mBenz1996

Hello all, before I begin with this thread I wish everyone a Happy New Year as 2014 is ending already if not ended by the time somebody sees this thread. Family comes before anything else, and I mean anything else. I currently own a x308 jaguar x308 and have been itching for more horsepower. After countless Youtube videos, car specs, and kbb research, I have decided that the w211 E55 AMG is within my price range and is also the most car for the money in my opinion. I recently came across a good one with aftermarket wheels that color match the car and overall give it an aggressive look. However, according it is only work 13k on KBB they want 18K for it. What do you guys think? I mean, I can't seem to believe that just because of the rims they want another 5k so I'm thinking of talking them down to 13-14k max. I do realize that at even 18k the car is still within my price range its just that the difference is a little on the high side considering that there are no performance modifications like other ones that I've been seeing and keeping an eye on. BTW, what do you guys think about it? Are there andy specific things that go wrong with this generation/year/mileage at 87,xxx miles? Here is also a pic of the JAG LOL

cetialpha5

What year are you looking at? I'm not seeing too many E55 AMG models for sale in the $13-14k range. I like to use Nadaguide, most insurance companies use it so that if the car is totaled, they only give you retail value. With that in mind, it's hard to pay over retail because if some other bad driver crashes into you, you'd lose whatever extra you paid over book value. Most owners don't really seem to get that and always feel that their car is better than other ones out there which is why they always price it higher. Most of the time you're better off with a dealer, they can give you warranty but sometimes you actually find motivated sellers who won't ask crazy prices.

Basically it all boils down to value, sure if something is really only worth 13k, why would you pay more for it even if you could afford it? The real question here is can you find another one like that for 13k? Either wait for it, or the actual value for the book you're using is wrong.

As for problem areas, they're well discussed in the AMG forum, basically the airmatic system and the SBC brakes, both of which can cost thousands to repair.

slimsol

13k for e55 amg with 87k miles? Thats a great deal

mBenz1996

My thoughts exactly guys, a very good deal indeed. And yes, cetialpha5, I have found others at 13k with 90-97k miles saying that they already fixed the airmatic suspension. Same color same everything as the one I was talking about earlier, except the gorgeous wheels. But still, I'd rather save 5k and lose the one with the wheels. I think I'm going to try to talk them down by mentioning the competitors and the kbb website that I used to find the car values. The years are 2004 btw

beejAMG

wheels are nice, but for 5k, you can do better, wayyyyyy better and you'd still have enough change on your pocket. people dont understand that any modification they add to their car wont add any value to it when they decide to sell it. id walk away.

just want to add, 13k wont even get you an E320 down here. oh well...

AMGAffalterbach

^+1 Mods detract from value and IMO those are some ugly wheels for 5k despite the brand name. Either way, later E55s here in Colorado go for 17 to 18k and it's highly dependent on where you are at. If you can get it for 13 or 14 and everything else is clean (get a PPI!) that is a great deal.

At around 100k you will have a bit of maintenance to do usually including Airmatic which can be expensive but is more manageable with the Arnott lifetime warranty parts... other than that it is sort of dependent on the vehicle. Pics look good though, let us know the outcome and happy new year!

Blitz2639

I work at a dealer and to be completely honest for that age car and mileage, 18k is where I see them being priced all the time through the dealer. I've been looking for one myself to purchase and still have a hard time finding something below 17-20. I also spoke to a wholesaler last week and he told me he was bidding on basically the same car you're talking about but white and it went wholesale for 14. Kbb isn't a reliable source usually for pricing. Here in Florida there is a black book that they use that gives the dealers pricing on the cars and it never is what kbb is. GL finding something.

AMGAffalterbach

NADA > KBB

Stuttgarten

If you could afford a little more and wanna up the ante, check this one out, it's a beauty!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4811646602.html

AMGAffalterbach

^No offense if that's your car or a friend's car, but for some reason that seller seems to think those mods add like 5-6k to the value of his car. While it looks good and I concede I'm not exactly sure of the NADA value for that zip code and mileage, some of those mods are for aesthetic purposes and are really up to personal choice, so I would argue they don't really add to the value of the car. I've been through trying to get money for the work I put into my car and it's honestly just pointless. People will call you out on it all the time as I seem to do myself now.

Still a gorgeous car, probably how I would do it too, but not sure if 30k is worth it.

Stuttgarten

Mine is an '05 E320, your commentary sounds like paranoid delusions

AMGAffalterbach

If you actually look at the content of my comment you will see a decent amount of logic there lol.

Stuttgarten

I see your point, but everybody is trying to make a buck out there, it's supply and demand. Here is another example of someone asking even more, and I swear this is NOT my car or my cousin's Is it worth what he's asking?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4814925625.html

beejAMG

id love to own either one. asking price is the sellers price. ive never known a buyer who didnt haggle. when a serious buyer makes an offer a few k's under the asking price. seller gets his REAL intended price, buyer thinks he got a bargain, everybody wins!

AMGAffalterbach

Yet I ask book for my car on here and everyone explodes lol

beejAMG

Cant please everybody mate, thats just how it is.

AMGAffalterbach

Never truer words. What would an E55 of this condition go for down under? like 30k?

beejAMG

Just under AU$40k, some would even go for under AU$60k. Dont even ask about the E63.

Not meaning to hijack the thread but like whats been said, its a great price for a clean AMG. If i was there i would go straight to the bank and beg for money to buy that white 63! Hahaha

AMGAffalterbach

Not sure about the HRE wheels on that one but agreed, she's a real beauty

beejAMG

Idk, i kinda like it. A bit different. Although wheels is the last thing i look at when buying a used car. That is the easiest thing you can change with the look that you like.