Mountain goat approves of R-class

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
07/29/2020 at 21:30 • Filed to: None

I parked there first. He came later.

DISCUSSION (13)

dogisbadob > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/29/2020 at 21:39

Yeah the R-class is fucking awesome! You should’ve let him drive it :p

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > dogisbadob
07/29/2020 at 21:41

I told him there was AC but he said he was good

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/29/2020 at 21:44

Is your R class lifted? Never noticed that...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
07/29/2020 at 22:02

Just a bit in the back, still need to do the front. Also, tires are about 1.5" oversized. All pretty recent. Mostly used for camping and mountain biking, often down "high clearance" forest service roads, so those seemed like useful modifications

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/29/2020 at 22:17

Nice!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/30/2020 at 03:16

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/30/2020 at 04:17

This is totally off-topic, and I’ve been away from Oppo for a while, but I was thinking the other day, “I wonder if AMGtech is still around?”

So: most importantly, I hope you and your family are doing okay!

Much-less-important:

I lust after post-2010 E63s, especially wagons. Are these a financial disaster waiting to happen, and can you suggest any sites / forums / resources I can read to know what I’m getting into?

I can’t stop thinking about them...there’s something that really draws me to these cars, and I keep thinking I need to own one.

Any advice? Thanks!

p.s. A Mercedes once saved my life, so I’m kinda predisposed...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
07/30/2020 at 09:32

I’m still here, just less frequently than I was at some points.

Thanks! We’re doing well, masking, distancing, sanitizing like crazy. Hope you’re doing well too!

E63's! Yes! First, you must decide which engine you want, or, possibly more importantly, if you want RWD or AWD.

I’m partial to the M156, you know the famous NA 6.3. which would limit you to 2010-11 and RWD only. If you go that way, make sure the engine has black plastic valve covers. And if it’s got a dark grey intake manifold instead of off-white, that’s a big plus. VC’s mean it’s got all the internal updates. Intake would indicate performance package. The engine could still develop minor oil leaks from the crankcase half seam, rear main, or upper oil pan; none of which would be cheap but they’re almost never worth fixing, just clean them off periodically. At higher mileage or with poor service history, cams and cam adjusters could still wear out, which are very expensive. Otherwise, very solid cars. But always get a pre-purchase inspection from someone familiar with the car and make sure it has good service history, and I don’t mean just oil changes.

The other option is the 5.5 Bi-turbo M157 . You could get a 12-13, but I recommend against it because it’s the first two years of that engine and because RWD only. RWD with that engine is stupid and borderline unusable. 2014 gets AWD. But if you like these, go 2016, because then the engine will have all the updates (chain tensioners and engine harness most importantly). This engine family was super solid until the last year, aside from harnesses, but they’re getting to be much more of a gamble. Failing cam adjusters, I’ve seen one engine with stretched timing chains, injectors intermittently causing misfires. The non-AMG version, M278, has been having cylinder wall damage around 100k every now and then; not every engine, but we’ve seen a half dozen just in the time of covid. As far as I know, this hasn’t happened to any M157's (possibly different cylinder treatments), just letting you know. As for the harnesses on these; oil leaks through the cam sensors or solenoids and into the engine wiring harness up into the engine control unit and out to other components from there. This requires engine removal to fix. Chains are engine removal and complete teardown. Cam adjusters are about 4x the labor of those on a M156. Injectors are maybe like $600-800 each in parts. I’ve also seen some turbos get weak on M278's and set CEL’s (but not M157). These are also engine out and very expensive. The clean point on harnesses is middle of 2015 production dates I think, and prior to that is almost guaranteed to need replacing at some point if not already done. The rest shouldn’t be super problematic or even super likely, but can definitely happen. Aside from engine issues, solid cars. But always get a pre-purchase inspection from someone familiar with the car and make sure it has good service history, and I don’t mean just oil changes.

Other things to consider are how the brakes and tires look. Pads and rotors can be very expensive, and tires can wear out under 10k miles easily at around $200-250 each. H onestly, 212's overall are excellent cars.

But always get a pre-purchase inspection from someone familiar with the car and make sure it has good service history, and I don’t mean just oil changes.

Notice how that last bit kept repeating?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/31/2020 at 02:48

You seriously made my day, thanks very much! Do you take PayPal, or can I at least buy you an Oppo Gold Card? :-)

I really appreciate the insight and time you took to write this...it’s exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. You’re one of the people who make the Oppo community what it is at its best .

And for sure, I noticed the pre-purchase inspection and good service history seemed...important.

In any case, you really helped me narrow down the search. I’m looking forward to getting rid of my lemon Model 3, and this will help me not get into worse trouble.

Glad you’re doing well and keeping safe. Same here...there are some vulnerables in the family and we’re being extra cautious, following the science as best we can. Crazy times.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
07/31/2020 at 08:22

glad you found it helpful! So which version is calling to you?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/10/2020 at 11:38

You have given me a *lot* to think about!

Traditionally I’d go for the NA 6.3, because, well, obviously. And it’s such a wonderfully ridiculous combo. I also really have a soft spot for the 2010-2011 E-Class...to me it felt like a big step up from its predecessor. I don’t know if that’s really true, but it was my perception.

Second choice I think I’d go for a 2016+. I have a feeling I should look for one with service records and get a pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows the cars. :-)

If I were to go more low-key, do you have any advice on the “regular” E-Class wagons, say 2010 to present?

Thanks again for your advice! Much appreciated.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
08/10/2020 at 22:15

Honestly, if snow and mountain roads weren’t a concern, I’d go for a 10-11 with M156. It’s such a fantastic car. And you’re right, it is a huge step up from it’s predecessor.

Problem with a 2016, is that’s the only choice you have for a fully updated 212. 2017 is a 213 chassis. 213 E63 would fetch quite a bit more money.

Regular E wagons are fantastic. I’d suggest 2012 or newer at least to get the M276 engine, not that the older 272 is bad, it’s just not nearly as good. 276 can have adjuster and harness issues as well, but they seem to be a bit more rare and are much cheaper to fix because labor is quite a bit lower. Best option is 2016 of course, but barring that, 14-15 should be fine. Beyond that, there’s not much to caution against. They’re plenty quick for most and handle pretty decent for what they are. But still get a PPI.

If you go 2010-2012 with the 272 engine, things it’ll likely need at some point: intake manifold, reseal oil filter housing, centrifuge cover and cam plugs, thermostat, belt tensioner and idler pulleys. Maybe engine mounts. All quite minor compared to the costs of repairs of other engine options. But the 272 isn’t as powerful, responsive, or efficient as a 276 and the differences are quite noticeable.

PPI.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/11/2020 at 01:05

Thank you, again! This is really helpful. I will keep you posted on what I find.