E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Whats to look for!

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Old Mar 31, 2007 | 07:17 PM
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Whats to look for!

Hey everyone, I am considering purchasing a 2003-2005 E55 in the coming months. I want to know what to look for, any recalls? Any info I get would be great. Thanks in advance.
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Old Mar 31, 2007 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by EdoubleNickel
Hey everyone, I am considering purchasing a 2003-2005 E55 in the coming months. I want to know what to look for, any recalls? Any info I get would be great. Thanks in advance.
First of all don't get a 2003 (First year sucked, too many issues and you most likely won't have nav).
Secondly, have someone run the service record for the vehicle for you and see the work it has had done. Some of those cars 03s and 04s should have been bought back by all rights. Things like battery problems and other electrical, nothing you'd be able to look out for by checking the car.
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Old Mar 31, 2007 | 08:28 PM
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.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
you might want to ask this question at AMG forum.

As far as regular W211, seems few people stating 03 are trouble cars.
I don't think it is entirely true!!!!

All of them are still under warranty (unless you shop for high mileage model) And most problem should have already been fixed by previous owners.

Regardless which model years, instead of your own guessing, I would only suggest spending extra $250 for full check up at the dealership if buying pre-own. ( I am cheap, but I never skip that $250 if I am buying pre-own )

I have a friend who bought a pre-own 2003, extremely mint condition all around. But after bring it to dealership for full check up, only to find out previous owner NEVER done any of 5 recalls !!!!!!! ( of course, after completed all the recall work for free, she is extremely happy and never give her single problem since )
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 01:08 AM
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SOLD 04 E55 Now 93 w124 3.2 sold W210 E55 sold waiting on W211 E63 p030
Thanks for all the information... I have owned Japanese for most of my life... and now I am thinking about going GERMAN. I was looking at 03-04 because thats what I can afford. I was wondeing how many recalls the car has(AMG),
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 01:27 AM
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.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by EdoubleNickel
Thanks for all the information... I have owned Japanese for most of my life... and now I am thinking about going GERMAN. I was looking at 03-04 because thats what I can afford. I was wondeing how many recalls the car has(AMG),
Again, AMG or regular. If you like the car and think it is a good deal.
Ask the owner or used lot dealer let you take the car to Mercedes Dealership for full check up out of your own pocket. ( I don't quite trust previous owner, nor used car lot, why do you think they are selling? )

Once you are in the dealership, they can simply find out the history of the car by its VIN number. ( not all the same model year has same recall )
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 03:19 AM
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Make sure you post in the E55 forum, as the W211 folks aren't quite up to speed

ALL '03 and early '04 W211s run a higher risk of issues that will never be resolved. It has nothing to do with the AMG part.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by no_clue
Again, AMG or regular. If you like the car and think it is a good deal.
Ask the owner or used lot dealer let you take the car to Mercedes Dealership for full check up out of your own pocket. ( I don't quite trust previous owner, nor used car lot, why do you think they are selling? )

Once you are in the dealership, they can simply find out the history of the car by its VIN number. ( not all the same model year has same recall )
Isn't this called a VMI or something like that? If you request the dealership to pull down this information, do they normally do that? How much does this normally cost?
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 05:56 AM
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.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by WEBSRFR
Isn't this called a VMI or something like that? If you request the dealership to pull down this information, do they normally do that? How much does this normally cost?
If you have the car with you, then, VIN history look up by service advisor is free.

At least this is what happen at ASC, Virginia and Bellevue, Washington.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 11:42 AM
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Some early E's spent an ungodly amount of time in the Service Department, some were good, low maintenance vehicles. The amount of optional equipment might have had something to do with it. But definitely have the dealer run the service history for you.

A low number of visits and repairs is what you want to see.

When these cars are in fully functioning contition they are great!
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 01:53 PM
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Keep them coming... Thanks.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by no_clue
If you have the car with you, then, VIN history look up by service advisor is free.

At least this is what happen at ASC, Virginia and Bellevue, Washington.
Thanks! I've never dealt with American Service Center before but will keep it in mind. A friend bought his car there and likes how they come to his office for service pickups by leaving a loaner car for him and driving his car to the dealership and vice versa when the service is done.

Now that's good service and how loaner vehicles should be handled! I am not aware of anyone else who offers this service in the DC area.
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by WEBSRFR
Thanks! I've never dealt with American Service Center before but will keep it in mind. A friend bought his car there and likes how they come to his office for service pickups by leaving a loaner car for him and driving his car to the dealership and vice versa when the service is done.

Now that's good service and how loaner vehicles should be handled! I am not aware of anyone else who offers this service in the DC area.
One little thing about ASC is that most of time you don't get Mercedes loaner car. They often give you Enterprise loaners. (right across the street)

Unlike other dealer such as EuroMotor of Bethesda, ASC will give you a loaner car if your car need more than 1 hours of any service.* (usually, the service manager will build up good relationship with you)

* occasionally, a gift card to your service manager can do wonders!!!!!

Now I only wish Mercedes of Bellevue (washington state) has such good customer service.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by no_clue
* occasionally, a gift card to your service manager can do wonders!!!!!
That's a good idea! I usually give mine wine bottles and he seems to like that but I'll try a gift card every once in a while

It really helps to build a good relationship with the service manager!
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