4matic

Hey all,
kind of stuck between a 99' e55 4matic amg and a 2001 e430 4matic. both have about 100,000 miles on them, both prestine. I dont really know what to do here...they are both the same price, 15,000 but im really leaning towards the e430. any suggestions?

ProV1

e55 4matic..?

4matic

yea i know, thats what i thought at first, then i did a little research....Released only in some countries in Europe, the same goes for the 4x4 VR6 Golf with the 2.9l engine. It had about the same figures as the normal E55, and they were made to order,.... a very rare car.
i mean...unless this isnt really an AMG...which could be the case...havent taken that out for a spin, i guess ill have to be the judge of this later this weeeeek!!!!

Musikmann

Although I'd love to own an AMG one day, between those two I'd vote for the E430. That's a lot of miles on the E55 and remember, little old ladies don't buy those. Chances are good that car has a lot of hard miles on it and you undoubtedly will spend more money to keep it running.

4matic

yeah thats exactly what i was thinking....im reallllly leaning towards the 430...

Musikmann

Good Luck!

4matic

thanks musikmann i appreciate it!

Musikmann

Heck, I hadn't thought of that. Some people de-badge and/or re-badge their MBs for whatever reason.

ohlord

way overpriced.So don't get either one
inspect,inspect,inspect
2001 mercedes e430 e series 4-matic 75,000 miles - loaded silver $12395 just dropped to $11995 how low will he go
2001 mercedes e430 e series 4-matic 100000 miles white heated seats leather- $10995obo
2001 MERCEDES E 430 $10,500 90000miles
all ne cars
why pay 15k?
why a 430
why not shop around more and for far less then15tho you could pick up a seriously low mile example.
Are these cars at dealers?
ohlord
somebody badged a 430 4matic as an E55,did you look under the hood?I doubt anyone spent the money to bring a euro spec version stateside.
inspect,inspect,inspect.

4matic

yeah, thanks ohlord....i know for sure i can get it lower, 15k was said, but i know for sure it will be lower...my fault for not specifying...

ohlord

job,get em down where they should be and also keep looking before you jump
inspect

Yacht Master

Call in the VIN, I am sure it is a 430, and not a 55.

acarter53

Apples to apples for condition, go for the newer car.

4matic

the guy trying to sell it was talking about how great of a car the e55 was and i, being young, was just shocked to rly see it, especially at this place...just caught me off guard...now thinking back, it didnt even really look right...the badges on the front driver and passanger doors weren't even present...(not even positive what is says) and the whole body did seem a bit off...i guess this is what happens when your young and nieve...but yea on the e430...im going to get that as low as possible...im getting a test drive tomorrow, ill post the price and how it rides...thanks for everything guys

Tacjam

Everyone says go for the 430.....I say go for an orignal E55. The upgraded leather, the suspension, more power, hand built. Most normal wear and tear parts are shared with the 430, yeah the E55 has power...but I've hardly come accross a trashed E55...I have come accross some pretty bad E420's and 430's. So you put a E430 next to an E55, both are in the same condition and the same price....I truly hope you wouldn't make the mistake of taking the 430. I can't think of ONE advantage a 430 has over a E55, surely not fuel mileage? The E55 will be a solid 13 second car, out running a E430 0-100 back to 0 by 2.8 seconds! Read this article before you decide. Given the prices of E55's today...I think you would be foolish not buy this exclusive sedan over a 430 all things being equal....just my $.02 and a different perspective!


http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/HT..._amg_w210.html

Yacht Master

Tacjam,

I am 99.999999999% sure both are 430s. I think what we have here is an E55 poser car. I do agree with you the 55 would be my first choice too.

Air Marshall Eldritch

People might re-badge an AMG?? I don't believe that!

If I had an apples to apples choice, I'd go for the 55 as well. However, is the OP more interested in racing around or more of a softer touring? And since any warranties are long gone in this case, you'd better check out the mechanicals very carefully. The likelihood of the 55 being ridden hard and put away wet is statistically higher, despite what anyone may claim.

Tacjam

Funny how people make assumptions that E55 owners are hard on thier cars. I think they charish them ALOT more than your typical E430 owner (I can make assumptions as well) Check out the E55 forum, seems like the complaints are MAF, and window regulators...headliner noise. Several have over 100K....I'm not hearing oil leaks...transmission failures..ect, Honestly, I think E55 owners take better care of thier cars than 430 owners.....

JRAMGV8

I'd go E55

Air Marshall Eldritch

Based on what? Would you like to see my service history?

Tacjam

That's my point exactly! How can I make an assumption you don't take care of your car? I can't, you probably love your baby as much as I do. So, saying E55 owners are harder on their cars than 430 owners is BS! What's that based on? A more powerful car is treated worse because it has the power? I will go as far to say...most original E55 were bought to be status symbols rather than race cars. The point I'm making, if you find a pristine E55 and you’re in the market for an E class, then by all means the 55 will be the best choice hands down! Steering anyone away from an E55 because one person’s assumption is crap! I agree the OP car probably isn't an E55, but if he's in the market for an E and he does find a pristine 55...inspect it as you would a E430....don't walk away from it because it's an E55!

W211 BEAST

If the E55 really is a 4matic, go for that, I was wondering yesterday why MB didnt make an E55 4matic, then I read this. If you dont buy it let me know where I can get it, sounds like one hell of a fun car.

ohlord

a percent basis the E55 is probably abused more then the 430.Look at any amg forum,kills,e.t. runs,track days,broken parts,dyno tuning,requests for how to turn off traction control etc.
and the record gets worse the more owners the car has suffered.Finding a low mile well taken care of one owner 430 is far easier then finding the same in a E55.I think it's Newtons third lawor something like that

Tacjam

Seeing how only 500 W210 E55's were imported to the United States each year in production...I suspect you're correct. Finding a low mileage gem is going to be extremely harder. I certainly don't think your talking about the W210 E55 forum...not much if any talk about track days, broken parts..those parts that are talked about you can find the answer to right here in this forum, window regulators, MAF ect....I will concede that is the case for W211 E55' forum, lots of talk about those things, that's not what we're talking about here. I also see quite a few post right here in this forum on how to add more power, turbo, supercharger, chips...ect on E430's and even E320's. Again, I say judge the individual
vehicle. As far as Mileage goes, it appears most W210 E55's right here in our own forum (in the W210 E55 thread) have between 20k and 65k. Mine only having 34K.

ohlord

correct,it's the car and the deal that decide the sale.The biggest factor.....
inspect,inspect,inspect
far too many people buying w210's with major issues,things not working,a/c not blowing cold etc. and then come whining about how to fix or how much it costs to fix
If I were him there is no way I would look at a faked 55 nor a 15 grand 430,unless it was in charleston sc and then it would be a steal
ohlord