New to the forum because I am very close to buying a 2002 E55 AMG. Negotiating price right, only thing I can find wrong on the car is the small antenna on the roof is broken.

Being that I do not really know much about the car and have not spent alot of time researching, how hard is it to replace that antenna? Does the roof liner have to come down or is it removable from the outside?

Is it a dealer only item to buy the replacement. The short stubby shaft is missing, I can see the wire sticking out.

Thanks in advance. If I get the car, I am sure I wil be asking tons of more questions.

Glen

Have the car thoroughly checked out before you buy it, or you may end up spending tons of more money after you own it!

I plan on doing that. The car is a 1 owner car, serviced by the original dealer. I am going to the dealer on Monday to see exactly when their service records show. Thanks!

That's the teleaid antenna. All that's missing is the rubber cover for the little cell antenna. It's a common problem, or so the counter guy at my local Benz dealer says. He knows the part price by heart; more on that later.

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase just the rubber doohickey, it comes as an assembly with the plastic base. Replacement is silly easy, there's a single 3mm allen head screw that holds it on. Five minutes tops. The main problem is the part costs $125.00. No, that's not a typo.

Don't ask how I know this, but you can go to your local auto parts emporium and purchase a collection of little black vacuum caps. They look just like the missing rubber bits. One or two of them joined together can be used as an effective replacement. Total cost: $1.99, good for maybe three repairs. Nobody can tell the difference.

We all have our limits...

- JimY

Hi, you mention that this is just the Teleaid antenna... so it has nothing to do with the radio?
If so, where in fact is the radio antenna on the W210 E55 AMG?

I am considering totally removing that Antenna contraption on the roof; numerous fixes & numerous loses of the rubber...
I am thinking about tucking the antenna in & simply capping the opening (where the antenna mounts into the base unit).

Your thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

Kieran-

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Kieran K
Jersey Shore
1988 300CE (for sale, AUG. 2013)
1995 SL320 (88K) - terrific car
1983 300CD
-1993 400E (sold w/74k)
-1988 560SEL (sold w/49k)
- 1995 S420 (sold w/75k)
- 2005 E320 CDI (sold)
- 2007 E350 4M (sold)
- 1984 300D, sold w/305k, CA car, zero rust & over $12k invested
- 2001 E55 AMG (sold w/81k), I really miss it.
- 1982 300CD (sold, all stripped down)

The antenna on a w210 is built into the rear window (98-02)

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2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL

Don't put too much faith in the service records. At best, it might make for some amusing reading, but it won't tell you what the car needs now. See if the selling dealer will let you bring the car to the original dealer, and then pay them to perform a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Remember, AMG is sometimes an acronym for Additional Money Gone!

Sometimes is sure correct - the E55 in the w210 format has a very reliable, naturally-aspirated V8. Yes, you have "hopped up" suspension pieces and brakes that will cost more when replacement comes around, but otherwise it's all w210. The engine should need little to nothing. The w210 was known as a reliable car that wouldn't leave you stranded, but there is a history of electrical glitches with that body style. Not all cars had this afflication, that's why you'll want to see what work has been done and what work needs to be done. If you see a lot of electrical glitches being fixed, I'd avoid that particular car.

It's been my experience that people sell a nice car for only two reasons - they're bored with it (the minority) or because it needs something expensive (the majority). Do what you can to protect yourself from the latter.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600