Buy or simply walk away
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
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From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Buy or simply walk away
Looking for some input on my situation from fellow owners of the S55. I have a 2003 S55 FS in my area, the car has 140K miles. It looks clean, and I will obviously have a detailed pre-purchase inspection done at the dealer prior to making a purchase. Is the 2003 S55 with 140k miles worth considering if it checks out clean and only requires some of the usual maintenance items that come with age and wear? It will start as a daily driver for me, but in a matter of months will be a second car and not driven daily with around 6-7K miles per year. I have previously owned W210’s and would not hesitate buying one with 140K miles, but asking about this 03 S55 as I am not familiar with model, engine etc.
Any input would be much appreciated.
Any input would be much appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Many thanks Shardul. We just moved back from England so my other vehicle being a LR Defender is being shipped over and should be here in a month. I will search and see if I can find any other S55's close to me or on the forum. Always been a dream car so when I saw this one it peeked my interest.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Why not??? 
My 2004 S55 is at 150k and used as a daily driver, no problems what so ever.
At the time of me buying one another one sold that had 180k on the clock and that was also being used as a daily driver. What do you think 140k is going to do to it that 40k didnt, apart from maintenance items?
Well looked after and these cars are bullet proof.
My 2004 S55 is at 150k and used as a daily driver, no problems what so ever.
At the time of me buying one another one sold that had 180k on the clock and that was also being used as a daily driver. What do you think 140k is going to do to it that 40k didnt, apart from maintenance items?
Well looked after and these cars are bullet proof.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Texas
2003 CL55
With a 140K, not knowing what all the car has been thorugh, the odds are not in your favor of having a daily driver that will not need any attention. If you can not risk any down time, then get the second car first.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
www.ultimatepd.com
instagram @ultimate_pd
facebook.com/ultimatepd
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Many thanks for your input. I am going to check out this car. If I like it, will have it checked at the dealership in detail. I can pay cash for it and will have cash set aside if the ABC crashes.
I dp appreciate everyones input, hopefully I will like it and perhaps the ABC issue has been sorted on this car.
I dp appreciate everyones input, hopefully I will like it and perhaps the ABC issue has been sorted on this car.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
I would suggest you go and have a look at the car in person, check it thoroughly and take it for a nice long drive. Thats the only way your telling what kind of a state that car is in. If most of the 140k has been motorway/highway miles then i would not worry one bit about it.
Oh yeah, despite it having a notorious reputation to make grown men cry, the ABC is not all too bad to be honest.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Why not???
My 2004 S55 is at 150k and used as a daily driver, no problems what so ever.
At the time of me buying one another one sold that had 180k on the clock and that was also being used as a daily driver. What do you think 140k is going to do to it that 40k didnt, apart from maintenance items?
Well looked after and these cars are bullet proof.
My 2004 S55 is at 150k and used as a daily driver, no problems what so ever.
At the time of me buying one another one sold that had 180k on the clock and that was also being used as a daily driver. What do you think 140k is going to do to it that 40k didnt, apart from maintenance items?
Well looked after and these cars are bullet proof.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...uite-soft.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-dipstick.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...come-back.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...nly-white.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...y-failure.html
thats not including your vibration issue.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
no problems whatsoever, huh:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...uite-soft.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-dipstick.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...come-back.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...nly-white.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...y-failure.html
thats not including your vibration issue.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...uite-soft.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-dipstick.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...come-back.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...nly-white.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...y-failure.html
thats not including your vibration issue.
Also, theres nothing wrong with my car now, including the vibration issues, which have not been reported on cars with less than half the mileage.
The whole point im trying to make is that 140k is absolutely nothing for one of these cars, i dont know why people get put off with big numbers, were not in the 80's anymore.
But like i also said, your only going to find out what that particular car is like on the day you see and drive it, might feel a whole load more tighter than a car with just 50k on it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
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From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
w4sim - many thanks for your input. We just moved back from Worcestershire and had a great time living in the English countryside. I could not see the car today, but still pursuing it or will search for another S55.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
My current car was actually the 2nd S55 i went to see before purchasing. The first one had less mileage on it but felt very "loose" if you know what i mean. There was a certain lack of feel from the car and it just didnt sit right with me, nearly put me off the whole S55 idea to be honest as i thought they might all be like that. This one however, changed my mind.
And you dont have to buy the first one you see, have a look at a few if you want. But if the price is right, and its going to be a daily driver, then dont be put off by the mileage.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: UK
'02 S55KL AMG
Agreed with Wasim, had a look at one that had 80K on the clock and felt shagged. I went for the 4th one i went to view which had 107K on the clock but felt tight as a nut with general maintainance carried out (inc ABC pump and gear shifter). Splashed the cash and got it home, its been fine since.
Dont be put off by the mileage, if you get it checked out and it seems ok then go for it.
Dont be put off by the mileage, if you get it checked out and it seems ok then go for it.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Agreed with Wasim, had a look at one that had 80K on the clock and felt shagged. I went for the 4th one i went to view which had 107K on the clock but felt tight as a nut with general maintainance carried out (inc ABC pump and gear shifter). Splashed the cash and got it home, its been fine since.
Dont be put off by the mileage, if you get it checked out and it seems ok then go for it.
Dont be put off by the mileage, if you get it checked out and it seems ok then go for it.
Yeah mine was the 2nd one i saw, but had 112k on it at the time.
Seemed like a pretty good car, splashed the cash, got it home and have enjoyed it ever since. MOST of the work on it iv been able to do myself so to me these cars dont seem to be a massive money pit either, its worked out to be about as difficult to maintain as a normal family saloon.
Harpreet, where abouts are you from? Iv yet to see another S55 on the roads.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: UK
'02 S55KL AMG
Yeah mine was the 2nd one i saw, but had 112k on it at the time.
Seemed like a pretty good car, splashed the cash, got it home and have enjoyed it ever since. MOST of the work on it iv been able to do myself so to me these cars dont seem to be a massive money pit either, its worked out to be about as difficult to maintain as a normal family saloon.
Harpreet, where abouts are you from? Iv yet to see another S55 on the roads.
Seemed like a pretty good car, splashed the cash, got it home and have enjoyed it ever since. MOST of the work on it iv been able to do myself so to me these cars dont seem to be a massive money pit either, its worked out to be about as difficult to maintain as a normal family saloon.
Harpreet, where abouts are you from? Iv yet to see another S55 on the roads.
Im from Leicestershire, East Midlands...! Only seen another S55KL and that was in Leicester, Obsidian Black on an 04 plate...!! I can imagine yours to be quite the head turner around West Yorkshire
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Most of the people around here have C63's, but mine turns heads for its own reason. Sheer size of it and the sound it produces might have something to do with it though.
