Would you buy this 2005 C55?
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Would you buy this 2005 C55?
Came across this 2005 C55 on autotrader while I was looking for cars. It has lower miles for its year and looks to be in a "good" condition from the pictures. I contacted the seller and asked him a few questions.
When I asked about maintenance history he said that he did not regularly maintain it and only put on 27K in the 6 years that he had it.
I asked how many owners and he said he is listed as the 4th but the dealer that got the trade in was the 3rd.
He sent me some photos on my phone and I noticed that the wheels have some paint chipping and curb rash which I am okay with because I will use them as a winter set.
The Mercedes badge is missing on the engine cover and the passenger side air intake tube is bent at the front of the grill. He says the car has never been in an accident but this looks like it may have been in a front end accident.
I wouldn't be able to go down and see it in Houston because I am in Detroit so I would like someone elses input on this because I have never purchased a car out of state.
I got the VIN from him so I am going to run a carfax.
What other questions should I ask?
http://autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...5D%5D%5B%5D%5D
Link works now.
When I asked about maintenance history he said that he did not regularly maintain it and only put on 27K in the 6 years that he had it.
I asked how many owners and he said he is listed as the 4th but the dealer that got the trade in was the 3rd.
He sent me some photos on my phone and I noticed that the wheels have some paint chipping and curb rash which I am okay with because I will use them as a winter set.
The Mercedes badge is missing on the engine cover and the passenger side air intake tube is bent at the front of the grill. He says the car has never been in an accident but this looks like it may have been in a front end accident.
I wouldn't be able to go down and see it in Houston because I am in Detroit so I would like someone elses input on this because I have never purchased a car out of state.
I got the VIN from him so I am going to run a carfax.
What other questions should I ask?
http://autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...5D%5D%5B%5D%5D
Link works now.
Last edited by PeteyV; Apr 15, 2015 at 08:46 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: PMW
2021 GLE450, 2005 C55, 1990 500SL, 1991 300E, 2006 BMW M5
Just wanted to note that the passenger side air intake tube has an indention in it by design.
Example: http://www.mmsean.com/benz/engine.jpg
Example: http://www.mmsean.com/benz/engine.jpg
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 846
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From: ATL
2017 GLS 550
the star on the engine cover pops off easily. I lost mine right after I bought the car. by did not maintain it regularly... did he do service based on time, still though? because over 6 years time it still needs certain services done, even if sitting.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Just wanted to note that the passenger side air intake tube has an indention in it by design.
Example: http://www.mmsean.com/benz/engine.jpg
Example: http://www.mmsean.com/benz/engine.jpg
Is that your engine? Because thats really damn clean.
Last edited by PeteyV; Apr 14, 2015 at 03:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I asked him if the car ran good and if there was any choking when he starts it from a cold start. He told me that there was a whine at first for a few seconds but went away and that it might be from the turbo in the car.... I said "excuse me, but this car does not have a turbo."
I took that as some what of a red flag or maybe I would get this car for a really good deal.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: PMW
2021 GLE450, 2005 C55, 1990 500SL, 1991 300E, 2006 BMW M5
Not my engine bay, but it does make me want to give my car a good wash!
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: PMW
2021 GLE450, 2005 C55, 1990 500SL, 1991 300E, 2006 BMW M5
I noticed that a lot of the C55s I've searched on autotrader were missing the badge on the engine cover so I figured it must have just fell off. The owner really did not do any maintenance besides oil changes. He had some kind of service done for an oil leak and got the spark plugs replaced 3 months ago but he said he would get back to me with a photo of the service receipt.
I asked him if the car ran good and if there was any choking when he starts it from a cold start. He told me that there was a whine at first for a few seconds but went away and that it might be from the turbo in the car.... I said "excuse me, but this car does not have a turbo."
I took that as some what of a red flag or maybe I would get this car for a really good deal.
I asked him if the car ran good and if there was any choking when he starts it from a cold start. He told me that there was a whine at first for a few seconds but went away and that it might be from the turbo in the car.... I said "excuse me, but this car does not have a turbo."
I took that as some what of a red flag or maybe I would get this car for a really good deal.
I highly encourage you to try to get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) done before you fork over the cash. The C55 is one of the cheapest AMGs to own in terms of repairs and maintenance, but you should start with a very clean slate.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 3
From: On a couch
2006 C55
There is a nice one in Chicago if you check craigslist.
Nice car though, but I think you can get a better deal if you keep looking.
As others have said, the whine is typical and it is NOT coming from a turbo
Nice car though, but I think you can get a better deal if you keep looking.
As others have said, the whine is typical and it is NOT coming from a turbo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I think I saw that one. It has about 70K miles and it has the stone colored interior and silver exterior. I would like that one if it was not stone color interior. What I'm looking for is specific. Pewter Metallic with black leather, BIX and COMAND.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
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From: On a couch
2006 C55
It is rare to find one that is not silver or black.
I've been searching CL nation wide. I found one the same color as the one in your original link. Is that Pewter? I thought Peter was different...
I am looking for a Mars red C55 and I do not want to pay more than 11K or so. I only see two on autotrader right now. It is just a weekend thing so I'll wait til the prices drop another 1K or so.
It has the stone interior though
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4936392594.html
EDIT: the colors on my phone and computer are completely different. That one in the autotrader link is pewter, and I think the link I provided is granite grey...but definitely not the same color. Sorry!
I've been searching CL nation wide. I found one the same color as the one in your original link. Is that Pewter? I thought Peter was different...
I am looking for a Mars red C55 and I do not want to pay more than 11K or so. I only see two on autotrader right now. It is just a weekend thing so I'll wait til the prices drop another 1K or so.
It has the stone interior though
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4936392594.html
EDIT: the colors on my phone and computer are completely different. That one in the autotrader link is pewter, and I think the link I provided is granite grey...but definitely not the same color. Sorry!
Last edited by blacksage; Apr 16, 2015 at 09:42 AM.
