Need Advice Please - WTB E63 or S550
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
2007 E350 4MATIC
Need Advice Please - WTB E63 or S550
Hi everyone.
Need advice on how I go about finding a well maintained 2007 -> 2009 S550 or E63. Preferably the E63.
I currently own an E350, but I have the urge for better performance and more mod potential. Don't want to go new, though...not crazy about the new body styles.
I see a lot of posts on CPO vehicles through dealerships, auctions and private sellers. Gets confusing.
I'd really appreciate any opinions/help anyone might have on the best way to find a solid vehicle at a reasonable price. Maybe share your experience for how you went about it. Would also appreciate recommendations where I would start to look, or some one you've worked with in the past that was fair and honest, who to avoid and what mistakes I should try to prevent.
I'm not so worried about the up-front cost(s) as I am with getting a lemon or a repair nightmare (understand there are no guarantees when buying used - but want to minimize this if I can). I will do the Carfax check for sure.
I will also be selling my E350 and plan to do so at a very aggressive price. It is mint, has a CPO warranty, runs like a champ. A seriously beautiful car.
What's most important to me for the new one:
1) Lower miles,
2) Black or grey,
3) Clean maintenance history with no major repairs,
4) Prefer excellent condition (interior and exterior).
Thanks!
Need advice on how I go about finding a well maintained 2007 -> 2009 S550 or E63. Preferably the E63.
I currently own an E350, but I have the urge for better performance and more mod potential. Don't want to go new, though...not crazy about the new body styles.
I see a lot of posts on CPO vehicles through dealerships, auctions and private sellers. Gets confusing.
I'd really appreciate any opinions/help anyone might have on the best way to find a solid vehicle at a reasonable price. Maybe share your experience for how you went about it. Would also appreciate recommendations where I would start to look, or some one you've worked with in the past that was fair and honest, who to avoid and what mistakes I should try to prevent.
I'm not so worried about the up-front cost(s) as I am with getting a lemon or a repair nightmare (understand there are no guarantees when buying used - but want to minimize this if I can). I will do the Carfax check for sure.
I will also be selling my E350 and plan to do so at a very aggressive price. It is mint, has a CPO warranty, runs like a champ. A seriously beautiful car.
What's most important to me for the new one:
1) Lower miles,
2) Black or grey,
3) Clean maintenance history with no major repairs,
4) Prefer excellent condition (interior and exterior).
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
E63 and the S550 are two different cars. If you want mainly performance, the E63 is a better choice. The S is bigger, more luxurious, and heavier. But it does have ABC and a lot of nice perks.
You might find the E63 to be more nimble and performance oriented. It's still very comfortable. I went from a E350 to a 2009 E63 because I was bored with driving it. The E350 is a great basic DD, but not very exciting, imho. Sort of like a RWD version of a Volvo S80.
I picked up a (new) 2009 E63 because I also wasn't enamored with the new body style. And this spring, they started to heavily discount the 2009 left over AMGs.
The 2009 does have the latest COMAND system, which is a plus. It is HDD based and has the new nav and VC. It's worth it, imho, to look for a 2009.
Not a lot of mods for the n/a motor of the E63 (compared to the E55.) But there are some decent bolt-ons and stuff will be coming (but there's just not a lot of demand.) Renntech, Kleemann, Evosport, etc..
I'd shop at a dealer for a good one still in warranty, of course. And bargain to get a ELW added on. Otherwise, go private party and not pay retail. But be certain to get a complete PPI. It's worth the $$. I'd even do it if I found one under warranty at a dealer's. It's just not worth the headache; no fun having the car in the shop even if it is covered under warranty.
I think you'll like the AMG. They're a great combo of comfort cruising and performance.
Also, post in the W211 AMG boards. You'll get a lot of good advice there from some members who know their stuff.
You might find the E63 to be more nimble and performance oriented. It's still very comfortable. I went from a E350 to a 2009 E63 because I was bored with driving it. The E350 is a great basic DD, but not very exciting, imho. Sort of like a RWD version of a Volvo S80.
I picked up a (new) 2009 E63 because I also wasn't enamored with the new body style. And this spring, they started to heavily discount the 2009 left over AMGs.
The 2009 does have the latest COMAND system, which is a plus. It is HDD based and has the new nav and VC. It's worth it, imho, to look for a 2009.
Not a lot of mods for the n/a motor of the E63 (compared to the E55.) But there are some decent bolt-ons and stuff will be coming (but there's just not a lot of demand.) Renntech, Kleemann, Evosport, etc..
