early cam/timing chain on the engines up to number 022333 (this seems to vary depending on source so Id like to knows the engine number if anyone knows for definite). And we know that a check...

mbworld.org

 

[TrueSpirit]

Hopefully they've been keeping it ticking along during the last 8 months. I always worry about pipes etc getting hardened and brittle on a car thats sitting around, you could ask them what they've been doing with it while it has been sitting around.
The mileage is quite high so I think you may need to change engine mounts and transmission mounts as they usually have a 40k interval before they sag. It's possible they're previous owner did those.
I'd budget changing fuel injectors too probably.

The rattle of the timing chain is a potential issue on the 5.5 as mentioned by AMGeed.

I'd do all I can to check whether it has been previously tuned. If so, run far far away

 

[alabbasi]

Torque figures between an E350 diesel and an E550 are very close. The 550 is going to be more refined of course and will have more go up the rev range but it's going to cost a bit more to fuel.

 

[fabes]

It needs a better grill and a Star perhaps....?

But respect to for planning 15k plus a year in it (unless the company is paying of course)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I've done 100,000 in several of these over the last decade, so despite the risk of being repetitious....

They're great V8s and very reliable, especially if low owner and MB MD or specialist maintained.

At this age, I'd expect rear sub frame & corroded brake pipes, new batteries, & a refurbished starter, but none of that is murderous. Suspension and alignment needs to be "just right" on such a heavy car so be certain about that on the test drive.

Those big tyres aren't cheap, of course, so include that price in your numbers if below 6mm. (Check tyre spec and age) And budget conservatively for a new set every year.

It'll be £5k a year to keep it fuelled and taxed (700 gallons)

He hasn't sold this over the last year because he priced it WAY too high. That's the optimistic asking price level for an E63, I would have expected this to be more like £15k asking, £14k dealt. Not a lot of money, really, but bear in three years time with 130k on the clock, it'll be very hard to sell on

(Price varies on precise build but not that much at this age)

Sounds pessimistic? Not really, if you don't spend your cash on fast cars, you'll only waste it on wild women and old whisky.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I describe the E500 as a sensibly sized S500.

What do you think of the S500 as an alternative to the rare E500 ? Same running costs, but much easier to source

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For the same price, but with one owner and 20k on the clock & full main dealer history. (Other colours are available.)

 

[Jukie]

Thanks for this - is this the same car dealer said he's had it for around 8 months

Same dealer, had it at least since it was priced at £21995 above and the two subsequent price drops.

It does have the upgraded chain as I made that enquiry a good while ago and he kindly sent me a photo. Sadly I no longer have it.

Pleasant chap to speak with on the phone.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Depends whether OP wants AMG handling and sound or not.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Not sure why people are mentioning the E500/E550....its clearly an E63 TT.

M157 in the pre facelift E63....yum.....my favourite!!

 

[such01]

Thank you all for your feedback - I’ll have a good read and reply with my thoughts and further questions later this week. Atb

 

[TrueSpirit]

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

If you can get a deal on this car or one like it, i personally think the 6.2 is the one to have over the pre facelift 5.5 and I had the full fat E63 S facelift for 3 years. You get drama at any speed with the 6.2. Now the only thing to say is my 6.2 is the PP with and LSD so maybe it's better to play with than a standard 6.2. The big downside is the fuel economy on the 6.2 but otherwise I dont think a 5.5l without a performance pack has anything on it.

 

[st13phil]

Thanks for this - is this the same car dealer said he's had it for around 8 months

Based on @Skd884's post, it's done zero miles in the last 16 months, not 8.

On the subject of running costs, 15k - 20k miles a year is going to be very expensive. In addition to the fuel, I used to reckon on around 13k miles for a set of tyres on my W212 E63 Biturbo's at £200+ per corner, so that's between £950 and £1,250 a year, then budget also for brake pads and discs (around a grand for a front set, a bit less for the rears), and also the - almost inevitable - "big bill" for something that breaks on a 85k+ mile car.

Don't get me wrong, the W212 E63 is a hoot to drive (I still rate it as one of the best all-round cars ever) but running an older example outside of warranty on big annual mileages is going to be eye-wateringly expensive. I used to do 12-13k miles a year in mine so I do have a feel for these things.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Based on @Skd884's post, it's done zero miles in the last 16 months, not 8.

On the subject of running costs, 15k - 20k miles a year is going to be very expensive. In addition to the fuel, I used to reckon on around 13k miles for a set of tyres on my W212 E63 Biturbo's at £200+ per corner, so that's between £950 and £1,250 a year, then budget also for brake pads and discs (around a grand for a front set, a bit less for the rears), and also the - almost inevitable - "big bill" for something that breaks on a 85k+ mile car.

