southernwake

I have lazily looking around for another AMG to replace my C32 that got totaled and i have been looking at getting a W211. Stumbled across this yesterday morning and was wondering if it was anyone's on the site. It is in Austin TX. I wasnt planning on purchasing one until later but if the price is right I thought about possibly picking this one up and driving it for a bit. What do you guys think? Anything that I should look for or ask about?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-four-door-sedan-2004-pristine-black-mercedes-benz-e-55-amg-469-hp-clean-title-/121556406683?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c4d53919b&item=121556406683&pt=US_Cars_Trucks#viTabs_0
Thanks,
Andrew

HeissRod

The ad says Xenon lights, but the light output from those bulbs is pretty yellow. Can you get Xenon bulbs in a 4000K color?

I don't see a hole anywhere on the center console? If he's talking about the blank to the right of the shifter, then that's just because the car doesn't have distronic.

That comes stock on the car, you turd

2000UZJ

Yes. 4300K appears like a halogen when fully warmed. It also has the headlight washers so it's HID. I am assuming all OEM Xenon headlights come with washers?

southernwake

There were some flags. lol

I didnt see any missing buttons on the console, but there werent a lot of pics of the console.

The brakes look like painted AMG brakes calipers to me.

The car is only 3 hours away from me, so if it doesnt sell on ebay I will contact the seller and see about seeing it in person and checking it out. That way I can get a good feel for it.

Andrew

2000UZJ

I don't understand half of his listing. It makes it sound like you are getting things for free like buy the car get this **** free...the $2000 Brembo braking system with calipers is OEM...

Custom AMG 19" Staggered wheels with 65% tread left on tires ($3000 value)
Brembo Braking system with calibers ($2000 value)
Black front grille ($350 value)
Rear lights slightly smoked out ($100 value)
Rear spoiler ($450 value)
Built in radar detector by passport ($300 value)

Shadow5501

I happened to have EPC open so pulled the datacard on this car. It's a fairly late delivery 2004 model; the inservice date was March 25, 2004.

The car is 040 black (i.e. plain old Mercedes black, not one of the extra cost metallic) over black leather.

Options fitted to it are navigation, HID headlights, CD changer, power trunk open/close, and keyless go.

If he just spent $2500 on it, he didn't get the full air suspension replaced, only part of it. So find out which bits are new. The valve covers are a common repair. Brakes are no big deal on this car, they are not all that expensive.

Other common repairs at higher mileage include a leaking rear main oil seal ($1,000). This car is just about at the right miles to need an SBC repair/reflash. Could run into some decent money there as well.

I think it's $1K-$2K over priced given the miles and probable maintenance needs.

southernwake

That is why I figured I would check and see if they were on here. If they were they could clarify some things.

There were some things that I was curious about.

The price also seems on the low side. Am I wrong here?

I am not planning off buying it from ebay. For it to be bought offline sight unseen it would have to be through a car sales place( reputable ) or a member from the forum who could be vouched for.

I may reach out to the guy and see about checking it out next week when I am off work. Not too far of a drive for me.

Andrew

southernwake

Shadow5501, thanks for checking that out.

$2500 for air suspension replacement struck me as way in the low side. I thought it was about $1000 per corner. Is this correct?

I have been doing some research on the W211's but havent delved into their issues too much due to working non stop the last few weeks and dealing with the insurance company about my car.

Andrew

Shadow5501

About $1K per corner is in the neighborhood for dealer pricing (probably a bit low, actually). If you use Arnott (aftermarket) struts then maybe you could do the entire car for $2500.

I don't think the car is cheap at all, if anything the price is a bit optimistic. Prices for w211 E55 are just barely into the five figures with miles well above 100K.

It's good that some work has been done on this car. But on the other hand the inaccuracies/lies in the advert would indicate the owner isn't really a knowledgeable AMG enthusiast.

southernwake

Thank you for clarifying that!

I thought it might have been on the low side just going off of NADA,KBB etc.
And the fact that I was just given around 9k for my 02 C32 with 160k on the odometer by insurance.

The inaccuracies in the ad make me think that someone purchased this car with the hopes of turning around and selling it for more money.

I just saw the car when I was just doing a quick search at work. Thought the price might be a good deal but some of the things just seemed to be fluff to the ad. Figured I would reach out to the W211 guys for some input.

Thanks,
Andrew

HeissRod

This is what I was thinking

Shadow5501

The marketplace perceives the w211 as complex/expensive/troublesome to own, so places a smaller premium on it than you might expect relative to a w203. And I think there is some truth - a w203 doesn't have airmatic or SBC brakes.

There is a C32 on DFW craigslist right now. Something like 2003/62K/$12K. Have you looked into it? I know nothing about the car, owner, or anything else - just pointing it out.

GregMB

You are missing the point, I believe.

He is a high-caliper seller with Brembo break calibers.





-G

southernwake

I have noticed in my research of the W211 that there are some things that can be costly to fix, the W203 had its own issues as well. Didnt realize that it had sort of drove the value of the W211 down though.

As much as I enjoyed my C32 and hated it was totaled since I had plans for it, the W211 has caught my eye. I am torn, both platforms are attractive for many reasons. It really will come down to how good of a deal I can find on one. I dont have to buy a car right now so I have the luxury of looking and being picky.

Andrew

HeissRod

I missed that