nasusrt

Considering purchasing a 2005 s55 amg 74k miles..dealership action plan indicates rear main seal oil leak and thrust arm bushings replacement..seller not willing to remedy but reduced price by 1500...buy or pass ?...

maw1124

Dealers love to diagnose rear main seals. They always weep but rarely leak -- the difference being, "is it on the garage floor?" Most people ignore them until fluid hits the floor or the transmission is out for other reasons.

$1500 is about right for thrust arm bushings if the price is otherwise correct.

But has all the "real" stuff been attanded to -- ABC fluids, struts, valve blocks? Or are you getting it at a price that compensates for those items?

maw

nasusrt

Per dealer: car is clean otherwise. .ppi was done by alternate dealer location on 3/20/15..trying to get details from them..vehicle master report doesn't show much in the way of repairs..no indication that abc pump was replaced either..currently own a 02 s600 so I'm familiar with repair concerns..wanna trade up tho..

maw1124

Yeah, this will be a completely different driving experience. And Mercedes was busy between '02 and '05 with upgrades within that chassis series. Good luck and happy hunting.

Cheers,

maw

nasusrt

Okay and thanks

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

What is the price? Pictures?
I paid 14,500 for my 2005 S55 with 97k. A very clean car that needed about 3500k for deferred maintenance and services.

nasusrt

18995 with 74k miles

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

Nice looking car. For the right car that might be okay. From what you know a lot depends on the seal problem. Then again I would hate to throw out a good car just for that.
What part of the planet are you on?

nasusrt

Sunny Florida. .

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

Optioned out nice?

nasusrt

Yessir

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

Heated/AC reclining rear seats would be a deal maker!

MCMLXIX

I dont think it has Parktronic or Disctronic... How about Keyless Go?

maw1124

You should post the VMI so people can see options and service history. Or at least post a VIN, and someone here may be able to pull a VMI if the dealer doesn't want to give it to you. Then people here can give you more specific advice.

maw

nasusrt

Already pulled vmi..a ppi was done on 3/20/15..front brakes and rear main seal and thrust arm bushings needed..per vmi head gasket was replaced recently. .nothing else major tho..

nasusrt

It has that option..

nasusrt

It's loaded actually. .only major difference between it and my 02 s600 is the motor..

nasusrt

The cave dwellers

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

Value is remembered long after price is forgotten.

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

New pads and rotors 300.00 for parts.

maw1124

Yeah I would be looking at the VMI for options. I see you say the car has the rear AC and heated and cooled seats. The only other thing I would care about on this car (besides the 19" 2-piece forged AMG wheels it does NOT have and which you'd probably swap anyway) is the color combo. Some people like the electronic gimmickry (parktronic, distronic, trunk closer, keyless go), but my opinion is that's just more expensive stuff to take care of. Alcantara headliners can be easily and well done on the aftermarket these days (not so much when this car was made).

Looks like you've got a good one on the line.

Cheers,

maw

nasusrt

Thanks guys