W211 E55 - some essential questions

[Alps]

Good little Summary there Jimmy, also add that the later ones will also have the 200mph speedo rather than the 160mph ones.

I think out of the options panaramic roof, rear blinds & TV(esp if you have kids) should be added as nice to haves, ventilated seats, TPMS imo are useless.

I think Paul (Savman) has covered everything pretty well!

 

[C240Sport97]

My E55 had been put away for the winter

why not use during the winter?

 

[SavMan]

My work is seasonal so spend most of the winter months traveling overseas, it would only end up spending its life at the airport car park.

 

[jimmyca69]

Sorry re-vamped the write up a bit to make it bit better......

E55 W211 Buyers Guide​

E55 W211 AMG

The E55 AMG is powered by the M113 ML55 engine, a 5.4 L V8 with a highly efficient Lysholm type supercharger manufactured by IHI. The E55's engine was tuned to 476 PS (350 kW; 469 hp) and 700 N·m (520 lb·ft), the low end of the supercharged 55 range due to its longer exhaust system, compared to the SL55 AMG's engine at the high end which made 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) and 720 N·m (530 lb·ft). Despite this, Car and Driver reported in their testing that the E55 AMG was faster than the SL55 AMG. The E55 AMG was the fastest four door car in Mercedes-Benz's lineup at the time, being quicker than the C32 AMG and S55 AMG, and it posts faster acceleration than the 2003 Brabus E V12 biturbo (verified by the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest saloon car in the world at the time) as well. Some enthusiasts have bumped the E55 AMG's output to 505 horsepower with minimal modifications including using an intake part from the SL55 AMG.

The supercharged 5.4 L V8 engine was mated to the Speedshift 5-speed automatic transmission, which has a torque capacity of 796 lb·ft (1,079 N·m), as the newer 7G-Tronic introduced in 2003 is limited to 542 lb·ft (735 N·m), not enough to handle the torque from the supercharged V8.For standard cars then specification is important. Comand, Heated and Ventilated memory seats, Keyless Go and Parktronic. If you can, get Dynamic Seats and Distronic.

Pre/Post Facelift
The best way to tell is where the speaker is in the middle of the dashboard; if it's mesh then it's the 'updated' electrics and if the grille is slatted then it's the earlier one with a slightly higher probability of 'gremlins'.

Facelifts also have 805 or 806 on the data card. The rad issue is also gone on the later ones. Also makes some of the upgrades easier. These start at late 04` onwards, but don’t always assume as there are 2005 05 plates with an 804 build.

Facelifts will also have 200mph speedos to replace the 160mph ones on the pre-facelift.

Pre-facelift

Facelift

What to look out for on (based on higher mileage cars)
· SBC - has it been replaced you are getting to the sort of mileage where it could flag up. £1500-2000 bill
· Door mirrors - check they work a lot have motor issues and are £250 to replace
· Airmatic - pump, relay shocks are they OK. Does the car rise when asked, don’t be to alarmed if the car raises slightly when started but it can also be a sign that there is a leak. For some reason drivers rear can sit slightly lower. Check when or if they have been replaced. Big bills here each strut is more than £1k.
· Brakes - check for heat cracks and spot sure sign it’s had a hard time. Once the cracks get to big you will need to replace. Front disks and pads are about £300-400 fitted depending on labour rates.
· Tyres - check rears on inside edge of the car an issue on many W211's but with hard launched the car squats and can cause additional wear. Front look for uneven wear these cars seem to throw themselves out very easily. Set of rears are approx. £420 fitted and front £380.
· Check gearbox has had fluid changes every 37k and that torque converter does not step in and out. £ 250-275 for fluid change and at least £1200-1800 if your unlucky to have a TC problem.
· Check the Radiator for earlier 2002 and 2003 cars for Valeo issue but even on later ones check for damage as it’s an £800 part.
· At 100k you can also hit O2 sensor and Cat issues if you are really unlucky. O2 sensors are £170 and there are 4 of them with 4 cats to match.
· Spark plugs when were they changed, they are at least £250 -350 bill. £160 DIY fix
· Idler pulleys, listen to all the engine pulleys bearings can start to play up. £150-250 to replace idler and tensioner.
· Check for oil leaks around left and right valve covers, easy DIY fix.
· Check AC works and listen for noises behind dash if the flaps get stuck it’s a dash out fix.
· Rust and accident damage check carefully everywhere particularly inner edge of rear arch.
· If possible get someone with Star to come along and plug it in but at very least I would take an ODB2 reader and make sure your test drive is more than 20mins this will give the sensors a chance to register any problems and will flag up the obvious ones. Bad news is it won’t deal with SBC or Airmatic which for me at the most likely to bring you the big bills.
· Check the gearbox cooler pipes where they enter the Radiator on the driver’s side, you will probably need to get the front lower tray off. The rust like hell and if not watched will corrode into the radiator which means on top of the gearbox oil and new pipes you will need a new radiator. So expect a £1k bill if you catch it early it’s only about £300
· If you have Active xenon lights make sure they work and no errors on the dash. they are about £600 per unit to replace!

 

[John]

Being pedantic - it's not a facelift between the two versions - just model revisions. The facelift came in 2006.

Good collation though

 

[C240Sport97]

Being pedantic - it's not a facelift between the two versions - just model revisions. The facelift came in 2006.

facelift 211s in 2006 had the 6.3 NA V8 ...

 

[jimmyca69]

Cant edit it sorry, maybe mods can add to the post? remove facelift and replace with Model Revision?

Another question is regarding tyres - what are the oem sizes front and rear? and what brands are recommended?

 

[John]

OEM sizes are:

245/40R18 93Y FRONT

265/35R18 93Y REAR

93Y is the load index, which is for heavier cars, because these E55Ks are 1.8tons.

I'm running Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and I think they are great. I am not sure what I will replace with next as my rears are due.

 

[C240Sport97]

OEM sizes are:

245/40R18 93Y FRONT

265/35R18 93Y REAR

93Y is the load index, which is for heavier cars, because these E55Ks are 1.8tons.

I'm running Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and I think they are great. I am not sure what I will replace with next as my rears are due.

for comparison, CLS55

FR: 255/40 18 99Y
RR: 285/35 18 101Y

 

[Beamer eater]

I replaced my pump on my e55 and a left front stut,the complete car is down and does not want to raise?HELP

 

[SavMan]

I replaced my pump on my e55 and a left front stut,the complete car is down and does not want to raise?HELP

I beleive it will need STAR for calibration.