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I have been looking around at listings for a W221 S63/S65 as of late. I am leaning more towards the S65 because of the novelty (V12 sound) and the diamond stitch interior seats, even though I understand the costs that can be associated with these engines for maintenance and other issues.
My question is, for anyone in the forum that has bought a used S63/S65 (preferably S65) lately, what have you paid for the vehicle in relation to the KBB value listed? I understand that KBB is taken with a grain of salt with vehicles like these but the few 65s I've seen are listed at 15-20K over KBB value.
I am a long time member here and I have tried using the search function to find any threads associated with purchasing costs but I haven't been able to find much. I am guessing the W221 AMG community is obviously a lot more rare than the days I was on the W203 and W210 forums, respectably speaking.
This is an example of what I am looking at. Vehicle has a stage 3 Kleeman upgrade as well. Asking price is $53,800. Blue book price is around ~$43,000. Dealership tells me that this is the owner's vehicle and he is supposedly the original owner. However, the autocheck in their listing states that it's been through 3 owners. I am guessing he could have reregistered them under different dealerships, but I am not sure. The salesman couldn't really give me a good explanation besides it was the owners and has a $12,000 kleeman stage 3 on it.
I understand that KBB is not a good gauge on vehicles like this but I have never been in the market for used vehicles with MSRPs of over $230,000 and would like to know what the average price used ones go for. I should add that I've never been in the market for them brand new because I can't afford them
One thing to remember, most the time any aftermarket parts/ tuning, is always a loss on the seller's side and is not usually considered any added value. I am not saying it is not added value, I am just saying it is not considered added value, just like if this dealer was taking it in on trade, they wouldn't give the seller any extra for a Kleeman stage 3. and I would say if the carfax/AutoChek show 3 owners, then it has probably had at least 2. alot of times a car will show 2 owners if it was first leased and then the same person purchased the car after lease. I would also ask for proof of single ownership as well as proof of the kleeman stage 3, wait it has a renntech badge. is it kleeman or Renntech? I would be weary of this one.
Take it to an MB Dealer for a PPI, and have a look at the VMI, though if this truly is a dealer owner owned car, he probably would have his Chevy tech's do the maintenance
Also as you already know the repair costs on these can be pricey. make sure you have between $5-10K available for repair/maintenance, and do your ABC maintenance religiously. The system is awesome and robust as long as it is maintained properly, Powersteering fluid, though not as bad as brake fluid, is hydrophilic. and delayed maintenance allows water into the system and that is what causes alot of the issues.
One thing to remember, most the time any aftermarket parts/ tuning, is always a loss on the seller's side and is not usually considered any added value. I am not saying it is not added value, I am just saying it is not considered added value, just like if this dealer was taking it in on trade, they wouldn't give the seller any extra for a Kleeman stage 3. and I would say if the carfax/AutoChek show 3 owners, then it has probably had at least 2. alot of times a car will show 2 owners if it was first leased and then the same person purchased the car after lease. I would also ask for proof of single ownership as well as proof of the kleeman stage 3, wait it has a renntech badge. is it kleeman or Renntech? I would be weary of this one.
Take it to an MB Dealer for a PPI, and have a look at the VMI, though if this truly is a dealer owner owned car, he probably would have his Chevy tech's do the maintenance
Also as you already know the repair costs on these can be pricey. make sure you have between $5-10K available for repair/maintenance, and do your ABC maintenance religiously. The system is awesome and robust as long as it is maintained properly, Powersteering fluid, though not as bad as brake fluid, is hydrophilic. and delayed maintenance allows water into the system and that is what causes alot of the issues.
Those were my thoughts exactly when the salesman brought up that this vehicle was Kleeman tuned stage 3 for 12K. If I had brought him a Z06 with a 10K aftermarket package that would not change their trade in offer.
But yes, I would plan on getting a PPI and also the VMI records. Still looking around though for something that I feel has the best interior and exterior color with a good price. There is one 2013 priced at 60K firm, but I just feel at that point I could potentially find a used W222 S63.
I bought a 2007 S65 in February and shiped it to Puerto Rico. The car was in great shape and so far I changed all fluids and replaced the spak plugs. I also changed the seals on the valve covers, water pump and thermostat as well as some hoses wich looked very old and the brake lines, not because they had issues, only to play it safe.
After that we did the Stage 3 ECU and TCU Kleeman tune and the Quaife LSD and it runs very smoothly.
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Originally Posted by MBTION
I bought a 2007 S65 in February and shiped it to Puerto Rico. The car was in great shape and so far I changed all fluids and replaced the spak plugs. I also changed the seals on the valve covers, water pump and thermostat as well as some hoses wich looked very old and the brake lines, not because they had issues, only to play it safe.