Don't get me wrong, the W212 E63 is a hoot to drive (I still rate it as one of the best all-round cars ever) but running an older example outside of warranty on big annual mileages is going to be eye-wateringly expensive. I used to do 12-13k miles a year in mine so I do have a feel for these things.

Completely agree on the cost, I'd almost say OP would benefit from doing preemptive engine work / checks to spot any potential issues, get them sorted before they cause more problems down the line. If i keep my 6.2 I'm getting the top end opened to check the cams etc now for piece of mind before putting long tube headers. I already did the injectors etc. When both the 6.2 and 5.5 are at around the 80k stage i think its worth getting them looked at.

In terms of tyres, a model like the MPS4S should hopefully last 30k+ on the front and 20k minimum on the rears, theyre the ones I'd choose for longevity. Or any well known premiums that are known to last. The pirellis on my E63s lasted well over 20k on the front axle and at least 20k on the rear. The Goodyear supersports somehow lasted up to when I sold the car at 40k miles after swapping them in for the pirellis so I think some of the newer tyres are quite durable.

An AMG will cost for sure but I've seen some high mileage ones on Tasos' channel and as long as the components that are on the way out are spotted and changed before they cause destruction then who knows, but it is a risky and expensive undertaking

 

[such01]

Doing 15 -20k a year, you are going to have a large fuel bill.

I prefer the facelift to the prefacelift personally but if you are set on this car, check the timing chain has been upgraded to the stronger double link version. Photo in the link below.
Just look in the oil filler cap opening. The engine may rattle a bit from a cold start if the oil check valves haven't been replaced to stop the oil draining from the top end.
The M157 has its critics, but I loved it. Bags of torque from low revs and reasonable economy for a V8.
Good luck.

M157 old style cam chain life. - MBWorld.org Forums

W212 AMG - M157 old style cam chain life. - As all you experts will know there were issues with the early cam/timing chain on the engines up to number 022333 (this seems to vary depending on source so Id like to knows the engine number if anyone knows for definite). And we know that a check...

mbworld.org

I believe this does have the blueish chain if that’s the same? Also the oil check valves - what should I be looking for and is it a diy or expensive job? Thanks

 

[such01]

Hopefully they've been keeping it ticking along during the last 8 months. I always worry about pipes etc getting hardened and brittle on a car thats sitting around, you could ask them what they've been doing with it while it has been sitting around.
The mileage is quite high so I think you may need to change engine mounts and transmission mounts as they usually have a 40k interval before they sag. It's possible they're previous owner did those.
I'd budget changing fuel injectors too probably.

The rattle of the timing chain is a potential issue on the 5.5 as mentioned by AMGeed.

I'd do all I can to check whether it has been previously tuned. If so, run far far away

Thanks - re injectors - again is this a diy job or will they be stuck fast? What price should I be looking at with an MB Indy?

 

[such01]

I've done 100,000 in several of these over the last decade, so despite the risk of being repetitious....

They're great V8s and very reliable, especially if low owner and MB MD or specialist maintained.

At this age, I'd expect rear sub frame & corroded brake pipes, new batteries, & a refurbished starter, but none of that is murderous. Suspension and alignment needs to be "just right" on such a heavy car so be certain about that on the test drive.

Those big tyres aren't cheap, of course, so include that price in your numbers if below 6mm. (Check tyre spec and age) And budget conservatively for a new set every year.

It'll be £5k a year to keep it fuelled and taxed (700 gallons)

He hasn't sold this over the last year because he priced it WAY too high. That's the optimistic asking price level for an E63, I would have expected this to be more like £15k asking, £14k dealt. Not a lot of money, really, but bear in three years time with 130k on the clock, it'll be very hard to sell on

(Price varies on precise build but not that much at this age)

Sounds pessimistic? Not really, if you don't spend your cash on fast cars, you'll only waste it on wild women and old whisky.

I believe the brake lines were changed as the dealer said they looked new. He couldn’t comment on rear subframe but as it’s got full MB history it should not be an issue aside from time off road.

 

[such01]

I describe the E500 as a sensibly sized S500.

What do you think of the S500 as an alternative to the rare E500 ? Same running costs, but much easier to source

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

For the same price, but with one owner and 20k on the clock & full main dealer history. (Other colours are available.)

View attachment 167174

I was thinking of an S500 but that’s a bit too big for my needs - defo prefer an E63