Diesel117

Hello all,

Need advice. I am going to look at a 2005 S55 tomorrow and need to know what to look out for, etc. It is a one owner car with 147K miles. It looks clean in the pictures.

Also, what are your thoughts on what it is worth? Reliability issues? Does this model have the dreaded airmatic suspension?

If I like it I will run a carfax and get a pre-purchase inspection.

Thanks,

Brian

xlr8tin

Geez, 147k miles? This car better be dirt cheap. There's no reason you can't find one with less miles. Granted it could have been taken care of, but why chance it. These cars are expensive to fix and maintain.

And yes, this car has the dread suspension, but it's not airmatic...it's hydraulic...ABC suspension.

What is the price of this car? Also, why this one? Do you need a car this big?

Diesel117

Seller is asking $13k but I think they will take less. I have read that the engine and transmission are great in this car so wondering if this thing has another 100K miles left in it?

mrbobby

Drive lines are usually quite robust. They need to be to handle the HP and torque. Electrical issues can be a challenge. I'm going through a few issues now with my recent purchase.

A code check can give you a good clue as to what has been going on and what are hidden issues.

You may want to ask for any service records.I agree with xlr8tin. S55's are not inexpensive to fix.

Good luck

Zax63

You can quite easily spent 13k on repairs. Look for replaced abc pump, shocks, brakes, and coil packs. Have an mb dealer do a PPI. Then go buy a lower mileage one with all that stuff replaced in the last 20k.

Diesel117

If the ABC pump turns out to haven been recently replaced, etc and a PPI checks out why go find a different car?

xlr8tin

Well, you are gonna need a service history or a PPI. Like already mentioned the ABC suspension parts WILL fail. It's a sure thing. Specially with this many miles. It's also possible that they have been replaced, but I'd make sure before driving off in this car.

For 13K, you can get a nice W210 E55. Personal I don't think I'd take this deal. These cars are great, but if you don't need one this big than I'd settle for the E55. I've had 2 and love them.

Just be sure the car has been taken care of.

Zax63

I'd just want to see a whole lot more replaced than the pump. If the car has complete records, oodles of things will have been replaced. I'd want to see a list as well as proof of all scheduled maintenance plus a PPI with compression test before I'd start looking at the car. These cars don't do deferred maintenance well. Unless you do all your own work and have tons of money, I'd be cautious. If the records are complete and the car has been fastidiously maintained, if the driver is a 60 year old businessman who has been commuting 60 miles a day in the car, and if it passes a PPI, I'd be willing to look at it.

mrbenzes

Id give the car a long drive but if you are a DIYer you shouldnt be too scared of the miles if it all checks out...Especially if you can get it for $13k or less. If those records show some ABC replacement parts...you should be good to go.
Send some pics.
Mike

Diesel117

Diesel117

Turned out to be a dealer that also had an E55 but it the E had some good hail damage. The S55 was pretty clean. The interior was damn near perfect. All standard electronics worked fine as well as the Keyless go.

The bad: Missing the Navigation DVD. Dynamic seats only worked on the left bolster, not the right. Vented air seats did not seam to work at all. Heated seats worked on back but not the seat. Rear sun shade was stuck in the up position.

If I move forward: Still to verify was a one owner car, get records, start report, PPI, Carfax, and negotiate price.

Diesel117

I am a DIYer and would buy a STAR diagnostics computer. I can use a wrench and have just about everything but a lift, and my father has one of those, lol. I love forums, tutorials, pictures, and videos.

I need to find a few great sources for MB parts and a STAR diagnostics computer.

mrbenzes

I bought th STAR last year for my ABC flush...I ended up putting about $600 in mine including buying an older 2005 era laptop also might be able to copy my NAV CD but it is a 2005 model...pretty outdated...I dont use my NAV much due to the older maps.. The car looks really nice in the pics..you may have found a real steal there....What year and price was the E55?

Diesel117

The E55 is a 2003 with 57K miles. It is a salvage rebuilt title due to hail damage. Still a few dents in it too. No options car. He wants $17K for it....way too much.

Do you have to match up the STAR with a similar year computer? Will a newer Nav DVD work in the '05 S55?

Diesel117

I need to price out brake rotors, pads, ABC filters, fluid,etc. Anyone point me to a few good sources?

mrbenzes

You're right about the E...too much. I dont think you need to match the STAR up to an older PC, mine didnt work with a newer PC so I thought that was the issue, but the older PC had the same problem...i got my suppler to send me some software path that fixed the issue. You will need a serial port on the PC though for the MUX connection.
I bought some front rotors on EBAY...OEM for $200 each...so I bought them and have them on the shelf until I need them...they are pretty pricey from the dealer...I had to go to the dealer for the ABC filters...$70 each! Those can also be found on EBay but only buy OEM filters if you go the ebay route. www.Autohausaz.com is a good source for MB parts but they dont carry all that much for the AMG cars.
And yes, you should still be able to get new navigation DVDs for the 2005 cars.
Mike

Diesel117

Do I have to get a Nav DVD for a 2005 S55 or will any newer MB Nav DVD work? Is it make, model, and year specific?

mrbenzes

I dont know the answer to that but the dealer would know....

DRTYLNDY

Here is my two cents.
I would NOT be afraid of the miles. MB's are built to last for the long haul. Yes they do need repairs and it can get expensive but if you can wrench it is not that bad at all. I do all the servicing on my S55 and I have almost 120K now.
If you want it get it. It is an amazing car hands down. I use to drive a Z06 Vette but then wife and kid came so Vette went and now I get the S55. I LOVE my S55 and would never go back to the Vette. Maybe I am just getting older.
Good Luck
Johan

Zax63

WELL? Didjabuyit didjabuyit?

xlr8tin

Yea! What's the deal? OP left us hanging

Diesel117

I'm still deciding. Found a clean E55 I like more. Airmatic vs ABC...

xlr8tin

Unless you need a bigger car, I'd say go with the E55. I would have if I didn't need the extra size. Of course now we have a Denali, but I love my S...next one might be smaller

Do you have pix and details of E? I'm assuming it an W211?

Zax63

I agree. I need the S because an adult can't fit behind me in the E, but I have had both. The E handles better, less complex, and they are cabs in Europe so parts are generally cheaper. Not many AMG cabs, but I'm talking the more pedestrian pieces. The E55 is also faster than the S55.

jd986s

I have Nav DVDs. Version 2006.1 released in 2007. S,E,CL,SLK,SL from the same period use the same Nav DVD. PM me if you need the nav DVD. I'll make you a deal. I also have Nav DVD for other MB cars. All authentic MB not copy.