Last edit by: IB Nolan
Table of Contents "S55's Endless Build Thread"
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
I finally bought it Fellas!
#1801
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Maybe in LA the prices are cheaper and quantity is more plentiful. But in my area there isnt a single one selling for under $21000.
http://portland.craigslist.org/searc...edes-benz+s550
http://portland.craigslist.org/searc...edes-benz+s550
#1802
MBWorld Fanatic!
i think you're in denial my friend. Bottom line is that you can get a similar car with a clean title and similar issues/wear/tear for around $15k. Doesn't matter if it's in LA or Portland. You had the wreck shipped from NY, I'm sure you would have flown down to LA and drove the car back to WA if you actually did your homework before buying the wreck
#1803
Member
Yes, I'd agree with Benzs55 about the available numbers near him.
But I'd imagine that the NY market (and not the portland) would be easily the same as LA ?
But I'd imagine that the NY market (and not the portland) would be easily the same as LA ?
#1804
Member
Airmatic suspension uses rubber airbags which WILL fail over time... hard driving or not.
If he's only just replaced for the first time at 110-120k all four bags, thats more than I expect from them (80 to 100k) to last...
And as part of the price of ownership, you get the awesome privilege of paying between 2-3k per FRONT pair and 1-2k per back.. (halve it if you're doing the work yourself but i hear the fronts are PITA to do, at least on my W251. I do know mine were replaced less than 20k ago)
And thats not counting air compressor (1.5-2k), lines, et all ... much fun
Do you know if / when Cede's bags were ever done?
Last edited by JonMac; 04-12-2016 at 03:57 PM.
#1805
MBWorld Fanatic!
Maybe in LA the prices are cheaper and quantity is more plentiful. But in my area there isnt a single one selling for under $21000.
http://portland.craigslist.org/searc...edes-benz+s550
http://portland.craigslist.org/searc...edes-benz+s550
Maybe you should be buying them for 13000 and selling them for 18000.
(Oh dear god, please forgive me for even putting this thought in his head)
#1806
MBWorld Fanatic!
he doesn't have $1500 to get his fixed. what makes you think he's got $13k to buy another one to flip?
#1807
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
There are almost no S550s on Copart around here. I had a choice to wait, but if I did the prices would increase for the summer season.
Around this time, the damages are greater due to less rain/snow. More attractive cars also get a greater audience at the auction.
#1808
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
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364 Posts
2015 S550
Unicorn 1: 123k miles. I do like the AMG package though. AMG packages are driven harder then standard because racey people are drawn to it.(not you DaveW). If all four struts were replaced then it solidified my suspicion of hard driving.
Unicorn 2: Int/Ext colors are a good balance, but both of which I wouldn't choose. Don't like that it has aftermarket rims. Seems like a younger/show off drove it which tells me it was driven harder then an older gentleman would. 103k miles is around the cut off point, but right for the price.
Unicorn 3: 131k miles/Dealer asking $15,900 (price excludes tax, license, doc)
If there isn't anything to fix/work on to get it into shape, then to me it has less sentimental value. The color and mileage has to be right aswell.
I would much rather have enjoy a salvaged title car with lower mileage then sweat bullets as I watch the odometer go up after 100k miles.
A clean title does not mean the car was driven/taken car of better.
Unicorn 2: Int/Ext colors are a good balance, but both of which I wouldn't choose. Don't like that it has aftermarket rims. Seems like a younger/show off drove it which tells me it was driven harder then an older gentleman would. 103k miles is around the cut off point, but right for the price.
Unicorn 3: 131k miles/Dealer asking $15,900 (price excludes tax, license, doc)
If there isn't anything to fix/work on to get it into shape, then to me it has less sentimental value. The color and mileage has to be right aswell.
I would much rather have enjoy a salvaged title car with lower mileage then sweat bullets as I watch the odometer go up after 100k miles.
A clean title does not mean the car was driven/taken car of better.
2. Colors are fugly inside and out. I wouldn't consider this car no matter how cheap, although I'd certainly take it over a salvage car if I was forced to buy one or the other.
3. With a dealer selling it, then it has to meet at least minimum standards. Still better than your wreck, even if it doesn't have a fully documented service history. It also means that you can likely negotiate the price lower.
You purchased a NY wreck which has likely taken a lot of abuse and sustained lots of salt baths over the last 9 years. Then to top if off it's a damaged car without a service history that had a CEL with misfire codes and hasn't been properly scanned to see what else is wrong with it. Even if you get the body straightened out and looking good and get the engine issues resolved, it still wouldn't be worth more than what you paid for it at the auction. I understand about you wanting to take on a project and are now aware that it is a loss leader. But there's no reason why you shouldn't be spending $150 to have the car fully scanned and inspected and a proper Benz facility so you know what unknown issues you will need to address.
#1809
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Just wanted to give you a heads up on this one in case you're not aware...
Airmatic suspension uses rubber airbags which WILL fail over time... hard driving or not.
If he's only just replaced for the first time at 110-120k all four bags, thats more than I expect from them (80 to 100k) to last...
And as part of the price of ownership, you get the awesome privilege of paying between 2-3k per FRONT pair and 1-2k per back.. (halve it if you're doing the work yourself but i hear the fronts are PITA to do, at least on my W251. I do know mine were replaced less than 20k ago)
And thats not counting air compressor (1.5-2k), lines, et all ... much fun
Do you know if / when Cede's bags were ever done?
