Wesmman1

Hey I have an E55 AMG reserved at a new car dealership and I was wondering if I should go ahead and pull the trigger. Just asking for peoples opinions.

Car is in relatively good shape. 2 owners, both serviced the car at authorized MB dealerships. Dealership is asking for around 15k but I think I can go a bit lower due to the 100k+ mileage.

You guys think this is a good deal? IMO, I think this car has a little bit too much mileage. Should I buy this or should I just keep waiting for a lower mileage car with the possibility of paying more, which I don't know if I can. I have future maintenance costs down from money saved up and a family MB mechanic. I can only buy from new car / used car dealerships because I need to trade-in and finance.

This was from March of 2014, the last major maintenance I see from the Carfax:

Spark plug(s) replaced
Radio/sound system checked
Transmission serviced
Oil level sensor replaced
Radio speaker(s) replaced
Front brake pads replaced
Oil pressure sender/switch replaced
Oil and filter changed
Brake pads replaced
Antifreeze/coolant checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Transmission fluid changed
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Air filter replaced
Alignment performed
Transmission filter replaced
Four wheel alignment performed
Four tires mounted and balanced

Thanks!

p30amg08

wait, its 2 much.

bbirdwell

It's coming up on a fuel pumps and fuel filter/regulator change. ~$950 in parts alone if you do the work yourself. If you don't change the fuel filter, very bad things will happen such as melted relays, melted harness, stuck on side of road in rush-hour traffic, etc.

Mackhack

I bought my 2004 with 107k miles for 15.000. I don't think it's too much. If it's worth for you than its not too much. It's a personal thing between miles and $$$.

Make sure you go to a trusted mechanic and let him check it out. If he's serious it will take an hour and not just 15 minutes. Let him check brakes, thrust arm bushings, ball joints, and the like. W211s are notorious for these things and you will have to replace them eventually. That has nothin to do with a bad car. Also let him check the AIRmatic struts.

Ask for the fuel smell issue and if it happened with this car and if the parts were already replaced by MB's warranty. If not you can always get this done, too. They can check that in the database at any official dealership. Indies don't have access.

Also remember there were only so many E55s built before they were replaced by E63s. Nothing better than the supercharged V8s and the fact that this car is a real MB dream. So that alone is a reason to buy it while they are still out there. That last paragraph of course is only my opinion.

Mackhack

Never had this fuel pump issue (neither on my E320 nor the E55) but I know mechanics like to scare customers bc they know it's an expensive repair. Mine got replaced under warranty from the fuel smell issue covered by MB but I wouldn't let them scare me. If they go bad they go bad, if not then not. Just like any other part.

2000UZJ

Heres a high mileage one...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5203488784.html

desired_speeds

Higher mileage isn't a huge deal as long as the rest of the car isn't worn out. These engines/ trans are solid, but at a certain point you will have to replace all of the wear and tear parts (mostly suspension and rubbers)

CINDERBLOCK

I just purchased a 04 with 50k for 16k. Car is immaculate and very well optioned. Deals are out there I would pass.

Mackhack

04 with 50k miles? Are you sure nobody turn down the odo? Or was it a retired senior dock got Sundays to and from church?

CINDERBLOCK

He owned 8 cars including an SL55 he purchased the same day as the E55. Couple other MB an R8 and a tesla P85. Car was never a daily driver and kept in a climate controlled garage. Yes I got lucky but it shows there are some deals out there if your willing to wait.

Mackhack

Absolutely. I wished I wouldn't have waited as long as I did

Wesmman1

Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it. I don't know if I could wait any longer haha, there aren't that many popping up in my area. But I might have to. I'll ask the dealership if I can take the car to my local mechanic and get the nooks and crannies looked at and if there's some major stuff that's been overlooked, I'll pass.

Other than that, If I could get some more opinions that'd be great. Right now I personally think that waiting it out could strike me a better deal, but who knows how long until then. So I'm probably taking this beauty home!

Mackhack

I waited 6 years... But Shaun in the end, it's a gut feeling mixed with research and inspection through independent mechanic if YOUR choice.

Ls1toAMG

Have them do q compression test.

kustom2k1

If the car is/was always stock. I wouldnt worry about the mileage. Make sure the stock exhaust has never been modified along with the crank pulley. Go over the vehicle service history and make sure the car was not serviced for the same issue multiple times.

Mackhack

Good point.

Moosepuck

I'd take a well maintained high mileage car any day.... Here's another

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/5213855652.html

These cars are still the best bang for your buck out there!
I wouldn't let the mileage scare you and the price seems good to me. That one in Atlanta seems too good to be true...

desired_speeds

I've had two W211 E55s with over 120k+ miles - an 04 and currently an 06. Both have been runners with no major problems.

Twistedchild420

Snagging up a 2004 today with 129,000 miles for $11,990. At that price i'll deal with whatever comes along. lol

Wesmman1

Nice Twisted! So I went to the dealer today. Turns out they haven't detailed it yet, but I was able to test drive it. It drives well, the brakes can be a little iffy but I made the mistake of not taking my mechanic with me because they didn't allow me to bring to car to him. They're gonna detail in and i'm going to come back with my mechanic in a few days (I don't know much about engines and stuff so I need his eye to see).

The salesman mentioned that he does not know anything about they car. I asked him about the bluetooth and navigation and he couldn't even tell me where and how to use it. Kind of unprofessional, but I might be able to use that to my advantage.

So overall to my eye, everything looks stock to me, has floormats, rims, exhaust looks the same although I didn't get a chance to look under the car. I'm hoping my mechanic can spot some more stuff. Thanks for the responses guys!

Mackhack

If you press NAV and it tells you that it's not there, lower the price by about $500-900. That's the price I would charge you to retrofit it.

If you press TEL and it tells you insert/activate phone, it's not there. Another $400-750 bc that's what I would charge you if I would put it in for you.

And if he thinks that's too much, tell him he just admitted he has no idea how much options are for these cars and he should call me navigation as an option back then I believe was $3500 and the parts never came down with MB. I don't know if this is the same with other manufacturers but MB just doesn't drop prices in parts just because the cars become older.

Your it a good advantage here like you said. Use it!!!

Twistedchild420

So here she is! Just got back with her today! Needs a few minor things touched up but overall a immaculate 04'!



Will compliment my much slower car nicely! lol

coolchuck

Nice....x2!

kustom2k1

Did the E55 come stock with those wheels? Congrats.

Twistedchild420

Thanks!
Yes sir. And thanks!