After that we did the Stage 3 ECU and TCU Kleeman tune and the Quaife LSD and it runs very smoothly.
2012 so a late facelift 221 car. Mercedes had most of the bugs worked out of them by then! Trimmed to taste... Love the black wood.... The white everything else.... Not my car!
Renn-tech badges on it but no pics of the uber expensive airbox under hood. Boooo! Bad dealership! This car looks like the same one advertised at Driving Emotions 2-3 years ago. Hmmmm.....
OP it looks to be a clean car. I'd never jump into one without a VMI and a good Mercedes dealership tech giving it the OK.
Price seems high to me for it.... My opinion being worth exactly what you are paying for it. The car is worth what a willing buyer will pay for it.
I paid too much for my car four years ago.... But AMG crack! That craving! First hit is free!
All but no Panoramic and no entertainment on the back.
102K miles
Paid $22,750, have spent like $4,500 in the upgrades including both TCU and ECU tunes, Cat delete, Quaife LSD and painting the calipers, and another $3,500 in all the hoses, seals, transmission and diferential bushings, power steering, brakes and suspension fluids, coolant, transmission, differential and motor oil, pcv, hood cable and labor.
Time will tell, but so far no surprises and when we took the valve covers it looked very well maintained, so I expect good times with it.
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Originally Posted by JohnLane
2012 so a late facelift 221 car. Mercedes had most of the bugs worked out of them by then! Trimmed to taste... Love the black wood.... The white everything else.... Not my car!
Renn-tech badges on it but no pics of the uber expensive airbox under hood. Boooo! Bad dealership! This car looks like the same one advertised at Driving Emotions 2-3 years ago. Hmmmm.....
OP it looks to be a clean car. I'd never jump into one without a VMI and a good Mercedes dealership tech giving it the OK.
Price seems high to me for it.... My opinion being worth exactly what you are paying for it. The car is worth what a willing buyer will pay for it.
I paid too much for my car four years ago.... But AMG crack! That craving! First hit is free!
Yeah that AMG crack hits different... that probably is the Driving Emotions car... I’m not so sure I’d be running to RENNtech with these... But I’d also likely not be jumping at the V12 either, certainly not a high miler... so discount everything I say accordingly.
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Originally Posted by MBTION
All but no Panoramic and no entertainment on the back.
102K miles
Paid $22,750, have spent like $4,500 in the upgrades including both TCU and ECU tunes, Cat delete, Quaife LSD and painting the calipers, and another $3,500 in all the hoses, seals, transmission and diferential bushings, power steering, brakes and suspension fluids, coolant, transmission, differential and motor oil, pcv, hood cable and labor.
Time will tell, but so far no surprises and when we took the valve covers it looked very well maintained, so I expect good times with it.
I don’t see the ABC system in this list. Don’t overlook that.
@MBTION Very nice and thorough evaluation of your S65. I appreciate someone with the concern to make sure they check and replace any components that MIGHT cause issue going forward. I strive to be the same way, but fortunately most of the vehicle's I have owned were New or I was lucky enough to purchase off someone I knew took good care of them. Nonetheless, congratulations on your purchase!
@JohnLane My thoughts exactly. Advertising a Renn-Tech build but only showing the badges makes me feel wery especially after I asked for additional photos and they mentioned it was at the owners home. The dealership has continued to contact me if I was interested, but as you said I feel the price is a bit high and I don't think they would budge even if my PPI and MB Tech were to point out any concerns. I'm still not ready to buy and just silently lurking. I did find a 2006 S65 that matches my 04 C32 color combo exactly the same. Pewter exterior and Black Interior. I even had the S65 replicas on my C32. The nostalgia would be strong with that purchase, but I can't bring myself to buy a 14 year old vehicle. AHH decisions, decisions if only I didn't have a 3 time rescheduled corona wedding to pay for in August I guess it could be my wedding gift?
@MBTION Very nice and thorough evaluation of your S65. I appreciate someone with the concern to make sure they check and replace any components that MIGHT cause issue going forward. I strive to be the same way, but fortunately most of the vehicle's I have owned were New or I was lucky enough to purchase off someone I knew took good care of them. Nonetheless, congratulations on your purchase!
@JohnLane My thoughts exactly. Advertising a Renn-Tech build but only showing the badges makes me feel wery especially after I asked for additional photos and they mentioned it was at the owners home. The dealership has continued to contact me if I was interested, but as you said I feel the price is a bit high and I don't think they would budge even if my PPI and MB Tech were to point out any concerns. I'm still not ready to buy and just silently lurking. I did find a 2006 S65 that matches my 04 C32 color combo exactly the same. Pewter exterior and Black Interior. I even had the S65 replicas on my C32. The nostalgia would be strong with that purchase, but I can't bring myself to buy a 14 year old vehicle. AHH decisions, decisions if only I didn't have a 3 time rescheduled corona wedding to pay for in August I guess it could be my wedding gift?