Airmatic suspension uses rubber airbags which WILL fail over time... hard driving or not.
If he's only just replaced for the first time at 110-120k all four bags, thats more than I expect from them (80 to 100k) to last...
And as part of the price of ownership, you get the awesome privilege of paying between 2-3k per FRONT pair and 1-2k per back.. (halve it if you're doing the work yourself but i hear the fronts are PITA to do, at least on my W251. I do know mine were replaced less than 20k ago)
And thats not counting air compressor (1.5-2k), lines, et all ... much fun
Do you know if / when Cede's bags were ever done?
#1810
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
1. Pretty stupid assumption about AMG bodied cars being driven harder. It's the same motor with a factory body option package. I'd take that higher mileage car over your non-documented POS in a heartbeat (even if yours wasn't a wreck), especially since it has full maintenance records with the all air struts being replaced recently. The air struts are subject to failure in all of these cars no matter how hard they are driven. It's the nature of the car.
2. Colors are fugly inside and out. I wouldn't consider this car no matter how cheap, although I'd certainly take it over a salvage car if I was forced to buy one or the other.
3. With a dealer selling it, then it has to meet at least minimum standards. Still better than your wreck, even if it doesn't have a fully documented service history. It also means that you can likely negotiate the price lower.
You purchased a NY wreck which has likely taken a lot of abuse and sustained lots of salt baths over the last 9 years. Then to top if off it's a damaged car without a service history that had a CEL with misfire codes and hasn't been properly scanned to see what else is wrong with it. Even if you get the body straightened out and looking good and get the engine issues resolved, it still wouldn't be worth more than what you paid for it at the auction. I understand about you wanting to take on a project and are now aware that it is a loss leader. But there's no reason why you shouldn't be spending $150 to have the car fully scanned and inspected and a proper Benz facility so you know what unknown issues you will need to address.
2. Colors are fugly inside and out. I wouldn't consider this car no matter how cheap, although I'd certainly take it over a salvage car if I was forced to buy one or the other.
3. With a dealer selling it, then it has to meet at least minimum standards. Still better than your wreck, even if it doesn't have a fully documented service history. It also means that you can likely negotiate the price lower.
You purchased a NY wreck which has likely taken a lot of abuse and sustained lots of salt baths over the last 9 years. Then to top if off it's a damaged car without a service history that had a CEL with misfire codes and hasn't been properly scanned to see what else is wrong with it. Even if you get the body straightened out and looking good and get the engine issues resolved, it still wouldn't be worth more than what you paid for it at the auction. I understand about you wanting to take on a project and are now aware that it is a loss leader. But there's no reason why you shouldn't be spending $150 to have the car fully scanned and inspected and a proper Benz facility so you know what unknown issues you will need to address.
I'm embarrassed to take it to the MB dealer in its current state. When I took it to the dealer last time to get the service history, I peeked outside and two dudes in suites were pointing and giggling at the rear. lmao
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; 04-12-2016 at 05:53 PM.
#1811
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
...Wheres Mike?
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; 04-12-2016 at 05:58 PM.
#1812
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 477 Likes
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2015 S550
Dave, you know from earlier posts that the misfires occurred from bad spark plugs.
I'm embarrassed to take it to the MB dealer in its current state. When I took it to the dealer last time to get the service history, I peeked outside and two dudes in suites were pointing and giggling at the rear. lmao
I'm embarrassed to take it to the MB dealer in its current state. When I took it to the dealer last time to get the service history, I peeked outside and two dudes in suites were pointing and giggling at the rear. lmao
There's a lot more going on with your car than you know. But you'll never know because you're afraid to drive it to your local dealer. Interestingly, you're not afraid to drive it without insurance with hundreds of other drivers around.
#1813
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 477 Likes
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364 Posts
2015 S550
You just reminded him that he needs to tune up his lawnmower. Hopefully he won't be embarrassed to take it in for a tuneup with the chipped paint and stuck on grass clippings.
#1814
Senior Member
#1815
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Yes, it's definitely better to keep embarrassing yourself over and over again within the safety net of an internet forum instead of facing the dealer for an hour because you're embarrassed to let them see your smashed rear end. I'm sure they've never seen a MB roll through their dealership with any body damage in the past.
There's a lot more going on with your car than you know. But you'll never know because you're afraid to drive it to your local dealer. Interestingly, you're not afraid to drive it without insurance with hundreds of other drivers around.
There's a lot more going on with your car than you know. But you'll never know because you're afraid to drive it to your local dealer. Interestingly, you're not afraid to drive it without insurance with hundreds of other drivers around.
And so Mike wouldn't boycott the thread. But WTF, he bounced to the W205 forum anyways.
#1822
Super Member
hey
Dave, you know from earlier posts that the misfires occurred from bad spark plugs.
I'm embarrassed to take it to the MB dealer in its current state. When I took it to the dealer last time to get the service history, I peeked outside and two dudes in suites were pointing and giggling at the rear. lmao
I'm embarrassed to take it to the MB dealer in its current state. When I took it to the dealer last time to get the service history, I peeked outside and two dudes in suites were pointing and giggling at the rear. lmao