drjay71

Hello everyone!

I am posting this across a few of the AMG forums on MB world so please forgive me. I need some advice.

I am a former E92 BMW M3 owner. I recently traded in that car for a new 2012 E350 coupe which I love. I think I have now become I Benz guy. I love everything about MB and really appreciate how much better it is to be a MB owner compared to a BMW owner, IMO.

Problem is, I miss the power and performance of the M3. I now regret to some degree, not getting the E550. In every other way, the E coupe is much better than my M3. I only have 1000 miles on my E coupe but can't even think what kind of depreciation I will face if I try to trade it in for let's say a new C63. I am sure we are talking somewhere of at least $5-10K.

I thought I had was to get a older AMG for somewhere around $20-25K so that I can have my performance car on weekends or for joy rides. For a daily driver, the E coupe is perfect.

So, with that in mind, what should I do? Try to trade the E coupe back in or find a nice used AMG. If the latter, then which one do you guys suggest? I would be the only one driving. I am basically looking for something comparable to the M3. Any other suggestions are appreciated. If you want to call me crazy, then that's fine as well

Thanks,
Jay

layzie12g

I have never driven a C63. I would imagine they absolutely haul. Mercedes drive much differently then BMWs. With a BMW you definelty feel a stronger connection to the road. I feel that Mercedes makes a more luxurious car. I went from an E46 M3 to an X5 sport and now the supercharged CL55.

The CL is the car I always wanted. I'm having some map sensor issues right now but after I get them figured out this car will be great. I love it, and yes it hauls. It is not comparable to an M3 though. I think of the older 55 cars as being grand touring cars. I would imagine the new C63 to be much similar to an M3 if that is what you are looking for.

CharlestonN

Well, i'm a huge Coupe Fan and AMG benz's are by far my favorite even when compared to the Ferraris, Astin Martins and Bentleys i've driven

If you wanted to buy a new AMG Coupe the closest to the price range of the E Coupe would be the C63 Coupe which starts around $62K (only about $3K more than the C63 sedan), i'm guessing you payed around $54K for your E350 so you will be spending over 10K more after tax and tittle but you will have a handmade 450HP AMG V8

I personally havent driven the coupe, only the sedan but it probably won't won't feel quite as luxurious as the E Class but IMO the interior looks better in the C63 Coupe and the sound is great not to mention the tuning possibilities with the engine

If you wanted to buy a used AMG for under $30K and keep your E350 i would recommend a 50-60K mile SL55 or CL55, the V8 Kompressor is still one of my favorite engines even more so than the current bi-turbo V8s being used in the higher end 63s, the SuperCharger whine alone is worth the price of admission...

My $0.02

layzie12g

I sat in a new C63 and it was incredibly bad ***. I was expecting to see some cheap interior with inferior seats and was wrong. I would definitely go check one out. They are expensive cars, and I personally would take an older CL or an SL55 for half the price.

CharlestonN

Yeah, in my opinion the last gen CL and SL AMG models are still higher end that the newer AMG C and E classes even though they might not look quite s modern and they are still more powerful, i think you would be happy

Becks Imports

Buy my 2004 CL55....perfect shape, 56K miles, incredible service history, and only $29,900!

Bruce

559cl55amg

Sell u mine 2003 cl55 amg 51k miles well loved car $25,999

weasel_atty

The CL depreciates as fast as it goes. Wait a year and the new body will come out. They guys who own the older body style and have the money to buy new start shedding their older cars and an attractive price. I got my '03 like that when the W216 came out in '08.

I'm with the guys who say the supercharged 55 motor is better than the naturally aspirated 63 motor. I do like the new twin turbo. I drove most of the AMG products last year at the AMG driving school at Laguna Seca. The new C is much nicer than the previous C and goes like a scalded cat. But you really get spoiled by the CL. Not a boy racer, but the best daily driver ever made IMO. I also thought the twin turbo CLS63 was pretty nice if you want four doors. And if I didn't need the back seat for occasional kid duty, I'd love an SL55. A friend of mine just picked up an '05 with 40,000 miles on the clock for around $27k. Just a great car.

