Differences between different years of G55
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From: Texas
1998 C230, 2008 C300 Sport
Differences between different years of G55
I've been itching to buy a G-wagen for several years and am finally serious about making a purchase, as my husband and I are starting a family and find ourselves needing something bigger than our 2 C-Classes and '67 Mustang coupe. My brother has gotten me more into 80's-era G's, which I love (I was this close to bidding on this one and was ready to go up to $40k on it), but they've been popping up fewer and far between. Plus parts and maintenance that come with the age, etc...
Anyway, I've been looking more at early 2000's models and noticed some years are priced significantly more/less than those a few years after/before. Not a great example of what I mean by "significant,", but a doing a quick search just now came up with a 2002 G500 with 143k miles for $40k, a 2003 G55 with 216k miles for $33.9k, and a 2008 G500 with 109k miles for $42.9k. I'm specifically thinking about buying this truck. We're big AMG enthusiasts and would 100% rather go with an older G55 than a newer G550. My husband has been talking with the dealership for a couple days and wants to put down the deposit tomorrow, but I'm wondering if there is anything about certain years of vehicles I should be weary about and why this one is so moderately priced when AMGs are typically less affordable. We will be paying cash, so the price is right for what we can afford right now, and maybe in a year or two we'll trade it out for a newer one in the $60's range. We're waiting on videos and pictures of a list of things, but does this one seem like a good buy from what is shown?
Anyway, I've been looking more at early 2000's models and noticed some years are priced significantly more/less than those a few years after/before. Not a great example of what I mean by "significant,", but a doing a quick search just now came up with a 2002 G500 with 143k miles for $40k, a 2003 G55 with 216k miles for $33.9k, and a 2008 G500 with 109k miles for $42.9k. I'm specifically thinking about buying this truck. We're big AMG enthusiasts and would 100% rather go with an older G55 than a newer G550. My husband has been talking with the dealership for a couple days and wants to put down the deposit tomorrow, but I'm wondering if there is anything about certain years of vehicles I should be weary about and why this one is so moderately priced when AMGs are typically less affordable. We will be paying cash, so the price is right for what we can afford right now, and maybe in a year or two we'll trade it out for a newer one in the $60's range. We're waiting on videos and pictures of a list of things, but does this one seem like a good buy from what is shown?
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From: Northern Virginia
1994 E500, 2002 E320 wagon
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From: NJ/NYC
2005 G55K
2003-2004 G55's have the naturally aspirated 5.4L version of the M113k.
The 2002 G500 with 143k miles for $40k seems priced high - or maybe just about right for today's market.
The 2008 G500 with 109k miles for $42.9k seems priced low
The 2003 G55 with 216k miles for $33.9k seems priced low - probably due to the higher miles.
216k is a lot of miles. Inspection of all wear items will be very important (bushings, steering links, swivel ball seals, rear main seal, valve cover and breather gaskets, steering box), and checking everywhere for rust (windshield area, lower doors, around windows, lower rockers, top and bottom of all 5 doors, frame, etc). Inspecting the drivetrain takes more expertise as you'll want to make sure the seals aren't leaking, the grease and fluid changes are up to date, the kingpin and axle bearings don't have any play, etc. Any real drivetrain issue will be a $5k repair bill.
These early G55's are known to have very harsh suspension (basically the worst suspension in terms of comfort in known existence). You'll have to add to the budget to switch out the shocks and springs - Can be ~$1k for G500 springs and OE replacement shocks and go up from there. My 2005 G55 had a 'softer' suspension setup (only slightly) and it felt like I was riding on the bump stops, feeling every small crack and pebble in the road. Not a good type of harsh as in good handling, the G does not handle well at all compared to anything else.
Good luck on your search/purchasing. We got our G as a 'family vehicle' also and the back cargo area works great for storing the baby/kids stuff, but the rear seats are pretty small overall so there will be sacrifices. Rear facing kids seats will basically barely fit behind either front seat and door entry size/angle in the rear is also pretty challenging. The height of the G is also another weird thing, lifting kids/seats/stuff into the back. Even with all these faults, I'm still very happy with the G purchase for our family vehicle and my wife loves it as it's her DD.
The 2002 G500 with 143k miles for $40k seems priced high - or maybe just about right for today's market.
The 2008 G500 with 109k miles for $42.9k seems priced low
The 2003 G55 with 216k miles for $33.9k seems priced low - probably due to the higher miles.
216k is a lot of miles. Inspection of all wear items will be very important (bushings, steering links, swivel ball seals, rear main seal, valve cover and breather gaskets, steering box), and checking everywhere for rust (windshield area, lower doors, around windows, lower rockers, top and bottom of all 5 doors, frame, etc). Inspecting the drivetrain takes more expertise as you'll want to make sure the seals aren't leaking, the grease and fluid changes are up to date, the kingpin and axle bearings don't have any play, etc. Any real drivetrain issue will be a $5k repair bill.
These early G55's are known to have very harsh suspension (basically the worst suspension in terms of comfort in known existence). You'll have to add to the budget to switch out the shocks and springs - Can be ~$1k for G500 springs and OE replacement shocks and go up from there. My 2005 G55 had a 'softer' suspension setup (only slightly) and it felt like I was riding on the bump stops, feeling every small crack and pebble in the road. Not a good type of harsh as in good handling, the G does not handle well at all compared to anything else.
Good luck on your search/purchasing. We got our G as a 'family vehicle' also and the back cargo area works great for storing the baby/kids stuff, but the rear seats are pretty small overall so there will be sacrifices. Rear facing kids seats will basically barely fit behind either front seat and door entry size/angle in the rear is also pretty challenging. The height of the G is also another weird thing, lifting kids/seats/stuff into the back. Even with all these faults, I'm still very happy with the G purchase for our family vehicle and my wife loves it as it's her DD.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Houston, TX
Built 2008 G55 & one big 80 Series LandCruiser !
Welcome to the G world.... the 55's are unique in my opinion over the 500's and 63's in that they offer the power, acceptable pricing and are fairly readily avail.....I loved my 63' but options to modify it were limited....
that said the 55's are older and service history and pending deferred maint or seemingly minor issues can rapidly lead to $$$$..... and lot's have had multiple owners who ran them, but didn't love on them....and in many cases I found damage didn't show on a carfax as the PO owner could afford to pay for repairs out of pocket..... so don't put much into carfax.
to me the 08-11's are the best of breed.... but at times there aren't many on the market, especially if you don't want black or white.... it took me 6-8 months to find ours, and it turns out not to be without some un-expected issues....
Cheers
E
that said the 55's are older and service history and pending deferred maint or seemingly minor issues can rapidly lead to $$$$..... and lot's have had multiple owners who ran them, but didn't love on them....and in many cases I found damage didn't show on a carfax as the PO owner could afford to pay for repairs out of pocket..... so don't put much into carfax.
to me the 08-11's are the best of breed.... but at times there aren't many on the market, especially if you don't want black or white.... it took me 6-8 months to find ours, and it turns out not to be without some un-expected issues....
Cheers
E
