I got scammed buying Mercedes S550 ... Don't make same mistake!

[@MercedesMechanic]

The shocks are about $1200 each at dealer and they do not last forever because they have rubber air bags in them. They are easy to replace yourself with basic tools. If you get after market shocks they are about half the cost but do not support the sport ride feature. Ball joints are easy to replace and also inexpensive. The car is built well and worth fixing. People who typically drove this car did so because they want to live after an accident and this car can save your life unlike so many other cars today. I would recommend you just fix it and know you own a solid built car.

[@billbobbingson673]

Sucks that it had to start out this way, but I am looking forward to the content you'll be making with this car.

[@bsclifton]

Arnott makes REALLY great parts and it's easy to swap. I believe they still have a lifetime warranty on the parts. I'd highly recommend them over rebuilt Mercedes-Benz parts which are crazy expensive 🙂

[@atikovi1]

Should have gotten a PPI. It would have cost $150 but would have saved you thousands in repairs.

[@robertwilson5972]

I replaced almost all of my air suspension with arnott components on an e550, ball joints from fcp euro. Seems to be running fine. I did have a guy run the suspension diagnostic software, on my left rear shock the plug wasn't seated all the way, and would leak down overnight.

[@antiq777]

Go back W140

[@albundy8139]

Sorry to hear that this happened, too bad you have to deal with people like this, problems aside, it's a beautiful looking car!

[@geofffikar3417]

It almost looks brand new. I hope he can switch out the tires. Everyone I know who has low profile tires say they make the car ride harshly. Even with it's problems he got a gorgeous car.

[@Rimrock300]

He would had bought it anyway. Airride oaky or not, these models are 'ticking bombs' regarding upcomming repair cost. He got a great advantage in being able doing all the work himself

[@mmartin4978]

Lucky you will be able to sort it out yourself, taking it to a shop would be so expensive

[@Goldie-kw5ju]

198000😮😅 the cars wore out you never by hi miles on it😊

[@lcervantes8505]

Nice. I think determining the problem is more difficult than repair. I find it a simple system, but recall on my E-Classes, few if any codes are thrown.

[@maviblue1168]

I am really surprised with your story. First of all I am sorry to hear that you have get scammed. But, as an experienced Mercedes guy you should of known that air suspensions are the week point of these cars and you should be ready to have spend some money (at least 2K) if parts were not replaced before. If seller did not provide you a paper showing that air suspensions were replaced than you should have assumed that they would eventually give you a problem. Anyways, enjoy your car and keep sharing content with us.

[@andrebombardier3021]

Yep.. I am glad you mentioned that that guy was lying. I’ll never get use to that. Happened to me also on a Sprinter van I purchased not long ago. Very disappointing. In my case and it seem to be the same in yours, I was a buyer, even with some issues. I would hav e bought it regardless. It would just have been nice to know what to expect.

[@christopher6161]

You are a successful man whose dream car is a 2008 s550 with 200k? Lol you are like me, my dream car is my 2006 Prius

[@combustion1476]

Hope you got it really cheap. As you know with this mileage it will be full of issues. In Europe they cost about 6500 dollars with about 100 k miles , hopefully the us prices are not too different.

[@lorenreyes2855]

In 2020 I got broad sided by someone on their phone. It was a 1992 Audi S4. I just had the engine rebuilt. Unfortunately someone stole the front bumper and one of the catalytic converters 🤦! The shop called me and said your car is ready then told me it was their last day in business. So I found a catalytic converter. And replaced it. I passed the emissions test. I was heading to the bank to drop off the money to get my plates. Wham It was totalled. I found a 2008 E550. I paid about 15,900. It had 44,000 miles on it. A month later the front air struts gave out. I know there expensive. I bought Arnott Airmatic struts. From FCP Eruo. They have a lifetime guarantee on parts. So I know how you feel. In that summer. I noticed the rear was starting to lower in the back!🤦😳. So I didn't want the same thing to happen during the winter. I had to save up. And I got the Arnott rear airbags. Blaters. I decided to just remove the air hoses from the original Bilstein s. Just in case I happen to decide on the original rear Airsprings. I'm truly sorry about the moron. Who sold you the broken front air struts. I also replaced the valve block. Just in case.

[@Uc9uE3pKsS6uQ]

mine is the same but 100K miles on clock problems till today: new alternator, this alternator problem get new trunk battery also $250 part + $350 labor + $150 Walmart AGM battery ABS module fail, I get it with my Star Daig, and send for rebuild to CA, $650 - $200 core $450 total windshield washer bump is cheap I replace very easy one xenon bulb, I purchase cheap Chinese, work OK Fluids all around gets about $600 parts $600 labor air + cabin filters car is amazing !!!

[@robertwilson5972]

Also, with that many miles i would assume that the shocks would have been changed by now. If so, i would check the parts, they might have a lifetime warranty, i know Arnott does on their products.

[@MercedesMechanic]

Airmatic shocks on these cars are good for about 100,000 miles or 10 years because they are rubber and rubber does not last forever.

[@Esteban_Herrera]

If the air ride system fails, it shouldn't drop the car on the tires. This is dangerous and Mercedes would never have designed a car like this. It's Air Ride not Air Suspension. The tire outside diameter is too large. Those tires are too tall. What is the tire size?