I'm sure you know this, but I'll say it anyway. The price of the car depreciates. The price of maintenance doesn't. My CL costs me around $5k a year to maintain. It is in right now for its annual spa week at the local shop getting an ABC pump and some transmission mounts. Once they get out of warranty, you have to pay to play.

CharlyE500

05 SL55 40K miles for $27K ? that must be SALVAGE.
Remember, what you pay what you get. 05 SL55 still $35K+
And for $5K a year maintenance since 08 ? man.... you should change your dealer or something must be really wrong.

weasel_atty

The SL55 is not salvage. A pretty nice car with a clean history that someone who had gotten to old to drive wanted rid of. I don't explain it, I just report it.

$5k? Easy. $1400 a year for tires (car eats soft compound tires, but that's part of the fun, right?). And some part breaks basically annually. Last year it was engine mounts, the trunk lid hydraulics, new plugs (that the dealer spent three weeks getting out of the head), and a B service. This year it is the ABC pump, transmission mounts, some door/window seals, and an A service. Over the years I've also replaced the EIS module, door soft closers, door handles, brakes, etc. You do the math.

Becks Imports

I am not on board with a clean 05 SL55 with 40K for $27K. Unpossible.

Bruce

alx

Agreed. Wholesale price is 35k on said car in average condition.

weasel_atty

To which I can only say - um, ok.

Not really my point in any case. I'd still love to have an SL55. It is a great car and a bargain at its current depreciated price in my opinion. But don't think maintenance will be inexpensive. I was suggesting to the OP that he go into this with his eyes open and aware that these cars can be expensive outside warranty.

1995E320Cab

Back in 09 I got a 2005 BMW 745Li fully loaded with 16K miles on it for $25K the car was perfect, they guy just did not use it and dumped it.

This is not the first time I have found deals like this, the deals are out there.

.

weasel_atty

My friend who picked up the SL55 at a bargain is about 3 miles from you in Del Mar. Maybe it has something to do with the close proximity to people in Rancho Santa Fe who buy cars like my kids want toys. They don't really care about money, and they just move on to the next toy.

CharlyE500

So basically your SL55 05 is a trouble car no wonder so cheap for only $27k. I have owned my E55 so far only oil change and battery for the last 3 years. Oh, last Saturday took it to dealer for the stupid engine mounts. Are you sure you didn't got a lemon car or its only a SL500 ???
$27K for 05 SL55 even lower than Auction price.

CharlyE500

For rich people they just go to dealer "Trade in" secure payment etc.......
I am sure dealer pay at least the same money for 05 SL55

weasel_atty

Read it all again. I have an '03 CL55. The SL belongs to a friend. I'm not at all sure my CL is a "trouble car." All of the issues I've had seem to be fairly common - ABC, EIS, trunk hydraulics, etc. Just look at the posts on this site for goodness sake. I have another friend with the same year CL55 as mine, bought from the same dealer within a month of mine. He has had essentially the same issues.

I'm ever so happy that your E55 is trouble free. I wouldn't have an E class for free. Just don't like them.

Well, ok. Maybe for free. But they are nothing compared to a CL. IMO.

I'm not sure what is with you guys. A pal got a good deal on an SL. I think I know an AMG mill when I see one. The fact that you can't get the same deal doesn't mean he didn't.

Also not sure why you guys think $5k/yr is an outrageous cost for maintaining one of these. Priced out a set of Pilot Sports lately? They last about 8,000 miles. Throw in some brakes, an A service (which is basically the worlds most expensive inspection) and maybe a broken wiring harness in the door, a pedal sensor that is acting up, an injector or two, or a soft closer that doesn't close, and it's going to be pretty close. Hell, it's $200 just to buy the headlamp bulbs when they turn a lovely shade of purple. And I have found it surprisingly hard to get an independent that even wants to deal with a car this complicated. Not much interest from indys in tackling the ABC system. If yours doesn't cost that much, then good on you.