I have an 01 S55 with 130k miles now. I drive about 4k miles a month. Little things happen here and there - alternator went, certain sensors have to be changed, and I stay on top of the maintenance too.

It's not like the LS430- but much better. It's an AMG, fast and exciting to drive - there is more of that dynamic in it over the Lexus.

That's a beautiful car - but just have some money set aside for the maintenance as stuff does pop up. Find a good Mercedes Indy, the dealer is overpriced - but see if you can still get a warranty for this.

 

So if we had an opportunity to buy a high mileage S55 AMG or a much newer (possibly heavier optioned) S500 Designo what would you chose?

 

which ever one has a warranty, its a must for any MBZ, especially ones with ABC. TC

 

Not even in the same category really. The S55 is a supercar and if you like HUGE power and luxury it is the car for you. Years ago I looked at the Lexus myself but it was way to boring for me. The S55 on the other hand is incredible. I just passed the 90K mark and she still puts that huge grin on my face when she lites up in the morning.
I will say the ABC system is a problem for these cars. I just replaced lots of the main ABC parts not to long ago. BUT I still love this car.

 

you are coming from a lexus, one of the most reliable cars on earth. I'd buy the s500 with lower miles, drive it for a couple of years, see how you feel about the benz driving experience vs the lexus and see if you think it is worth the extra cost to you. The 500 is way nicer to drive than the Lexus, but the 55 is way nicer to drive than the 500. The 55 will cost significantly more to maintain. Certain items will be similar (ABC for instance) but brakes are more, tires are more, etc. The 500 is a bit boring, but you are used to boring coming from the lexus. I agree on getting whatever you can put a warranty on. And buy the longest warranty possible. I'd save up some money, buy a low mileage 06 s55, and put a warranty on that.

 

Thanks for the great response but here comes the stupid question, Im guessing ABC stands for (Active body control?) why is it so problematic? and are there other major trouble areas with these cars?

 

Excellent car ...... BUT with warranty.

 

Yup you got it! The ABC has its problems BUT it works just plain old awesome. You can come into a turn at any speed really and there is zero body roll it is incredible. The ABC is pricey to fix because of the overpriced parts. Other than that really the cost of ownership between a 500 and 55 are close I think. I had a S500 before my S55 and I am so glad I switched to the Kompressor! Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

 

The S55 is amazing - I would not pass it up for an S500. The power and AMG aspect of it is too good.

Definitely try to get one that you can still get an extended warranty, though - as these cars have a lot of stuff that can go wrong. They are strongly built vehicles, but have a lot packed into them and are performance machines.

When you accelerate an S55, you'll forget any other car you were considering.

(Well, unless you were considering an S65 or something - haha!)

 

Thanks guys! I found a local 03 S55 with close to 100K with full meticulous service history (even replaced the ABC system, hoses etc. under warranty at 76K miles). I am still hesitant because I need reliability as this would be my DD and I drive allot. I usually never take any car to the stealer for service, I stick with independent guys, so hopefully that helps in service costs?

 

I love the car but I will part with it...$18500

Black on black...keyless go-easy trunk-dynamic seats
Smells new inside

Exterior had rock chips on hood and front bumper---95% HIGHWAY driven before I got it....

MILES 130K...what? yes and it was a certified car..super maintained

I have put 5000 miles on this car with zero issues in the last 2 months
My friend is a CERTIFIED AMG/Mercedes mechanic...
Changed the oil and air filters and belt when I bought it--
Had new brakes on the car when I got it...I am the 3rd owner

Will spin the tires at 40 mph in the dry...this car has incredible performance
with an easy 130k miles

 

what year is yours?

I would part with mine for around $35K

2004, only 31K miles, 9.9 out of 10 on body and paint, 31K miles, new left side struts ($3,400 warranty repair ), and 3/45K left on full Fidelity warranty

It hasn't been messed with, either. The only mod is my addition of the bluetooth puck for hands free calling (a must-have).

 

Your car sounds great! out of my budget though. The one I looked at is an 03 with close to 90K miles. Asking $17,800. It turns out there are some ABC issues so Im walking away...far away

 

RUN away from an ABC problem

 

WANT TO BUY MINE? COMES WITH WHEELS N EXTRA GOODIES..

