Enthusiasts,

Up for sale is my 2005 C55 AMG. I am asking $8,500. The car is located in Arlington, VA. I purchased the car in July of 2012, with approximately 56K miles, from the second owner in Portland, Oregon and had it shipped to Arlington, VA. All maintenance and service was performed at Mercedes Benz of Tysons Corner, VA. I know it's a long post but, PLEASE READ THE FULL AD BELOW.

3rd Owner
76K Miles
Silver Exterior (9/10, normal small rock chips from driving)
Black AMG Leather Interior (9/10 drivers seat has slight wear on left bolster)
Xenons
NAV
Eurocharged Tune
Resonator Delete
Brabus Illuminated Shifter Knob

The car is mechanically solid and pulls like a beast yet has a few issues along with some needed maintenance. Listed below is everything you need to know.

Full Disclosure:

1- Branded title as a Manufacturer Buy-back (Lemon). This C55 was originally a California car when it was sold new. During the first few thousand miles the first owner repeatedly took the car in for service due to issues with the Radio/Sound. Many of you already know and are aware of this problem with C55's and several members here have experienced the same issue. Mercedes eventually replaced the entire Head-unit and the sound system was working fine. However, after spending $60K+ on a brand new AMG and multiple dealership visits due to the same issue, the first owner became frustrated and complained to Mercedes Benz. Mercedes bought back the car from the first owner and due to California Lemon Law, the car was declared a Lemon/Manufacturer Buy-back. Please see the last picture attached, it shows the Lemon Law paperwork and all the repairs Mercedes did to fix the issue. The reason I purchased this car despite the Lemon title is because realistically, it is a very minor issue and does not affect the performance or driveability of the car in any major way and should not have been declared a Lemon, however due to California laws the car had to be titled a Lemon. I contacted the Mercedes dealership in California and spoke with them about this car and the Sound issue and they said everything was repaired perfectly with new parts but unfortunately it is California law and they have seen other cars declared Lemons for far less serious issues.

2- 1 minor accident (shown on Carfax). I was rear ended at very low speed while stopped at a traffic light which cracked the rear bumper and broke the left rear tail light. All repairs were done professionally with original new Mercedes parts at Mercedes Benz Collision Center in Arlington, VA. There is absolutely no damage to the frame.

3- No sound. The problem is specifically the AMP which needs fixing/replacing. This is similar to bullet point #1. When I purchased the car in July of 2012 the sound was working perfectly normal. Approximately one year ago (September 2014) on a very rainy day, my speakers were making very loud crackling noises and the sound completely went out. My Radio, NAV, CD Changer and single CD all work however I have no sound at all. The issue is due to C55's sometimes experiencing a leak from right rear corner of the car where the AMP is located behind the trunk wall/panel. Over time, from rain, water can sometimes leak through the trunk and drip onto the AMP causing it to malfunction and sometimes eventually go bad. The second owner, however, did not experience any issues with the sound. Approximately $200-$300.

4- Brakes (pads + rotors) need to be replaced. Approximately $300-$500.

5- Steering wheel does not move up or down, it only moves inwards and outwards. From reading the forums, some members have also experienced this issue. It is due to a broken wishbone located near the steering column, which is a very small $7 plastic part responsible for the up and down movement of the steering wheel. Fortunately, the steering wheel got stuck in perfect driving position so it never bothered me enough to get it fixed. Important to note - the broken wishbone causes an ESP malfunction warning to appear, however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the ESP. I confirmed this by having the car checked at the Mercedes Benz dealership. Approximately $600.

6- Headlights flicker, specifically the Low Beams, all other lights work perfectly. Headlight Lens have very light yellowing. This is a common issue with C55/CLK headlights, which many forums members have also experienced. When I start the car, the headlights turn on fine, however, after some driving and/or hitting any bumps in the road the low beams will flicker and go out. This issue is due to faulty ballasts. Options to fix this include:

- Purchasing new ballasts and replacing them (approximately $200-$300 + $35 to refurbish lens with a headlight restoration kit)
- Purchasing a new/used pair of Mercedes Original Halogens / aftermarket xenons (approximately $300-$400)
- I would not recommend purchasing a set of new/used original Mercedes Xenons as they can go for $700-$1000 per headlight assembly.