[@ozz350]

I greased the ball joints and the squeaking went away.

[@martinlang9615]

Right car and colour combination, wrong engine. Of course many of the “nice” options are not there. However, the economy, range, effortless torque are amazing in the intercooled turbo Diesel engine. Long wheel base is the best IMO. The biggest issue with the OM642 engine is that Mercedes used the WRONG MATERIAL! for the oil cooler gasket which is between the Vee. There is a KZbin video that shows the incredible time, effort, expense to fix this with the correct gasket which I think is a Neonpreen and Purple in colour. The original is Orange in colour. The way I managed this gasket was to use an oil seal swelling agent. I tried many brands. The ones from the auto store need to be used every oil change and could still leak oil. I used one from America which was very good, not cheap but needed to be used every oil change. My mechanic suggested I use an additive made from “Liquid Engineering” I think the name is from Sydney AUSTRALIA. Now, this stuff is the best by far, but hugely expensive, I think over AUD$100, but it will last 2 years! So, in that case it actually works out cheaper! What’s more, after 100 plus klms it will not leak a drop. That single product saves multiple thousands of dollars compared to the permanent fix. I didn’t expect it to work this well. So nice to no longer have that leak. Number 2 issue was the PCV/crankcase oil Vapor limiter. This is not that expensive to replace and an idea is every two years try and clean it if it is still ok (rubber seals still flexible). If it fails, excess oil will go via the plastic “Y” inlet manifold to the turbo. This is only an issue if the Orange Neopreen (I think) round seal between the Y tube to turbo inlet connection leaks. What happens is the oil that leaks from this seal will drip DIRECTLY onto the terminals that supply power to the inlet shutter motor. Such a STUPID place for the Mercedes CAD engineers to place these connectors. Anywhere else would have been better. Bloody idiots! Anyway, once you replace the oil seperator and Orange round seal, I would install something to prevent oil dripping onto these contacts should that seal fail once again. So, I had to replace that inlet valve motor which is not cheap. It really makes you wonder if these are world class engine designers or not. IMO, they failed the common sense test many automanufacture engineers. Even Toyota can get it wrong (don’t even start me up on the 1kD-FTV cracked piston rant)…that cost me AUD $12,000 to get a reconditioned engine. All because they used (and still use-as far as I am aware) substandard pistons. Again, bloody idiots. They have tried 7 (yes, SEVEN) different piston designs to get it right.

[@martinlang9615]

Oh, I did have a connector up near the air suspension strut under the hood which would give intermittent faults. There is a YT video on how to change that requiring to buy the connector, soldering and heat shrink to fix. Not an expensive DIY, or an auto electrician job. Bloody annoying when it happens as the air suspension gets bloody hard so must be reset as a temporary means with a diagnostic tool till you get around to fixing it permanently. Otherwise, it’s a GREAT CAR!

[@radekpasecny4538]

If you set a playback speed to 1.5x it sounds normal... 😅

[@gmugrumbach]

These Mercs reaching the 15+ year mark are in the hands of either people who have loved them the whole time or owner #5 who is absolutely clueless in every way. Watch out when going for these as enthusiasts. We love them way more than the people trying to drop them. They know they're expensive and that's why they want to get rid of them...ATTENTION ENTHUSIASTS! SAVE THE MERCS!!! :) :) :)

[@depocars]

I would understand that complain if you bought that car for a 20K , but I’m assuming you bought it very cheap and the miles were high , anything can happened, on the other hand people always want to get discount on the vehicles with the lower miles and great service history, that’s concern me do much

[@lescraig6968]

Pretty sure the amg models of these are standard shock/ struts?

[@torrencedupree5525]

I have a 2009 s550 4matic. I was hoping that u could tell me which other models possess a compatible transmission

[@Gtashnik]

Now you have a lot of content to make 😀 In Ukraine we also have this type of sellers, just greedy liars So thats life 😬 Don't be sad, my friend 😎

[@gregsuter]

its in good hands now 👍

[@geofffikar3417]

You know, he is going to have a good time fixing his baby.

[@kees3682]

A cheap scantool wil erase these faults .

[@richdrives]

I would have said maybe get it inspected by a mechanic but wait....😂 It's all good... what's the reward in getting a perfect car at a low price? 🎉

[@lamarasamuel]

Coilover Conversion

[@lorenreyes2855]

I remember your 124 300D. Because I had one! Except my was a 2.5 turbo diesel. 😊

[@robertmontgomery7158]

Easy solution. Fix it. All German cars are expensive. I love my 2012 S550 base. 70k miles

[@geofffikar3417]

It's a shame people have to lie, but you will be able to fix that gorgeous car. Just think, when you fix the bugs, you will basically have a brand new Mercedes without the brand new price. Good for you!

[@peterss3868]

Sa mi zda ze nemate staste na auta. Spinter a teraz toto.

[@dealsfromvirginia1773]

You said it was cheap. Perhaps you are partly responsible as most everyone knows that there is no such thing as a cheap used German car.

[@geofffikar3417]

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.

[@p.nathanial8314]

*promo sm* 😴