 

I wouldn't buy one that didn't have wheels. how would I drive it home?

 

Year? miles? pics? Asking price? Thanks.

 

ABC problems will come your way eventually. But you definitely don't want to START with em!!!

 

I would put my car up against any 40k mile car any day .....zero issues with the ABC or anything else

My 60k S65 has more interior noise then my 130k s55....

my car also has a built in Calibre radar...a $1300 dealer setup..totally integrated in car....

This system saved my *** twice already on the HIGHWAY....I love it

 

I don't doubt what you are saying though lets be honest. Market value (not kbb because kbb has never sold a car) of your car says 18,500 is steep for 130K miles any way we slice it. If you put 20K miles and decide to sell it, you would be lucky to sell at $12,000. The truth is any car with that much mileage will take a hit no matter how clean. Again, I don't doubt your car is clean or as you say it is. I would just say unfortunately it has to take a hit price wise or just keep it and drive it?

 

LOL BAMG...take a hit? man the car was $130k just 6 years ago....lol....$18500? The drivetrain is worth $10k.....


if the car is broken it may be worth less....

But the a drivetrain from a 2005 E55 recently sold on ebay for $11k

The car is underrated PERIOD.....

IE...a lexus LS430 with 150k miles 2005 is still worth $15k wholesale...

In 4 years they only built less then 4k s55's....they build over 50k LS Lexus's yearly....

MSPR on a LEXUS was $73k loaded...the s55 was over $125k

If your Lexus breaks it will be expensive to fix just like the Benz....

THIS IS a MERCEDES not a CHEVROLET.....130k miles taken care of is = to a Chevrolet with 30k miles.....remember $125k of parts were put in the car new...

a 221k miles 2003 silver s55 went through auction 2 months ago for $15,200

nothing wrong with the car.....no options with a grey ash interior....

is this car going to depreciate? you tell me ...2003-2004 s500'S ARE still wholesaling with 100k miles for $13k.....wanna see?

at $18500...you can drive the **** out of it...put on another 50k miles...and still sell it for $16k....

WHO IS NOT GOING TO BUY A 12 sec. 500HP Mercedes in perfect running condition for $16k? I would all day long.......

My 130k mile car will outrun a brand new challenger or camaro ss with mods that cost almost $20k more....

 

Im not comparing your car to any american built scrap. Im not talking about power, I'm talking about market values and what makes sense. An S55 is a rare car, I'm not arguing that, its probably a fantastic car to own and drive daily. I know German cars can go forever (I've owned a few), Im just saying that 150,000 miles of anything will scare people. Logically a buyer thinks, well how many miles before I have to rebuild the car all over again and replace all the replaced parts, again. How much life is in the car, in the electronics, the Kompressor, the ABC system before it fails, gaskets, etc.
You are right, its a bullet of a car. That's the point, because it is, one starts to worry about how much of that bullet is still left. How much abuse has it gone through, and how much will the next owner pay to fix it.
I can tell you this about the wholesale market. The only people looking to buy cars like this in really high mileage (160 - 200K) will be Europeans. I see them at the auctions. The S55 I was looking at was bought wholesale 03 with 90,000 miles for $17,800. Anyway, no two cars sold wholesale or retail will ever go for the same money. Its just about finding the right buyer.

Here's the point, I don't mind high mileage cars because I drive allot anyway so I would rather buy them depreciated. But an S55 with the electrical gremlins I hear about (on this forum and others) worry me. I have no problem servicing cars, I know Im not buying a camry. I just don't want to rebuild an S55, I want to drive it and enjoy it. Air / hydraulic suspension worries me, it always has. I never found a fault in simple suspension, coilovers? So my best bet is to find the newest S55 with the lowest miles and the most documented service history. Even then its worth $100 to get checked at MBZ meticulously.

 

** within my budget **

 

I would not buy an S55, or any AMG, without a warranty. Nor would many members of these forums. The risk of huge costs due to part failure is just too high. Good luck getting warranty coverage on a 150,000 mile S55, and if you do, PLEASE POST IT HERE!

Example: Struts leaking in your ABC suspension? That will be $1,700 EACH, please, labor not included. Of course, that's the dealer price of the parts, I have read here that you can get rebuilt and 3rd-party struts for much less, but still 4 or 5 times the price of a "shock absorber'.