I'd shop at a dealer for a good one still in warranty, of course. And bargain to get a ELW added on. Otherwise, go private party and not pay retail. But be certain to get a complete PPI. It's worth the $$. I'd even do it if I found one under warranty at a dealer's. It's just not worth the headache; no fun having the car in the shop even if it is covered under warranty.
I think you'll like the AMG. They're a great combo of comfort cruising and performance.
Also, post in the W211 AMG boards. You'll get a lot of good advice there from some members who know their stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
If you want performance then get the E63. The S550 is just a yacht on wheels pretty much. And there are better deals out on the 07 - 09 E, than the 07 - 09 S. You'll love the E63, it's one h*ll of a car.
There aren't too many mods for the 63 engine vs the 55 just as 220S said, but how much more power do you need, if any. The 63's also sound amazing compared to the 55's. Cut the resonator off and it's even better.
There aren't too many mods for the 63 engine vs the 55 just as 220S said, but how much more power do you need, if any. The 63's also sound amazing compared to the 55's. Cut the resonator off and it's even better.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor, MI
2007 E350 4MATIC
Thanks! I really appreciate both of your thoughts.
Actually went to a dealer this am and found a nice E63. Almost bought it until the dealer told me what they'd offer for my car. Truthfully I knew this would be the case with a dealer but was astounded at how little they wanted to offer me for my car. I live in the real world and know they make great $$$ on a trade-in, but this was so excessive.
Actually I was very po'd and decided I had nothing better to do so have been playing around with them since ealry this morning. Told them I would be back by 1pm with my wife, to hold the car and get it cleaned up, and she would probably give me the green light (emphasized "would probably" so there was no verbal commitment). It's past 2:30pm and he's called 5x. LMAO. I keep telling him I'm waiting for my wife to get home and we'll be right over.
He just called again and I told him to stick that car. He sounded very confused and then we had this long debate regarding "value". It's like they talk out of both sides of their mouths. On one hand the cars they have on the lot always have the kbb or NADA print-out of the retail value. And they are a great deal. But then the car you are trying to trade is never worth even close to the trade-in value because of a multitude of reasons.
He said he could probably get their manager to take an add'l $1000 of the AMG. I told him to add a zero and we have a deal. And I'll take what they offered me for my E350 (it is a mint condition 2007, 4MATIC, low miles, new Michelins and they offered me $20,000!). Crooks.
Actually went to a dealer this am and found a nice E63. Almost bought it until the dealer told me what they'd offer for my car. Truthfully I knew this would be the case with a dealer but was astounded at how little they wanted to offer me for my car. I live in the real world and know they make great $$$ on a trade-in, but this was so excessive.
Actually I was very po'd and decided I had nothing better to do so have been playing around with them since ealry this morning. Told them I would be back by 1pm with my wife, to hold the car and get it cleaned up, and she would probably give me the green light (emphasized "would probably" so there was no verbal commitment). It's past 2:30pm and he's called 5x. LMAO. I keep telling him I'm waiting for my wife to get home and we'll be right over.
He just called again and I told him to stick that car. He sounded very confused and then we had this long debate regarding "value". It's like they talk out of both sides of their mouths. On one hand the cars they have on the lot always have the kbb or NADA print-out of the retail value. And they are a great deal. But then the car you are trying to trade is never worth even close to the trade-in value because of a multitude of reasons.
He said he could probably get their manager to take an add'l $1000 of the AMG. I told him to add a zero and we have a deal. And I'll take what they offered me for my E350 (it is a mint condition 2007, 4MATIC, low miles, new Michelins and they offered me $20,000!). Crooks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
They gotta cover their butts in case they send it to auction (~20k is about right.) Plus they're playing you to see how you react. There's a lot of E350s out there. And the W212 is here now, too. But it's about a 37k retail car. So figure you have a 17k space from low wholesale to full retail.
My 2 cents is to get a good price on the AMG first (don't even mention trade in) You should be able to pull a big discount (which was one reason I went for a new 2009.) The W212 E63 is also here now, too. Trouble with used is that they're one of a kind and the salesperson knows that. New ones are at every dealer, and so they know you'll shop for the best price.
But don't expect much. I sold my E350 to a relative (on a payment plan, even.) Stick it in Autotrader and try it on your own.
Good luck
My 2 cents is to get a good price on the AMG first (don't even mention trade in) You should be able to pull a big discount (which was one reason I went for a new 2009.) The W212 E63 is also here now, too. Trouble with used is that they're one of a kind and the salesperson knows that. New ones are at every dealer, and so they know you'll shop for the best price.
But don't expect much. I sold my E350 to a relative (on a payment plan, even.) Stick it in Autotrader and try it on your own.
Good luck
Last edited by 220S; Nov 11, 2009 at 02:03 AM.