Maintenance performed during my ownership (all performed at Mercedes Dealer with original Mercedes parts):
- Replaced pads + rotors once (2013)
- Multiple A/B Services performed
- Transmission fully serviced, several components replaced due to transmission leak (11 months ago)
- Crankshaft Position Sensor Replaced (2 months ago)
- Regular oil/filter changes (every 3-4K miles)
- New original Mercedes battery installed (5 months ago)
- Oil leak fixed (11 months ago)
- Radiator leak (hoses and radiator replaced 8 months ago)

Included in the sale:
- 2 Sets of keys
- Resonator
- All manuals and books

For an additional $500 (negotiable) I will include the following:
- 3 spare original Mercedes C55 rims (approximately $500)
- 1 lightly used original Mercedes xenon headlight that I did not have a chance to install (approximately $700)
- Brand new never installed carbon fiber spoiler still in packaging ($100)
- Brand new never installed 5.5 AMG side badges ($50)

I have attempted to fully disclose everything about the car to best of my knowledge and memory. If I remember anything else I will post it below, and please feel free to ask any questions.

Based on all the above, condition, cost to fix all current issues, prices of other C55's currently for sale and prices of other C55's that have recently sold, I have priced the car way below market at $8,500. I stress with complete confidence, the exterior and interior are in beautiful condition (9/10), mechanically the car is solid, pulls very strong and the engine has been bullet proof during my entire ownership.

This C55 has low miles for its age and its priced to sell! If you are a savvy mechanic and are willing to get your hands dirty, or know a good indy/shop which can repair these issues for less than the dealer estimates I have provided above, you know you are getting a great deal! Thanks for looking and feel free to ask any questions and reach out at any time. You can find the vin on the last picture attached.

Happy Holidays!

 

Sadly I am not interested in buying your car but I have to commend you for such a wonderful ad and description of your c55, truly one of the best sedans every produced

You are exactly the type of person I would want to buy a used car from

Well done and thank you

 

PeterUbers - thanks for the kind words, Happy Holidays!

 

PM

 

Oh whoa! I live right down the road from you over in Woodbridge. Im in the market right now for an AMG. Im still in highschool so funds are a little tight at the moment (Sitting at the 6K price range), other wise I would love to come take a look. I've been checking out some C32s and C55s at a couple of dealerships, but I could only wish to find one as nice as yours.

It's very apparent that you put in a lot of effort into maintaining it. Plus you're up front with everything it needs and you seriously put in some work on making this ad. We need more people like you in the world lmao.

 

Will R - PM'd you.

 

Joc - PM replied

 

bump...price lowered to $8,500

 

Free bump. Lots of car for the money. GLWS

 

Yes it is but salvage title and work to be done puts it over the top on price. Some insurance companies are looking at Salvage cars differently now days, mine will only pay out 60% of its worth if there is an accident.

 

Enthusiasts,

I have an update regarding my 2005 C55 for sale. The dash is currently showing a check engine light. I took the car to the Mercedes dealership and the diagnostics is showing a P0410 code = Secondary Air Injection.

I spoke with the service department and it could be caused by a number of issues. They can range from a simple hose that is not connected properly or it could be as serious as needing a new secondary air pump. Regardless I have decided to anticipate the worst and I am adjusting my new price accordingly.

I am motivated to sell the car by this weekend. I can also help arrange shipping.

New price = $8,000 OBO.

Thanks!

 

pm

 

I am not familiar with salvage title, the only thing i know is that it is a big no no in Sweden. Just a suggestion if there are a couple of members who are interested in parts and would consider a group buy and take what they need/want. More time consuming but still.

 

i have had that issue and code with secondary air injection pump and paid for a new pump, then got the code again a few years later and just had my indy guy rebuild/ clean the pump for a couple hundred bucks and it been working great the past 3 years now.

very nice car! wish i was shopping for a C55 as yours is exceptionally well maintained

 

I am interested in the trunk spoiler. I am from NJ. Let me know if you're willing to ship it.

 

Can we frame this FS post and put it up as a template to how everyone should write their threads?? Good luck with your sale, beautiful car.

 

Agreed, and then post it on every other forum known to man lol.

Ryad32 are you a Virgo or Capricorn? Just curious. I'm leaning more to Virgo

 

Enthusiasts - Car is SOLD!


kuneefay - thanks a lot, really appreciate the kind words!


AHI - thanks, I am actually a Virgo lol, how did you know????

 

Congrats. Hopefully the new owner is on the forum and can shed some light o the repairs achieved to resolve the issues on hand.

 

I am interested in the spoiler

 

Enthusiasts,

I have a brand new high quality carbon fiber rear spoiler and 5.5 AMG side badges. If anyone is interested please PM me with your offer.

Thanks!

 

Hi Adnan,

Thanks for your interest in the spoiler. I can definitely ship it to NJ. PM me and we can discuss further.

Thanks!

 

Hi....did you sell the 3 wheels, spoiler, etc., with the car? If not, I'm interested in the wheels and whatever else you were selling for an additional $500.


Please let me know asap! Thanks....Rob

 

Hi Robjr,

I sold the wheels but I still have the carbon fiber spoiler and the 5.5 AMG side badges available. PM me with an offer if you are still interested.

Thanks!