Picked up my E55 today! long post & questions

[ProV1x]

I can say that I'm a proud owner of a 2001 E55 now. I picked up my E55 today. The car is in a fantastic condition, I honestly drove down thinking I'd be disappointed but the car was MINT, in & out. I definitely scored a smoking hot deal. a LOT of car for the money. The car drives like a DREAM, it just pulls & pulls, the 18" tires have endless grip.

Hopefully it's ok to still hang out here, because I'll be keeping my E420 for a while

The car, being used, has some issues that need to be addressed. I need to ask if any of you had these problems before.

Problems:
1. There are 2 tiny rust spots developing on the trunk, next to the plastic strip above the license plate on each end. I will have a bodyshop touch this up. I checked door seals, rocker panels, spring perch, etc but no rust elsewhere (fingers crossed)

2. Instrument cluster: the right side of the cluster does not illuminate at night. I think if I figure out how to pull the cluster out, I can replace some bulbs.

3. The outside temp display reads "+ 79* - " or something. way too high. Also the pixels are going out. I checked the temp sensor by the driver's fog light, but it seems to be intact and mounted properly.

4. Washer fluid tank leak. When I fill the tank all the way, everything just leaks out. but when i fill it up about 1/3 way only, no leak..?? are some seals broken?

5. Steering wheel squeak/groaning: I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the steering column. when i turn both ways, the wheel squeaks/moans.

6. SOS light illuminated, and OBC display 2 errors: "SOS warning, see autoshop" and "SOS, malfunction". How do u get rid of this?

7. Passenger side rear tire is worn much more than other 3 tires. Normal?



I'll do these immediately for now, and do others later:

1. oil change (fleece filter & M1 0W-40)
2. cabin filters
3. air filters
4. coolant (zerex G-05 ok?)
5. rear differential : Mobil1 synthetic 75W-90


Garage looks beautiful with both 01 E55 and 97 E420.

[OBX884]

congrats on your new purchase... let's see some photos!

[loubapache]

<<
I can say that I'm a proud owner of a 2001 E55 now. I picked up my E55 today. The car is in a fantastic condition, I honestly drove down thinking I'd be disappointed but the car was MINT, in & out. I definitely scored a smoking hot deal. a LOT of car for the money. The car drives like a DREAM, it just pulls & pulls, the 18" tires have endless grip.
>>
Congratulations!

<<
1. There are 2 tiny rust spots developing on the trunk, next to the plastic strip above the license plate on each end. I will have a bodyshop touch this up. I checked door seals, rocker panels, spring perch, etc but no rust elsewhere (fingers crossed)
>>
Suggest you ask them to remove the plastic strip and repair the rust. That strip lets salt water sit right above it and thus the corrosion. I am seeing it on my 91 300E in the same spots and found there is really more under the paint along the whole line.

<<
3. The outside temp display reads "+ 79* - " or something. way too high. Also the pixels are going out. I checked the temp sensor by the driver's fog light, but it seems to be intact and mounted properly.
>>
Hope this is minor but my 2003 E320 has this problem and the whole cluster was replaced under warranty at 48k miles. The cluster is expensive.

<<
5. Steering wheel squeak/groaning: I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the steering column. when i turn both ways, the wheel squeaks/moans.
>>
I think there is a TSB about this but owners report that dealer cannot seem to fix this right.

<<
7. Passenger side rear tire is worn much more than other 3 tires. Normal?
>>
Does the rear have self-leveling suspension? I would think worn suspension parts and/or alighment.

Congratulations again.

[ProV1x]

thanks - i got under the car and cleaned the temp sensor socket, and problem solved. the easiest repair job ever!! i'm sure the dealer would've told me to replace the whole cluster had i gone to them. lol

[JOE55]

same exact post answered at W210 E55 forum.

[Creative85]

do not touch up the rust spot with paint you wont get anything accomplished tell them to do that area nicely remove the rust completely and then repaint it because rust will come back if u just touch it up...its like a disease if u dont remove it completely it keeps spreading...so pay now lil bit rather then paying more later..and the washer fluid if its broken after you fill it up to the top you need a new washer fluid tank...i am not sure how much the tank is but the repair cost is around 150 i think or so...good luck ad enjoy the car

[Benzboy124]

Originally Posted by ProV1x

Problems:
1. There are 2 tiny rust spots developing on the trunk, next to the plastic strip above the license plate on each end. I will have a bodyshop touch this up. I checked door seals, rocker panels, spring perch, etc but no rust elsewhere (fingers crossed)

4. Washer fluid tank leak. When I fill the tank all the way, everything just leaks out. but when i fill it up about 1/3 way only, no leak..?? are some seals broken?

Congrats on the new car - sweet ride!

Agree with what others have said. Don't 1/2 ass the rust repair. Remove all trim - remove all rust, treat metal, then repaint.

I had a washer fluid leak in my previous Benz. Turned out the reservoir tank had cracked along the lower plastic seam. A new tank was cheap. Can also leak from the little rubber grommets where the motor attaches to the tank.

[ProV1x]

thanks. a new washer fluid tank is only $35, but I cannot remove the damn thing. ??!! for one it's stuck in there pretty good, and also there are about 10 hoses & wires going in & out of the tank.. sigh

[ProV1x]

picture of rust spot on trunk lid: I think the plastic trim is on there too tight, and rubs against the paint.

[JOE55]

It looks like it's been repainted before..