Viewing and Test drive tips

[jimmyca69]

Hi all

Got a few viewings lined up hopefully soon and want to make sure im checking for right things. Done a bit of research and come up with the following list of things to check, both specific for the W211 E55 AMG and general checks. So here goes:

W211 E55
1) Airmatic suspension - check the ride height lowers and rises when changing suspension settings
2) Engine noises, check noises on startup, make sure cold startup - anyone got any vids of a normal startup for reference? apparently SBC makes noise on startup which is normal?
3) Check engine oil level (How to measure oil level on W211 & S211 Mercedes Benz E-klasse - YouTube) what is a normal level on these?
4) Check with Star if possible for codes
5) Check for oil leaks around left and right valve covers
6) Check AC works and listen for noises behind dash
7) Rust and accident damage check particularly inner edge of rear arch.
8) Check door mirrors work
9) Check for heat cracks on discs
10) Check the gearbox cooler pipes where they enter the Radiator on the drivers side for corrosion

General
1) Tyres tread, check uneven wear etc
2) Check engine oil and oil cap
3) Fluid levels
4) Check for smoke colour
5) Check suspension, no clunks or knocking
6) Check steering on full lock
7) General braking tests
8) Check all lights (CEL, ABS etc) come on and go off after startup

Test drive
1) Braking at speed, check pull to left/right
2) Play in steering
3) Check all electrics work
4) Min 20min drive to get any codes up
5) Check acceleration, smooth delivery

A couple of things though which are new to me to check and wondered if anyone could offer guidance on how to test these during a visit or test drive?

Gearbox, how would i go about testing this? just smooth quick changes and its ok?
SBC - any specific checks i can do to limit potential issues?
Supercharger - what checks can be done? I know there is a squeak known problem that a can of graphite spray, but how else to test/check?
Valeo issues - how to check the radiator - is it just for signs of leaks?
Torque convertor - can be issue ive read, how to check?

Thanks all for support so far (amazingly helpful people here)

 

[Dieselman]

Don't forget to test the airbags.

 

[John]

W211 E55
1) Airmatic suspension - check the ride height lowers and rises when changing suspension settings

It's a slow subtle movement but you can feel it and see the front move up or down.

2) Engine noises, check noises on startup, make sure cold startup - anyone got any vids of a normal startup for reference? apparently SBC makes noise on startup which is normal?

Tends to be noisey if the engine turned off before it finished a cycle. I wait for it to finish, or initiate a cycle and wait and then turn off.

Supercharger is quite loud when starting. If you've not heard an engine run from cold with one, it can sound like it is on the way out! Is normal though.

3) Check engine oil level (How to measure oil level on W211 & S211 Mercedes Benz E-klasse - YouTube) what is a normal level on these?

I let the car tell me if normal or not using the function.

8) Check door mirrors work

Movement of glass - and also folding. When they fold shut, they tend to make a rubber squelching sound as they get close to the car. This can be eased by using GT85 from Halfords. Spray on, wipe the excess and exercise the folding mirrors.

Test drive
1) Braking at speed, check pull to left/right
2) Play in steering
3) Check all electrics work
4) Min 20min drive to get any codes up
5) Check acceleration, smooth delivery

I'd do a few runs of hard acceleration as this can highlight cooling issues - or which the finer detail escapes me.

Gearbox, how would i go about testing this? just smooth quick changes and its ok?

Yes, pretty much, although it is adaptive and so will try and alter itself to suit the driving style. A mix of driving in a short space of time often means a situation where it might hold a gear for longer - and you think there is a problem changing.

Put it in M mode and drop and pick up cogs to check it changes OK (even from cold). It wont go into 5th until you are doing 45mph - which is stupid as a car like this will happily do 30mph in 5th (personal annoyance). Stationary - M or S should cause auto-creep. C might not as starting the car in 2nd.

SBC - any specific checks i can do to limit potential issues?

Once you've started the car, open the windows and press the brake pedal two or three or four times - you will hear the pump and you can feel it through your foot - but it shouldn't be loud inside or outside at all.

Supercharger - what checks can be done? I know there is a squeak known problem that a can of graphite spray, but how else to test/check?

Does it go like s*** off a shovel? LOL.

Make sure the car is stone cold when you get there (feel the engine block beofer starting) - I'd almost insist the car being unused for a day. That way, you can get them to start it while you check the colour of what comes out. You can also hear any other strange noises.

 

[John]

3) Check engine oil level (How to measure oil level on W211 & S211 Mercedes Benz E-klasse - YouTube) what is a normal level on these?

I let the car tell me if normal or not - using the function.

EDIT: Thinking about it - IIRC I don't think there is a dipstick last time I read the manual - so you have to use this facility.

Test drive
1) Braking at speed, check pull to left/right
2) Play in steering
3) Check all electrics work
4) Min 20min drive to get any codes up
5) Check acceleration, smooth delivery

I'd do a few runs of hard acceleration as this can highlight cooling issues - or which the finer detail escapes me.

EDIT: IC Pump is the potential issue - loss of power after a few hard runs.

 

[jimmyca69]

Thanks, that's brilliant - exactly what I was after

 

[jaymanek]

Please dont take a clip board though!! It annoys most sellers.

 

[jimmyca69]

Please dont take a clip board though!! It annoys most sellers.

Lol, it wouldn't annoy me if potential buyers brought clipboard -i'd laugh, but wouldn't annoy me

 

[jaymanek]

I had someone turn up recently who said he was interested in C Classes... so he went around my cars plugging them into his OBD Scanner one by one...
At first I was fuming as he hadnt asked and for all I know he could be stealing key codes or anything...

In the end he just turned out to be an over enthusiastic anorak and he did end up buying one...

 

[John]

Better a clipboard than a lack of intention of paying I reckon!