I just stayed away from anything modified. I use mine daily and I do not have a heavy foot. I do burnouts for the cameras at meets, but I am not racing it amd will only try the half mile twice a year.
Buying a heavily moded car has the implicit posibility of missuse or abuse to the engine, trans and diferential
I'd not have a 220 car as Mercedes solved myriad issues in that chassis series.... Via the 221 car. They all have their issues but as yet I have not experienced hydraulic lines blowing up as is so often described in the 220 cars. I just got to replace the engine in mine when I won that lottery after it decided to spit a main bearing shell into the chains. Ahhhhhh.... We pay to play.
Congrats at marrying one off!
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Yeah... any car can be abused (donuts at meets), and the trick is to make sure you don’t buy one or abuse one... there’s an SL waiting for a new engine right now on my buddy’s hoist because of... “donuts at meets”... it’s probably the surest way to throw a rod, bouncing off the rev limiter combined with intense lateral Gforces... YMMV... as for the 65 cars, my own view is they weren’t really cured of their illnesses until the ignition system was revised for the W222 chassis... but then you get $6k headlights to go with it... no thanks... like @JohnLane says, we pay to play... pick your poison... W220, V12, or donuts at meets... it’s all just money and AMG crack.
Yeah... any car can be abused (donuts at meets), and the trick is to make sure you don’t buy one or abuse one... there’s an SL waiting for a new engine right now on my buddy’s hoist because of... “donuts at meets”... it’s probably the surest way to throw a rod, bouncing off the rev limiter combined with intense lateral Gforces... YMMV... as for the 65 cars, my own view is they weren’t really cured of their illnesses until the ignition system was revised for the W222 chassis... but then you get $6k headlights to go with it... no thanks... like @JohnLane says, we pay to play... pick your poison... W220, V12, or donuts at meets... it’s all just money and AMG crack.
maw
That's why I only do bunouts and not donuts. Always a risk, but I feel the car barelly feels burnouts as they come naturally.
Always cool to know fun is always waiting for me in the gas pedal.
I’m lucky enough to have found a 2013 W221 S63 not too far from me at all. I was originally looking for an S65 but considering the 63 is a late model W221 and would help me save some cash while not having to deal with the logistics of buying out of state/delivering; I’m definitely thinking about purchasing this one.
2013 S63
~52,000 miles
$38,000
I am going to take a look at it tomorrow afternoon; anything that I should look at specifically? If it looks good enough to purchase I’ll definitely get a PPI performed.
Hi ALL! I am also considering a 2017 S65AMG Cabriolet, about ~10-15K miles on it at the moment, curious on thoughts/experiences of 1/ wear-tear on the car in driving styles, 2/ possibility of improvements to be done to the car over time, 3/ feedback and comments or views on the driving ability of it as a daily and weekender drive.
I'm in Australia. These are rare, you pay well over what we call red book value, but less than at a dealer.
Parts in Australia are outrageous and service dealership gets worse the further you get from a major city... its a big country
The main consideration I had was number of owners, age/km and condition.
Mine was one owner and traded to dealer, the second owner had 4 cars so it did not get used much around another 15000km on the clock with MB offering the second owner a warranty and a few things were fixed. With that second owner it went outside of warranty and I talked to the owners mechanic who was recognized in New South Wales Australia as being someone good. I spent 5,000 upfront at purchase on top of price, then it has cost me over 10,000 this year. So all up around say 20,000 max over 4 yrs but it is in immaculate condition. That really is little money all up. If I bought a mustang at 90,000AUD it would lose that and more in 4 years......
I’m lucky enough to have found a 2013 W221 S63 not too far from me at all. I was originally looking for an S65 but considering the 63 is a late model W221 and would help me save some cash while not having to deal with the logistics of buying out of state/delivering; I’m definitely thinking about purchasing this one.
2013 S63
~52,000 miles
$38,000
I am going to take a look at it tomorrow afternoon; anything that I should look at specifically? If it looks good enough to purchase I’ll definitely get a PPI performed.
Thanks.
Did you take a look? I'm probably late but look closely at the wheels, I think they're fakes. Might help you get a lower price.
yes that happened with my second hand car....I dint know, I had to purchase a genuine set of new AMG wheels.......thousands.......oops and the bolts werenot long enough either.... that cost a fair bit as well
over here over 2000 per rim and it was 900 for the bolts for the wheels
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
I guess it could be my wedding gift?
