and not look for an AMG car.
Help me Decide please please opinions please.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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500 SL
Help me Decide please please opinions please.
So I have a decision to make, two options:
1. 2003 E500 50,000 miles with Pano, Parktronic, Solar Vent, keyless entry, distronic, Fully optioned seats, and Starmark Warranty to 100,000 miles for $16,000
OR
2. 2003 E55 AMG with 80,000 miles no pan, no keyless, no warranty for $18,000
Push me into number 2, if you think it is worth it for a daily driver and/or perhaps just bang for the buck.
1. 2003 E500 50,000 miles with Pano, Parktronic, Solar Vent, keyless entry, distronic, Fully optioned seats, and Starmark Warranty to 100,000 miles for $16,000
OR
2. 2003 E55 AMG with 80,000 miles no pan, no keyless, no warranty for $18,000
Push me into number 2, if you think it is worth it for a daily driver and/or perhaps just bang for the buck.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
I'd go with 1 because of the starmark warranty. How long is left on it?
Ya, the 03's were really troublesome. 04s better, but still had bugs to work out. The starmark warranty is a very good one (I had it myself).
Ya, the 03's were really troublesome. 04s better, but still had bugs to work out. The starmark warranty is a very good one (I had it myself).
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From: Carlsbad, CA.
2005 E500 Sport
+2 on the 03-04 issues. And unless you've got some serious cash set aside - no deal w/o warrenty. The difference between what you're currently looking at and a car that is a year or so newer will be $90 - $200/mo. on your payment (look for a CPO car), but its alot easier to stomach then having to gag up thousands at once for an unexpected repair.
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From: Monterey, CA
2004 E320
I'd say the E500 with warranty. The options on it make it extra attractive. To me 80000 is sort of a lot and you'll mostly be experiencing this car near or over 100,000! How valuable are the body upgrades, brakes, wheels, and a second off your 0-60 time? Too bad the E55 didn't have less miles...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
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500 SL
I'd say the E500 with warranty. The options on it make it extra attractive. To me 80000 is sort of a lot and you'll mostly be experiencing this car near or over 100,000! How valuable are the body upgrades, brakes, wheels, and a second off your 0-60 time? Too bad the E55 didn't have less miles...
Thanks for the replies so far, one E55 forum guy replied the opposite
, perhaps biased. When you put it that way, 1 second in 0-60 time I think you are right and as novel as it is I go gaga for the Pano roof. I think I should just do the warranty one.I did test drive an E55 today though, man it is scary fast, but who cares while sitting in traffic
.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
Neither. Get a bit newer model (at least an 05), if you shop around you can find a good one at a similar price, make sure you have a good warranty with plenty of miles left or DEEP pockets. The AMG is quicker, but the 500 is no slouch and I am sure that maintenance is probably cheaper as well.
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Neither.
Many cars built before 9/03 on this forum use a defective radiator which has leaked glycol into the tranny causing $$$ damage. Verify build date by ckg. VIN tag.
Unless u can verify the radiator was replaced. (Search for this)
Apart from that, both cars are similar with the exception of Super-Car power and brakes. I think the only issue with the supercharger is the $150 intercooler pump. Apart from that u'll exp. the normal W211 problems on both cars - airmatic, SBC (warranty covered), electronics. So I would choose the E55 knowing that somewhere u'll have to pay $$$ for repairs.
OR u may wish to look at a W210 E55. Cars are pretty much bulletproof. Rust can be an issue...
I've oft. thought of trading my '05 E500 for a W210 E55 due to 50 more hp/torqe and less complications.
U own a V8 so you know how incredible MB V8's are. Now imagine an AMG!
PS, I will own an AMG soon, just because I have to have one in my lifetime!
Many cars built before 9/03 on this forum use a defective radiator which has leaked glycol into the tranny causing $$$ damage. Verify build date by ckg. VIN tag.
Unless u can verify the radiator was replaced. (Search for this)
Apart from that, both cars are similar with the exception of Super-Car power and brakes. I think the only issue with the supercharger is the $150 intercooler pump. Apart from that u'll exp. the normal W211 problems on both cars - airmatic, SBC (warranty covered), electronics. So I would choose the E55 knowing that somewhere u'll have to pay $$$ for repairs.
OR u may wish to look at a W210 E55. Cars are pretty much bulletproof. Rust can be an issue...
I've oft. thought of trading my '05 E500 for a W210 E55 due to 50 more hp/torqe and less complications.
U own a V8 so you know how incredible MB V8's are. Now imagine an AMG!
PS, I will own an AMG soon, just because I have to have one in my lifetime!
Last edited by gnma; Nov 18, 2009 at 09:33 AM.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
...OR u may wish to look at a W210 E55. Cars are pretty much bulletproof. Rust can be an issue...
I've oft. thought of trading my '05 E500 for a W210 E55 due to 50 more hp/torqe and less complications.
U own a V8 so you know how incredible MB V8's are. Now imagine an AMG!
PS, I will own an AMG soon, just because I have to have one in my lifetime!
I've oft. thought of trading my '05 E500 for a W210 E55 due to 50 more hp/torqe and less complications.
U own a V8 so you know how incredible MB V8's are. Now imagine an AMG!
PS, I will own an AMG soon, just because I have to have one in my lifetime!
...Just my opinion but the 210s are just plain, old style 20th Century cars.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
You know, an 07 E550 will give you the same kick in the pants as the W210 E55. By '07 the problems were engineered out of the 211s. Performance will be comperable. The 550 has a magnificent engine... Plus now that the 212s are starting to hit the streets the 210s look kinda old and devoid of any "gee whiz" good looks and content.
...Just my opinion but the 210s are just plain, old style 20th Century cars.
...Just my opinion but the 210s are just plain, old style 20th Century cars.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
Don't buy a 03 or 04 MB E series without a warranty. If you buy a CPO vehicle from a MB Dealer, they give you one year MB CPO warranty and you can buy 1 - 2 more years Extended CPO warranty. If you want to buy an 03 E series, as mentioned, ensure the radiator has been replaced. If not, ask the dealer to replace it as a preventive because they usually will leak causing coolant to get into the transmission and ruin at least the torque converter like it did on my 03 E500 but my CPO warranty covered the repairs.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Super Member
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
