Pepsiguru

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking on here for a bit now and have a question for those that have experience with the AMG S55.

How are they when it comes to reliablility ? I'm looking to get myself into a 2005 or 2006 AMG S55. I currently drive a 2008 Infiniti G37S Coupe but think its time to grow up a bit. Need comfort but also performance. The coupe is fun but I want a sedan.

So anyway, can you guys give me insights as to what to look for, what to expect ?

Thanks for the help.

DRTYLNDY

Hello.
Well let me say that MB is not the most reliable car out there by any means. But if you are a true car enthusiast you will LOVE the S55! It is beautiful, sexy and fast as hell. It will make you proud each day you go out and get to drive it. Yesterday at the MB dealership I got an oil change and when they pulled it up for me I was like WOW that is my car! All the SA's were standing around looking at my car as well and saying how beautiful my car really is. I never regret anything about buying this car. Well maybe that I should have got an S65!!! Go drive a S55 and it is like a drug you WILL be hooked. I absolutely love the chirp the belt makes when the Kompressor kicks in it is very addictive.
Johan

sprins

An S55 AMG is a great car, and there are good deals to be had in these times. The downside of the S55 is the expensive bills if something breaks down. The ABC hydraulic suspension or electronics for example are expensive to fix. An (extended) warranty might be a good idea if available.

My taxi:

FloridaE55

Exactly. There are a few CPOed ones out there. I bet you could get the dealership to throw in the extra 2 years of warranty and there you have it:

A CPOed S55 with 3 years/100K warranty for about $40K. Not too bad..

Right now, there is a nice black on tan on Autotrader, all options except Distronic, even comes with the rare seating-package with the rear-console, MY 2005, 26K miles, $45K.

iluvmys65amg

I bet if you wait a lil bit longer..you'll get a S65 at that price!!


Which sucks since I own a 08 S65 which I paid $195 grand for and I bet its prob worth $100k now!!

Viper55

It is pretty insane how fast they drop. An 06 S65 AMG is ~$58-65k from $175k new.

FloridaE55

Yeah, I was thinking about getting a 07 S65 in September for $85K (Hmm, probably even less..) but after looking at the prices for the 05/06 S65s/CL65s, I guess I might start with one of these. It's just a steal to get a car like that between $40 and $50K (I must find one with warranty though). There is still time to upgrade to the newer model 2 years later.

FloridaE55

Nah, much too expensive..

Here's one, still under factory warranty, for $50k:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=2124

iluvmys65amg

+1..That is true!

Fraser

Wow, that's practically stealing it!

nesh360

i just bought a 2003 S 55 and i still cant get over how fast this car is i love it

i_am_amused

Correction: a warranty is mandatory unless you are a wealthy fool or an MB mechanic with access to tools and cheap parts.

There is great potential for repair bills that will far exceed the cost of a warranty. Just ABC repairs can run *easily* $4K. I had (only!) two struts replaced and it was $3,400. Double that, then (almost) double it again, and you have the cost of repairing the entire ABC system (extreme example).

Fraser

Thought the prices being banded around were on the high side before seeing my own post and realising the date of the thread!

A warranty really is necessary on these cars. I've had my '04 600 for seven months now and even the little things have added up; driver's seat heater/cooling element, a parktronic sensor, driver's door handle for Keyless Go, the little AC fan in the rear view mirror and one dead TPMS sensor. All mine was covered by CPO so didn't cost a dime but I've still got one of the Chrysler warranties.

The potential expense is what scares a lot of people of these vehicles, hence, the precipitous drop in value, but if you know the workrounds you can enjoy $150k motoring for Camry money