503C43 ////AMG

Not sure I would put the X5 in the "high performance BMW" category...

2000 BMW X5 4.4i 0-60 mph 6.6 Quarter mile 15.0

togaclk55

Saw your ad on craigslist GLWS

Saaboteur

I drove one of those once, wow. Fast car. What a motor! SMG gearbox, not as impressive though. Very high maintenance costs though, the oil is motorsport grade and only available at the dealer, not like the Mobil1 for Mercedes, can get anywhere.

It'd be interesting to compare ownership costs between an E60 M5 and a W211 E63.

MIKESV8

+500

my 2001 BMW X5 4.4 was the highest optioned SUV BMW made and the quickest highest performance one they made too. like buying an X5 M today. M5 is a cool car, just wouldn't want to be an owner of one.

Saaboteur

Oh, I'd love to own an M5. I'm just afraid I wouldn't be able to afford it! Actually, before I bought the C55, I considered an E60 545i (coz they are pretty cheap now). The boss has one, and I drove it once and thought it'd be a nice daily driver. Comfy, lots of tech, decent power. The loads of tech in the car is scary though. Something goes wrong and open the wallet. And seriously, does an alternator need to be water cooled? One of our clients runs an indy BMW shop, and he told me that if you even want to change the battery on an E60, you need to hook it up to BMW diagnostics so that the battery can be 'introduced' to the car's computers. WTF?

I like the smaller size of the C-Class anyway, and we have a larger SUV for other duties so not like I need another large(ish) vehicle.

BTW, peel those 5.5 badges off the fenders and sell them to me before you sell the car!!!

MIKESV8

there's actually someone on the w211 amg forums that will pay $200 for a set! i don't want to take mine off now because all of my pictures in my craigslist ad have them on it.

does anyone want any of my parts? make me an offer on something (paddle shift steering wheel, smoked side markers, flat flush amg door pins etc.) and i'll consider it.

mrobinso

mike, don't know you personally but have seen you posting in this section for some time with constructive and helpful posts. Good luck with the sale and purchase. The E63 is my dream car and, when I eventually have the means to afford it, I plan to buy one. As others have mentioned, moving into the E class and up also has concerned me due to the increased complexity of the mechanics and cost of parts should things go wrong. That said, maintain it and cross your fingers nothing catastrophic fails and you should be good. WRT your pricing on the C55, all I will throw in is that GEICO appraised my 2006 C55 with 49,000 miles on the ODO at $26,500 when it was totaled. That number is generated by a company that valuates vehicles for insurance companies using a proprietary algorithm that "supposedly" combines market prices with other variables about the specific vehicle. I felt the valuation was a bit high myself, but I am no complaining. Don't rush to sell it, I did that with my Limited Crossfire because I was too eager to move into a C55 and ended up selling it for next to nothing (different class of car but always regretted it).

MIKESV8

thank you for the kind words. you also are a big help on here regardless of owning a c55 anymore. i am in a hurry to sell the car because...i'm just flat out anxious to get the E63.lol but then again not everyone has 24-26k laying around to drop on a car. i really want it sold by next friday. no later than that. i'd accept nothing less than 24k for it. here's my thread on the E63 i'll be purchasing https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...mg-family.html

wawy

Michael,

If I may, I would suggest you become friends with the following company and purchase these ahead of time:

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid134.html

There is also an excellent DIY post in the W211 section on how to replace the struts yourself and save a lot of money. You may be aware of all this already but just looking out for you....

Coincidently, there is a black CPOd low mileage 2008 E63 (with P31 package)
not too far away from where I am that caught my eye. I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted, however, the airmatic and fuel sender issues make me hesitant...

AMG3.2

Yeah maintenance costs might be higher, but then again you get the V10. I'm a total AMG guy, but a few days ago my buddy took me for a spin in his dads M6 (same motor as the M5), and I am just so hung up on the sound of the V10.

Here is a cool page I came across comparing both of the cars:

http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Merc...ld/E_W211.html

Michael GLWS, and you better give me a pull when we get back to school!

FrankW

Grats on the e63.

xxaarraa

Moving a niche car for higher than book in the dead of winter on short notice might be hard. Not saying impossible, but hard. Good luck to you, E63 is a great choice.

dre5373

Good Luck Mike, sweet choice! What made you change your mind about an SL55? And I get what you are saying about how quiet the E63 is, one drove past me on the DC beltway yesterday and I was suprised! Post some pics when you pick her up!

MBfinatic

Have you sold your amg yet?

Saaboteur

That BMW V10 is amazing. Helluva motor. Belongs in a supercar; blessed is the public to be able to access that type of power without resorting to supercar pricing.

Re: W211 air suspension - there was a thread in the W211 AMG section about coil over conversion using KW parts. I think there must have been some coding required, but that would eliminate any air suspension issues.

Just to throw my $0.02 for the sake of discussion - I personally would prefer a W211 E55 or a CLK55 over their 63 equivalents. Okay, the 63s have more power, but the 55Ks have so much more torque, and much earlier and consistently in the powerband. Mike - no 55K love?

MIKESV8

no, do you want it? you can have it for $23k http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2783158464.html

cdd

Unfortunately, I agree with this post. I wish you the best and hope you get the dollars that you are looking for, but my perspective is that if you want to sell quickly, your price is going to have to come down a bunch--in the multiple thousands.

Unless you're trading in, the hard part of an automobile transaction is not finding the new vehicle, it's selling the current one.

MIKESV8

i'd take 23k for it from the right buyer. i have until next week.

i 100% agree about the "the hardest part is selling your current car" part. funny story, i had the local sherrif's department try prank calling me and seeing if my car was a stolen car or not.

MBfinatic

I cant buy yours. I bought mine in great condition over a year ago for 17k..

Viper98912

I love this progress thread

27,5
26
25
24
23

We need to start a bet - I'm betting you're going to sell for 21,5. But honestly, good luck.

I would love:
W211 E63 Wagon, daily
R230 SL55, daily
R230 SL65, just cuz it's sick

MIKESV8

i'm facing reality of trying to sell a higher end car after the holidays.

i'm really hoping to get 23-24k for it. that's what i need in order to be comfortable with buying the E63.

wawy

Michael,

What PS2 tire sizes are you currently running? They fill the wheel wells rather nicely in your add..

MBfinatic

My car being a rare sought after color/ pewter with black leather with 53k miles 2nd owner and great condition no accidents sold for 22k. I was lucky..

Viper98912

You know after reading your ad, you might want to tone down the cockyness some. I kinda felt like I was reading an ad for a mini-truck. Get rid of the paragraphs, get rid of the "one of a" "only" "you won't" stuff, don't brag on mods, and list for $24k and accept $22,5.

I went to the MB dealership the other day and saw a graphite C63 coupe and diamond white C63 sedan. Man they were sick. $70 and $73

xxaarraa

If you can afford it, I would keep the C55 and get the E63 to add to the fleet.