reliability of AMG? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jamesp · #1 08-27-2002, 10:03 AM

you often here about other MB models with well over 100k miles on the odometer. how is the longevity and reliablity of the AMG cars? with the engine being such a high performance piece of machinery, how well do they hold up over the years? i think the first AMG was introduced in '95? any owners with high mileage having any engine trouble or other mechanical malfuntions to speak of?

mushedroom · #2 08-27-2002, 03:18 PM

correction, the first AMG/MB car maybe but AMG tuning has been around for a lot longer...

royaiii · #3 08-27-2002, 07:08 PM

AMG is not entirely responsible. It is the MB techs who make the engine stronger than it has to be. A Lotec Sirius makes over 1200 hp from a 6liter MB v12 turbo motor. Stock v12 only made 389 hp but bolt on a turbo and you can quadruple the power.Also AMG tunes w/ practicality in mind. BMW M build "raw" motors in my mind. For eg., their M5 motor is infamous for burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles while new and all BMW says is to put in 60wt oil. Some MB motors never even burn a drop of oil. A well engineered car should not be burning oil. Also BMW takes the compression ratio way up like the M3's 11.5. A MB 55 is only 10.5. MB could make 11.5 motors but if one day the owner put 87 octane they wouldnt destroy a 40k engine. Also AMG tunes an existing tried and tested powerplant. Look at MB transmissions. They are so strong that all AMG has to do is a little tweaks and extras and they last for the lifetime of the car.

mushedroom · #4 08-27-2002, 07:12 PM

which goes to show ya...

mushedroom · #5 08-27-2002, 07:13 PM

i sure do love my benzie...
sorry bmw...

mushedroom · #6 08-27-2002, 07:13 PM

thanks royaii for the great engine edumacation...it's nice to know that i made the right choice...woo hoo...

c43amg · #7 08-28-2002, 12:07 PM

I have 58,000 on my '98 C43 AMG and no problems -- I suspect that the AMG single engineer hand assembly and (at least in the case of the C43) tuning refinements to the already proven and robust 4.3L V-8 are likely to give longevity better rather than worse than the already solid normal M-B engine. In any case, owner care and maintenance will be the most important determinant.

AMG wear items (e.g., brake pads and rotors) are expensive, but not an everyday affair.

blackmercedes · #8 08-28-2002, 12:55 PM

Our 1995 C36 had about 100,000 miles on it, and it had a compression check at about that mileage that was new spec. AMG bits seemed pretty bulletproof (unlike M-spec BMW parts...) and built for the loooong haul.

I'll agree about AMG brake maintenance items being pricey. The rear brakes cost more than front and rear for the C230.

AMG seems to boost power through displacement, and now supercharging as opposed to stratopheric redlines and engines set on "kill." They beef up engine parts and transmissions, and use "higher" off the shelf bits where possible.

It's a different philsophy from "M."

daddiojiggy · #9 08-28-2002, 03:31 PM

if i had a choice of two similar cars the one with those three extra letters is the one i'd be driving!

mushedroom · #10 08-28-2002, 03:40 PM

i want an AMG

c43amg · #11 08-28-2002, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes
AMG seems to boost power through displacement, and now supercharging as opposed to stratopheric redlines and engines set on "kill." They beef up engine parts and transmissions, and use "higher" off the shelf bits where possible.

It's a different philsophy from "M."

The displacement argument is true with respect to the C36, C43 and current non-SL 55-series models which are naturally aspirated.

I hope that the newer boosted AMG cars will have similar longevity and robustness, but have to have some concern over gaining power through stressing a smaller engine (e.g., the 32-series cars) rather than adding on N/A displacement. But it looks as if supercharging is the way AMG is now going with the 32-series, the SL55 and the supercharged 55s for the new AMG sedans.

royaiii · #12 08-28-2002, 08:10 PM

The most genious part of AMG superchargers is that they have a on/off mechanism. At idle, there is no boost. When driving softly is still off boost. But nail the throttle and you get full boost 500hp. That simple engineering as well as a nice 9:1 (300E has same ratio) compression ratio will mean these cars are going to last.

mushedroom · #13 08-28-2002, 08:28 PM

i want an AMG....

anyone want to trade my 300CE for their E55?

hehehehe
an ant can always dream about moving a mountain, can't he?