Supplyguy

Last week posted my trepidation about buying an S55, and with the help of folks here and others, I jumped in. Picked mine up from Carmax for $20k and added the $3k extended warranty (72 mos / 100,000 miles). Car has 50,000 miles. Absolutely loving the luxury, performance, and exclusivity. Enjoying the mystery, too - car came with no owner's manual and I've been experimenting with buttons and switches. (Carmax covering the purchase of a replacement manual on eBay and also found pdf here). Imagine my surprise to find a cassette and CD player hidden behind the nav screen! The electronics seem dated but kind of cool retro. Gas mileage blows but I knew it would. Cup holder is the most over-engineered worthless device I've ever seen. The modern car I've owned with a worst arrangement was a '92 BMW 525i - had none. I'm a coffee addict - in one week I have knocked over the cup twice in this car! Made an eight hour round trip journey today and stunned how comfortable and relaxed it was - no fatigue at all. Even found a CL500 to run with on I-64 for an hour. Will be researching bluetooth and Sirius hookups here, winter tires, and maybe some affordable rims. And if anyone knows what originally came in the small compartment in the glove box (not what you put in it after you got it) I'd appreciate the info. Restored my '71 Fiat with the help of experts on the Fiat forum and hoping to get smart here without being a PITA. Thanks in advance - Chuck.

mrbenzes

That all sounds god chuck and I agree on the POS cup holders...Europeans dont eat and dring while driving like us spoiled Americans...haha the older benzes had nothing for drinks at all...
I have all of the manuals and books, etc. if you need any info...I also bought the MB bluetooth module...drop me a note offline and ill send you my phone number if you want to call me about anything.
Glad to see you bought the car..you wont regret it.
Mike

mrbenzes

god===good...sorry for z typo...haha

HIGHLANDER S-55

Great deal you paid over 100k less than the first buyer. Enjoy your new ride. Dont forget to put on the lowering links asap and call Eurocharged for a pulley and tune. Then you can really start having some fun...

jwalther

Didn't happen without pictures

merc79

+1, pics a must

Supplyguy

Ok....will give photos a try. Regarding cup holders, when I lived in Stuttgart I complained to my old German neighbor (911 owner) about no cup holders in my '92 BMW 525i. His comment, "Vell vee Chermans don't sink you should be driving and drinking coffee anyvay." My answer, "Well I don't think I should be behind the wheel unless I'm drinking coffee!" Also, colleagues are now suggesting as a Mercedes owner I have to give up Wawa? Tell me it isn't so!

HIGHLANDER S-55

Wow.. a distronics equiped car with keyless go with the light color interrior. Nice job.

Supplyguy

Don't they all come that way?

richvegas

pretty rare to have distronic in a s55 and light interior is also rare.

Supplyguy

...if distonic and tan is good. BTW - car made it 10 days from purchase before back for warranty work. I'm okay with that, too - make my car better at no expense to me!

Zachmac

Welcome to the forum. I recently sold my 1980 Fiat spider! I spent a lot of time on that forum as well. I drove an 04 S55 for a long time and am currently in an 05 S600. Both are great, but different cars. You do indeed seem to have a rare combo and with the low miles and warranty seem to have gotten a very good deal. BTW, what's wrong with the factory split spoke AMG wheels? I assume they are 18s staggered? I ran those, 19s and 20s on my 04 S55. I would NOT recommend 20s and frankly the 19s were no better handling than the factory 18s with rougher ride and more expensive tires.

Zachmac

Also, if you want a cheap set of rims that will bolt tight up for snows check out Sonic Tunings ST181s (search for it here). I have a spare set of two in 18 / 8.5 " for sale cheap if you're interested.

mbelite1

Nice ride! We just sold our 2006 S65 for $26k! Amazing how much the price is affected by the milage. Mine had 90k miles and Carmax only offered me $18k for it!

Supplyguy

Small world. Luigi, right? You and I had an exchange there....I wanted to know about the "serve a moose a pancake" analogy you used. Also, have had the pleasure of meeting Craig and Denise at the FFO events. My guru up here is Capt John Erskine - without him my 71 would not be what it is today.

Anyway, the rims that came on my car, I presume they are original, are just way too flashy chrome for me (18's staggered). Would really like an affordable set for non-winter use that I like, and use these chromed ones just for snow. Not finding a great deal on ST181's....Sonic's web site doesn't carry them anymore.

HIGHLANDER S-55

I know this sounds crazy... but almost everything you could want can be found on Ebay. Lots of rims new and used. Tire and rim packages balanced and delivered right to your door. People parting out their cars. Lights, all kinds of good stuff...

Supplyguy

I know...bought much stuff from eBay for the Fiat, but cruising the forum here I am skittish because I don't understand sizes, bolt patterns, staggered etc. On eBay too many sellers claim lots of equipment fits lots of cars and I'd hate to make a mistake. I just want exactly the same size I have now.

matte4life

very hard to find. nice car.

Supplyguy

Carmax kept my car two weeks to replace the motor and transmission mounts and complete a few punch list items. Picked the car up Friday, on Saturday the ABC red light came on. Back to Carmax tomorrow. Pretty sure my car will spend 20 of my first 30 days in the shop. Once past the 30 day warranty I am so headed to an MB dealer.

Zachmac

Yup, that's me (zachmac / Luigi). Just be careful on wheels that you pay attention to the offsets. The S class offsets are very different than E class or SLs. You want to stick pretty close to stock offset, somewhere in the 44 range if memory serves. If you could find two other used ST181s somewhere I have two I'll let go very cheap. I realize without two more they are just paperweights.

BTW, I am thinking I need to find an early Fiat. The older the better. A 69 would be the dream car.

Dr. Tune

Chrome rims just for the snow? Ouch, one season and they will be destroyed!
If they are in good shape now, you should sell them while they are still worth something.
FYI, I will be selling the rims in my sig which I believe are S65 AMG 19" rims that were on the car when I bought them. I'm not a fan of the darker rims and prefer silver. Hey, I might be interested in the "flashy" 18s you have, lol.
PM me if you (or anybody else) is interested in these rims.